Wabanaki Artifacts Ignite Collaboration at University of New Brunswick

In a significant archaeological collaboration, the University of New Brunswick (UNB) is working closely with the **Wolastoqey Nation** to study a previously overlooked collection of Indigenous artifacts. The **Bailey Indian Artifact Collection**, housed in the university’s Archives and Special Collections Department, contains materials collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but had never been thoroughly examined or catalogued.

**Ramona Nicholas**, the Wabanaki Heritage Lead at UNB, expressed her excitement about the project, stating, “I wanna say, it’s about time.” Her involvement reflects a broader effort to connect Indigenous communities with their heritage and history.

The collaboration began after archaeologists, while exploring the collection in 2023, discovered that the **Bailey collection** consisted of **25 boxes** rather than the estimated **25 artifacts**. This revelation prompted a deeper inquiry into the collection’s history and significance. **Ken Holyoke**, an assistant professor of archaeology at the University of Lethbridge and one of the project co-leads, remarked on the importance of this finding, noting, “Immediately, the scope of this kind of grew, and we were like, ‘oh, wow, that’s pretty significant.'”

Historical Context and Ethical Considerations

The collection is named after **Loring Woart Bailey**, a scientist and UNB professor who collected artifacts without the consent of the communities from which they originated. **Holyoke** highlighted that Bailey’s methods would be considered looting by contemporary standards, as they disrupted archaeological sites and removed items from their context. This context is vital for understanding the significance of each object.

Project co-lead **Trevor Dow**, also an archaeologist at UNB, emphasized the indiscriminate nature of Bailey’s collection efforts. As the team began to catalogue the artifacts, they encountered burial-related items, including beads linked to a child’s burial in the Tobique region. This discovery prompted immediate outreach to the **Wolastoqey Nation** to seek guidance on how to proceed respectfully.

Community Engagement and Future Directions

The Wolastoqey Nation was largely unaware of the collection’s existence until the archaeologists reached out. In previous years, **Ramona Nicholas**, serving as Elder-in-Residence at UNB, had performed ceremonies around some of the burial beads, establishing a connection to the items. The collaboration has led to community meetings and opportunities for **Wolastoqey** members to engage with the artifacts directly.

**Jamie Gorman**, resource development consultation coordinator with **Neqotkuk First Nation**, described the project as a chance to tell important stories. He stated, “We could do 3D casting… we could do a tour in the communities and expose people to these objects.” This initiative aims to ensure that Indigenous voices guide the narrative surrounding their heritage.

Among the artifacts, a unique groundstone frog sculpture has drawn particular interest. **Trevor Dow** described it as “wholly unique,” noting that artifacts of this kind are rare in archaeological records. The collection also includes tools and projectile points that date back to the **Late Paleoindian Period**, which challenges previous assumptions about human activity in New Brunswick.

Despite the excitement surrounding these discoveries, there is a sense of bittersweetness for some involved in the project. **Dallas Tomah**, a research assistant and member of **Wotstak First Nation**, expressed concern about the accessibility of such collections to Indigenous communities. “This is a very small fraction of what Indigenous communities don’t have access to,” he remarked, highlighting the need for greater involvement and awareness regarding heritage.

As the project continues, discussions are underway about the possibility of returning the collection to the Wolastoqey Nation. **Holyoke** noted that preliminary talks have begun, and the team is exploring ways to bring the artifacts to the community, potentially through a traveling exhibition. Nicholas recently led a talking circle to discuss renaming the collection, emphasizing ongoing community engagement.

This project not only sheds light on the past but also paves the way for future collaborations that respect Indigenous heritage. **Gorman** reflected on the significance of integrating Wolastoqey voices into the research, stating, “This is a good news story, more than it is emblematic of injustice in the past.” As the project progresses, it represents a step toward healing and understanding, reaffirming the importance of Indigenous perspectives in archaeology.