Around 240,000 artifacts unearthed at an archaeological site in Moose Jaw, Sask., are shedding light on the extensive human history in the Wakamow Valley. The latest findings were presented by archaeologists at the Moose Jaw library recently.
Bill Strongarm, a member of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations from the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council, expressed his satisfaction upon the discovery of the site and artifacts, emphasizing its sacred traditional significance. The location served as a resting place for Saulteaux and Assiniboine tribes en route to the Cypress Hills in southwest Saskatchewan, likely halting for water, food, and some even wintering there.
These newly discovered artifacts represent a fragment of the stories awaiting further exploration regarding Indigenous people. Strongarm envisions the establishment of a heritage center to safeguard the area’s historical significance.
Alan Kojejbo, a senior archaeologist at Respect Heritage Consulting, mentioned their involvement in the site due to impending highway construction nearby. The artifacts discovered date back to pre- and post-European contact periods, indicating human activity in the region for over 12,000 years.
The artifacts include stone and bone tools such as projectile points, scrapers, awls, and knives, some crafted from bison bones. Notably, evidence of plant and pottery usage was found, with the pottery materials suggesting origins from southern Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota, contrary to initial assumptions of Missouri.
Microscopic analysis of plant residue on artifacts unveiled traces of wild rice, beans, corn, and squash, hinting at potential agricultural practices. This discovery raises questions about food cultivation practices in the area, possibly making it a unique site in Saskatchewan.
The artifacts have been transferred to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for in-depth examination, aiming to enhance understanding of the site’s historical context. Strongarm expressed pride in these findings, emphasizing their significance in validating the enduring presence and heritage of Indigenous communities in the region.
