An educational program on archaeology taking place at a national historic location near Fort St. John, B.C., is uncovering 12,500 years of indigenous history by discovering ancient stone tools and animal remains. The site, named Tse’k’wa, is controlled by the Doig River, Prophet River, and West Moberly First Nations, whose Dane-zaa ancestors resided at the location for multiple generations.
Laura Webb, an Elder of the West Moberly First Nation, emphasized the historical significance of the site, stating that it verifies the long-standing presence of the Dane-zaa people for over 12,500 years. Tse’k’wa is among more than 57,000 recognized archaeological sites in the province, showcasing human settlement in North America since the last ice age. The site serves as a platform for the participating nations to share their heritage, customs, and language with interested individuals.
Access to the area is open to the public, with fieldwork conducted by students from the University of Northern British Columbia. According to Webb, the site acts as a cultural hub where traditional practices can be demonstrated, illustrating the harmonious relationship the indigenous people had with nature in the past.
The region was once inhabited by extinct giant bison as the landscape transitioned from grasslands to boreal forest following the retreat of a glacial lake. Moreover, the site is believed to have had ritual significance, evident by the burial of two ravens a millennium apart, animals of spiritual importance in various Indigenous beliefs.
Excavations have revealed a plethora of artifacts, including stone tools, animal bones, and rare obsidian fragments known for their sharpness. Notably, a 10,500-year-old stone bead found at Tse’k’wa is the oldest known human adornment north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
The findings at Tse’k’wa align with the oral traditions passed down through generations, confirming the authenticity of the stories shared within these indigenous communities. The Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, established in 2012 by the three nations, aims to preserve the site as an interpretive center for cultural education and communal gatherings.
The site’s name, Tse’k’wa, meaning “rock house” in the Dane-zaa Záágéʔ language, references the cave situated at the location. Visitors can follow a trail leading to the cave, where signs narrate the oral history of the site and its reflection in the archaeological findings. Alyssa Currie, the executive director of the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, highlighted the importance of the site as a place where cultural heritage is reclaimed and shared with the wider community.
Through the ongoing archaeological work and the preservation efforts of the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, the Dane-zaa people are reconnecting with their ancestral stories and traditions, offering valuable insights into their enduring history and cultural practices.