President-Elect

TJ Hammer

I am very appreciative to have received a call from Katie, the current President, asking me if I was interested in letting my name stand as a candidate for the President of the CAA. I am honoured to do so.

I graduated with a BA and MA in Archaeology from Simon Fraser University in the 1990s. Although my MA focused on Yukon Klondike Gold Rush historical archaeology, my passion lies with the pre-contact history of what is now called the Yukon. I spent a decade-plus as a consulting archaeologist in the Yukon and had the privilege of working collaboratively with most Yukon Indigenous Nations and communities in the field in all areas of the Yukon. 

In 2004, I began with Parks Canada in Ottawa as Manager of Archaeological Research Information and have occupied three subsequent positions: Manager Terrestrial Archaeology; Director Collections, Conservation and Curatorial; and Director of Archaeology, Collections and Curatorial (current).  Working in these positions, I’ve gained practical, concrete experience in archaeology, conservation, collections, and cultural resource management in policy and operational contexts on a national scale as well as with other levels of government. A few of the initiatives I have led over the years include a national archaeological database, a revised permit system, repatriations and recently a new purpose built, collection facility. As the lead Federal Negotiator, I worked with a small team to conclude the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement that saw the first National Historic Site in Nunavut co-managed with Inuit. 

Since the early 1990s, I have participated in the CAA as a conference participant, presenter, and sat on CAPTA. The CAA is a very important organization that provides leadership, advocacy, and an important venue for academics, cultural resource management professionals, and students in all aspects of Canadian Archaeology. This important work should continue in a respectful, inclusive manner with priorities on promoting the discipline and its value to all Canadians as well as tackling major issues such as the impacts of climate change and resiliency. 

I wish the best of luck to any other candidates and if successful I look forward to serving the CCA membership.

Treasurer

Dawn Wambold, MA
PhD Student, Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology, University of Alberta

I am currently a PhD candidate in anthropology at the University of Alberta and a scholar at the Institute for Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology. I first joined the CAA in 2019 when I presented my first paper at the CAA annual meeting in Quebec City. This conference introduced me to the CAA, and I have been an active member ever since.

In 2020, I volunteered during the planning of the CAA meeting in Edmonton, serving as the Budget and Finances Chair. This role provided me with valuable insight into the financial logistics and reporting required for the conference. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the conference was postponed, and I was unable to continue in the role when it was rescheduled in 2021.

From 2015–2021, I served as the Treasurer for the Calgary Centre of the Archaeological Society of Alberta (ASA), where I was responsible for managing operating and investment accounts and regularly reporting financial statements. I managed funds from casino fundraisers and conferences, further honing my financial management skills.

In addition to my academic background, I have spent much of my career in the oil and gas industry, focusing on quality control, quality assurance, and auditing. These roles required a high level of attention to detail, which I believe will be an asset in the position of Treasurer for the CAA.

My Master's research focused on the representation of Métis women within the archaeological record. As a Métis woman, I was driven to address the underrepresentation of our Métis grandmothers and was honored to contribute to the correction of this oversight through my research and publications. My PhD research continues this work, examining the relationships between the Métis and the people and landscapes of Southern Alberta.

As Treasurer of the CAA, I aim to leverage my skills to help the organization achieve its objectives, particularly by ensuring its financial stability so that it is able to continue promoting archaeology across Canada. Additionally, as an Indigenous woman, I am committed to supporting the CAA’s goal of fostering cooperative endeavours with Indigenous groups and others concerned with the Indigenous heritage of Canada.