Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

General view of historic camp at the Ikhil Gas reservoir near Inuvik. The log feature is located between the people in the background.

WESTERN ARCTIC Inuvik (Inuvialuktun) Kitigaaryuit (Inuvialktun) Aulavik (Inuvialuktun)

Inuvik

        The Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation (IPC) is planning to develop the Ikhil Gas Reservoir to supply natural gas for the Town of Inuvik.  Andrew Mason of Golder Associates Ltd., Burnaby, BC carried out an impact assessment of the existing Ikhil well site, a winter access trail, two proposed well sites and gas pipeline right-of-way located north of Inuvik.  Field surveys on vegetation, fisheries and wildlife were also conducted by other specialists.

        Areas with high archaeological potential, such as well-drained ground, lake shore, and the leading edges of terraces, were traversed.  The entire winter trail was also surveyed as were the three cellists and the production facilities area.

        Areas with low or moderate potential were sampled.  These areas tended to be poorly drained and lacked significant landforms or vegetation/wildlife communities that would suggest prolonged use.  Shovel testing targeted locations considered to have moderate to high potential but lacking surface evidence of archaeological sites. Test pits were shovelled down to permafrost.

        No sites were located in the project area.  Two previously recorded sites (NeTs-2 and NeTs-4) were revisited and one historic camp was identified along the pipeline right-of-way.

        The historic camp is slightly off the right-of-way on the shore of a small lake, and it will not be disturbed.  The site consists of two areas.  The first is a small terrace roughly three metres above the lake on its western side.  This location contains a log feature, possibly the remains of a reindeer fence.  The second area of the site consists of a flat bench adjacent to the lake immediately southwest of the terrace with the log feature.  This area is well-drained with disturbed vegetation and a sawn pole fragment on the surface, suggesting that this location had been used as a camp.

Cathy Cockney examines the cultural remains eroding from the bank at what may be the old village site of Sanmiraq on the Mackenzie Delta near Kitigaaryuit.

Kitigaaryuit         The Kitigaaryuit Archaeological Inventory and Mapping Project of 1997 consisted of a number of components.  The crew started with a survey of a nine-kilometre stretch of the mainland coast immediately west of the island on which

the village of Kitigaaryuit is located.  Elders from Tuktoyaktuk mentioned that a residential area and graves related to Kitigaaryuit were at the east end of the survey area.  Also mentioned was the place name of what may be the old village of Sanmiraq.  A crew of three consisting of Cathy Cockney (Inuvialuit Social Development Program, Inuvik), Don Gardner (Old Ways Ltd., Calgary) and Elisa Hart (principal investigator, Cochrane, Alberta - formerly of Yellowknife) first conducted a preliminary survey by helicopter and spent the next four days surveying and recording features on foot.

        Within the first few kilometres were 67 log graves, three recent camps, a reindeer corral, and a number of isolated artifacts and faunal remains.  The remains of an occupation area previously located by Robert McGhee (Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Québec) was relocated and may be Sanmiraq.  The cultural remains thinned out in the remaining portion of the survey area and three recent camps, two graves and a biface were found.  We also visited and photographed the site of a former RCAF Loran station, code named Yellow Beetle.

         We next worked at Kitigaaryuit.  We conducted a sample verification of the maps created from survey data taken in 1996; tried to locate onto the maps cultural remains that were missed last year, and identified a number of new remains.  We are grateful to Steve Solomon of the Geological Survey of Canada (Dartmouth), who assisted us in assessing the impacts of mass wasting taking place at Kitigaaryuit in relation to cultural features.  Steve also provided us with Global Positioning System (GPS) readings of sub-metre accuracy of a number of features that were not recorded last year.  He also took readings that would help refine the topography on our maps.

        Don Gardner conducted a preliminary study focussing on the feasibility of developing the site for increased visitation, given the fragile nature of many of the cultural remains.  With his knowledge of skin boat construction, Don also did a detailed analysis of umiaq and qayaq parts to learn more about the types that are characteristic of this region.

