Abstract

The University of Alberta has been conducting successful archaeological field schools at the prolific Bodo Sites Locality in east central Alberta since 2002. Public interest in the work has continued to escalate, so much so that various levels of government, and politicians, have taken notice. The Bodo Archaeological Society has supported the university work since the society's inception in 2003, and has now embarked on an ambitious tourism initiative with a non-archaeological avocational society partner that foresees the Bodo Locality as being a key component of a new regional industry in eastern Alberta. Unfortunately, the University has only been able to conduct field schools at Bodo up to now with the assistance of public and corporate funding, primarily to look after the overwhelming archaeological data recovered from the site every summer.However, the University is committed to developing a growing academic presence in rural Alberta, and public and political pressure is compelling the institution to continue and expand its archaeology program at Bodo. Consequently, the University has requested that some solution be found whereby the institution can maintain its research and teaching in the locality while accommodating expanding public interest and the potential economic development opportunities that will arise. The Bodo Research Park emphasizes university-based research and education in partnership with the community driven goals of the Bodo Archaeological Society. The proposed project is founded upon the idea that archaeological research is interesting to the public whether through passive observation or active participation. The partnership revolves around the University of Alberta providing the research and educational resources and the Bodo Archaeological Society managing and maintaining a public program. This pioneering partnership arrangement is now under review and it is anticipated that the program could begin as early as June 2005.