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Ministry of Tourism,
Sport and the Arts |
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Kwaday
Dan Ts'inchi |
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Introduction
In August 1999, three hunters discovered the frozen remains of an ancient
person at the edge of a glacier in BC's Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, within
the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
(CAFN). We now know this represents the oldest preserved human remains
ever discovered in North America.
In an emergency meeting of elders and members, the Champagne and Aishihik
First Nations agreed efforts should be made to learn something about
this person. They named the find Kwaday Dän Sinchi, meaning 'long
ago person found.'
Soon after the discovery, an agreement was worked out between the Ministry
of Small Business, Tourism and Culture and the Champagne and Aishihik
First Nations about the management of Kwaday Dän Sinchi. The agreement
ensures cultural concerns are respected while recognizing the significant
scientific considerations inherent in a discovery of this nature.
Over the past year, scientists and members of the CAFN have initiated
several biological and cultural research projects to learn more about
Kwaday Dän Sinchi. Initial radiocarbon dating indicates these artifacts
are roughly 550 years old, predating Christopher Columbus' voyage to
the New World, as well as being 300 years before first known European
contact on the Northwest Coast.
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