our mission

âsowanânihk was the name given to an archaeological site near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan by Elder Velmer Ermine. The site represents the earliest presence of Indigenous peoples in the region following the recession of the Laurentide ice sheet. Our work here is meant to unite Indigenous First Nations and Métis communities with archaeologists and historians in order to deliver a mission of discovery and knowledge creation.

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Our mission with âsowanânihk, is to embrace community interests in the site led by a council composed of Indigenous elders and settler scholars. Through our work at âsowanânihk, we are creating knowledge that is led by and relevant to Indigenous communities. Our program involves the creation of educational materials for primary and secondary school teachers and the development of land-based learning programs. As the site is under threat by natural processes and modern development, a main focus of our mission is the preservation of the site and any belongings found there.