Format: Online - pre-recorded
Author(s):

• Pierre M.

  Desrosiers

  - Musée canadien de l'histoire

Since its creation in 1972, the Mercury Series has played a central role in the dissemination of research on Canadian cultural heritage. Originally developed within the National Museum of Man to accelerate publication, the Series quickly became a key corpus for archaeology, especially for sharing results of fieldwork and collections research. Over time, it has supported a wide range of interpretations, regional syntheses, and the development of archaeological practice in Canada. This presentation traces the history of the Series with particular attention to its role as a long-term record of archaeological research produced at and beyond the Canadian Museum of History. It explores how the Series reflects broader changes in archaeology, including the shift from rapid publication toward peer-reviewed scholarship, as well as improvements in format and accessibility. Special attention is given to recent developments, notably the growing presence of Indigenous scholars and collaborative projects. These changes reflect a broader transformation in Canadian archaeology, where Indigenous perspectives are increasingly central to research design, interpretation, and authorship.

Format: In-Person
Author(s):

• Jamie

  Brake

  - Newfoundland Provincial Archaeologist

The Provincial Archaeology Office (PAO) Annual Review began in 2002 as a two page newsletter intended to provide a brief overview of archaeological activity in Newfoundland and Labrador. Nearly twenty five years later, it has evolved into a substantial online journal, with recent volumes typically ranging between 250 and 300 pages. Each year, archaeologists holding NL permits—whether for academic research or impact assessment—are invited to submit an article summarizing their fieldwork. This process fulfills interim reporting requirements under the Archaeological Investigation Permit Regulations and has resulted in near universal participation by permit holders. The outcome is the rapid dissemination of archaeological data and interpretations to professional, student, and public audiences.

The Review is widely read and routinely cited and it was recognized by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2012 through a Public Service Award of Excellence. It received national recognition in 2021 through a Canadian Archaeological Association Public Communications Award. Its scope has expanded well beyond NL, with contributions from across Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Parks Canada, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, as well as specialists in underwater archaeology, conservation, dendrochronology, and bioarchaeology.

A retrospective analysis published in the 20th anniversary volume identified long term trends in archaeological research and practice. With the 25th anniversary approaching, this paper revisits the PAO Review to examine emerging themes, institutional collaborations, and shifting research priorities, highlighting its enduring role as a central platform for archaeological knowledge exchange in the region.

Format: In-Person
Author(s):

• Drenna

  Lameg

  - University of Manitoba
• Sara

  Halwas

  - Manitoba Archaeological Society, University of Manitoba

If archaeological work is being conducted in Manitoba, why is so little of it being published? For decades, the Manitoba Archaeological Journal (MAJ) has provided a venue for archaeologists across the province to share research, disseminate findings from Cultural Resource Management (CRM) projects, and offer an accessible gateway for early-career scholars to enter publishing. In recent years, however, contributions have declined, particularly from professional and student researchers conducting local projects. At the same time, the structure of archaeological practice in Manitoba has shifted. Few academic positions are filled by archaeologists focused on Manitoba based research, the MAJ relies largely on volunteer labour, and the majority of archaeological fieldwork is conducted through CRM, where increasingly restrictive copyright practices make it difficult to access and publish findings. All these issues compound the challenges of sustaining regional dissemination of archaeological information. This presentation reflects on these pressures and opens a conversation about participation, knowledge sharing, and dissemination. Exploring these challenges highlights the urgent need to rethink how archaeological knowledge reaches the community and the broader public.

Format: In-Person
Author(s):

• Belinda

  Riehl-Fitzsimmons

  - Saskatchewan Archaeological Society

The Saskatchewan Archaeological Society (SAS) has played a central role in disseminating archaeological knowledge through several publication formats, including a quarterly (and for a few years, bi-monthly) newsletter, journals, an Occasional Papers in Archaeology series, and standalone books. The sharing of archaeological information has been foundational to the Society’s mandate, sustained for over six decades through the combined efforts of academic and avocational archaeologists. This paper provides an overview of the SAS publishing program, outlining its processes, motivations, and evolution over time. It highlights the Society’s successes in maintaining a consistent publication record, while also addressing ongoing challenges such as resource constraints, shifting readership expectations, and the integration of Cultural Resource Management (CRM) data into accessible formats. Ultimately, the SAS model demonstrates the value of sustained, community-supported publishing initiatives in “spreading the news” of Saskatchewan and Northern Plains archaeology, and offers insights into future directions for inclusive and impactful knowledge sharing.

