Five years of archaeological research south of Melita by Brandon University and the Manitoba Archaeological Society have provided a greater understanding of the complex pre-European contact past of this region. Prompted by the discovery of two complete bison scapula hoes in 2018, excavations indicate that an intense occupation of the area by Indigenous horticulturalists began in the late 1400s or early 1500s CE. Evidence of an earlier occupation along Gainsborough Creek includes Besant/Sonota points, features, earthworks, and radiocarbon age estimates. Early Woodland (Adena, Kramer and Waubseau) points have been found nearby and at sites to the north. The timing of these occupations coincides with the two distinct use episodes of pipestone reported elsewhere, the first approximately 2000 years ago and the second beginning in the 14^th century CE. The presence of worked red dolomite and availability of raw material along Pipestone Creek may in part explain the concentration of habitation sites and earthworks in the southwest corner of Manitoba. A similar re-occupation and re-use of previously constructed burial mounds by later horticulturalists was reported in the Lockport area along the Red River north of Winnipeg. These results lend additional support for a re-consideration of the Devils Lake-Sourisford Burial Complex.

The archaeology of the Métis, a post-contact Indigenous people whose homeland encompasses much of western Canada and parts of the northwestern United States, has not received the same amount of attention from archaeologists as the histories of other Indigenous groups. While a few papers have been published throughout the 1970s to the 2000s, it can generally be said that the research done on Métis archaeological sites and materials has remained very sparse until the creation of the EMITA (Exploring Métis Identity Through Archaeology) project, led by Dr. Kisha Supernant. As part of this project, research undertaken by graduate students have all either involved re-examining previous interpretations and understandings of Métis material culture, or included the use of methods never used before in such contexts. Using the example of work currently being done on materials collected at Chimney Coulee (DjOe-6), this presentation will focus on the application of methods from environmental archaeology and the concept of foodways to revisit traditional archaeological understandings of Métis identity.

In 2018, a stone cairn was discovered on a prominent hilltop in the Missouri Coteau in southern Saskatchewan, not an uncommon discovery. Due to potential impacts from development, a salvage excavation commenced which included the excavation of the entire stone cairn structure and additional subsurface testing in the immediate area. A preliminary interpretation for the stone cairn was its functional use as a navigational marker; however, the initial interpretation was retracted upon the discovery of a cache cavity within the unexpectedly large structure of the stone cairn. Had the excavation not occurred, the stone cairn may have been misinterpreted; this is a common issue at stone cairn sites across the northern Plains.

In examining the roles that ecology and landscape have played in Northern Plains bison behaviour and subsequent human settlement patterns, one region that has not been fully recognized is sand dunes. Far from being anomalous features within the larger prairie grasslands, dunes are readily found within the region. Further, while commonly perceived as being desolate landscapes, the unique physical properties of sand dunes have allowed them to act as vital resource areas that were extensively exploited by both Indigenous and Settler populations over the past 2,000 years. This paper will examine, through the archaeological, ethnographic, and documentary/oral histories of the region, how dunes played a key role in bison acquisition activities that fuelled not only the industrialization of pounding activities during the Besant period, but also the spatial organization of Fur Trade centres during the 18^th and 19^th Century.

Stone features described as burned-rock features (BRF) by archaeologists represent essential practices in the lifeways of past peoples as they served as cooking elements, heated homes, and were used for ceremonial purposes. Yet, meaningful interpretation of BRFs has been limited on the Northwestern Plains due to morphological variability, inconsistent terminology, as well as the perceived lack of interpretive value of fire-broken rock (FBR). This lack of meaningful engagement with BRF has resulted in the misidentification and misinterpretation of BRF, leading individuals to overlook the cultural significance of these features to Plains Indigenous peoples. Therefore, in this discussion, I will address the finer issues associated with BRF analysis. I will include an in-depth review of known BRF in the Northwestern Plains to highlight these issues. Finally, I will emphasize the importance of BRF studies to demonstrate that BRFs present critical data which can be utilized to better understand the lifeways of past peoples.

Archaeological investigations of ceramics in Saskatchewan have historically focused on typological analysis – an approach that classifies ceramic artifacts based on observable physical attributes such as shape, decoration, paste type, and temper. However, the application of residue analyses offers novel avenues for testing and refining these typologies by extracting adhering food residues and other substances trapped in ceramic surfaces. Such approaches can enhance our understanding of past function and use of ceramic material culture. This paper presents findings from non-destructive microbotanical sampling of 15 pot sherds from the Lake Midden site (EfNg-1). Through the examination of these results, which include starch grain residues, we delve into pre-contact Indigenous culinary practices in Saskatchewan. This study was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and with consent from the Touchwood Hills Tribal Council.

This paper summarizes the results of geochemical analysis of a large sample of obsidian artifacts from Saskatchewan that are being curated at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Saskatchewan Archaeological Society and in private collections. Using pXRF, two hundred obsidian artifacts from fifty-five Saskatchewan archaeological sites and private collections were analyzed with the results indicating that the Obsidian Cliff, Wyoming, and Bear Gulch, Idaho being the most common sources of obsidian found in archaeological sites within Saskatchewan. Glass Buttes, Oregon, Browns Bench, Idaho, and other unknown sources were also detected in a small number of samples. A geochemical match of an artifact to an obsidian source indicates that Indigenous peoples have transported or traded volcanic glass from those sources, a confirmation of widespread trade networks across the continent. While the preliminary results are still being analyzed, this study will give future researchers a comprehensive baseline of data to build upon and use as a reference.

In 2017 a Wildfire ripped through Waterton Lakes NP, burning ~40% of the park, and heavily impacting irreplaceable archaeological vestiges as well as a living cultural landscape. A team of archaeologists was formed to conduct a 5-year project, seeking to record and research the unprecedented degree of new archaeological finds, and the unparalleled visibility afforded by vegetation and soil removal.

The project has now been complete for a year, and we have been able to look back on all of the lessons learned during our days in the field. Pedestrian surveys, excavations, and sampling have afforded us the opportunity to add to our quantitative knowledge of a regional human history. However, a multi focus approach grounded in teachings beyond strict ‘academic’ confines provided us with infinitely more.

A blending of perspectives saw us diving into archaeology, environmental change, past fire history, engagement with the surrounding indigenous nations, communities, landowners, and interested public, and even a few ponds. Here, we hope to share with you some of the discoveries made, lessons learned, and questions raised by the Post-Kenow Wildfire Archaeology Project.