An archaeological field school situated at a national historic site close to Fort St. John, B.C., is providing insights into 12,500 years of First Nations history, uncovering ancient stone tools and animal remains. Tse’k’wa, owned by Doig River, Prophet River, and West Moberly First Nations, was home to the Dane-zaa ancestors for many generations.
West Moberly Elder Laura Webb expressed, “It’s an ancient archaeological site that validates our longstanding presence. The Dane-zaa people have inhabited this land for over 12,500 years, as evidenced by the ancient artifacts discovered here.”
Tse’k’wa is among the 57,000 known archaeological sites in the province, showcasing human settlements dating back to the last ice age in North America. The site offers a chance for the nations involved to share their rich history, culture, and language with interested individuals.
While the public can visit the site, the field school activities are carried out by students from the University of Northern British Columbia. As Webb highlighted, “It serves as a gathering place to impart our cultural heritage, demonstrating our harmonious relationship with nature in the past.”
In the distant past, giant bison roamed the Peace valley, transitioning from grasslands to boreal forests after a glacial lake receded. The site is believed to have had ritual significance, as evidenced by the burial of two ravens a millennium apart, a symbol of spiritual importance in various Indigenous traditions.
Researchers have unearthed a wealth of evidence at Tse’k’wa, including stone tools, ancient animal bones, and fragments of obsidian, a rare material highly valued for its sharp edge retention. Among the discoveries is a 10,500-year-old stone bead, the oldest human adornment found north of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.
Garry Oker, an elder from Doig River First Nation, remarked that the artifacts align with the oral traditions passed down through generations. Oker, president of the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, established in 2012 by the three nations, aims to preserve the site as an interpretive center for cultural teachings and communal gatherings.
Tse’k’wa, meaning “rock house” in the Dane-zaa Záágéʔ language, refers to the cave on the site. Visitors can follow a trail to the cave, guided by signs explaining the oral history and its reflection in the archaeological findings.
Alyssa Currie, the executive director of the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, noted that 500 generations of Dane-zaa ancestors have utilized the site, with ancient cultural practices still observed today. She emphasized the importance of connecting the archaeological artifacts to the enduring Dane-zaa stories within the community.
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