2014-012 Patrick Young

Patrick Young (NWT Archaeologist’s Permit 2014-012)

In August 2014, Golder Associates Ltd. (Golder) conducted an archaeological survey on behalf of Aurora Geosciences Ltd. (Aurora Geosciences) for the Kennady North Property located approximately 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, NT. The survey was completed under Class 2 Archaeologist Permit No. 2014-012. The field crew consisted of Patrick Young and Jessica Hill of Golder Associates Ltd. as well as Herman Abel and Richard Abel of Łutselk’e Dene First Nation.

The objective of the 2014 archaeological survey was to examine potential winter road options, a short all season road option, and field camp options for ongoing diamond exploration activities. The archaeological investigation included a combination of low level helicopter and pedestrian survey of overland road portages along road corridors and potential camp options adjacent to Kelvin Lake.

Over the course of the seven day field program, nine previously recorded archaeological sites were revisited and 10 new archaeological sites were recorded. Fifteen of the sites consisted of lithic quartz scatters produced as a result of stone tool manufacture. One of these sites produced a Late Taltheilei (ancestral Dene) side-notched arrow head that dates from approximately 1,300 to 200 years ago. The remaining sites consisted of two quartz vein quarry sites; one camp site containing a hearth and sparse lithic scatter; and one Indigenous Historic site believed to relate to trapping activities.

As a result of the archaeological reconnaissance and inventory, the location of each site will be incorporated into future project planning and exploration activities in the Kennady North Property.

(Edited by Shelley Crouch, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre)