Tsnungwe stewardship and archaeological geophysics at łe:ldin—the place where the rivers come together

Collaborative and Indigenous archaeological approaches are becoming more standard in North America, especially in California and the Far West. With the growth of this archaeological subdiscipline has come a shift in archaeological field and laboratory methodologies, specifically in the application of low-impact, remote sensing, and archaeological geophysics. Applying a medical analogy to archaeological practice, these research models work from the least invasive methodologies to more invasive field strategies such as subsurface excavations. Through collaborative studies, especially in North America, data from the least invasive stages, such as LiDAR, magnetometry, and ground penetrating radar surveys, provide initial findings that can inform research planning and Indigenous stewardship practices. In this study, we highlight a collaborative research project conducted with, for, and by the Tsnungwe Council and Tsnungwe Elders Council. Our project seeks to relocate, map, and identify subsurface features at the site of ł e:ldin , a cultural heritage site foundational to Tsnungwe worldview and history.