        The oral traditions research continued as Cathy Cockney, with the assistance of interpreter Florence Nasogaluak (Tuktoyaktuk), interviewed elders Edgar Kotokak, Gordon Aknaviak and Laura Raymond (all of Tuktoyaktuk).  Questions focussed on the different features of the whaling camp at Kitigaaryuit, what the village was like when elders lived or travelled there, and place names and use of the mainland coast that had just been surveyed.

        It was noted during the 1996 field season that there were major differences in vegetation between the village area and the graveyards.  A preliminary assessment of vegetation identified from site photographs by Martin Raillard (Parks Canada, Inuvik) showed that the differences were largely attributable to cultural factors.  We were fortunate in that work on vegetation analysis was continued through the assistance of Alan Fehr and Les Kutny (Aurora Research Centre, Inuvik) who went to Kitigaaryuit in late summer to conduct an inventory of plants found in different parts of the site.

Don Gardner examines an umiaq keel-stem, gunnel and attached portion of a harpoon rest. We can learn about umiaq construction from scattered parts.

Aulavik National Park, Banks Island         A survey and site monitoring project was implemented along the Thomsen River and north coast of Aulavik National Park, north-central Banks Island by Parks Canada together with the community of Sachs Harbour.        This was the third year of a three-year non-intrusive survey designed to provide a comprehensive inventory and assessment of all sites within the Park boundary--particularly those sites near the Thomsen River.  Condition and vulnerability of each site were evaluated; sites

were mapped and recorded and recommendations for future actions are being drafted.  Other objectives included the establishment of a monitoring program to be implemented by Park Patrols in future years.  The monitoring program will allow for annual measurement and comparison of threats imposed by the local environment and by human activity.

        Both sides of the Thomsen River were examined on foot starting from an area approximately 25 kilometres south of the confluence of the Muskox and Thomsen rivers where the 1995 survey team left off. Points north of the confluence were surveyed by helicopter.

        Approximately 33 previously unrecorded sites were added to the inventory in 1997, a small number of which are probable precontact sites (generally situated near the north coast). Sites recorded were mainly short-term seasonal camp and/or cache sites, likely occupied by Innuinait or Copper Inuit; some were substantial, consisting of over 20 features including tent rings, caches and meat processing areas. At least 12 previously recorded sites were revisited, three of which were revisited in order to establish monitoring programs.

        In total, over 262 archaeological sites have been located and recorded in the Park, 111 of which were recorded before the area's establishment as a national park. Approximately 151 previously unrecorded sites have been added to the inventory since the three-year survey by Parks Canada began in 1994.

David Harry, Joni Elias and John Nakamayak (L-R) at a spot where an artifact was found near an unnamed stream between Castel and Mercy Bays, Aulavik National Park

Project support was granted by B. Fox (Western Arctic District, Parks Canada, Inuvik).  Logistic support was provided by Y. Rowland and S. Catto (Park Wardens) who co-ordinated activities between Parks Canada and the community of Sachs Harbour.

    Valuable assistance in the field was provided by Park Patrol Persons D. Harry, and trainees J. Elias (Sachs Harbour), M. Ruben Jr. and J. Nakamayuk (Paulatuk).  Other crew members included C. Carpenter (Sachs Harbour) and G. Huot (Young Canada Works program student from Quebec).  The project was directed by S. Toews with archaeological assistance by P. Downie (Western Canada Service Centre, Parks Canada, Winnipeg).

Inuvik

        Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation-kut (IPC). Sannaiyaqsiryuat savarukluru Ikhil Gassiim Pakitzviatuniukaivirisukluru Natural Gassilii-miq Erninga Inuvium, Andrew Mason Golder Associate-min LTD. Burnaby, B.C.Nunaruaqtuaq nauchiukuvluru kanuq suinarutiniamangan niuqtumaiqtaq. upkutiqsaqlu. suli malruq niuqtuqtaqsaq Gassiliim-lu apkutiqsanga tuqsuam atuqtaqsanga. Inuvik-mun. nauchiulurulu Nunam naunirga. sulip-tauq Ikaluqsiuqtit. Angusirkiyit-lu apiqsumanirgait alat nauchiuriyit.

        Nunat-lu ennirtuliruaqtuat. emmaiyaqtat tatcit-lu sinaagit.   kinginirit nalunaiqtutauyuat. Ukiuqtutilaaq nalunaiqtutauyuaq niutuqtasat pingasut. kaluviqsam nayuqtasait.