Format: In-Person
Author(s):

• Todd

  Kristensen

  - Archaeological Survey of Alberta

The Occasional Paper Series was first published in 1976 in Alberta to share archaeological information among professionals. The goals of the colloquially named “blue book” were to rapidly disseminate important work conducted in the province every year and drive positive change in cultural resource management (CRM). The series was discontinued in the 1990s and re-invigorated in 2016 with new mandates. The blue book occupies a niche in Alberta archaeology; we use it to inform principles and technologies employed in CRM, justify site protection and management strategies, spur research, and develop scholars. This talk showcases blue book successes and challenges along with future goals as the series evolves. In particular, I discuss a thematic volume designed to disseminate important content from theses and dissertations about archaeology in Alberta and surrounding provinces. This volume informs a larger debate: what role do jurisdictional publications play in knowledge production and how we can adapt to do that better?    

Format: In-Person
Author(s):

• Jode

  MacKay

  - Circle CRM Group

The CAA website lists a series of Professional Responsibilities and Ethical Conduct two of these principles, outline an obligation to ‘present the results of archaeological investigation in a timely and accessible manner’; and ‘to recognize that documentation of any archaeological investigation should, within a reasonable period of time, become available to others with legitimate research interests.” Anecdotally, any argument that the CRM Industry is adequately fulfilling either of these obligations is limited. In an effort to navigate the above, Circle is developing a project to disseminate important research related results. Currently, this effort is focused on creating an ‘in-house journal’, to establish a setting for a variety of professionally written articles; incorporating long form pieces, shorter detailed field reports and even including current book reviews. The key goal of this project is to ultimately transition into a periodical that is more widely disseminated, while concurrently providing research and writing opportunities (within a tailored ‘ academic’ environment) to all staff members. Work for this project launched officially in January 2026, outlining a mandate, goals, format, structure, etc., and has progressed to developing and assigning to staff a series of long form articles, looking towards a print version by December 2026.

Format: In-Person
Author(s):

• Ty

  Heffner

  - Government of Yukon
• Holly

  Smith

  - Government of Yukon
• Michael

  Grooms

  - Government of Yukon
• Jodie

  MacMillan

  - Government of Yukon

The Yukon Archaeology Program began in 1989. Initially focused on community-based archaeology projects and public education, the program was prolific in publishing booklets and occasional papers and designing exhibits for local museums and cultural centres. These efforts were recognized with a number of CAA public education awards. Since that time, the culture and heritage landscape has changed significantly and the program’s role has shifted more towards resource management and regulation. Traditional paper publications have all but ceased with public education and outreach occurring mainly via digital and online platforms or during community events. This presentation will highlight some of the major shifts that have occurred and explore current trends in the dissemination of heritage information from a Yukon government perspective.

Presenters: Ty Heffner and Holly Smith

Format: In-Person
Author(s):

• Erik

  Johannesson

  - Lifeways of Canada Limited

While the majority of archaeological investigations conducted in Canada occur in the context of Cultural Resource Management, the preponderance of reports pertaining to this work are not published and are often relegated to the “grey literature” and not disseminated widely.  This paper examines some of the challenges of, and potential solutions to, publishing data collected via Cultural Resource Management projects. This includes the nature of technical reports, which in satisfying regulatory statutes often do not lend themselves readily for publication in venues directed at archaeological research or for dissemination to a popular audience. Another challenge is a lack of training in writing, publication, and presentation in archaeological consulting in general. I draw on comparative examples from Sweden to highlight how both archaeological consultants and government regulators can create novel avenues for disseminating archaeological data and foster an environment conducive to promoting heritage work.  Finally, the paper calls attention to recent publications in Alberta to highlight that there are ample opportunities for disseminating archaeological research, both traditional and more unconventional, and that archaeological publications need not be confined to typical books and articles, but can include art, poetry, and the performance as well.  

Format: In-Person
Author(s):