The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) Archaeology Unit works to protect, document, and honour the cultural heritage of our Nation across our traditional and treaty territories.
Archaeological sites represent the lives, histories, and resting places of our ancestors. These places hold cultural, spiritual, and historical significance for the Mississaugas of the Credit and other Indigenous Nations.
Through the Archaeology Unit, MCFN helps ensure that development and land use activities within our treaty territory respect and protect these important cultural places. The unit works closely with archaeologists, municipalities, developers, and government agencies to ensure that archaeological work is conducted in a respectful and responsible manner.
MCFN participation in archaeological work helps ensure that Indigenous knowledge, cultural perspectives, and community values are part of the process of identifying and protecting cultural heritage.
Click here for the MCFN Standard & Guidelines for Archaeology.
The MCFN Archaeology Unit participates in archaeological projects occurring throughout our treaty territory and provides guidance to ensure cultural heritage is respected.
The Archaeology Unit’s work includes:
Through this work, MCFN helps ensure that archaeological investigations properly recognize and respect Indigenous history and heritage.
A key component of the MCFN Archaeology Unit is the Field Liaison Representative (FLR) program.
FLRs are trained MCFN community members who participate directly in archaeological fieldwork across the Nation’s treaty territory. They work alongside licensed archaeologists during archaeological assessments to help ensure that Indigenous perspectives and cultural protocols are respected.
Field Liaison Representatives assist with:
The FLR program provides meaningful employment opportunities for community members while strengthening MCFN’s role in protecting and stewarding our cultural heritage.
The protection of burial sites and ancestral remains is a priority for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. When burial sites or human remains are encountered during development or archaeological investigations, MCFN works with archaeologists, government agencies, and project proponents to ensure that our ancestors are treated with dignity and respect.
These situations require careful coordination and culturally appropriate decision-making. MCFN works to ensure that any actions taken reflect community values and respect the cultural and spiritual significance of ancestral resting places.
Click here for the MCFN Burial Site Protocol.
This territory includes areas throughout the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions, including lands within Hamilton, Halton, Peel, York, Niagara, Brant, Waterloo, and other neighbouring municipalities.
Thousands of archaeological sites have been identified throughout this territory. These sites represent generations of Indigenous occupation, travel, trade, and community life.
MCFN works to ensure that these places are properly identified, studied, and protected when development projects occur within our treaty lands.
Archaeologists, consultants, municipalities, and developers working within MCFN treaty territory may be required to engage with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation regarding archaeological assessments.
MCFN may participate in a variety of archaeological activities, including:
MCFN participation helps ensure that archaeological investigations respect Indigenous cultural heritage and reflect the interests of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Archaeology provides an opportunity to reconnect with the deep history of our people and our lands.
Through the Archaeology Unit, MCFN supports opportunities for community members to participate in archaeological fieldwork, training, and cultural learning activities.
These initiatives help strengthen community knowledge, provide employment and training opportunities, and support the ongoing protection of the Nation’s heritage for future generations.
To engage in consultation processes with the Crown (Federal and Provincial governments) and private sector proponents on actions and proposed development projects that may impact the rights and interests of MCFN and to ensure that environmentally sustainable practices are being implemented in response to any concerns about the land, water, air, species at risk, and the health of its people.
DOCA will assess and help mitigate impacts on our rights, land claims, and ways of life by building relationships/partnerships with governments and private sector proponents. The department also works to advance negotiations with key proponents for securing long term relationship agreements or business partnerships in the spirit of peace, respect, and friendship.
DOCA will ensure that responsible practices are implemented to protect the environment, and the cultural heritage and archaeology of the First Nation. DOCA is responsible for strengthening recognition of the rich heritage of MCFN by increasing public awareness and by being directly involved in all planning and development within MCFN’s traditional and treaty territory.
Address
4065 Hwy. 6, Hagersville, ON, N0A 1H0
Phone Number
905-768-4260
MCFN’s DOCA Archaeology Unit invites MCFN community members to join them for an in-field Stage 2 archaeology workshop at the Green Willow property. Come learn
Share your voices and perspectives through an MCFN-led engagement process, working in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, to help shape updates to the Grass
Please join us for an evening of good food, meaningful conversation, and community connection. This gathering is an opportunity for us to listen and learn
CTW 2024 proponent attendee contacts
