Haudenosaunee Development Institute Calls on Public to Participate in Uncovering Haudenosaunee Artifacts

Too often, during urban expansion and construction, historic relics and valuable remnants of the past are overlooked and built over without proper archaeological surveys or excavations being carried out. History is rife with examples of this careless practice, like the destruction of parts of Tenochtitlán, the capital of the ancient Aztec Empire, to facilitate the expansion of Mexico City; the loss of significant portions of the Cahokia Mounds, the legendary Mississippian city and largest ancient Indigenous settlement north of Mexico, to make way for new highways and industrial developments; and the burial of Roman ruins beneath the modern city of London.

Although these instances of archaeological malpractice took place long ago, they are still extremely regrettable, as the knowledge that almost surely would have been gained from examining their ruins could have better informed the whole of humanity about the civilizations that built them, their technologies, and their ways of life. Because these lamentable losses occurred, we are much poorer in terms of our historical understanding of the peoples and cultures involved.

Many might assume that present-day land developers and construction firms would have learned the lessons of such costly missteps and that this type of thing no longer happens today—or, at least, not in the very heart of a modern, developed nation like Canada. Sadly, that is not always the case.

In a post made on its official Facebook profile on Saturday, February 15, 2025, the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI)—an organization whose mandate is to protect Haudenosaunee land and cultural heritage—issued a broad appeal to the Ontario public to aid in the discovery and safeguarding of Haudenosaunee ancestral artifacts.

“Haudenosaunee footprints are embedded in every corner of these lands, but too often their stories remain buried beneath concrete and development. At HDI, we’re committed to protecting these sacred traces of Haudenosaunee history, but we need your help,” reads the post, before elaborating, “Every artifact discovered strengthens our ability to protect treaty rights and ensure proper consultation in development projects.”

Established in 2007, the Haudenosaunee Development Institute was created to ensure that the Haudenosaunee Confederacy maintains sovereignty over its lands, resources, and cultural sites. Formed in response to ongoing threats to treaty lands and sacred spaces, HDI plays a critical role in assessing land development projects, negotiating with concerned parties, and advocating for the recognition of Haudenosaunee jurisdiction. Its official archaeological policy is stated here.

One of HDI’s primary responsibilities is overseeing land assessments to prevent culturally significant sites from being disturbed or destroyed. This was particularly evident in the Waterdown Bypass Archaeological Assessment, where the Haudenosaunee Development Institute was instrumental in ensuring that proper procedures were followed and that any Haudenosaunee artifacts uncovered were treated with the care and respect they deserve.

Beyond its archaeological work, HDI has also been active in legal advocacy and environmental protection, as well as land reclamation efforts. In recent years, it has played an important role in preventing unauthorized encroachments, pushing for stronger Indigenous-led environmental policies, and securing agreements that reinforce the Confederacy’s role in land stewardship.

HDI’s recent call to action on Facebook serves as a reminder that the threat to Haudenosaunee history is ongoing. While there has been progress in recognizing the importance of Indigenous consultation, too often, sacred sites and historical artifacts remain at risk of being lost to unchecked development.

“Together we can redefine the sprawl of our Haudenosaunee history from the soil of stolen land. Your findings help our archaeological experts advocate for responsible development that respects Haudenosaunee values and law,” HDI said in its Facebook post. “Join us in reclaiming our narrative, one artifact at a time.”

The Institute is urging members of the public to report any notable potential discoveries and to support efforts that preserve the rich history of the Haudenosaunee Nation. For those interested in learning more, HDI encourages individuals to stay informed through news releases and updates on its website.