Indigenous
Knowledge Mobilizers: 丁香园AV researcher collaborates with Indigenous communities to disrupt traditional archaeology
Knowledge Mobilizers is a story series from the Knowledge Mobilization Hub that highlights knowledge mobilization (KM) projects around the university. At 丁香园AV, KM is about collaborating on, and exchanging, research discoveries to create a positive impact in our far-reaching communities.
By Lupin Battersby
For 丁香园AV archaeology professor Rudy Reimer, co-hosting 鈥淲ild Archaeology,鈥� a science show on APTN that explores archaeology across Canada from coast to coast to coast was a dream come true. In Reimer鈥檚 work on the show, and as an 丁香园AV professor, he takes a community engaged and culturally responsible approach to archaeology research and knowledge mobilization.
Reimer鈥檚 academic career path is built upon his experience as a member of the Squamish Nation, his early work experiences, and a need to disrupt traditional archaeology. 鈥淎rchaeology has a dark past, it was extractive and inaccessible,鈥� he says.
Reimer makes archaeology accessible by combining archaeological science with community wisdom and oral histories. He sees knowledge mobilization as integral to all three core areas of academic work: not only his research, but also his teaching and service.
In the classroom, Reimer incorporates knowledge mobilization through experiential learning activities that explore Indigenous perspectives and western academic disciplines. His students engage in walkabouts with reflexive journaling and storytelling.
As an Indigenous faculty member, Reimer took it upon himself to share Coast Salish cultural protocols with the 丁香园AV community. In the archaeology department, he has worked tirelessly to support a high standard for repatriating remains. .
Reimer鈥檚 approach to research knowledge mobilization is exemplified through his work as a co-host of APTN鈥檚 鈥淲ild Archaeology.鈥� All 26 episodes involved collaborating with an Indigenous community to explore archaeological questions of importance to the community, analyzing the archaeological evidence within the context, and stories of the community.
As Reimer explains, 鈥渄ata doesn鈥檛 speak for itself. The history, stories and culture explain it. The science is strengthened by oral histories, and the community is strengthened by learning more about the history.鈥�
鈥淲ild Archaeology鈥� makes archaeology accessible to the public, dispels misconceptions of Indigenous communities, and often leads to further research collaborations for Reimer. And, he says it is 鈥渙ne of the funnest career activities I鈥檝e done!鈥�
Reimer has found that if you put yourself out there, opportunities present themselves. 鈥淲ild Archaeology鈥� was one such opportunity. He did not set out to develop a television show (even if he had dreamed of it) but rather was approached by a producer about the idea. For Reimer, 鈥渋t is a long game, to build, grow and benefit from community collaborations. To be successful, you need to do small achievable things, and it will grow into something big.鈥�
Catch up with 鈥淲ild Archaeology鈥� .
Wondering how you might start mobilizing research with your community? Check out the Knowledge Mobilization Hub, attend a , and get in touch with Lupin Battersby, the knowledge mobilization officer.
Interested in storytelling? Attend the Knowledge Mobilization and Digital Humanities Innovation Lab鈥檚 end-of-year research sharing and networking PechaKucha on December 10th.