Indigenous involvement in the heritage resource management industry in southern Ontario: Conversations with three nations

In southern Ontario, heritage preservation and protection are mandated under provincial provisions but there has been little involvement of Indigenous nations whose ancestral (i.e., archaeological) sites are the focus of the heritage resource industry. This study investigated and sought solutions to Indigenous concerns about heritage control and archaeological mitigation practices, and identified various Indigenous roles in the heritage resource management industry. Interviews were conducted with representatives from three Indigenous nations in southern Ontario: 1) the Anishinabek; 2) the Haudenosaunee; and 3) the Huronne-Wendat. Interview analysis was conducted using NVivo analysis software to transcribe and compartmentalize interview data allowing for an in-depth analysis of the semi-structured interviews. The analysis of results allowed for generalizations but also incorporated many participants’ unique perspectives. Participant’s responses contributed to developing a set of recommendations of full Indigenous nation inclusion in archaeological assessments in southern Ontario through the implementation of Indigenous-oriented approaches based on relationship building between archaeologists and Indigenous nations