David Meyer

Date award received: 
2021

David Meyer has dedicated 55 productive years to Canadian archaeology and is currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Saskatchewan. He is widely considered to be the expert on Central Canadian pottery and an important figure in the second generation of Subarctic archaeologists.
Over his career CRM and academic archaeology, David has been a prolific author for both academic and non-academic audiences. He has also been an important mentor to many, supervising 26 MA students, served on more that 30 graduate supervisory committees, and mentored legions of undergraduates. Everyone who wrote in support of the nomination – whether they were his student or not – spoke of David’s generosity as a mentor and how much his support has influenced their career trajectories.
 
 His approach to archaeology has always been inclusive and collaborative. He has built long-standing collaborations with Swampy Cree communities in Saskatchewan – as one of the early leaders of community-engaged archaeological practice - and promoted the merging of ethnohistory and oral traditions with archaeology in Saskatchewan. He was instrumental in creating the first CAA Statement of Principles for Ethical Conduct Pertaining to Aboriginal Peoples.

David is someone the Canadian archaeology community has long looked to for guidance, wisdom and warmth. It is my great pleasure to present him with the 2021 Smith-Wintemberg Award.