Archaeology, Development and Environmental Experts

The Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) plays a crucial role in archaeological and environmental monitoring for land development and land use within Haudenosaunee territories. 

In these areas, HDI ensures that Haudenosaunee laws, rights and cultural heritage are protected during archaeological research and the development of Haudenosaunee treaty lands that have historical, cultural, or sacred significance to the Haudenosaunee people.

 Here’s how HDI is involved in archaeology and environmental monitoring:

1. Archaeological Monitoring

• Cultural Resource Protection: HDI works to ensure that any archaeological work conducted within Haudenosaunee territories respects and protects the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of the lands. This includes ensuring that development projects (such as construction, infrastructure development, or resource extraction) do not damage sacred sites or archaeological artifacts and are proceeding in good faith.

• Monitoring During Excavation: The HDI monitors oversee archaeological digs or excavations. These monitors are trained community members who ensure that any discoveries made during archaeological work are handled with care and ensure respect for Haudenosaunee traditions and beliefs about the land and its history.

• Protection of Ancestral Sites: HDI helps identify ancestral burial sites, sacred grounds, or other culturally important locations and ensures they are respected in accordance with Haudenosaunee values and protocols. If any artifacts or human remains are discovered, HDI ensures they are handled according to the Haudenosaunee’s wishes and cultural practices.

2. Land Development and Archaeological Review

• Consultation and Collaboration: When external entities (such as government agencies, developers, or corporations) plan to conduct archaeological surveys or developments on land within Haudenosaunee territories, HDI must be consulted to ensure that these parties understand and respect Haudenosaunee governance, cultural values, the significance of the land, and territorial rights.

• Cultural Impact Assessments (CIAs): HDI requires cultural impact assessments and archaeological assessments before development can proceed, particularly when developments affect important cultural or archaeological sites. These assessments are used to evaluate the potential impacts of a project on Haudenosaunee cultural heritage and to propose ways to mitigate those impacts. Including Haudenosaunee treaty rights in any CIAs is essential to ensure the protection and respect of Haudenosaunee cultural, legal, and territorial rights. Our treaties often guarantee access to land, natural resources, and self-governance, which are integral to the cultural practices and traditional ways of life of the Haudenosaunee. Failing to properly consider these rights in CIAs can lead to the erosion of Haudenosaunee sovereignty, cultural integrity, and social well-being. As noted in academic literature, recognizing and upholding treaty rights in environmental and cultural assessments is crucial for meaningful consultation, fostering reconciliation, and avoiding legal challenges (Barton & Coates, 2018; McMillan, 2017). This approach promotes free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) and ensures that Haudenosaunee rights are safeguarded in decision-making processes related to land and resource development. Barton, P., & Coates, K. (2018). Treaty Rights, Indigenous Consultation, and Environmental Impact Assessment in Canada. Canadian Journal of Political Science. McMillan, B. (2017). Treaty Rights and the Cultural Impact Assessment Process. Indigenous Policy Journal.

3. Advocacy for Haudenosaunee Sovereignty in Archaeology

• Sovereign Oversight: HDI advocates for the Haudenosaunee peoples’ sovereign right to manage and protect their cultural and spiritual heritage. We seek to ensure that archaeological activities do not proceed without the full involvement and consent of Haudenosaunee governance bodies. This is part of HDI’s role in upholding Haudenosaunee sovereignty over lands and cultural heritage. These principles are now recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and specifically Artilce 11 which states that: “Indigenous peoples have the right to practise and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs. This includes the right to maintain, protect, and develop the past, present, and future manifestations of their cultures, such as languages, ceremonies, technologies, and visual and performing arts. This also includes the right to maintain, protect, and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions, as well as the right to designate and retain their own Indigenous identities.”

• Haudenosaunee Knowledge Integration: HDI emphasizes the integration of Haudenosaunee knowledge in archaeological practices. This knowledge, passed down through generations, always provides valuable insights into land use, sacred sites, and cultural practices that are not always reflected in Westernized Euro-Canadian archaeological methodologies.

4. Training and Capacity Building

• Training Haudenosaunee Members in Archaeological Practices: HDI provides training for Haudenosaunee people to become skilled archaeological monitors. This helps build Nation and Clan capacity to manage and protect our own cultural heritage while participating directly in archaeological processes and discussions with external researchers.

• Promoting Collaborative Archaeology: HDI advocates for a collaborative approach between Haudenosaunee peoples and archaeologists, ensuring that Haudenosaunee perspectives are considered at every stage of archaeological investigation. Overall, the Haudenosaunee Development Institute ensures that archaeological and land development activities respect Haudenosaunee law, cultural, spiritual, and historical values, while also promoting active involvement of Haudenosaunee people in the decision-making and monitoring processes.