hosted by Otis Crandell
In this episode, I am joined by archaeologists from across Canada to talk about cultural resource management (CRM) in Canada. In the first part of our discussion we consider the following questions.
• What skills and training are needed to work in CRM, and how are post-secondary schools addressing this?
• What is the job market like for recent graduates hoping to start a career in CRM?
• How does CRM vary between provinces and is there much opportunity for mobility between provinces or regions for field technicians?
• At present, how well does the system protect archaeological sites?
• In practice, what role do Indigenous communities usually play in CRM projects?
Listen to this episode online:
Some useful terminology and links
Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
The management of historic places of archaeological, architectural, and historical interests, considering such places in compliance with environmental and historic preservation laws
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_resource_management
Rescue archaeology
(also known as commercial archaeology, preventive archaeology, salvage archaeology, contract archaeology, or compliance archaeology)
state-sanctioned, for-profit archaeological survey and excavation carried out in advance of construction or other land development
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rescue_archaeology
LiUNA Archaeology Sector
LiUNA is a labour union based in Canada and the U.S.A. The Archaeology Sector is a part of Local 3000, which represents CRM archaeologists.
https://archaeologyunion.com/
British Columbia Association of Professional Archaeologists
an association of professional archaeologists engaged in archaeological research and the archaeological resource management process in British Columbia
https://www.bcapa.ca/
Archaeological Survey of Alberta
Archaeology in Alberta is regulated by the Archaeological Survey
https://www.alberta.ca/archaeology.aspx
Archaeology in Ontario
Archaeology and conservation of cultural resources in Ontario fall under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/archaeology/archaeology.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeology_in_Ontario
Archaeology at Parks Canada
Parks Canada is a federal agency and the custodian of national parks, many national historic sites and the national marine conservation areas of Canada. It ensures that archaeological resources are protected and managed appropriately.
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/arch
Guest speakers:
Aaron Osicki
Calgary, Alberta
Aaron is an archaeologist at Parks Canada. He is responsible for archaeological sites and resource management in Canada’s national parks and nation historic sites – focusing on Alberta and British Columbia. He provides support and oversight towards the regulation and implementation of Parks Canada’s CRM policy on project development within Parks Canada. Aaron has previously worked in CRM in Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-osicki-0401566b/
Chris Kerns
Ottawa, Ontario
Chris is currently a CRM report writer. Over the past 15 years he has worked in CRM all across the USA as a technician, field director, and assistant project manager. He has also done rescue excavations in the U.K.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjkerns/
https://soton.academia.edu/ChrisKerns
Cristina Caria-McCoy
Toronto, Ontario
Cristina is an R license holding CRM archaeologist in Ontario. She is currently writing her masterate thesis on the commodification of archaeology and the political economies of southern Ontario CRM.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-a-r-mccoy-52a57a1a9/
Joseph Cull
Toronto, Ontario
Since 2011, Joseph has worked as an archaeology as a field technician, crew chief, supervisor, and field director for various companies. Currently, he is an Archaeology Sector Representative for LiUNA Local 3000.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-cull/
Kaitlyn McMullen
Toronto, Ontario
Kaitlyn is a lab technician for a CRM company in Ontario. She graduated from an archaeology and conservation-collections management programme.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-mcmullen-896b24163/
Kathryn Huzyk
Fort St. John, British Columbia
Kathryn is currently a field director in British Columbia and has previously done field work in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-huzyk-160469a1/
Margarita de Guzman
Calgary, Alberta
Margarita is the owner of a CRM company in western Canada. She has worked mainly in British Columbia and Alberta but also done some work in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In the past she has also done CRM work in the U.K. She also founded and directed the SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) Public Archaeology Program, a not-for-profit archaeology dig in St. Vincent.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaritadeguzman/
https://circleconsulting.ca/about/#margarita-de-guzman
Stuart Karrow
Toronto, Ontario
Stuart has been working in CRM in Ontario for 7 years, the last 3 years of which he has been a field director, holding a P licence in Ontario. His masters research focused on public issues pertaining to CRM.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-karrow-b1b365a8/
Tommy Ng
Calgary, Alberta
Tommy has been doing CRM for about 25 years. He has worked as a field technician, and project manager on federal and municipal projects. He has worked in the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, as well as in the U.S.A. He is currently a partner and owner of a CRM company in Calgary.
Web:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tommy_Ng5/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-ng-21245850/
William “Bill” Lucas
Hamilton, Ontario
Bill is a First Nation archaeologist in Ontario. He has been doing CRM archaeology for 8 years and is now an R licence holder.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wnrlucas/