Responding to the Coastal Erosion Crisis and the Changing Archaeological Landscape of Ivvavik National Park

• Main Authors: Piskor, Ashley, Irrgang, Anna
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: Canadian Archaeological Association 2018
• Subjects: Arctic; Yukon; Inuvialuit; Ivvavik national park
• Online Access: https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/53369/; https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/53369/1/Piskor_Irrgang_2018_CAA_Conference_Abstract.pdf; https://canadianarchaeology.com/caa/annual-meeting/2018/sessions; https://hdl.handle.net/10013/epic.f7018823-60cd-4d32-9721-07deb20706bd; https://hdl.handle.net/

This paper discusses the effects of coastal erosion on archaeological sites in Ivvavik National Park and the current response to it. Ivvavik, located along the Yukon North Slope within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, is rich in archaeological material that provides evidence of early human migration into the Canadian Arctic and the development of Inuvialuit culture. Ivvavik’s coastline is being significantly impacted by coastal erosion. Numerous sites have already eroded and many of the remaining are threatened or are at imminent risk of eroding. Research indicates that by 2100, more than 50% of the documented archaeological sites along Arctic coasts will likely be eroded. Throughout the Park co-management planning process, Inuvialuit Stakeholders identified 12 culturally significant coastal sites emphasizing their need for continued protection. In response, Parks Canada’s Western Arctic Field Unit (WAFU) implemented a coastal monitoring program to monitor the extent and impact of erosion on these archaeological sites and continues to work closely with its Indigenous partners to document traditional and local knowledge, and the archaeology, of these sites before they are eroded. Recently, WAFU has partnered with coastal erosion experts at the Alfred Wegener Institute to better understand erosion rates and future shoreline projections to more effectively inform mitigation decisions. It is our hope that through continued partnership with Indigenous stakeholders and by introducing specialized scientific research and advanced technologies, our team will be better equipped to strategically respond to the rapidly changing landscape and to the loss of archaeological sites along the coast in culturally appropriate ways.