Irene Fatt, Frankie Rabesca and Delphine Enzoe at   LeNs-4 near Paul Lake.

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.  Archaeological sites located near development areas have been tested and mitigated through systematic data recovery consisting of subsurface excavation 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 BHBP 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.  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 found naturally as veins in the bedrock of the Lac de Gras area.  Quartz cobbles are also found naturally in the numerous eskers in the claim block and it is suggested that both sources of quartz were utilized prehistorically for stone tool manufacture.  A number of the sites in the BHPB claim block have yielded small chert tools suggestive of the Arctic Small Tool tradition, which may date 2500-3500 years before present, but the majority of the archaeological sites probably relate to activities conducted in the last 2500 years.  Although most sites are associated with the prehistoric period, a number of traditional use sites have also been identified.

Ashton Hawker, Grant Beck and Ed Jones at LdNv-2 on the Coppermine River.

Olivia Donaher, of Points West, and Darcy Ross of the North Slave Metis Alliance assisted with the archaeological field work conducted in July at EKATI.  One new archaeological site, an isolated find was discovered in 2005, bringing the total in the BHPB claim block to 199 sites.  Field investigations were conducted at 17 proposed exploration locations, along a section of the Ursula West esker, in the area of the Fox open pit and for a proposed winter exploration camp and winter access road.   

As part of their ongoing commitment to share information on the archaeological work conducted at EKATI, BHPB requested that Jean Bussey conduct tours in 2005.  Three representatives of five different groups attended the three to four day tours.  The first group consisted of Mike Francis, Alfred Baillargeon and Noel Doctor representing the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. The second group of participants consisted of Irene Fatt, Delphine Enzoe and Frankie Rabesca from the Lutselk’e First Nation.  Representatives of the North Slave Metis Alliance, Ed Jones, Grant Beck and Ashton Hawker, formed the third group.  The fourth group consisted of representatives of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association from Kuglugtuk: Joseph Nipitanatiak, Helen Enogaloak and Lynn Carter.  The final participants were Joe Migwi, Georgina Chocolate and Francis Williah, representatives of the Tlicho Government.  During each of the tours, four or five sites were visited on the ground and others were pointed out from the air.  Helicopter transportation is the only feasible way of conducting these tours, which is why the tours are limited to three participants.  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.