Mike Francis and Peter Sangris at LdNs-30 on the Lac de Gras - Lac   du Sauvage narrows.

Jean Bussey of Points West Heritage Consulting Ltd. has conducted archaeological investigations for BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. (BHPB) in its claim block north of Lac de Gras since 1994.  Each year, she has undertaken to provide archaeological potential assessments, complete archaeological inventories, assess or mitigate sites and conduct tours of archaeological resources for interested groups.  Primarily as a result of her work, there are now 198 recorded archaeological sites associated with the EKATI Diamond Mine. Sites located near development areas have been tested and mitigated through systematic data recovery consisting of subsurface examination and/or surface collection.  Sites well removed from such activity areas have been recorded and are periodically revisited, but are otherwise avoided.

The majority of the recorded sites in the BHPB claim block are associated with eskers, but sites are also found on other terrain types, usually near the larger lakes. There are still many portions of the claim block that have not been inventoried because no development or exploration activity has been identified in the vicinity. An intensive inventory was conducted at the narrows between Lac de Gras and Lac du Sauvage in response to concerns identified by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation although no BHPB activity is currently proposed in this area.  During this inventory, 17 new archaeological sites were recorded and there is potential for additional sites in the area.  These sites are likely associated with caribou hunting since the narrows represents an important caribou crossing, but judging by its significance today, fishing may have also been an important prehistoric subsistence activity.  A number of the sites in the BHPB claim block have yielded small chert tools suggestive of the Arctic Small Tool tradition, which likely dates 2500-3500 years before present in this area, but the majority of the archaeological sites in the claim block probably relate to the last 2500 years.

Ernest Boucher at LeNs-4 on the Lac du Sauvage esker.

The majority of the sites near EKATI are best described as lithic scatters, sites that are characterized by unworked flakes of stone with an occasional tool.  The most common lithic or stone material is quartz, which is usually white, but may also be clear, grey or slightly pink in colour.  Quartz is found naturally as veins in the bedrock of the Lac de Gras area.  In fact, EKATI was named for these fat-like veins.  Quartz cobbles are also found naturally in the numerous eskers that cut through the claim block.  It is suggested that both sources of quartz were utilized prehistorically to obtain the raw material for stone tool manufacture.  Although most sites are associated with the prehistoric period, a number of traditional use sites have also been recorded in the BHPB claim block.   

In 2004, no new development areas were identified and no land-based exploration was proposed or undertaken, thus, there was no need to conduct archaeological fieldwork.  However, as part of their ongoing commitment to share information on the archaeological work conducted at EKATI, BHPB requested that Jean Bussey conduct tours.  Unfortunately, only two groups were able to send representatives on the tours that were offered in late August and early September.  Representing the Lutselk’e First Nation was Ernest Boucher.  Representing the Yellowknives Dene First Nation were Mike Francis and Peter Sangris.  During each of the two tours, five or six sites were visited on the ground and many more were pointed out from the air while conducting helicopter over flights.  The sites were viewed over two days; with the eastern portion of the study area examined the first day and the western on the second.  Sites throughout the study area were examined, not just those near existing pits or activity areas. Development areas were also viewed from the air and an explanation of the type of archaeological work conducted at such locations was provided.