Iqaluktuuq Project
In September of 1999 the KHS carried out an oral history project at Iqaluktuuq, an area around the Ekalluk River approximately 30 miles west northwest of Cambridge Bay. Based on information gathered through the interviews, the Elders invited Dr. Friesen of the University of Toronto up to look at the site and to see if an archaeological study would be feasible. This site was initially chosen by the Elders due to its proximity to the community, its diversity, uniqueness and the significance it has to the people of Iqaluktuuttiaq.
In October of 1991, the KHS Board of Directors met to discuss the results of the site inquiry done at Iqaluktuuq in September with Dr. Friesen. Dr. Friesen felt that the site was extremely important and that the University of Toronto would indeed be very interested in working with the KHS on the project. The Board of Directors agreed that a partnership with the University of Toronto would be beneficial to the whole community.
Research was conducted at the Iqaluktuuq site in the summer of 2000. The outcome of this was an agreement between the KHS and the University of Toronto to undertake a long-term research project at the site.
In 2001, Elders returned to the site to work with students and archaeologists. Important information was gathered – information that has benefited the community as well as the archaeologists who are working at the site. The direction and information provided by the Elders has vastly enriched the research being conducted and has served to answer many questions that the archaeologists have had.
As research at the Iqaluktuuq site continues, it becomes more and more apparent that the site is much more significant than earlier thought. The Ekalluk River is the site of a seasonal char fishery and muskox harvest, which is very important to our community. These harvests have been carried out respectfully and with little disruption to the archaeological sites. However, because of the proximity to town, the Elders are concerned about others using the site and unknowingly damaging features or removing artifacts. The importance of this site and the information contained therein cannot be overstated. Elder Frank Analok stated that the area is one of the oldest traditional sites that he knows of.
In keeping with the goals of the Society, as well as Dr. Friesen’s perception of the importance of this regional archaeological sequence, the primary contribution to knowledge of this research program will be in the expansion and refinement of the culture history of Iqaluktuuq. Relatively speaking, there has been very little published research on the area of the Copper Inuit.1 Combined with the oral history research, the information published will provide an insight into the culture that is richer and more in depth than most research papers.