The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs are proud to co-host the 55th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Archaeological Association.

The theme for this conference is “Gathering Perspectives”. As a way of learning and knowing, archaeology draws on many fields of study: geology, chemistry, ethnology, geomatics and biology to name a few. This way improves understanding of archaeological records of events, peoples’ lives and their identities; it is a strength of archaeological practice. At the same time, the discipline of archaeology has only recently begun to acknowledge, honour and respect its responsibilities to, and impacts on, the descendants of those who made the places and belongings studied. Like family heirlooms, secrets and truths, archaeological sites and artefacts are also personal legacy.  Descendants’ perspectives on value, interpretation and care are critical in decision- making, as expertise is gathered to inform management and education. As Indigenous leaders and co-hosts of CAA 2023, the Maw-lukutijitk Saqmaq (Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs) believes in the importance and necessity of this growth of archaeological practice. In Mawpeltu’ek (Membertou), we shall gather and gain perspectives…to the benefit of us all. Msɨt No’kmaq.

We are a group of scholarly associations and organizations whose members have expertise and experience relevant to the search for children who died and went missing while attending Indian Residential Schools: the Indigenous Heritage Circle, the Canadian Historical Association, the Canadian Archaeological Association, Geophysics for Truth, the Canadian Permafrost Association, and the Canadian Association for Biological Anthropology. Together, we call ourselves the Alliance to Support Indian Residential School Missing Children Investigations.

On behalf of the Canadian Archaeological Association, we call for immediate action to support communities to locate the children who died at and went missing from Indian Residential Schools, as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 71-76. We also call for immediate action to support Indigenous communities searching for lost loved ones who never came home from other schools, hospitals, and sanatoria across the land we now call Canada.