Local indigenous history the focus of a new group

A group of Indigenous elders, archaeologists and scientists have come together to explore historically significant sites related to Indigenous ancestry.

The elders of the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council have been talking to academics for several years, exchanging information about sites they would like to visit.

Robert Losey, an archaeologist from the University of Alberta, said it is an honor to accompany the elders to the sites.

“They share their knowledge of these places and we share a little bit of our knowledge with them and we both learn in the process,” he said.

In September, the group met for the first time to explore a ravine near the town of Craven.

Before European contact, the ravine was once used as a winter camping area for indigenous groups passing through.

Since then, information about the site and its importance has been passed on to indigenous communities in the area through oral history.

Bill Strongarm, an elder of Kawacatoose First Nation, recalled visiting the site with an uncle in the 1970s.

“We stopped and walked a little way to the ravine. He told me where our ancestors lived. I felt elated and happy to be on a site that offered some connection,” he said.

In October, the group gathered on a plot of land untouched by researchers near the town of Davidson.

The landowners had heard many stories about the area and wanted the group to take a look.

With winter approaching, the group has no plans to visit other locations until next year.

Andrew Miller, a professor from the First Nations University of Canada, said they will continue to celebrate Indigenous history.

“We don’t often think about Indigenous history, but we really should. We have to remember where people were 200, 400 years ago. This is a way to understand that past,” he said.