Research on First Nation's wool dogs gives more insight into Tseshaht's pre-colonial history

New research into the diets of dogs who lived in the region near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island has shed new light on the pre-colonial history of theTseshaht First Nation.

Over the past few years, the Tseshaht First Nation has collaborated withscientists and archaeologiststo investigate its history, saidDarrell Ross, a member of the nation andmanager of its natural resources.

"Archeology shows deep, unequivocal indication of large populations of Tseshaht who have been inBarkley Sound for thousands of years," said Ross to host Kathryn Marlow on CBC's All Points West.

The latest research, detailed in a newly published paper co-authored by University of Victoria archeology studentDylan Hillis, is about the diet of wool dogs that once lived with the nation. The small dogs had thick white fur, very similar to sheep's wool. Co-authorsDenis St. Claire, Eric Guiry,Iain McKechnieand Chris Darimontalso worked on the project.

The work is the result of a collaboration between the Tseshaht First Nation and the University of Victoria with support from the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Thesedogs were important for producing wool for the local economy, Hillis explained, with their fur an essential component ofceremonial blankets and other regalia.

After contact with European traders and the introduction of cheaper sheep's wool from the Hudson's Bay Company, however, the wool dogs disappeared as a distinct breed.

"To keep these dogs pure and have a good supply of wool, you had to keep them isolated from interbreeding with other types of dogs who were later introduced," Hillis said.

Diets of dogs almost exclusively marine

The dogs that Hillis studied livedbetween 300 and 3,000 years ago. The diet of the dogs, which was revealed through isotopic analysis of their bones, showed that they consumed an almost exclusively marine diet including salmon, herring andanchovy as well as larger marine mammals like seal and whale.

"The dogs weren't going out and catching these foods themselves, they were reliant upon Tseshaht people to be out and fishing to supply the food," Hillis said.

The data can shed light on not onlyTseshaht First Nation fishing practices, but also their animal husbandry practices and the cultural significance of their companion dogs.

ForRoss, archeological studies like this one complementTseshaht First Nation oral history and spiritual traditions.

"Every time we do something in archeology, another piece of the puzzle comes forward and that's important to us."

Listen to the interview on All Points West here: