Wabanaki Artifacts Spark Innovative Collaboration at UNB

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) has unveiled a significant archaeological initiative that revolves around the previously overlooked Bailey Indian Artifact Collection. This collaboration between university researchers and the Wolastoqey Nation aims to shed light on Wabanaki heritage through a comprehensive study of artifacts dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In a reflective moment within the university’s library, Ramona Nicholas, the Wabanaki Heritage Lead at UNB, expressed her thoughts on the project. “I wanna say, it’s about time,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of involving Indigenous perspectives in historical research. The Bailey collection, consisting of numerous boxes of artifacts, had remained largely unexamined until recent discoveries prompted a renewed interest.

When Ken Holyoke, an assistant professor of archaeology at the University of Lethbridge, and his colleagues began their examination in early 2023, they expected to find a modest number of artifacts. Instead, they were met with 25 boxes filled with a wealth of items. “Immediately, the scope of this kind of grew,” Holyoke noted, recognizing the collection’s significance.

Loring Woart Bailey, a professor at UNB from 1861 to 1907, originally amassed these artifacts. However, his collection methods have drawn criticism for lacking consent and context, practices that are considered unethical by today’s archaeological standards. Many items were taken without regard for their cultural significance or the sites from which they were removed.

As researchers began to uncover the artifacts, they found items linked to burial practices, including beads associated with a child’s burial in the Tobique region. This discovery led the team to contact the Wolastoqey Nation for guidance. “We should reach out to the Wolastoqey Nation to get guidance,” Holyoke said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and respect in the research process.

The response from the Wolastoqey Nation was positive, as they had only a slight awareness of the collection’s existence. Previously, Nicholas had performed a ceremony surrounding some of the burial-related beads, underscoring the spiritual ties to these artifacts. The collaboration has since evolved to include community meetings and involvement from Wolastoqey students in the documentation process.

“This became this opportunity to be like, wow, we can tell these stories,” said Jamie Gorman, resource development consultation coordinator with Neqotkuk First Nation. The project has fostered a sense of shared ownership and responsibility towards the artifacts, creating a platform for storytelling and cultural education.

The research team has meticulously inventoried the collection, noting the age and significance of various items, some dating back over 11,000 years. “See, we were always here,” Nicholas emphasized, affirming the enduring presence of Indigenous communities in New Brunswick.

Among the artifacts, a unique stone sculpture of a frog stands out, with archaeologists noting its rarity in the archaeological record. The collection has sparked a sense of pride and reflection among researchers, particularly for Dallas Tomah, a research assistant and member of Wotstak First Nation. “There’s a sort of bittersweet-ness to it,” he stated, acknowledging both the remarkable craftsmanship of his ancestors and the historical inaccessibility of such collections to Indigenous communities.

The project aims to address this gap by ensuring that Indigenous communities are actively involved in decisions about their heritage. “It’s a really important problem that we need to address,” Tomah remarked, advocating for more transparent practices in archaeology.

Looking ahead, Holyoke mentioned ongoing discussions about potentially returning the collection to the Wolastoqey Nation. Ideas include creating community exhibitions that would allow local residents to engage with their history directly. Nicholas has also led talking circles to determine a new name for the collection, furthering the initiative’s commitment to community involvement.

While the collection prompts difficult conversations about historical injustices, Gorman believes the integration of Wolastoqey voices into the project symbolizes progress. “This is a good news story, more than it is emblematic of injustice in the past,” he concluded, reflecting the positive trajectory of this collaborative effort.

As the project unfolds, it not only enriches the understanding of Wabanaki heritage but also embodies a transformative approach to archaeology, emphasizing respect, inclusion, and cultural continuity.