Indigenous Issues Committee
Photo by Nancy Greene.
Photo by Tim Rast, Backdirt screening on Baffin Island.
Illustration by artist Stephen Snake
The CAA is a national organization that advances the development and dissemination of archaeological knowledge in Canada through research, publication, advocacy, collaboration, student support and Indigenous partnership.
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Indigenous Issues Committee
Statement of Purpose
The CAA Indigenous Issues committee supports the CAA Statement of Principles for Ethical Conduct Pertaining to Aboriginal Peoples. In this capacity, the committee will:
- Identify high-priority issues relating to archaeological heritage in Indigenous communities.
- Make recommendations to the CAA Board of Directors and Committees about addressing the needs and concerns of Indigenous communities.
- Provide advice on the activities of related CAA Committees when their actions intersect with Indigenous Issues.
- Work with the CAA and related organizations to increase the representation of Indigenous peoples in archaeology and provide support for those Indigenous archaeologists.
- Host an annual lunch at the Canadian Archaeology Association Annual Meeting for Indigenous archaeologists.
- Additional activities as determined by the Committee, the CAA Membership, and Indigenous communities.
Contact: Benjamin Kucher
e-mail: bkucher@ualberta.ca
Current Membership
| Chair: | Benjamin Kucher, AB (2024–2027) |
| Members: | Vacant |
| Vacant | |
| Student Member: | Vacant |
| Vacant |
Scope: National, with regional representatives.
Authority: Recommendations and Communications of the Indigenous Issues Committee must be approved by the CAA Executive Board.
Committee Composition: The Indigenous Issues Committee will consist of a Chair (or Co-Chairs) and 4 other members from across the country. It can also include members from other countries and must include one student member. At a minimum, the Chair and three additional members should be archaeologists from Indigenous communities from across Canada. Every effort should be made to ensure that all members are Indigenous. The committee will select the chair.
Term: The term of service is three years, beginning and ending at the AGM. Terms can be renewed once.
Committee Communications: Meetings or other forms of communication are organized by the Committee Chair (or Co-Chairs).
Reporting: The Indigenous Issues Committee reports in writing, and directly to the CAA Board of Directors. The Chair (or Co-Chairs) submits a report on work in progress at each of the two Board meetings annually (spring and fall). A representative from the committee will also make a brief summarizing report to the membership at the AGM during the annual conference.
Review: The Terms of Reference of the Indigenous Issues Committee will be reviewed periodically by the CAA Board of Directors.