Wabanaki Artifacts Ignite New Archaeological Partnerships

Recent discoveries of Wabanaki artifacts at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) have sparked a collaborative project between university researchers and the Wolastoqey Nation. This initiative aims to explore and understand the artifacts housed in the university’s Bailey Indian Artifact Collection, which had remained largely unexamined since their collection in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

As part of this effort, Ramona Nicholas, the Wabanaki Heritage Lead at UNB, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I wanna say, it’s about time.” This project marks a significant step in acknowledging the historical ties between the artifacts and the Indigenous community.

Uncovering a Hidden History

The Bailey collection comprises a series of boxes, initially thought to contain around 25 artifacts. However, when researchers began to investigate in 2023, they discovered a staggering total of 25 boxes filled with items, revealing a much richer history than anticipated. Ken Holyoke, one of the project’s co-leads and an assistant professor of archaeology at the University of Lethbridge, noted, “Immediately, the scope of this kind of grew, and we were like, ‘oh, wow, that’s pretty significant.’ This unexpected finding has led to a deeper examination of artifacts that could reshape understanding of the Wabanaki heritage.

The collection is named after Loring Woart Bailey, a scientist and professor at UNB from 1861 to 1907, who collected these items mostly from the Wolostoq region and around Maquapit Lake. Unfortunately, Bailey’s methods of collection would be deemed inappropriate by today’s standards, as he gathered artifacts without the consent of Indigenous peoples and often removed them from their archaeological context.

Collaboration and Community Engagement

As researchers uncovered burial-related artifacts, including beads linked to a child’s burial in the Tobique region, they recognized the need for collaboration with the Wolastoqey Nation. Holyoke remarked, “We should reach out to the Wolastoqey Nation to get guidance.” This outreach marked a pivotal moment in the project, transitioning from mere examination to respectful collaboration.

The Wolastoqey Nation had only a limited understanding of the collection before this collaboration. Years earlier, Nicholas had performed a ceremony around the burial-related beads, emphasizing the cultural significance of the artifacts. Following this, archaeologists and representatives from the Wolastoqey Nation convened to discuss how to proceed, leading to increased access for community members and the involvement of Wolastoqey students in documenting the artifacts.

Jamie Gorman, resource development consultation coordinator with Neqotkuk First Nation, highlighted the opportunities this project presents, stating, “This became this opportunity to be like, wow, we can tell these stories.” The collaboration has opened avenues for 3D casting of artifacts and community tours to educate others about this vital heritage.

Researchers have been inventorying the collection while considering the cultural sensitivities surrounding burial materials. Some artifacts date back to the Late Paleoindian Period, approximately 11,000 to 9,500 years ago, challenging previous assumptions about human activity in New Brunswick. Nicholas asserted, “See, we were always here,” reflecting the importance of these findings for Indigenous history.

A standout artifact is a unique groundstone frog sculpture, which Dow described as “wholly unique” and rare in the archaeological record. The collection encompasses a variety of objects, including beads, projectile points, and tools, providing insights into ancestral life during significant but previously poorly understood periods in the Maritimes.

Despite the excitement surrounding the project, there is a bittersweet sentiment among the researchers and community members. Dallas Tomah, a research assistant and member of the Wotstak First Nation, noted the limited access Indigenous communities have to their heritage. He stated, “This is a very small fraction of what Indigenous communities don’t have access to.” There is a collective desire to ensure that Indigenous voices are integral to the research and decision-making processes regarding their history.

As discussions continue about the future of the collection, including potential return to the Wolastoqey Nation, the project aims to serve as a model for other archaeological collections. Holyoke emphasized the importance of allowing communities to control research related to their cultural heritage. The ongoing collaboration signifies a step forward in addressing historical injustices while fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous heritage.

In conclusion, this archaeological project not only uncovers valuable historical artifacts but also fosters meaningful relationships between researchers and Indigenous communities. As Ramona Nicholas leads efforts to rename the collection through community discussions, the initiative reflects a commitment to healing and honoring the legacy of the Wabanaki people.