As part of its long term initiative to promote good communications between archaeologists and First Nations in Ontario, the APA and Curve Lake First Nation recently completed a one week training session for archaeological site liaison staff. Between March 8th and 11th, 2010, 15 First Nations students were intensively trained in cultural sensitivity, archaeological methods and theory, and culture history.

Teaching staff included First Nations elders and experts including Doug Williams, Mark Phillips, Arthor Otskinau and Ned Benson as well as archaeologists Cathy Crinnion, James Conolly, Nick Gromoff, Michael Henry, Lawrence Jackson and Alistair Jolly.

The newly trained liaison staff will be available to work on archaeological projects within traditional Williams Treaty First Nations' territories. Please contact the APA directly if you are in need of a liaison staff person.

We would like also to express our gratitude to Chief Keith Knott of Curve Lake First Nation for approving the involvement of Curve Lake First Nation as a partner with the APA and especially Anne Taylor, Cultural Archivist and Melissa Dokis and Krista Coppaway of the Duty to Consult programme for their efforts to organize and make this programme such a success. A number of First Nations people are now Associate members of the APA and we are looking forward to lots of positive engagement in future.

Originally Submitted by Lawrence Jackson