Representatives of the Lutselk’e First Nation arriving for a tour of the   property.

In 2003, exploration activity prompted archaeological investigations in the vicinity of Courageous Lake on behalf of Seabridge Gold Inc. In 2004, archaeological activities formed one component of a number of tours conducted on the property and a number of drill locations were assessed.  Work in both years was directed by Jean Bussey of Points West Heritage Consulting Ltd. and was conducted through EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd.

To provide background, in 2003 a total of 14 new sites were recorded.  Two graves, the location of a possible tent camp likely used during an early phase of mineral exploration and a log cabin were recorded north of Courageous Lake.  Between Matthews and Courageous lakes six archaeological sites were found.  Four are associated with esker deposits, one is on a bedrock ridge and the sixth site is on an old lake terrace/beach.  All six sites contain varying quantities of quartz flakes, most of them unworked.  Two archaeological sites were recorded east of Matthews Lake.  One is a windbreak likely relating to early mineral exploration and the other is an isolated find consisting of a white chert artifact suggestive of the Arctic Small Tool tradition (approximately 2500 to 3500 years before present).  Both sites are located in an area typified by scattered bedrock outcrops.  To the south of Matthews Lake three prehistoric sites were found on elevated bedrock outcrops.  One is an isolated find consisting of a stone tool fragment and the other two are lithic workshops and/or dense lithic scatters.      

Representatives of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation at the core  shack.

The investigations conducted in 2003 suggest that portions of the Courageous Lake Property contain landforms with archaeological potential.  Only a small portion of this area was examined in detail and it was recommended that further work be conducted in advance of development and/or exploration. Seabridge conducted exploration drilling in 2004 and a post-activity archaeological examination was completed.  The drilling activity occurred in areas with low archaeological potential or in locations that had been examined previously with negative results for archaeological sites although one drill hole was just over 30 m from a site.  These 2004 investigations confirm that further work should be conducted in advance of any new exploration or development activity.

While Jean Bussey was present at the Courageous Lake property in 2004, representatives of the Lutselk’e First Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation and Dogrib Treaty 11 Council visited one or more archaeological site.  Representing the Lutselk’e First Nation were Maryrose Enzoe, Windi Skye (Sai) Catholique, Jordan Michel, Gary Michel and Monica Krieger.  Representing the Yellowknives were Noel Doctor, Peter Sangris, Michel Paper, Frank Paper, Leo Betsina, Alfred Balligeon and Louis Azzolini.  Representing the Dogrib were Eddie Erasmus, James Rabesca, Georgina Chocolate, Joe Migwi and Joline Huskey.  Since the major emphasis of the tours was the exploration activity, limited archaeological discussion occurred and only one or two sites were visited with each group.  However, Joe Migwi provided useful information on the cabin and burials found to the north of Courageous Lake in 2003.