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Archaeological dig not likely to impact highway plans: MTO

While area First Nation leaders say the archaeological site found behind the McKenzie Inn is of significant interest to their cultural history, they are upset they weren’t consulted about the find. "They’ve been digging since last May.
While area First Nation leaders say the archaeological site found behind the McKenzie Inn is of significant interest to their cultural history, they are upset they weren’t consulted about the find.

"They’ve been digging since last May. They’re finding artifacts 9,000 years old and no one was notified," said Red Rock Indian Band Chief Pierre Pelletier. "We’re talking something that started a year ago in May that could be the biggest archaeological find in Ontario and the oldest."
Pelletier said he would have liked to have known about the site before it made local news last week.

The McKenzie site is located where the new four-lane section of Highway 11-17 is scheduled to be constructed next year. Pelletier said he doesn’t want to see at the end of the day that the highway is done and the site gone without having been part of it.

Fort William First Nation Coun. Ian Bannon expressed similar concerns about not being consulted about the excavation.

"Certainly the finds are of significant interest to Fort William First Nation," he said. "It represents cultural heritage to our First Nation."

He wants to ensure FWFN is consulted about what happens to the artifacts found.

"Once the findings are identified we can do potential historical research ourselves on the artifacts and determine what should be done with them," Bannon said.

Presently the artifacts are being analyzed and sent to Lakehead University to be studied by faculty and students. And despite the historical significance of the site, Ministry of Transportation environmental planner Patricia DeCal said while the McKenzie site is within the highway alignment the MTO doesn’t anticipate it will impact the construction schedule.

"We built provisions into the contract that will allow us to work around the archaeological excavation," she said. "Like any archaeological dig you never know what you’re going to find but we’re confident that we can manage it within the contract. We’re not expecting any big surprises."

The four-laning project is expected to begin next year.






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