The Cambrien Lake and Nachicapau Lake areas are among the most important places in Naskapi traditional territory. For generations, families traveled through these regions to hunt, fish, and gather. The land remembers their presence, and through the Naskapi Archaeology Project, those memories are being carefully brought to light.
When the fieldwork began, Elders shared stories that pointed to these lakes as key places of life and movement. Their guidance helped the team locate ancient campsites and dwellings along the shores. The surveys revealed hearths made from fire-cracked rock, stone flakes from toolmaking, and evidence of family gatherings that may go back thousands of years.
In southern parts of the country, sites this old would already be under formal protection. Here in the north, our remote wilderness has acted as a natural safeguard. The land itself protects what our ancestors left behind. But as mining, hydro, forestry, and other resource projects expand, we must ensure that these sites are respected and left untouched.
Naskapi people continue to be the main explorers and travelers in this region. If you visit these areas while hunting or exploring, please leave the sites as they are — but take as many pictures as you can. Your photos can help archaeologists monitor how the land and the sites change over time.
If you ever come across new sites or artifacts that are not part of this project, please document them and share the information with the Naskapi Archaeology Project team. Every new discovery helps deepen our understanding of Naskapi history and connection to the land.
Protecting these areas means more than studying the past. It means taking care of our heritage. Each discovery helps the Naskapi Nation learn more about how people lived with the land, how they built shelters, made tools, and cared for one another in a challenging environment.
Through this work, the Nation continues a tradition of stewardship that has lasted since time immemorial. The project honors the voices of the Elders and ensures that future generations will continue to walk these same lands with respect and understanding.