Selkirk students uncover local history

by Keith Powell — June 23, 2011

Melissa Koftinoff is one of two Selkirk College students that will be participating in the Archeology Field School at Slocan Narrows Pithouse Village (near Lemon Creek) from June 18 to July 29, 2011. — Carrie Voysey

Selkirk College’s School of University Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the Anthropology Department at Hamilton College (Clinton, N.Y.), has provided an exciting opportunity for students to uncover their local history.

A hands-on Archeology Field School will take place at Slocan Narrows Pithouse Village (near Lemon Creek) in southeastern British Columbia from June 18 to July 29, 2011.

With support from the Slocan Valley Heritage Trail Society, Columbia Basin Trust and Sinixt First Nation, Hamilton College has been bringing field school students to the area since 2009. This year, Selkirk will join forces with Hamilton College; enabling two local students to attend the field school and providing logistical benefits and access to various, relevant partnerships.

“It’s great to have a local connection,” explains Hamilton College Field School Co-Instructor, Alissa Nauman. “Our partnership with Selkirk will encourage more awareness throughout the region and the knowledge we gain throughout the six weeks will be more deeply ingrained and beneficial because of its direct involvement.”

Fourteen of the 30 pithouses located at the site have been dated through radiocarbon dating. During 2011, the field school will focus on dating the remaining houses in the village. Articles such as bone fragments, including beaver digits, have been found, with some dating back 3,000 years.

The site (1.5 km north of Lemon Creek) will be open for an “Archeological Interpretation Event” on July 24, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Archeologists Nathan Goodale, Allissa Nauman and the Hamilton College/Selkirk College field school students will be on hand to provide an intimate and detailed tour of the site.

A barbecue lunch will be provided and included as part of the tour. As the cost of the event is provided up front by the Slocan Valley Heritage Trail Society and Hamilton College, a suggested minimum donation is requested to help cover the costs of the event.

For more information on the event, click here.