        Tamatkua erlangit nauchiuqtauyuat etjusia nauchiumarisakluru. kuvivisaituat-lu atuqtauyuminaituat-lu nunat ellangit. naunirgit/ niryutiruaqtuat-lu nayuqparait kanuq sirvitituriyumiq nauyuqpangmagarit. taimanitumiq pualritinun esivriugait nunam kinganin nalunaqtuat. ernirtuliit. taimanittumiq kirkumanirmun aglaan ersirvriugait.

        Kirsianiq pakichingituat ernirtulinik nauchiuqtani. malruq pakirtaumayuaq kanga ernirtuliik (NeTs-2 NeTs4-lu) takuuramikiq atausiq tuqsuam apkutiqsani enniqtuat.

        Ernirkualuq tuqsuam apkutiqsata saniani enniqtuaq tatchim mikiyuam sinaani. taimanitumiq kanuq suinarulaituq. tamna pakitaq malrungniq erniruanirtuaq. sirvulirq Igluum nayuraa kutchiqtilanga tatchir-min 3 metres. tazva tamna napaaqtuniq savaqsirmaniqtuaq Kungikarviq-lunin. suli appaa nappaaqtuq maniqsaqtaq saniani tatchim sirnaani sirvuraani nappaqtukatuam. tamanna emmaiqsirmayuq kippakuruanirtuaq nappaaqtumiq. essumariyaat tamna ernirtuliusuraluru.

Kitigaaryuit

        Kitigaaryung-ni Ernikualusiuviq kirsillugit-lu nunauyaliuklugulu 1997-mi allagiit atuklurit. savaqtuat esirvgiuramikiq takitilanga 9 kilometre nunam sirnaani wualingani.kirkiqtam Erninganin Kitigaaryuit, Enneit Tuktoyaktuk-min ukaqtuat ernituglia Kitigaaryuit eluvikirvitlu kirvalinganituq esirvgiuqtam. suli ukqlutiq atiriyungnaraaSanmiraq. savaqtuat pigasuuyuat ukuat Cathy Cockney. (ISDP-kutnin) Don Gardner (Old Ways Ltd. Calgory-min) Elisa Hart (principal investigator, Cochrane-min Alberta sivuani Yellowknife-miutaq) sirvulirmiq helicopta-kun takutakaklugu asiin kinguarun pisuklutiq takumariqsiyaat aglakluritlu.

        Esarutiramiq sivulirni kilometa-ni 67 eluvrit pakirtait. pingsutlu Ernitugliit. kanikukapsaq. kunginunlu avalut, kapsit-lu satkut. naryutit-lu sauniit sirvulirmiq pakirtangit Robert McGhee-m (Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Quebec) nuutchungnarrmiq Sanmiraq. Inuniarusiita satkuit pakinaqtut. suli pingasut Ernitugliit. malruq-lu eluviiq niakukuit-lu suliptauq takuyaqtuklurgu Anguyaqtit ernikuat atiruaqturaluaq Yellow Beetle.

        Tugliani asiin savaqtuani Kitigaaryungni. nunam ejusianiq nunauyaq maliklugu 1996-mi savaqsirmayaanin. ernirtuliit nalauniaklurit pikirtaungituat ukiutkiq. nalunaiqtukluritlu sunaumagata ernirtuliit. kuyariyaqput Steve Solomon Geological survey-mingqtuaq of Canada (Dartmouth. ekayumatirut esivriugivluni kanuq ejusianiq Kitigaaryuit Inuvialuit kanuq Inusianiq. Suli Steve ekayukangatirut sumitilangitirun Ernirt ( GPS) atuklugu nalunaitumariqsaklurit aglaqsimaituat sivuatirun.suliptauq nalunaiqtuklurit nunauyat atuklurit.

        Don Gardner nauchiuriyuaq kanuqtun sivuniruaniamangan savaqtuqsanun akuvayirun, elisimavlurit sikumilangarut suinarugalayutlu Inuvialuit kirmakuit ernirkuni, elisirmavlunilu kanuqtun sanausiiniq amirniq umialiurusiit. kayaliurusiitlu. tammani Inuvialuit.

