Goldie reflects on her emotional and eye-opening journey filming Red River Gold Season 1, from learning Métis history and connecting with local communities to facing the daunting challenges of searching a dangerous bog. Despite the hardships, it was the teamwork, friendship, and shared determination that turned every obstacle into a lasting memory.

Metal detectorist Laurie “Goldie” Gagne takes readers on a cross-Canada journey through her favourite detecting spots, sharing breathtaking landscapes, heartfelt encounters, and the buried stories of communities past. From British Columbia to New Brunswick, each find reveals not just artifacts, but living connections to history, memory, and place.

Metal detecting isn’t just about finding treasure, it’s about uncovering stories. And to do that responsibly, you need to know whose land you’re standing on and what came before your coil ever hits the soil.  

In this evocative personal reflection, Red River Gold cast member and metal detectorist Laurie “Goldie” Gagne shares the thrill of unearthing relics hidden for over a century. With heart and humility, she captures the electric moment when an object reemerges from the earth. More than a hobby, her metal detecting becomes a powerful act of storytelling and preservation, driven by curiosity, care, and deep respect for history.

Across Canada, amateur archaeology enthusiasts and history lovers are exploring landscapes in search of physical links to the past. But unlike metal detecting, archaeology is about context—not just objects. This guide is for those interested in archaeology as a way of understanding human history through material culture.

In the late 1860s, as Canada expanded westward, the Métis people of the Red River Settlement faced a threat to their land, culture, and very identity. What followed was one of the most pivotal acts of resistance in Canadian history—led by a young and brilliant Métis leader named Louis Riel.

Curious about treasure hunting? Whether you're inspired by Red River Gold or just love exploring outdoors, metal detecting is a hands-on way to connect with land, history, and mystery. Here's how to begin in Canada —ethically, legally, and with the right gear.

The Métis are one of the three constitutionally recognized Indigenous peoples in Canada, alongside First Nations and Inuit. But unlike common assumptions, Métis identity isn’t just about mixed ancestry — it’s about being part of a distinct nation, with its own culture, language, kinship networks, and political history.

In Red River Gold, a shipment of British gold disappears into legend. But in real life, if you stumble across something buried — coins, tools, or a hidden foundation — can you legally keep it?

The answer isn’t simple. Here’s what every metal detectorist, historian, and curious explorer should know about Canada’s complex “treasure laws.”