General view east of campsite at NiTw 3, on the south side of    Garry Island.

On behalf of Kavik-AXYS Inc., as agents for Chevron Canada Resources, Wendy Unfreed of FMA Heritage Resources Consultants Inc. conducted two archaeological investigations that were grouped together under Northwest Territories Class 2 Archaeologists Permit #2004-954.  These investigations included an archaeological impact assessment of two proposed well locations related to the proposed 2004-2006 Ellice Taktuk Drilling Program and an archaeological field overview of an area that will be explored during the Garry 3D Seismic Program.  The project areas, which are located in the outer Mackenzie Delta, are focused in the vicinities of Ellice, Garry and Niglintgak Islands, approximately 120 kilometres north of Inuvik, NWT. 

The proposed 2004-2006 Ellice Taktuk Drilling Program is located on Ellice Island, on the western portion of the outer Mackenzie Delta.  Situated within Crown Land in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), the program involves the drilling of an exploratory natural gas wells (the West Ellice well), as well as the expansion and testing of an existing well that was drilled in 2003-2004 (well I-48).  Drilling at the three locations is scheduled to commence during winter 2004-2005, although some of this work may be carried through to completion during the winter of 2005-2006. 

Aerial view northeast of distinctive inlet in the central portion of   Niglintgak Island, within the Garry 3D Seismic Program.  Location of   site NiTw 4 marked by arrow.

The I-48 and West Ellice well locations were subject to surface examination and subsurface (shovel) testing in an attempt to ascertain whether they were in conflict with any archaeological deposits.  Based on the investigation of the two well sites, it was noted that both are situated in low-lying areas of Ellice Island and a small adjacent island to the northwest, all of which are subject to seasonal flooding.  This information, combined with that provided by an Inuvialuit Elder who accompanied the field crew, led to the interpretation that the two well site areas possess low potential for the identification of archaeological sites.  Surface examination and shovel testing did not result in the identification of any archaeological deposits.  One site of traditional concern, however, was identified adjacent to the West Ellice well site.  This was found in the form of a burial (site NhTx 1), observed on the crest of a pingo approximately 300 metres southeast of the proposed West Ellice sump location.  Due to the sensitive nature of this site, it was recommended that three steps be taken to preserve the location:  (1) that development respect a 100 metre buffer around the site as a ‘no impact’ zone; (2) that unnecessary visitors within this zone be discouraged from visiting the site, to avoid hastened erosion or vandalism; and (3) that local community Elders be consulted to gain insight about the location and determine a culturally relevant mode of treatment for the site. 

The Garry 3D Seismic Program is located on land surrounding the mouth of the Middle Channel of the Mackenzie River.  It covers an area of approximately 144 km2, and includes portions of Garry and Niglintgak Islands, as well as part of a third unnamed island on the outer Delta and adjacent sections of the mainland channel.  Situated within ISR lands, the program will extend into areas protected by the Canadian Wildlife Service as the Kendall Island Bird Sanctuary. 

The investigation of the Garry 3D Seismic areas involved an intensive surface examination of a sample of areas within the proposed seismic exploration area, as well as adjacent areas on the Middle Channel of the Mackenzie River that will be used as campsite and staging locations.  Based on the results of the investigation, two archaeological sites and one traditional site were identified.  The archaeological sites were comprised of two isolated artifact finds, while the traditional site was interpreted as a fishing camp.  The traditional site (site NiTw 3) and one isolated artifact find (site NiTw 2) were identified on the southern sand spit of Garry Island, while the remaining artifact find (site NiTw 4) was noted on a mid-slope area of the highest landform of Niglintgak Island.  The remainder of the study area, outside Garry Island and the central portion of Niglintgak Island, were found to be low areas of mud flats and sandbars subject to seasonal flood as part of the active Mackenzie Delta.  Based on these observations, combined with insights provided by an Inuvialuit Elder who accompanied the field crew, an interpretation was made that the areas of highest potential for the identification of older archaeological and traditional sites would be in the higher ice-thrust landform areas of Garry Island and central Niglintgak Island.  The areas of the active delta and associated sand spits, although obviously important for modern site location such as NiTw 3, were considered to be of lower potential for the identification of archaeological materials.  This is considered to be the result of a combination of factors, including the removal of evidence through water flooding or the burying of evidence through alluvial silting. 

Based on the results of the field overview assessment conducted for the Garry 3D Seismic program, it was recommended that the areas of the three identified sites (two archaeological sites, one traditional site) be protected by identifying a large ‘impact-free’ buffer zone around them.  With this buffer, the integrity of each of these locations can be preserved both from primary and secondary impacts.  For the remainder of the area, no archaeological or traditional sites were identified in conflict with the objectives of the Garry 3D Seismic Program.  As additional development occurs in the region, however, more detailed models of archaeological site probability should be developed and tested with field reconnaissance.  Creation of these models will be greatly facilitated through consultation with local community Elders.