Most histories of Canada stress the recent past, from the arrival of Europeans to the present. Little or no consideration is given to the history that occurs when various groups of ancient peoples were living in Canada. Failing to pay attention to the thousands of years of native peoples’ history would rob us of the valuable lessons taught by this history. In addition to the vast and growing archaeological evidence, there is a storehouse of memories recorded in the myths, legends, and other oral traditions of North American native cultures. The evidence from these sources is filling many of the gaps in Canada’s early history. It also provides a richer and deeper understanding of the nature of these ancient cultures and the interactions that took place between them. Unraveling the mystery of who were the first peoples to live in North America and where they came from is a subject that has fascinated scientists for years. This section will introduce you to both sides of the evidence available: the practise of archaeology and what artifacts have to say; and the importance of oral traditions in providing a complete picture of the past.