Around 240,000 artifacts unearthed at an archaeological site in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, are shedding light on the rich human history in the Wakamow Valley. The latest findings were revealed by archaeologists during presentations at the Moose Jaw library.
Bill Strongarm, a member of the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council and a senator with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, expressed his satisfaction at the discovery of the site and its artifacts. He described the site as a sacred place traditionally used by the Saulteaux and Assiniboine peoples as a camping ground en route to the Cypress Hills in southwest Saskatchewan. Strongarm suggested that these tribes likely halted at the site for water, food resupply, and some may have even stayed through the winter.
These newly discovered artifacts represent a layer of stories that call for further research into Indigenous cultures. Strongarm hopes that a heritage center can be established to safeguard the area and share more narratives on how Indigenous communities adapted to their surroundings.
Alan Korejbo, a senior archaeologist at Respect Heritage Consulting, mentioned that the archaeological survey was initiated due to impending construction work near a highway that could impact the site. The artifacts found date back to both pre- and post-European contact periods, with the pre-contact items indicating a human presence in the region for over 12,000 years. The artifacts include stone and bone tools such as projectile points, scrapers, awls, knives, and tools crafted from bison bones.
Korejbo noted the significance of the plant and pottery evidence at the site. The pottery, uncommon in southern Saskatchewan, was initially thought to be from Missouri but further analysis suggests origins from regions in southern Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota. Detailed examination of plant residues on the artifacts revealed evidence of wild rice, beans, corn, and squash, indicating a combination of food gathering and potential cultivation practices. This discovery could mark a unique site in Saskatchewan with such horticultural evidence.
The artifacts have been transferred to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for in-depth examination, providing an opportunity to gain more insights into the site. Strongarm emphasized the importance of these findings in validating the enduring presence of Indigenous communities on the continent and expressed pride in these significant sites.