An educational program at a historic site near Fort St. John, B.C., is providing insights into 12,500 years of Indigenous history, unearthing ancient stone tools and animal remains. Tse’k’wa, owned by Doig River, Prophet River, and West Moberly First Nations, has been a significant settlement for the Dane-zaa people for generations.
Laura Webb, an Elder from West Moberly, emphasized the site’s ancient origins, affirming the long-standing presence of the Dane-zaa community for millennia. Tse’k’wa, one of many archaeological sites in British Columbia, showcases a rich history of human settlement dating back to the last ice age.
Public access to Tse’k’wa allows for cultural exchange, while fieldwork is carried out by students from the University of Northern British Columbia. The site serves as a cultural hub for sharing traditions and historical narratives with visitors.
Discoveries at Tse’k’wa include stone tools, ancient animal bones, and rare obsidian fragments, shedding light on past human activities. Notably, a 10,500-year-old stone bead found at the site represents the oldest known human adornment in the region.
Garry Oker, an Elder from Doig River, remarked on the alignment of these archaeological findings with traditional stories passed down through generations. The Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, established by the three Nations in 2012, aims to preserve the site as an educational center for cultural teachings and community events.
Tse’k’wa, meaning “rock house” in the Dane-zaa language, features a cave that visitors can explore, learning about the site’s oral history and its archaeological significance. The site’s executive director, Alyssa Currie, highlighted the continuation of cultural practices from the past, emphasizing the importance of connecting artifacts to living Dane-zaa stories.
The ongoing archaeological work at Tse’k’wa serves as a vital link between the Dane-zaa people and their ancestral heritage, reinforcing the enduring presence of Indigenous communities in the region.