Around 240,000 artifacts discovered at an archaeological site in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, are shedding light on the extensive human history in the Wakamow Valley. The latest findings were unveiled by archaeologists during presentations at the Moose Jaw library recently.
Bill Strongarm, a member of the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council within the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, expressed satisfaction with the discovery of the site and artifacts. He emphasized the site’s significance as a sacred traditional location, historically used as a camping area by Saulteaux and Assiniboine people en route to the Cypress Hills in southwest Saskatchewan. Strongarm indicated that these tribes likely halted at the site for water, food resupply, and some even stayed during the winter.
The unearthed artifacts represent just a fraction of the narratives surrounding Indigenous communities, prompting Strongarm to advocate for the establishment of a heritage center to safeguard the area for future generations. He hopes that the artifacts will enable a deeper understanding of how Indigenous populations adapted to their surroundings.
Alan Korejbo, a senior archaeologist from Respect Heritage Consulting, revealed that the archaeological excavation was initiated due to upcoming highway construction near the site. The artifacts discovered encompass both pre- and post-European contact periods, with pre-contact items suggesting human activity in the area dating back over 12,000 years.
The artifacts range from stone and bone tools like projectile points, scrapers, awls, and knives to tools crafted from bison bones. Notably, the site also yielded evidence of plant and pottery use, with pottery findings initially thought to be from Missouri but later traced to regions in southern Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota.
Microscopic analysis of plant residue on the artifacts indicated the presence of wild rice, beans, corn, and squash, suggesting a combination of food cultivation and gathering practices. This discovery is significant as it might represent the only site of its kind in Saskatchewan.
All artifacts have been transferred to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for further examination and research, aiming to provide additional insights into the site’s history and the lifestyles of its former inhabitants.
Overall, the discoveries at the Moose Jaw archaeological site contribute to a better understanding of Indigenous history and highlight the enduring presence of Indigenous communities on the continent, a sentiment echoed by Strongarm, who expressed pride in these significant findings.