Hands-on Heritage

The Hands-on Heritage project was developed through a partnership between the Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq/Kitikmeot Heritage Society (PI/KHS) and archaeologists at the University of Toronto. This collaborative initiative is creating educational kits that combine 3D-printed replicas of archaeological artifacts with Inuinnait Oral Histories and culturally grounded learning activities for elementary and high school students in Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), Nunavut. The replicas included in these kits are based on artifacts recovered from local excavations conducted by Dr. Max Friesen in partnership with PI/KHS. The kits are intended to be used as educational tools to help situate students within a living heritage framework, connecting them with local knowledge, as well as the experiences and teachings of Elders and community members. By centring Inuinnait (Inuit of western Nunavut) perspectives and priorities, the Hands-on Heritage project demonstrates how archaeology can function as a tool for community empowerment, intergenerational cultural education, and the strengthening of relationships across generations. This project is a central component of my PhD research. In response to continued community interest and support, I have developed this work as part of my dissertation, maintaining close collaboration with PI/KHS and building relationships with local schools to support implementation. The kits are currently in development, alongside an online platform that educators, students, and community members will be able to access to learn more about the artifacts, as well as the region’s history and heritage, with the goal of rolling out both the kits and the platform within the next year.