Archaeology

Since 2017, the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)has commenced several archaeological assessments of the airport property, covering an area of approximately 144 hectares (see map below). Through these assessments, archaeologists and First Nations field representatives have discovered over a dozen Indigenous archaeological sites and thousands of cultural belongings that attest to the long-term First Nations history of the land on which the Airport is situated. The evidence from these sites indicates that Indigenous people have been making use of this location since at least the Early Archaic Period (ca. 9500-7000 BCE). 

Archaeological findings suggest that Pre-Contact habitation of the area took the form of short-term campsites strategically located to access the abundant natural resources of the nearby Grand River and its tributaries as well as the Kossuth and Breslau wetlands. One of the most archaeologically rich sites within the airport lands was discovered at the place where two branches of a former stream connected both wetlands to the Grand River. Evidence from this site indicates that it was repeatedly occupied by different groups over the course of approximately 10,000 years, from the Early Archaic Period (ca. 9500-7000 BCE) to the Middle Ontario Iroquoian Period (ca. 1300-1420 CE). Preserved animal bones indicate that fish, birds, and mammals including white-tailed deer were among the animal resources hunted in the area. Remains of plants are less commonly preserved on archaeological sites, but the many edible, medicinal, and otherwise useful plant resources available in the wetlands would have undoubtedly been important to the area’s ancient inhabitants as well.  

Cultural belongings recovered from the YKF sites are indicative of some of the day-to-day activities that past people engaged in. These include stone projectile points, stone scrapers (used to process animal hides into clothing), pottery fragments, stone knives, and a variety of other stone tools useful for working wood, leather, and other organic materials. Among the most intriguing of these discoveries is an Adena projectile point (ca. 500-200 BCE) made from a stone material called Flint Ridge chalcedony. This type of stone was quarried over 400 km away in central Ohio, indicating that the inhabitants of the airport sites were connected to distant places through trade networks or perhaps long-distance travel.   

Future archaeological work will likely reveal even more of the Pre-Contact history of the airport lands. The Region of Waterloo is committed to engagement with First Nations on this project and many others.

Indigenous Landscape Project

In recognition of this deep Indigenous history, the Region of Waterloo is currently exploring a partnership with First Nations to enhance and interpret an archaeologically significant area (25 ha)south of the airport as an Indigenous Landscape. The Region is exploring a co-management approach with Indigenous partners centred in Indigenous knowledge and stewardship practices to shift colonial perspectives on the history of this land. This reimagined outdoor space may include public access to trails and natural areas, with interpretation of First Nations culture and heritage, as well as dedicated space for use by Indigenous communities. The approximate area of the potential Indigenous Landscape is illustrated in the image below. 

More updates will be shared here as the project continues to advance in 2026.