zooarchaeologists, paleoethnobotanists, geoarchaeologists, and other scientists including experts in ancient DNA and isotopic analysis of animal bones.” (Prentiss: 2013) The excavation have been ongoing since 2012, with some preliminary excavations before that. The main goal of the project is to piece together the past and preserve the cultural heritage of its inhabitants. The archaeologists have been working together with the local Indigenous community since before the first test pit was dug. The Bridge River excavation is a perfect example of a healthy collaboration between Indigenous communities and archaeologists. The local indigenous community have learned a lot about their history, through the artifacts that have been uncovered at the site. The archaeologists with the project have integrated the local Indigenous communities into the excavation its self. Local band members have been trained, and have participated in the actual excavations. This has helped to create a bond between the archaeologists and the Indigenous community. I personally have worked on the site, and have seen firsthand what a healthy collaboration between the Indigenous community and archaeologists can accomplish. The only way I see an excavation of this size working is to have a strong mutualistic relationship between the Indigenous community and the archaeologists working there. Bridge River is first and foremost an indigenous archaeology project that branches out to the greater non-indigenous community, which also includes other indigenous communities. An indigenous archaeology project with a community approach. This is what makes the Bridge River a successful excavation.
zooarchaeologists, paleoethnobotanists, geoarchaeologists, and other scientists including experts in ancient DNA and isotopic analysis of animal bones.” (Prentiss: 2013) The excavation have been ongoing since 2012, with some preliminary excavations before that. The main goal of the project is to piece together the past and preserve the cultural heritage of its inhabitants. The archaeologists have been working together with the local Indigenous community since before the first test pit was dug. The Bridge River excavation is a perfect example of a healthy collaboration between Indigenous communities and archaeologists. The local indigenous community have learned a lot about their history, through the artifacts that have been uncovered at the site. The archaeologists with the project have integrated the local Indigenous communities into the excavation its self. Local band members have been trained, and have participated in the actual excavations. This has helped to create a bond between the archaeologists and the Indigenous community. I personally have worked on the site, and have seen firsthand what a healthy collaboration between the Indigenous community and archaeologists can accomplish. The only way I see an excavation of this size working is to have a strong mutualistic relationship between the Indigenous community and the archaeologists working there. Bridge River is first and foremost an indigenous archaeology project that branches out to the greater non-indigenous community, which also includes other indigenous communities. An indigenous archaeology project with a community approach. This is what makes the Bridge River a successful excavation.