About the Book

In August 1999, three hunters discovered the frozen remains of an ancient person at the edge of a glacier in British Columbia's Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, within the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.  In an emergency meeting of elders and members, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations agreed efforts should be made to learn something about this person. They named the find Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi, meaning 'Long Ago Person Found'.

 

Soon after the discovery, an agreement was worked out between the BC Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture and the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations about the management of Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi. The Royal BC Museum became an active member of the Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi Management Committee soon after to oversee the preservation and research related to the human remains.

 

Over the subsequent years, scientists and members of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations have initiated biological and cultural research projects to learn more about Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi. Radiocarbon dating indicates these artifacts date to ca. 1670 to 1850 AD years, which is precontact or early European contact for this region.

 

International research participants presented their findings to colleagues and the public at the Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi Symposium and Public Lecture, held April 25- 27, 2008, in Victoria, British Columbia.

 

The Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi Management Committee is now preparing to publish the results of the research in the book “Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi – Long Ago Person Found”.