Source URL: (Chronicle Journal News Article)
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Ceremony closes dig site
James Mishquart leads a group of First Nation chiefs and guests in the blessing and closure of the archeological site behind the McKenzie Inn on Thursday. (Sandi Krasowski)
With Highway 11/17 construction in Shuniah moving along, a group of First Nation chiefs has marked the closure of one significant site with a special ceremony.
The representatives of the Anishinabek Nation Northern Superior Chiefs gathered behind the McKenzie Inn on Thursday to hold the ceremony, which offered thanks and prepared the site for closure.
The site garnered attention when the Ontario Ministry of Transportation began work four-laning Highway 11/17 west of Thunder Bay.
It was initally tagged as a possible archeological site during hydro work in the 1970s, but when the highway work began a closer look was taken.
Several artifacts were recovered, dating back as far as 9,000 years.
There are other archeological sites in the area, as well — one near Centennial Park and one near the intersection of Hodder Avenue and Highway 11/17.
The artifacts that were recovered have been taken to Lakehead Univeristy for study, and the dig site is being closed so highway construction work can resume.
