wander across, and they will come in either by route of the river or on top of the hills and have not asked permission. It causes concern because we are a working pasture. And also over the last couple of summers, when it has been extremely dry, the river hills have been just a tinder box.
“When people just go in on their own sometimes they drive way too close to the sites, and we have even had people pick up rocks as souvenirs from the site, in which case the integrity would be damaged. Or sometimes people coming in may try to do a ritual which may or may not be in keeping with the historical context of the site.”
However, in her family’s mind the pros certainly outweigh the cons.
“We have met some absolutely phenomenal people,” affirms Rachel. “People who have travelled widely and have a vast knowledge; who are more than willing to share. We have some these people come to our farm and we have had enjoyable meals with them and kept in contact afterward.
“My mother and father-in-law, for example, got to travel to Scotland and see some the ancient sites over there as a result of one visit. And also down to the States. There was a reciprocal sharing of these sites. So it has enriched us, and there are so many pluses.”
The Bookers have also enjoyed a respectful relationship with archeologists studying the Medicine Wheel for decades.
“They have always been the first to say the landowners have done a phenomenal job all of these years of maintaining and
protecting the integrity of these sites,” explains Booker. “We all have those sites (in our area) that are not mentioned in the archeologists’ presentations; and we won’t mention. I think there is a good balance. We have been working with archeologists for several of them, and they have been excellent about respecting our wishes and our privacy. These sites are documented, but unless we have given them specific permission they have not said anything about some of these other (more sensitive) sites.”
Rachel says whether or not to officially report archeological sites or finds is up to individual landowners, but, for her part, she is glad that the Roy Rivers Medicine Wheel, and other well-known local sites, have been so well-documented.
“By registering these more important sites that means they will be documented and protected. If you think there are places on your land that are significant and you don’t feel comfortable with people either accessing them, or else because of some the implications of development in that area, then maybe try to document them within your own family and leave it for a future time when you feel comfortable sharing.”
Those with questions about an archeological site or find on their land can call Alberta’s “Report a Find” hotline at 780- 438-8506. If you are in the Empress area and wish to check out the Roy Rivers Medicine Wheel and other local archeological sites for yourself you can call the Village of Empress office at 403-565-3938. ❚
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DR. BRIAN REEVES PHOTO, UNIV. OF CALGARY Aerial view of the Roy Rivers Medicine Wheel.
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