RESEARCHERS PROVIDE UPDATE ON KWADAY DÄN SINCHÌ

VICTORIA, November 15, 2000 – Methods being used to unravel the mysteries surrounding Kwaday Dän Sinchì will be discussed at a public information session, Small Business, Tourism and Culture Minister Gerard Janssen announced today.

Specialists from the Royal British Columbia Museum; the University of British Columbia; the University of Alberta; the archeology branch of the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture; and the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations will talk about their projects.

“This will be a fascinating look at what researchers have determined so far and what they hope to learn in terms of the human biology of Kwaday Dän Sinchì, the cultural context, and the natural environment,” said Janssen. 

Research is under way in artifact studies, ethnohistory, conservation, radiocarbon dating, DNA studies, physical anthropology, trace element analysis, pathology, microbiology, botany, zoology and studies of the human remains.

A total of 17 formal research proposals were received by the joint management team.  All were reviewed, and 10 research projects are under way in accordance with stringent ethical protocols.  The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations are co-ordinating studies of the artifacts and other aspects that involve cultural knowledge and interpretation.  The archeology branch and experts at the Royal British Columbia Museum are co-ordinating research into the human remains.

“At the Royal British Columbia Museum, we are proud of our reputation as an institution of cultural research,” said Bill Barkley, the museum’s chief executive officer.  “We are honoured to have been chosen to participate in the Kwaday Dän Sinchì research project.” 

The human remains are to be transferred back to the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations after Dec. 31, 2000 in accordance with a written agreement.

The public information session will take place at the University of Victoria’s University Centre Auditorium on Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available at the McPherson Box Office (386-6121) or at the door.  Adults are $12, under 18 and students, $6.