SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - An historic map of the North found in New York by a Calgary lawyer could prove to be an important piece of evidence in a Yellowknife man's land-claims case.

The historically significant government map is from 1923 and was discovered by Ken Staroszik during a visit to New York City with his wife four years ago. The couple were on their way to an art gallery in Manhattan when they happened upon an antique book shop called Argosy. They browsed, Staroszik purchased a few antique maps, and the couple continued on.

A detail of the 1923 government map acquired by Calgary lawyer Ken Staroszik from a shop in New York City. - photo courtesy of Ken Staroszik

Not too long after his visit to the store, Argosy employees found some old government maps of Canada in their warehouse, remembered Staroszik and called him in Calgary.

The rest, as they say, is history.

"It's a fascinating and interesting document," says Staroszik, adding it took him six months to understand the significance of the map.

"It corroborates fundamental treaty promises made in 1921."

Staroszik is representing Clem Paul, a Yellowknife Metis man taking his fight for land claims to the Supreme Court of Canada. The case revolves around Paul's building of a cabin on Crown land at Prosperous Lake, which he argues were set aside for aboriginal use in Treaty 11 of 1922. The treaty established the Yellowknife Game Preserve, which was revoked in 1955 by the federal government.

Staroszik seeks to argue that a treaty is an agreement that cannot be unilaterally revoked.

The map is significant because it lays out the precise territory included in the Game Preserve, but Staroszik cautions against reading too much into its weight.

"We think it's important, but it might be a bit much to say that it completely decides this case," he said from Calgary. "It adds to the body of evidence that in 1921 there was a promise made... to preserve (land for) their way of life.

"Like most of these claims, it's complex."

But the map is a big find in terms of history and culture, said Staroszik, particularly for aboriginals.

Though he has an obvious professional interest in maps and history, Staroszik said it's not much of a hobby.

"Generally, I read fiction books," he says with a laugh.

There's an upside to becoming immersed in cases such as Paul's, particularly in terms of education.

"I've learned more about Canadian history than ever," said Staroszik. "I find it interesting.

"The history of the Metis is the history of Canada. I didn't know much about the Metis before."

Staroszik will file evidence for Paul's Supreme Court case by the end of October, after which the Crown will have time to respond. He expects the trial will not begin until next year.