IN THE SHADOW OF HozAMEEN: ANARCflAE;OLtJGICAL INVENTORY $Tl.IDY OF THE S ~YLJNE TIUVL ~ YSTEM IN MANNING AND ST<AGIT V:ALLEY PROVINCIAL PttRKSt sou::rHWEsT BRITISH COLUMBIA. PROJECT YEAR NlJM6ER 1 (2002) In The Shadow OfHozameen: An Archaeological Inventory ofthe Skyline Trail System in Manning And Skagit Valley Provincial Parks, Southwest B.e. Project Year Number One (2002) Prepared for: Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission 1610 Mount Seyrnour Road North Vancouver, B.C. V7G lL3 Prepared by: St6:lo Nation Aboriginal Rights and Title Department 1-7201 Vedder Road Chilliwack, RC. V2R 4G5 June, 2003 8t6:15 NatIOn Permit #2002-037 Provincial Permit # 2002-249 In the Shadow ofHozameen: An Archaeological Inventory ofthe Skyline Trail, Manning and Skagit Valley Provincial Parks, Southwest B.C. Project Year Number One (2002) 'The steepest places have been at all times the asylum of liberty' - Baron de Tott, AD 1785 - Hozameen ('Sharp, like a sharp knife') (a Nlaka'pamux word from Akrigg and Akrigg 1997) 8t6:10 Nation Pennrt #2002-037 Provincial Permit # 2002-249 In the Shadow ofHozameen: An Archaeological Inventory ofthe Skyline Trail, Manning and Skagit Valley Provincial Parks, Southwest B.C. Project Year Number One (2002) CREDITS PROJECT DIRECTOR David Schaepe, M.A. FIELD DIRECTORS Ian Franck, M.A. David Schaepe REPORT AUTHOR Ian Franck FIELD ASSISTANTS Larry Commodore (St6:16 Nation) Dennis Leon (St6:16 Nation) REPORT DRAFTING Leeanna Rhodes, G.I.S. Technician Ian Franck ARTIFACT ILLUSTRATION Ian Franck ~~~~ St6:16 Nation Pennit #2002-037 Provincial Pennit # 2002-249 In the Shadow ofHozameen: An Archaeological Inventory ofthe Skyline Trail, Manning and Skagit 11 Valley Provincial Parks, Southwest B.C. Project Year Number One (2002) SYNOPSIS This report presents the findings ofyear one ofan archaeological inventory study ofthe Skyline Trail System which runs through Manning and Skagit Valley Provincial Parks in southwestern RC. Although the entire length ofthe trail was walked through by project archaeologists at one time or another, during this study, intensive survey focused on areas west of Despair Pass including the Hozameen Ridge Trail. A total of four precontact archaeological sites were identified during the 2002 survey (Sites DgR f 1 through 4). All sites identified consisted of a surface and/or subsurface scatter of lithic artifacts and material located primarily along ridgelines and secondly within protected areas such as basins. The sites identified during the 2002 field season in the area ofthe Skyline (and Hozameen Ridge) Trail have greatly added to our understanding ofthis important travel corridor and general use area. They complement sites recorded within Skagit Valley Park by Franck (2000); Lepofsky et al. (1999); Rousseau (1988); and Bush (1997, 1998), not to mention many archaeological resources identified by North Cascades Park Archaeologist Bob Mierendorfto the south ofthe international line (e.g., Mierendorf 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999; Mierendorfet al. 1998, 1999). While still at its infancy, research within the North Cascade Mountains has made significant leaps over the last decade. Once considered to be a marginally, ifnot an entirely unused part ofthe landscape, the researchers mentioned above have proven that the area was significantly important to aboriginal people in the far past, the protohistoric time period, and continuing today. Our largest task, scientifically, is to generate more hard data particularly from excavated contexts with accompanying dates, faunal analysis, etc. This initial survey is a large step towards acquiring the data we need. In addition to the obvious need for further hard empirical data it is equally important that we continue to assemble knowledge from people who traditionally used the area. Much ofthis information has been lost due to the sad fact that many ofthe elders ofFirst Nations who used or were knowledgeable ofthis area have now passed on. Fortunately, other lines ofevidence, particularly linguistic, could shed light on the use ofthese areas. It is clear that aboriginal uses ofhigh elevation areas may not always follow strict resource-based and dependent criteria. Obviously, with this in mind, research cannot continue to simply follow conventional site identification methodology. Some sites may be so physically subtle or only recognizable through complex context that conventional methodology may overlook them. Developing alternative methodology will not be easy; however, realizing that there might be a problem with conventional methodology is the first step. A long list ofsite attributes associated with non-resource-based sites needs to be generated first. This data must then, ifpossible, be directly integrated into how we physically view the landscape. Of course the visibility ofsome criteria may be impossible for most people (e.g., areas ofhigh spiritual energy) but it might be high time to put 'spiritually in-tune' people into these areas and just see what happens and set empirical wisdom to the side for awhile. Regardless, ifwe do look for areas ofspiritual importance there should be at least some physical evidence. If people were