Tse’k’wa cave collaborates with university professor on free educational resources

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — Those interested in learning more about the cave in Charlie Lake, which has thousands of years of history, can now do so free of charge.

According to a press release, the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society and professor emeritus of Simon Fraser University (SFU), Dr. Jon Driver, have collaborated on new educational resources for a project entitled ‘combining scientific and traditional knowledge at Tse’k’wa.’

The Tse’k’wa Heritage Society is the managing department of the Tse’k’wa National Historic Site, a cave located north of Fort St. John with historic significance dating back 10,000 years to the ancestors of the Dane-zaa people of northeast B.C.

It has been wholly owned by three Treaty 8 First Nations – Doig River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation and West Moberly First Nations – since 2012.

The statement released on Tuesday, February 10th said the two parties worked with Futurum Careers to produce a written article alongside a presentation and animated video.

Futurum Careers is a U.K.-based organization which produces a magazine and online resources aimed at encouraging teenagers aged 14 to 19 to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM) or in social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy (SHAPE).

The society and Dr. Driver previously worked together on other projects, such as the digital repatriation of artefacts from the site in Charlie Lake in 2024.

“Young people are stimulated by archaeology because of the excitement of discovery,” said Driver. “Our collective experience at Tse’k’wa shows them how diverse perspectives can create a richer understanding of modern Indigenous communities and their history.”

The animated portion of the release is narrated by West Moberly First Nations’ Elder Diane Desjarlais, who said it was “critical” for younger generations to learn about the site.

“When we first started Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, it was all about educating people and building bridges [and] connecting different cultures,” said Desjarlais. “A big part of that is educating youth…This is where we’re going to start to build those bridges and how we’re going to overcome racism: it’s with our young people.” 

Funds came from a research grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, with additional print copies of the written work being circulated to local First Nations, schools and libraries.

School District 59 will distribute print copies through its Indigenous education department, while the Indigenous education centre will distribute the magazines to all schools in School District 60.

Copies will also be available at the North Peace Museum in Fort St. John and Treaty 8 Tribal Association offices while supplies last. 

Energeticcity.ca has reached out to Tse’k’wa Heritage Society executive director Alyssa Currie for additional comment.

More information about Tse’k’wa can be found on its website.