The Laboratory of Archaeology (LOA) and the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) recently hosted members of the Cheslatta-Carrier Nation on their visit from Burns Lake, BC.
Our visitors included Chief Corinna Leween, Cheslatta Carrier Elder John Casimel, Senior Advisor Mike Robertson, Councillor Janet Whitford, Researcher and Archivist Nolan Thiffault, and community members Mavis Benson, Charlize Falkner, Bridgette Acosta-Lopez, and Marlene Jack.
This visit was the culmination of over 2 years of collaborations between LOA and Cheslatta Carrier to share archival and archaeological materials from their traditional territory. In 1952, the construction of the Kenney Dam formed a massive hydro-electric reservoir to support the aluminium industry in northern B.C. The dam flooded Cheslatta Carrier territory, displaced its people, and caused irreparable damage to their lands, fisheries, villages and livelihoods. LOA cares for some of the only surviving maps, documents and belongings that were collected by UBC archaeologist Charles Borden prior the reservoir’s construction.
During our visit, LOA and Cheslatta Carrier signed a Statement of Cooperation to return their belongings through an extended research loan, including ‘Chief Louis’s’ paddle, which was cared for in MOA’s collection. Cheslatta Carrier and LOA participants both expressed their deep gratitude for the cooperative spirit that allowed us to take this important step together in the journey towards reconciliation. Our particular thanks for Cheslatta Carrier archivist Nolan Thiffault, and LOA staff Patricia Ormerod (LOA Manager), Susan Webster (LOA Archivist), Natasha Sundra Rajoo (LOA Curatorial Assistant), Johanna Clyne (LOA Student Assistant in Collections) and MOA Director Susan Rowley, for their hard work in organizing and hosting this historic event.
You can read more about the Cheslatta Carrier Nation and their history on their website: https://www.cheslatta.com/history
Image, from left to right: Camilla Speller, Marlene Jack, Janet Whitford, Charlize Falkner, John Casimel, Susan Rowley, Chief Corinna Leween, Mike Robertson, Mavis Benson, Patricia Ormerod, Johanna Clyne, Susan Webster, Nolan Thiffault.