attracted to an area, even for a completely non-utilitarian reasons, chances are something would have been left behind. It is our job, as archaeologists, to figure out what this might be. Our most easily rectified data gap within the North Cascades is that ofexcavated site data and at least one site identified during this study (Site DgRl; Mowich Camp) has a very good chance ofproviding some ofthis information and should be pursued. In fact, a series ofexcavations ofsites identified in the North Cascades would greatly improve our knowledge base ofthe aboriginal use ofthis mountainous area. This would include several sites identified south ofthe international border by Mierendorf(1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999) and to the north by Franck (2000) and Franck and Schaepe (2002). Ofcourse further survey would always be valuable and should not be overlooked particularly ifit can identify additional sites with substantial subsurface deposits appropriate for excavation. These surveys may want to step away from ridgelines where sites are often easily identified but do not normally contain any significant depth ofdeposit and focus instead on sheltered basin areas below ridgelines (near water) and ultimately rock shelters or caves. The archaeology ofthe North Cascades is at an exciting turning point that is bound to generate more and more important data. Only diligent, thoughtful, and ongoing research will make sure that we reach an understanding that comes close to the reality ofwhat happened in these steep places in the past. St6:lo Nation Permit #2002-037 Provincial Permit # 2002-249 In the Shadow ofHozameen: An Archaeological Inventory ofthe Skyline Trail, Manning and Skagit 111 Valley Provincial Parks, Southwest B.C. Project Year Number One (2002) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank the Skagit Valley Environmental Endowment Commission for providing the financial opportunity to conduct this study. In particular I thank Jude Grass and Christine Tunnoch for the administration ofthe grant on behalfofSEEC. My colleagues Dave Schaepe (St6:16 Nation) and Bob Mierendorf (North Cascades Park Complex) contributed to intellectual aspects ofthis report both directly and indirectly. I am particular fond ofthe many spirited conversations and mutual experiences we have shared in and out ofhigh places. My trusted field assistants Larry Commodore and Dennis Leon approached the project with the necessary ardour punctuated with delicious humour making the time spent together a memorable experience. I am grateful to those individuals who provided supporting letters for our grant application, specifically: Tom Blackbird (Resource Officer, BC Parks); Graeme Kenneth (Area Supervisor, BC Parks, Manning Area); Ray Kenny (Manager, Archaeology Planning and Assessment); and Kevin Chishlom (LF.P.A. Forester, Interfor Hope Logging). Steven Acheson ofthe Archaeology and Registry Services Branch (ARSB) acted as the Heritage Resource Specialist for this project. Doris Lundy ofthe ARSB processed the site forms. Each are thanked for their contribution to this project. St6:16 Nation Pennit #2002-037 Provincial Pennit # 2002-249 In the Shadow ofHozameen: An Archaeological Inventory ofthe Skyline Trail, Manning and Skagit IV Valley Provincial Parks, Southwest RC. Project Year Number One (2002) TABLE OF CONTENTS CREDITS i SYNOPSIS .ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .iii TABLE OF CONTENTS .iv LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLE vi 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 The Project and S.E.E.C.'s Mission 4 1.2 Definition ofSite and St6:l6 Nation's Involvement .4 2.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 6 2.1 Physiographic Setting 6 2.2 Glacial History 6 2.3 Bedrock Geology 7 2.4 Climate and Vegetation 8 2.4.1 Modem Conditions and Biogeoclimatic Zones 10 2.5 Fauna 10 2.6 First Nations Ethnography 11 2.6.1 The St6:l6 16 2.7 Aboriginal Use ofAnimal Resources in Upland Areas 16 2.8 Aboriginal Use ofPlant Resources in Upland Areas .16 2.9 Other Aboriginal Use ofUpland Areas 19 2.10 Archaeological Cultural Constructs and Previous Archaeology 19 3.0 STUDY METHODS AND OBJECTIVES .24 3.2 Objectives 24 3.3 Methodology 24 3.3.1 Pre-Field Work Component.. 25 3.3.2 Field Work Component. 25 3.3.3 Post-Field Work Component .27 3.3.4 Artifact Repository 27 3.3.5 Site Significance Evaluation Methodology .27 4.0 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS AND RESULTS .28 4.1 DgRf 1 (Mowich Camp) 28 4.2 DgRf2 35 4.3 DgRf3 37 4.4 DgRf4 39 8t6:16 Nation Pennit #2002-037 Provincial Pennit # 2002-249 In the Shadow ofHozameen: An Archaeological Inventory ofthe Skyline Trail, Manning and Skagit v Valley Provincial Parks, Southwest RC. Project Year Number One (2002) 5.0 SITE SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT .42 5.1 DgRf 1 (Mowich Camp) 42 5.2 DgRf2 42 5.3 DgRf3 43 5.4 DgRf4 43 6.0 DISCUSSION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH .44 7.0 REFERENCES CITED 46 GLOSSARY 59 8t6:16 Nation Permit #2002-037 Provincial Permit # 2002-249 In the Shadow ofHozameen: An Archaeological Inventory ofthe Skyline Trail, Manning and Skagit VI Valley Provincial Parks, Southwest B.C.