Bringing Indigenous rights, leadership and knowledge into archaeology

Talk like an Indigenous-engaged archaeologist

Archaeology — the study of human history and prehistory through the exploration of stories, perspectives, belongings and places

Elders / Knowledge Holders — Indigenous People recognised by their community as custodians of cultural and traditional knowledge

Indigenous Peoples — people whose ancestors have lived in an area since before colonialism and continue to maintain distinct cultural traits

Pedagogy — the method and practice of teaching

Canada’s colonial era continues to haunt the nation through systemic inequalities that create differences in the opportunities, privileges and resources available to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. This includes academia, where models of research and teaching continue to perpetuate injustices and disregard Indigenous knowledge. While these systemic inequalities may not be immediately obvious, their effects can be profound.

The Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology (IPIA) is aiming to change this for the field of archaeology. Using a holistic approach, the IPIA team, led by Director Dr Kisha Supernant, is ushering in a new comprehensive perspective on archaeology that puts Indigenous voices at the forefront. With many members of the IPIA team coming from Indigenous communities, the IPIA is Indigenous-led and embodies the values and ethos it aims to foster in the broader community and archaeological field.

Injustices in archaeology

The majority of archaeological remains on Canadian soil are from the Indigenous populations that lived there for thousands of years before European colonists arrived. “In Canada, archaeology has often been carried out by non-Indigenous researchers, without involving the people whose histories are being explored,” says Kisha. “This has caused harm and left Indigenous voices out of important conversations. Indigenous People are still here today, and their knowledge, rights and authority must be respected.”

Governmental policies on archaeology continue to be outdated, often not recognising the rights of Indigenous People to their own heritage. “At the moment, decisions about archaeological sites, artefacts and even sacred places are often made without proper involvement from Indigenous communities,” explains Kisha. “This needs to change. Indigenous Nations need to have a say in what work is done on their lands, how it is carried out, and what happens to the artefacts discovered.” Addressing these structural barriers involves concerted efforts from multiple directions – which is what the IPIA team is helping make happen.

Three interwoven braids

The IPIA team focuses on stimulating change in three connected areas: practice – how research is carried out; pedagogy – how archaeology is taught; and policy – how archaeology is governed. “Practice, pedagogy and policy are closely connected and all equally vital,” says Kisha. “For example, even if we teach students differently, it won’t make a lasting impact unless policies also support Indigenous leadership and rights.” The IPIA’s work is guided by heart-centred practice, a philosophy that recognises that collaborators bring their full selves to their work: body, mind, heart and spirit. “This creates a space where people care for each other, learn together and support each other,” says Kisha.

Beyond equality, archaeology itself benefits hugely from including Indigenous perspectives. “Indigenous ways of knowing are based on deep relationships with the land and generations of community knowledge,” explains Kisha. “History isn’t locked in the past – it connects to the present and future.”

The patterns of thought taught by Western scientific education are not comprehensive; including Indigenous communities in education and research reveals new ideas and approaches that otherwise might not be considered. “This leads to research that is more meaningful, respectful and insightful,” says Kisha. “Indigenous knowledge helps archaeology move beyond just collecting objects and towards understanding the deeper stories and relationships involved.”

Supporting Indigenous-led research

The IPIA prioritises building and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous Nations. “We offer mentorship to researchers focusing on how to build relationships based on trust and mutual respect,” says Kisha. “We also help design research projects where Indigenous communities set the goals and decide which questions matter the most.” The IPIA also provides training and toolkits – for instance, on how to navigate regulatory systems and use digital archaeological programs. These empower Indigenous communities to lead or take part in archaeological work.

Moreover, the IPIA team is committed to teaching the next generation of archaeologists to appreciate the importance of Indigenous inclusion. “We are developing learning experiences where students do not just learn from books or lectures, but also directly from Indigenous communities,” explains Kisha. “For example, in our archaeological field schools, community members and Elders teach our students about the land and its history from Indigenous perspectives.” Students are also taught about the harms that archaeology has caused in the past and how these can be addressed through changed practices. Elders and Knowledge Holders are invited to speak to students to shape their understanding of Indigenous rights and relationships.

Changing the face of archaeology in Canada

The IPIA centres Indigenous communities and their needs in every aspect of its work. “We are proud to be pushing for change across the field – encouraging archaeologists to work in ways that support Indigenous goals and uphold the highest standards of research,” says Kisha. “We are helping to set a new standard for what ethical, community-centred archaeology looks like.” For instance, the IPIA team is involved in supporting Indigenous communities in finding the unmarked graves of children who died at Canada’s Indian Residential Schools – a network of boarding schools designed to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children into colonial culture. This network was active for over 160 years, isolating children from their families and often subjecting them to abuse and neglect. Thousands died, and the search for human remains is ongoing. “This is sacred and emotional work, and we are grateful to be trusted with it,” says Kisha.

Looking forward, the IPIA is focusing on forging new relationships and strengthening existing ones to broaden the impact of its efforts. “We want to expand our work in cultural policy and teaching, so that Indigenous communities have the tools and support they need to take the lead in archaeology,” explains Kisha. “By continuing to braid together practice, policy and pedagogy, we aim to build a future for archaeology that is led by Indigenous knowledge and values.”

Dr Kisha Supernant, PhD
Director, Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta, Canada

Field of research: Archaeology

Research project: Fostering Indigenous-engaged archaeology in Canada

Website: ualberta.ca/en/prairie-indigenous-archaeology

About Indigenous-engaged archaeology

Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the physical things left behind. This means that most archaeological careers include time in the field, surveying and excavating sites, and analysing the artefacts discovered. Indigenous-engaged archaeology involves being fully conscious and inclusive of the role of Indigenous People in archaeological research – which is the focus of IPIA’s approach. “One of the most rewarding parts of our work is collaborating with Indigenous communities on research that matters to them,” says Kisha. “Working on questions from the community itself feels very meaningful, and how we approach these questions is significant. For example, it’s important that the terms we use reflect our approach; we respectfully refer to ‘belongings’ rather than ‘artefacts’.”

The IPIA team’s work on Métis archaeology in western Canada is informed by questions and priorities from the Métis community. The Métis are a mixed-race Indigenous People, holding both Indigenous and European ancestry. “Our work is changing the archaeological record and inspiring Métis communities to develop policies that protect their own heritage,” says Kisha.

Kisha believes that the next generation of archaeologists will find a field increasingly shaped by Indigenous participation and leadership. “Whether a researcher is Indigenous or not, if they are working on Indigenous land, they first need to build respectful relationships with the community,” says Kisha. “These relationships allow for research that is both innovative and respectful, grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and committed to real-world impact.”