Artifacts.

This project was a heritage survey in the Mackenzie River Delta region. AEC West Ltd, Anadarko Resources Ltd, BP Canada Energy Company, Burlington Resources Canada Energy Ltd, Chevron Canada Resources, Conoco Canada Resources Limited, Devon ARL Corporation (formerly Anderson Resources Ltd.), Petro-Canada and Shell Canada Ltd funded the research. The work was carried out by Inuvialuit Environmental and Geotechnical Inc. and Bison Historical Services Ltd.

People in the Delta have been worried about possible damage to heritage sites caused by recent seismic exploration and development. This project was carried out to learn if sites were damaged by recent seismic work and to help avoid any future damage. Our study was done in July and September of 2001 and included both Crown and Inuvialuit Private lands within the Mackenzie River Delta. Our work involved helicopter and foot surveys and community consultations and traditional knowledge interviews in the communities of Aklavik, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk. Nothing was collected from any site and no excavations were carried out.

NjTo-2.

One of our goals was to obtain accurate locations of recorded heritage sites using GPS. Accurate locations mean seismic crews will be able to avoid these sites. Visiting and mapping the locations of 84-recorded sites successfully completed this goal. Another goal was to look for unknown sites in areas where future developments might occur. We were able to record 175 new sites. These sites include ancient villages, camps and graves, as well as more recent traditional land-use areas. These sites were also mapped using GPS. Another goal was to evaluate damage to sites from recent seismic and drilling programs. Very limited damage to two known sites and one new site was recorded. Accurate locations for sites should ensure that no more damage to known sites occurs. Our final goal was to develop a map-model to help predict the distribution of heritage sites in the Mackenzie River Delta. This model will be used by industry to plan future projects that avoid damage to heritage sites.

MDHS79.

This project was very successful in terms of adding new knowledge and in giving industry the tools it needs. The number of recorded heritage sites has tripled and these sites are recorded in a way that will make future avoidance possible. The success of this study is due in part to the assistance, cooperation and encouragement of staff of the Inuvialuit Land Administration, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and the people of Aklavik, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk.