Canadian students from the University of Victoria have conducted excavations in a suburban waterfront park, revealing a rare 1,000-year-old fish trap and the remnants of the ancestral village of ȾEL¸IȽĆE (pronounced Tel-eech) on the traditional homeland of the W̱SÁNEĆ nation.

The site, located in Cordova Bay near Victoria, British Columbia, has significant cultural and historical importance, yet it has been challenged by over a century and a half of “settler colonialism.”

The discoveries include a massive rock wall forming a “U” shape in the bay, functioning as a fish trap that would capture smelt and herring during low tides, the Art Newspaper has reported.

The excavation was led by project leader Brian Thom, an associate professor in anthropology. The dig involved Native elders, community members, and students, funded by a federal job training grant.

The site’s importance extends to the South Saanich Treaty of 1852, which aimed to protect the village site and surrounding fields. However, only a small portion, now known as Agate Park, was preserved for the nation’s use.

The research revealed various artifacts, including domestic, hunting, and fishing tools, a fire hearth, and food remnants.

The future of the site lies at the crossroads of heritage protection and Canada’s obligations under the United Nations charter, and proposals are in place to commemorate the area’s history.

The Cordova Bay site could serve as a model for preserving First Nations’ heritage.

Written by staff