Association of Professional Archaeologists (Ontario) 

~  Gidigaa-Migizi-Ban Award for Oral Tradition Research  ~

This award is in honour of the life and legacy of Gidigaa-Migizi-Ban (Doug Williams), a Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg Elder from Curve Lake First Nation. In an effort to promote studies and collaboration with First Nation communities, APA Ontario is pleased to offer a special grant to assist members who conduct research involving Oral Tradition.  APA wishes to foster collaboration between First Nation communities and the Archaeological work force in an effort to disseminate important information regarding the cultural past of Ontario.   It is hoped that this grant will aid in such endeavours.

Value: $750

To apply for the grant, provide APA with the following information:

·      Your organization

·      the Community you are working with

·      Brief (1 page) summary of the project

Also provide:

·        How this will contribute to archaeological research in Ontario

·        Brief history of the investigations

·        What the monies will be used for

The primary condition of the grant is acknowledgement of the APA's gran support if the information obtained from the research is published, as well as a submission of a short note for the APA website and newsletter. This newsletter/ website report can be a brief summary of the project, site, context and how the community and archaeology will benefit from the research.

A small committee will evaluate proposals from members before awarding the grant.

- deadline: Sunday March 31, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern

For more information or to submit your application materials, contact us at members@apaontario.ca

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** Spring 2020** award recipient (then named the Reserve Lands Research Grant), congratulations to Dixie Shilling

Exerpts from Dixie's proposal: This grant can help me in achieving my goal of a better understanding of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg and their transitions from settlement living to modern living. My aim for this project is to learn more about the lives of the “Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg”. The Cultural Landscape/Culture/Everyday life on the Mud-Lake Settlement.

Objective

Not much Archaeology has been done on reserve, therefore this is an opportunity for the Curve Lake Community as well as Archaeologists of Ontario to take a much closer look at a known settlement area.

• People/Personal History: improve knowledge of the people who lived on the Mud Lake Settlement
• Land: Improve the knowledge of the cultural landscape
• Recovery: Recovery of Artifacts in order to preserve our heritage.

Project Summary

Mud Lake settlement 1829- Mud Lake Reserve 1889 (Smith-Ennismore Township in Peterborough County)

Homestead of Sam Taylor (Mud Lake) and Laura Shilling (Rama)

2 story home (construction unknown 100+ years old by oral stories)

1 season: 2020 April till Nov 2020 fall

An Archaeological study done on reserve has the potential to greatly improve our understanding of Native settlement living – Modern life on reserves. A unique study on a group of people who have been in the same place since the early 1800’s (by government placement) oral stories indicate much longer. Working with the APA on this endeavor could better relations between first nations and Archaeologists in Ontario.  Working in conjunction with Curve Lake First Nation is equally exciting.

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