The Peggi Armstrong
Public Archaeology Award 

2003 Recipient
Jim Fraser

Jim Fraser has been the driving force behind the public archaeology programs provided within parks under his supervision and along the Bonnechere watershed.

Jim Fraser was, in part, the inspiration and driving force behind the involvement of the Ottawa Chapter of the O.A.S. in annual August public archaeology days at Bonnechere Provincial Park since the mid-1990s. He also organized a conference on archaeology in 1995 which led directly to annual public archaeology events, at Basin Depot in Algonquin Park in 1996 (in which Peggi and Helen Armstrong participated), 1998 and 2000 at the Superintendent Cabin (1997) and Lafleur sites in Bonnechere Park in 2001 and 2002, sponsored through partnership of the Ottawa Chapter of the O.A.S., the Friends of Algonquin Park and the Friends of Bonnechere Parks. Jim has organized archaeology opportunities for school children at the Lafleur farm site on the Bonnechere River, which have included a classroom presentation entitled "The Time Before Nintendo" followed by hands-on experience at the site. In the summer of 2003 this opportunity was extended to park visitors on Wednesdays throughout the summer and during three weekend opportunities for public archaeology in the autumn.

Jim was also deeply involved in the conception and production of support materials used in association with the public archaeology programs --- in the form of : the history book, Spirits of the Little Bonnechere; the booklet Walks of the Little Bonnechere River; the cultural heritage for youth book Discover the Spirits of the Little Bonnechere; and the CD-ROM Visiting the Spirits of the Little Bonnechere. The latter two resources provide specific insight into activities carried out by archaeologists, with the public as the target audience.

Jim Fraser is an active advocate of public archaeology within the Ontario Parks organization, not only explaining the logistics and benefits of public archaeology activities, but also serving as an advocate of the importance of carrying out archaeological investigations within parks to ensure protection of the heritage resources. He has also organized field-training archaeology experiences for Ontario Parks staff, which -- while not public archaeology per se, are indeed crucial in the protection of heritage resources within the parks of Ontario.


 



This page was created on June 6, 2004 and modified on February 18, 2005