In Episode 6, Amanda and Kleanza Archaeologist, Kevin Haugrud, explore the subject of Geographic Information Services with GIS Specialist Mikaela Bennett, from Ecora in Kelowna. She explains how she uses different types of software to look at both spatial (ie. map) and tabular information (ie. spreadsheet) to get answers about a point or area. The conversation covers techniques, the possibilities inherent in this work, its’ challenges, and a bit about a career in GIS. Kevin got answers to all his questions which we hope he can explore more out in the field!

And if you want to dig a bit deeper into this subject, visit https://ecora.ca/

Our friend and field geophysicist, Péter Takács, from GeoScan Subsurface Surveys, joins Kleanza archaeologist Sheriff Hossain to talk about Ground Penetrating Radar. Their conversation touches on having a career in GPR, its advantages, different techniques, and the challenges of using GPR in archaeological, and geophysical surveys. This is one of Sheriff’s passions and he was able to gather a wealth of information to take into his work out in the field.

And if you want to dig a bit deeper into this subject, visit https://www.geoscan.ca/

We start the New Year with an incredibly moving and uplifting story. Amanda and guest host Brady McBride welcome Debbie Nagano, Director of Heritage for the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government and Dr. Grant Zazula who heads the Yukon government’s paleontology program to tell the story of the mummified baby mammoth, Nun Cho Ga, found in 2022. They discuss the profound opportunity this powerful event provides for Indigenous communities to learn about their own story, about their heritage, and reconnect to their language and the land. This small baby has brought healing to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in community and possibly changed the practice of paleontology. And so we honour Nun Cho Ga’s life.

*Content warning:* In this episode, Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains are discussed. These discussions may re-traumatize or trigger listeners because of the sensitive content related to the search for unmarked graves of children who attended Indian Residential Schools. If you experience trauma or feeling triggered, help is available 24/7 for survivors and their families through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health support for Indigenous Peoples across the land known as Canada is available through the Hope for Wellness chatline at 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box at https://hopeforwellness.ca/. The Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society provides information about these and other supports that are available: https://www.irsss.ca

In Episode 3 Amanda and guest host Joseph LeBrun and have an amazing conversation with Dr. Camilla Townsend, historian and professor of history at Rutgers University. She spent over 10 years learning the Náhuat language to be able to analyze the historical annals written in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Nahuas (or Aztecs) in their own language. Spanish friars taught them the Roman alphabet so that they could be better Christians, but in the privacy of their own homes, the native people used the phonetic system to record their own traditional histories, which had previously been kept orally. They did this not for the Spaniards, but for the sake of their own posterity. Through the texts that they produced, we can gain insight into the ways in which Indigenous people conceptualized history at first contact and imagined the future. And Indigenous perspectives, in their own words, are given their deserved full weight.

For those of you who’d like to dig deeper into this subject, here is a link to Dr. Camilla Townsend’s book, Fifth Sun.

Canada: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/fifth-sun-a-new-history-of-the-aztecs/9780190673062.html

USA: https://www.abebooks.com/9780190673062/Fifth-Sun-New-History-Aztecs-0190673060/plp

*Content warning:* In this episode, Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains are discussed. These discussions may re-traumatize or trigger listeners because of the sensitive content related to the search for unmarked graves of children who attended Indian Residential Schools. If you experience trauma or are feeling triggered, help is available 24/7 for survivors and their families through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health support for Indigenous Peoples across the land known as Canada is available through the Hope for Wellness chatline at 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box at https://hopeforwellness.ca/. The Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society provides information about these and other supports that are available: https://www.irsss.ca

We continue Season 3 as Amanda and guest host Gary Brewer talk with Robin Greubel - CEO of K9Sensus.

Robin has been involved in detection work since 2001, beginning in wilderness and human remains detection (HRD), which expanded into disaster work. She trains and deploys with Nebraska Task Force 1 and Iowa Task Force 1, and is a certified explosives and narcotics detection dog handler.

Gary has a new pup, Rosie, and they talk about what it takes to train a dog (and handler), and expand archaeological work to include detection dogs.

Please take care while listening to this episode as there is content about Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains that may cause trauma, or re-traumatize listeners. Consider identifying where you will turn for help if needed.

*Content warning:* In this episode, Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains are discussed. These discussions may re-traumatize or trigger listeners because of the sensitive content related to the search for unmarked graves of children who attended Indian Residential Schools. If you experience trauma or are feeling triggered, help is available 24/7 for survivors and their families through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health support for Indigenous Peoples across the land known as Canada is available through the Hope for Wellness chatline at 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box at https://hopeforwellness.ca/. The Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society provides information about these and other supports that are available: https://www.irsss.ca

Welcome to Season 3 where Amanda includes members of her archaeological team as guest hosts. They each pick a subject they love and a dream guest to interview!

In Episode 1, Amanda welcomes Curt Carbonell who interviews Dr. Marie Hopwood about her research regarding the production and cultural significance of alcohol in past societies. She also has a research partnership with Dave Paul of Loveshack Libations, a micro-brewery in Qualicum Beach, where they brew modern takes on ancient beers based on archaeological evidence. From ancient beer recipes, to societal norms and practices regarding alcohol, to the cultural importance of passing down knowledge - this is a fascinating conversation!

For anyone who would like to dive deeper, here is a link to “A Hymn To Ninkasi” (the goddess of brewing) as referenced in the episode https://cdli.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/cdli-tablet/552 . You can see a picture of the hymn on one of the tablets and there is a common translation included in the description text.

Thank you for hanging with us throughout Dig This Season 2! In this, the season’s final episode, Archaeologist Kay Jollymore talks with Jenny about mentorship!

From her start in the Cariboo area and throughout her career, Kay celebrates the generous people who made a difference in her career. She shares the value of becoming a mentor, how to be a good one, mentor, different kinds of mentors including the benefits of horizontal collegial mentorships.

Looking at in-the-field and in-the-office formal and ad-hoc training, Kay and Jenny discuss the responsibilities of both the mentor and mentee, but also how professional associations, businesses and clients can and should support and make space for this work. And the importance of mentorship to building capacity in First Nations communities to support their control of their own heritage materials.

No matter what, mentorship is deeply enriching, rewarding and so often, a joyful experience!