Over the last few years a large interdisciplinary effort to examine the cultural and natural history in the Hakai region has been initiated. Supported largely by the Hakai Beach Institute on Calvert Island and in partnership with the Heiltsuk and Wuikinuxv Nations, one aspect of the research involves delineating changes in late Pleistocene and Holocene landscapes, as well as human lifeways in this highly productive, resource rich area.

The central coast is home to some of the oldest known archaeological sites in the province but the long-term cultural history is still poorly known. In addition sea-level histories and paleo-environmental records are not well defined on this part of the coast. This situation is changing with the current interdisciplinary work, and there is potential for collaboration with other researchers.

This presentation will focus specifically on research on ancestral Aboriginal land-use and settlement between 11,000 and 300 years ago, conducted with UNBC's archaeology field school.