February 19, 2015

Public Archaeology Press

Public Archaeology Press

By Kevin Brownlee
Past Curator of Archaeology

Over the course of the past year I have been involved with a few publications highlighting Archaeology. Each is quite different, from public outreach to academic article to education online resources.

The first is a book published by the Manitoba Museum called Stories of the Old Ones from the Lee River, Southeastern Manitoba: The Owl Inini, Carver Inini and Dancer Ikwe (2014). The publication is the result of many years of work by the Museum and our community partner Sagkeeng First Nation. The lead author E. Leigh Syms retired Curator of Archaeology along with a diverse group of contributors including the late Elder Mark Thompson. The book is publically written and includes over 150 images, maps, drawings and paintings. I was the project manager for the publication.

Buy a copy from the Manitoba Museum Gift Shop.

 

The second publication is an academic journal article on quartz characterization which examines artifacts from the Manitoba Museum collection in relation to quartz quarries documented in northern Manitoba. The article was published in the prestigious journal Archaeometry vol 56, issue 6 pages 913-926 (December 2014). The results indicate quartz from quarries on Granville Lake were transported up to 200km away. The lead author is a brilliant young PhD, Rachel ten Bruggencate who worked on the Granville Lake Social Science and Humanities Research Council Project that was run through the Museum. Read the abstract online.

The last publication was an online resource put together by the Centre for Research in Young People’s Texts and Cultures the authors on the guide were Margaret Dumas and Deborah Schnitzer. The teachers guide was for the book Pīsim Finds Her Miskanow and written for the Grade 5 Manitoba Curriculum. Find the guide here.

Public Archaeology – What Should have been in The News

By Kevin Brownlee
Past Curator of Archaeology 

Open pages of the book Pīsim Finds her Miskanow showing text with diagrams, and artistic illustrations.

Today’s post is a bit of a stretch for the theme public archaeology in the news, since media did not pick up on our recent work. The project most deserving of media attention would be the teaching resources recently released for the book Pīsim Finds her Miskanow. 

Educational resources now available for Pīsim Finds her Miskanow, a nationally awarded publication. The centre for research in young people’s texts and cultures (CRYTC) at the University of Winnipeg has released an 80 page teachers guide available for download on their website. The guide is written for Grade 5 in the Manitoba curriculum. You can also listen to two of the songs from the book, the Paddling Song and the Lullaby. 

Image: Highly illustrated book brings Rocky Cree history to life, now easier to use in the classroom.

Noteworthy Public Archaeology

By Kevin Brownlee
Past Curator of Archaeology 

Open pages of the book Pīsim Finds her Miskanow showing text with diagrams, and artistic illustrations.A number of events have occurred this past year that are noteworthy. The book Pīsim finds her Misknaow won a public communications award from the Canadian Archaeological Association in May 2014. This national award recognizes archaeology publications that engage the general public. 

Two display cases were produced for the Sagkeeng First Nation Heritage Centre. The exhibits were unveiled at the Heritage Centre on May 12, 2014.

Looking into a blue display case shadow box with photographs and illustrations of artifacts as well as descriptive text.

Two Eagles Cache Education Exhibit showcases replica artifacts found with a 4,000 year old ancestor.

Looking into a green display case shadow box with photographs and illustrations of artifacts as well as descriptive text.

Rivermouth Cache Education Exhibit showcases replica artifacts found with two ancestors dating to 450 years ago.