UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Tse'k'wa Heritage Society and UNBC collaboration on cultural accessibility receives federal funding

A collaboration between the Tse'k'wa Heritage Society and UNBC aims to deepen understanding of what accessibility and belonging mean from a Dane-zaa perspective at the ancient cave site located near Charlie Lake in northern B.C. 

The Tse'k'wa Heritage Society is expanding its accessibility work at the ancient site beyond physical site improvements to opportunities for cultural connection. Photo credit: Tse'k'wa Heritage Society

The project received a $40,000 Partnership Engage Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

The research builds on accessibility work already underway at the National Historic Site by the Tse'k'wa Heritage Society and a shared interest in examining what accessibility can mean beyond physical access. The project grew out of conversations between Society representatives and UNBC Natural Resources and Environmental Studies graduate student Mikhaila Carr and will be guided by Dane-zaa Elders and community members.

"The UNBC research team wants to listen, learn and reflect on how accessibility is understood and practiced at Tse'k'wa, guided by the Tse'k'wa Heritage Society and Dane- aa community members. I kept hearing about this incredible historical and cultural site that not only prioritized the physical accessibility of the site by implementing accessible trails and facilities but was also working to develop cultural teaching and learning opportunities to connect with both Dane-zaa and non-Dane-zaa people visiting the site," says the UNBC PhD student. "The goal of our project is to help surface where discussions of accessibility and belonging may take them in their future dreams for the site."

In addition to the SSHRC grant, the Tse'k'wa Heritage Society is contributing more than $16,000 in-kind support towards the project.

"This collaboration has given Tse'k'wa an opportunity to reflect on the development of the site and consider how we would like to move forward with our accessibility work," says Society Executive Director Alyssa Currie, a UNBC alum. "It's helped us broaden the ways we think about accessibility to include both physical and cultural components. Looking at the big picture' of accessibility is an investment to ensure that future Tse'k'wa development is in line with both the communities' values and industry best practice." 

Read full release from Tse'k'wa Heritage Society.

The joint research project further strengthens the growing relationship between the Tse'k'wa Heritage Society and the University. UNBC worked the Society to offer the Tse'k'wa Archaeology Field School, delivered in partnership with Simon Fraser University in 2022, 2024 and 2026. Last month, students in the UNBC MBA program visited the site as part of the program's immersive Foundation Week with the Doig River First Nation.