Secondary Sources

This document is a catalogue of selected artifacts recovered during Parks Canada excavations at The Forks in 1984, that were deemed to be valuable in developing interpretations for the public. A description, interpretation and photograph accompany each artifact listing. The following artifact categories are represented: arms and ammunition; Pre- and Postcontact ceramics including smoking equipment, dinnerware, storage, cooking; glass including storage, lighting, decorative, medicine; lithics; metal containers; miscellaneous including metal tools, glass beads, bone artifacts, shell and bone buttons, ivory artifacts; other metal including tinkling cones and sewing equipment.

The study of ethnobotany is used to compare the plant uses of Native hunters and gatherers, Native farmers and 19th century European fur traders. The topics consist of an Introduction, The Northeastern Prairie Environment, Prehistoric Plant Uses, Ethnobotany of Historic Tribes, 19th Century Europeans and Environmental Impacts of Plant Uses. There are maps and charts of seed charcoal and wood samples.

This booklet provides a synopsis of the circumstances surrounding the formation of the settlement on September 4, 1812. The transfer of HBC territory to Lord Selkirk, the resulting conflicts, stabilization of the colony and merger of HBC and NWCo. (1816-21), and the post-merger period (1821-36) are outlined.