New insights into early paleoindian (Gainey) associations with proboscideans and canids in the niagara peninsula, southern ontario, canada

•Early Paleoindians in the Great Lakes region interacted with proboscideans (hunting and/or butchering) and canids.•Organic residue and use-wear analyses point to apparent incongruities between tool morphology and function.•A three-spurred flake graver appears to have been multi-functional and used as a butchering tool on a proboscidean.•This site has the first indication of the use of Goat Island Formation chert by Early Paleoindians in the Great Lakes region.