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Possible hearth on a cutbank of the Hay River. |
WESTERN SUBARCTIC |
WESTERN SUBARCTIC
Jean Bussey, Points West Heritage Consulting Limited of Langley, BC, directed investigations for Winspear Resources Ltd. near Snap Lake, approximately 200 km northeast of Yellowknife. A preliminary assessment of the project area was undertaken and it was recommended that field investigations be conducted if any development activity was required to the east or south of Snap Lake in the vicinity of a number of eskers and similar landforms. Late in September, the project engineer identified two possible gravel sources one on an esker-like remnant, and the other on a portion of a large, well defined esker. The potential for locating archaeological sites was sufficient to require an inventory and impact assessment of both locations. Because of an urgent need for the gravel this year, fieldwork was attempted in early October, but due to the sudden arrival of winter, it was not possible to complete the assessment.
A remnant of an esker identified as a possible gravel source near Snap Lake.
Ranger Oil Limited will apply for permission to construct a 30-km pipeline to link a well north of Fort Liard on the west side of the Liard River with the existing pipeline north of Fisherman Lake. Areas proposed for development were examined for sites of archaeological and cultural interest by Brian Ronaghan of Golder Associates, with assistance and advice from Frankie Klondike of Fort Liard and Brian Ekotla of Nahanni Butte. The areas examined were the preferred pipeline route, two alternate routes, and two alternate locations for a small plant to remove liquids from gas. The proposed pipeline would parallel the base of the Mackenzie Mountains, then cross the first range before descending into the stream valley that feeds Fisherman Lake. Although many archaeological and historical sites are known to occur along the shores of Fisherman Lake, none of these will be affected by the project because construction ends well north of the lake. The routes examined occur in very dense forest and pass over several deeply cut mountain stream valleys. No archaeological sites were found, but one hunting camp used in the 1980s by Frankie Klondike's uncle, Johnny Klondike Jr., was recorded nearby the pipeline route. This site will be avoided by construction. If approved, the pipeline will follow existing cutlines where possible and will be constructed during the winter, so, below snow cover, only a one-metre wide trench to hold the pipe will be excavated. Information provided by community advisors indicate that most traditional uses to this area took place along the Liard River or at Fisherman Lake and that there is little chance that important sites or areas will be affected by this project.
Frank Klondike, beside a storage platform at his uncle's camp, north of Fort Liard.
A reconnaissance survey was conducted by William Murray Lobb, University of Calgary along the Hay River for archaeological sites belonging to the indigenous peoples of the area, the Slavey. This group or early ancestors of this group are known archaeologically to have been in this area for 4,000 years. In addition, several places were selected as potential archaeological sites from aerial photos in which visible cues were observed in aerial photos dating from 1948 to 1994. This fieldwork and aerial photo interpretation will be used in an undergraduate thesis to be completed in May of 1999. The groundwork for this exercise was completed in both Calgary, Alberta and Hay River. Air photos were obtained through the Library of the University of Calgary and through the territorial government department of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development in Hay River. The air photos were examined intensively for cues such as natural clearings, pathways, and differential tree growth which might denote a fishery or encampment. Also, any oddities that were continually observed in the aerial photos were selected as possibilities to consider for later ground survey. Thirteen possible locations were identified for preliminary investigation in the Hay River and surrounding area. Eight kilometres of the Hay River from the east arm to the main river were surveyed and three sites were discovered. These sites were then compared to early aerial photos and their visual properties noted for later photo interpretation. The majority of this work was completed with the help of volunteer family members that are long-time residents of Hay River. Kylie Lobb was a pivotal part of these surveys as she helped with mapping, photography, vegetation identification, and the visual reconnaissance. The cutbank survey was competed with the help of Garry Dean Lobb and the use of his boat. Garry Dean also aided in plant identification, photography, mapping, and especially with visual reconnaissance. A fourth possible site was located during a secondary search while doing a survey of a natural clearing of trees observed in the aerial photographs near the Hay River VOR radar site near the airport. Though no features were observed at the natural clearing, a survey was completed of the nearby clearing created for the VOR radar site nearest to the Hay River. This site has a pathway that has been used by vehicles and various off-road sport vehicles. On this road and its surrounding grasses, apparent circles of rocks, which could be tipi ring features, were discovered and recorded. This fieldwork is important as it is the first to be undertaken in Hay River in over ten years. But it is also important for local groups and the community as a whole to understand the area's cultural resources and what archaeology can mean to the community. The other side of this project is to find better visual cues to help archaeologists understand the subarctic living environment.
