Jack Ives showing a Middle Prehistoric dart tip to elder Violet Poitras.
The Institute of Prairie Archaeology (IPA) and the Department of Anthropology were pleased to take part in a site naming ceremony on Wednesday, May 19, prior to the beginning of excavations at archaeological site FiPp-33. Situated just to the south of Lake Wabamun, the site was evaluated and mitigated by Kristin Soucey of Altamira Consulting as part of impact assessment work for Transalta's Highvale mine, revealing a rich record with indications of occupation over the last 10,000 years. Kristin has generously been sharing her knowledge of the site with Field School students.
When Transalta supported the Department of Anthropology's interest in using FiPp-33 as the scene of its 2010 Field School, both parties approached nearby Paul Band First Nation, asking if that community would like to be involved. Chief and Council responded enthusiastically, turning to elder Violet Poitras to provide a name. In a women's ceremony, the site was named Ahai-Mneh, the Stoney rendering of the Cree name for Lake Wabamun. Paul Band First Nation is composed of both Stoney and Cree speakers.
The University was represented by Department Chair Lisa Philips, IPA Executive Director Jack Ives, Teaching Assistants Peter Stewart and Gabriel Yanicki, and 10 Field School students. With Transalta officials and Paul Band members, they joined in a traditional feast following the naming ceremony. Students had a chance to mingle with Paul Band elders, some of whom had camped at Ahai-Mneh in earlier years, and to show community members and Transalta staff artifacts they surface collected near the gated entrance to the site. Transalta has protected Ahai-Mneh from any further development activities.
The Department of Anthropology and IPA would particularly like to thank Rod Kause (Director, Corporate Environmental Health and Safety), Graeme Fitz (Lead Engineer) and Janet Janvier of Transalta (Aboriginal Relations Advisor, and also a graduate of Anthr 256: Alberta Archaeology) as well as Denis Paul and Violet Poitras of Paul Band First Nation for supporting and organizing of the naming ceremony, and for their warm hospitality.