RESEARCH BEGINS ON KWADAY DäN SINCHí

VICTORIA, April 18, 2000 – Scientific research projects have begun on the human remains and some of the material recovered from the archeological site discovered in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park in northwestern B.C. last August.

Small Business, Tourism and Culture Minister Ian Waddell said one of the first research projects will be to reconstruct the man's DNA profile.

"Studying the human remains is just one component of the broad multi-disciplinary approach that’s being planned for this find. Scientists will be able to compare their findings with what is already known about North American indigenous peoples," said Waddell. "There’s much we can learn from the Kwaday Dän Sinchí discovery."

Researchers at the Royal British Columbia Museum have also begun work with other scientists to study and conserve the animal skin robe and the fish remains also found at the site. More projects are expected to begin over the coming months.

So far, research proposals involving over 30 scientists in England, Australia, the United States, Scotland and across Canada have been received. Funding from these proposals will allow research on the human biology component of the Kwaday Dän Sinchí project to move ahead within established timeframes.

It will take several months to complete the research now under way, and considerably longer before any findings are likely to be made public. Now that the research phase has begun, Waddell said, the ministry and the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation can turn their attention to developing a broader research strategy for the future.

"It could be years before we learn all that we can from some of the research projects that have been proposed," said Waddell. "Along with allowing us a glimpse into the distant past, the legacy of Kwaday Dän Sinchí will stretch far ahead into the future."

Further research is also anticipated at the site of the discovery, in a glacial field in the northwest corner of British Columbia.

Radiocarbon dating has indicated the artifacts are roughly 550 years old, which confirms that the site dates back several centuries before the first local contact between First Nations and European culture.

In accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture and the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, the remains and associated materials have been housed at the Royal B.C. Museum until Dec. 31 to provide for scientific studies.

All research involving human remains is subject to strict ethical guidelines in Canada.

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Backgrounder

Overview of Research Proposals

The Human Remains

Other Biological Remains

The Robe