Wabanaki Artifacts Spark Innovative Archeological Collaboration

In a significant development at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), a project focused on Wabanaki artifacts has ignited collaboration between university researchers and the Wolastoqey Nation. This partnership aims to explore and document a collection of artifacts that have remained largely untouched for decades. The project highlights the importance of acknowledging Indigenous heritage and the need for respectful engagement with the past.

The artifacts in question are housed in plain banker-style boxes within UNB’s Archives and Special Collections Department, labeled as the “Bailey Indian Artifact Collection.” Although these items were collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they have never been thoroughly studied or catalogued. Until recently, the Wolastoqey Nation was unaware of their existence.

Ramona Nicholas, the Wabanaki Heritage Lead at UNB and co-lead of the project, expressed her excitement, stating, “I wanna say, it’s about time.” Her involvement, along with that of other researchers, marks a pivotal moment in recognizing the region’s Indigenous history.

Uncovering Hidden Histories

The project began to take shape in 2023 when a team of archeologists, led by Ken Holyoke, an assistant professor at the University of Lethbridge, began examining the collection as part of a separate initiative. Initially assuming there were only about 25 artifacts, the team was astonished to discover 25 boxes filled with numerous items. “Immediately, the scope of this kind grew, and we were like, ‘oh, wow, that’s pretty significant,'” Holyoke remarked.

The collection is named after Loring Woart Bailey, a scientist who collected artifacts from the Wolostoq region during his tenure at UNB from 1861 to 1907. While Bailey’s work contributed to the understanding of the area’s history, his methods have been criticized. Holyoke noted that Bailey’s collecting practices, conducted without consent, would be deemed looting by today’s standards. This raises ethical questions about the ownership and management of such collections.

As the researchers delved deeper into the boxes, they uncovered burial-related objects, including beads linked to a child’s burial in the Tobique region. Recognizing the sensitivity of these findings, the team promptly reached out to the Wolastoqey Nation for guidance and collaboration.

Building Bridges Through Collaboration

The initial contact with the Wolastoqey Nation led to a series of meetings aimed at determining the best way to handle the artifacts. The collection was made accessible to Wolastoqey members, allowing for community input and participation in the research process. Jamie Gorman, resource development consultation coordinator with Neqotkuk First Nation, expressed the excitement this collaboration has generated: “We could do 3D casting… we could do a tour in the communities and expose people to these objects.”

The research team has worked diligently to inventory and measure the artifacts, taking special care with sensitive materials. Some items date back to the Late Paleoindian Period, approximately 11,000 to 9,500 years ago, challenging previous assumptions about human activity in New Brunswick. “See, we were always here,” Nicholas noted, emphasizing the significance of these findings for Indigenous identity and history.

Among the various objects, a unique groundstone frog sculpture has drawn particular attention. Trevor Dow, a project co-lead and archeology professor at UNB, described it as “wholly unique,” underscoring the collection’s exceptional nature. The collaboration has revealed a wealth of knowledge about ancestral life, particularly during periods that have been poorly understood in the Maritimes.

The project has also sparked conversations about the broader issue of access to Indigenous heritage. Dallas Tomah, a research assistant and member of the Wotstak First Nation, expressed a bittersweet sentiment regarding the collection. “This is a very small fraction of what Indigenous communities don’t have access to,” he stated, highlighting the importance of involving Indigenous voices in the management and interpretation of their own heritage.

Looking forward, Holyoke noted that the current project could serve as a model for opening up other archeological collections and implementing respectful practices. Plans are underway to discuss the potential return of the artifacts to the First Nation, which many, including Tomah, believe could facilitate healing within Indigenous communities.

As the project evolves, it continues to incorporate community feedback and address historical injustices. Nicholas recently led a talking circle to engage community members in discussions about a new name for the collection. Gorman sees the project’s integration of Wolastoqey voices as a significant step toward reconciliation: “This is a good news story, more than it is emblematic of injustice in the past.”

The collaboration at UNB represents not only a rediscovery of artifacts but also a commitment to honoring and sharing Wabanaki heritage in a respectful and meaningful way.