As part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, Alloway Library is honoured to display two stone artifacts found on campus along a stretch of the Salmon River in the 1970’s.  These stone tools are usually housed in the Heritage Hall on the second floor or Reimer Student Centre but will be in the library so that visitors can easily view them.

The hand maul, made of stone was uniquely fitted to the person who used it for everyday tasks that involved hammering, or pounding. The celt is a hard stone blade,  which would have been used as an adze or chisel. Both tools were valuable items. Their discovery in a former bend in the river raises interesting questions about the persons who used/lost them, probably members of the Kwantlen first nation, but possibly others who used the Salmon River as a key travel and trade route.

Photograph of grounds maintenance staff member Jim Fullbright looking at an arrowhead,  found on the campus during maintenance work. ca 1970’s

And, a  photo from TWU Archives reminds us that this area was used by First Nations people as a hunting ground for elk and large game that lived  on this territory at one time.

Visit Alloway Library on September 30 to view the maul and celt and then select a print or eBook from our display in support of TWU’s Day of Learning.