01/08/2026
Archaeologists have found one of the oldest settlements in North America.
An 11,000-year-old Indigenous settlement has been uncovered near Sturgeon Lake First Nation — and it may rewrite North American history.
The site, located along the North Saskatchewan River about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Prince Albert, is now among the oldest known Indigenous villages on the continent. Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Calgary are working with the Âsowanânihk Council — a group of Elders, youth, educators, and archaeologists — to study and protect the discovery.
This wasn’t a temporary hunting camp. Excavations have revealed fire pits, stone tools, and charcoal layers — suggesting long-term settlement and fire management practices. Remains of ancient bison, including the extinct Bison antiquus (which could weigh over 4,400 pounds or 2,000 kilograms), point to advanced hunting strategies and knowledge of the landscape.
The presence of these materials supports longstanding Cree oral histories, which describe the area as a cultural and trade hub for generations. According to researchers, the site’s age and complexity challenge outdated assumptions that early Indigenous societies in the region were solely nomadic.
Dr. Glenn Stuart of the University of Saskatchewan says this work raises questions about long-held migration theories like the Bering Strait hypothesis — and affirms the deep time presence Indigenous Peoples have always spoken of.
"This isn’t just archaeology," said Chief Christine Longjohn. "This is truth, memory, and proof. Our ancestors were here — building, thriving, and shaping this land long before history books began to notice."
Plans are underway to create a cultural interpretive center and land-based learning programs for youth. But the site faces threats from nearby development. The Âsowanânihk Council is now calling for urgent protection and national recognition.
Learn more:
"11,000-year-old Indigenous village uncovered near Sturgeon Lake." University of Saskatchewan, 2024.
📸Credit: Sturgeon Lake First Nation
