Locked Trunk in Baker Lake Uncovered

IQALUIT, Nunavut (September 22, 2004) – The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth revealed the mystery surrounding the locked trunk discovered at a site on the eastern end of Baker Lake in 2003. The trunk contained the remains of a small child.

A site containing several graves and a locked trunk created intense interest in Nunavut and across Canada when the discovery was announced earlier this summer. The site was reported in 2003 and the community of Baker Lake contacted the Department requesting that the site be inspected.

The grave is estimated to be 50 to 70 years old, and the contents were photographed but were not otherwise disturbed. The site also contains stone caches and Inuksuit as well historic-era materials including barrel hoops, stovepipes, wood and metal.

Culture, Language, Elders and Youth Minister Louis Tapardjuk was in Baker Lake at the time and informed the Hamlet Council about the inspection. “The community was eager to learn about the discoveries at the site,” he said. “The Department will consult with the community about their interest in having the site documented further.”

The excavation of the lock trunk was carried out by the Director of Culture and Heritage, Dr. Douglas Stenton, as well as local residents Roy Aavaala and Darryl Simailak.

For more information about the archaeology program or how to apply for an archaeology research permit, please call 1.867-975-5500 or log onto www.gov.nu.ca .