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Persistence and Meaning in Fur-Bearing Mammal Usage on the Nechako Plateau, British Columbia

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Abstract

The archaeological record indicates the use of salmon and a wide range of terrestrial mammals at sites spanning the last millennium in the vicinity of the Nautley River on the Nechako Plateau of central British Columbia. In particular, a long record of sustained use of small and medium bodied fur-bearing mammals, especially beaver, rabbit, and muskrat, is evident, which neither prey-selection, nor fur trade intensification models adequately explain. Instead, the usage of diverse small prey is best understood in the context of the contingencies and long-term structure of the region’s salmon fishery, the social networks between communities and places, the various uses people had for these animals, and the meanings of their relationship to them.

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Acknowledgments

I wish to thank the Nadleh Whut’en Nation for permitting and facilitating this research, especially Beverly Ketlo and Chief Larry Nooski. The entire Nadleh community were generous hosts, and Irene George, Johnny George and Rita Morin were particularly gracious in allowing us access to their homes. The hard work of several Nadleh members in the field is also greatly appreciated, including Robin Heathcliff, Kailyn Ketlo, Burton Louie, Germaine Brigham, Clayton George, and especially Curtis George. Field work was supported by the MacEwan University Research Office and the Department of Anthropology field school. As always, the guidance and sharing of data, equipment and contacts by Frank Craig has been invaluable. The assistance of Deanna McAvoy with identifications and organizing the field lab is greatly appreciated, as are the comments offered on this manuscript by Beverly Ketlo. The comments and corrections suggested by the editors and peer reviewers of the International Journal of Historical Archaeology were also very helpful. Any remaining errors are my responsibility.

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    Paul Prince

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Prince, P. Persistence and Meaning in Fur-Bearing Mammal Usage on the Nechako Plateau, British Columbia. Int J Histor Archaeol 23, 728–754 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10761-019-00498-8

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