        Unipkaqtat elitchuriniasirmarait tazva Cathy Cackney-m savaarimara ekayuqtirgivlugu kipuqtauvluniFlorence Nasogaluak (Tuktoyaktuk-min), apiqsuklurit ennait Edgar Kotokak, Gordon Aknaviak, Laura Ramond (tirmamiq Tuktoyaktuk-min), nauchiuklugu Qirlalurasiuvia Kitigaaryuu-m, kanuq etjusia naippikluru taimani ennait Inuniavirimajung aulavirivlugulunin. nunatlu atingit elitchuriniaklurit nunam sinanituat.

        Elitchuriyaat nauchiurimiq alangguyuminaqtuaq nauninga Ernikualuum eluvikarviitlu akungaq. nauchiumaniqtaq nalunaiqtuklugu savaqtasaq. agliutiyanga Martin Raillard (parks Canada-min  Inuvik-min) elitchuriramikiq alaringniqtuat Inuniarusiit, Alan Fehr Les Kutny-mlu kuyaliyaini akayuklutiq savakamiq kanuq elijutainiq (Aurora ResearchCentre, Inuvik) Kitigaaryu-liaramiq auyaani nauchiuriyaqtuaklutiq nauchianiq Ernikumi.

Aulavik National Park Ekaahuk

        Elitchuriniaqtaq munakutiqsaalu maliqtauyua kuurangani Thomsen Kuurangani tariumlu sinaa Aulavik park tunulingani. tunulingalu Ekaahum Parks Canada-min savakatirivluru Sachs Harbour.

        Ukiuriaq pingasuat ukiuni pingasuni savaqsami. elungiqtunatiq nauchiutaqsaq nalunaimarisiyasat ernirkuit Park-m eluanirni kirnimariqsisuklurit thomsen Kuraani kanuq ejusiit nauchiuklurit eluraita, tamatkuat nunauyaliuklurit aglakluritlu kanuqtunlu savautiqsangitlu ukausirivluritluaglaklurit. alatlu kanuqtun munarijutisait atuqtaqsait Park-mi munaqsiyuat kakugu sala!, munakutisam nalunaiqtuniara kanuq ejusianiq sumilika Inugaluanin.

        Egluqtun Kugaa Thomsen pisuklutiq esivgiumanigaat 25 kilometat sivuranin Umingmausuuyuam Thomsen-lu kugaa surviimatiriq 1995-mi. asiin tazvangaanin helicoptakun  surviiqtangat.

        33-Guyungnaqtuat aglaqsimaitut pakitauyuat 1997-mi, inukittut kapsit pakitauyuat tunulingani tarium kaningani, aglaqsimayuat sivikitumiq Inuit nayuqpangnigait. Inuinait, elingit tupikirviit 20-yiuyungnaqtuat, piguyakarviit-lu nirkilirkaviit-lu 12-guyungaqtutaglaqsirmayut pakirtat sivuatirut taimanitumiq pingasut takuummariqsiyait munakutiqsanga sanairuklugu tamakununga.

        Tamaluluamiq kirsinnamikiq 265-guniqtuart ernitugliit Aulavipark-mi 111pakitaumaniqtuat Aularvik Park sivuani suli 114 pakitangit aglaqsimaituraluat Parks Kanata-min esarutiramiq 1994-mi.

        Savaaqsaq tamana angiqtaumayuaq B. Fox-min (western Arctic Distict, Parks Kanata Inuvik) suliptauq suralirniq ekayuqtiriyaput Y. Rowland, S. Catto-lu (park Wardens) munaqsivlunilu Parks Kanata-min Sachs Harbour-miqlu. suli ekayuqtiriyavut D. Harry, J. Elias Sachs Harbour-miutat J. Nakamayak Paulatuk-min, alat-lu ekayuqtirimayavut C. Carpenter Ekahung-min G. Haut (Young Kanata Works Program Student Quebec-min). tazva tamna savaaq ataniqtuqtauyuaq S. Toews. sulipauq nirvaviit munariyauyuaq P, Downie-min, (Western Canada Service Centre, Parks Canada, Winnipeg).