Black and POC Diversity in Archaeology (Roundtable)

Date/Time: 
Saturday, May 8, 2021 - 12:00pm to 2:00pm
(ADT)
Room: 
2
Organizer(s): 
  • Tommy Ng, Bison Historical
Session Description (300 word max): 

Canadians of European heritage represent 78% of Canada’s total population of about 35 million vs. 22% or seven million who identify as a visible minority (this does not include Indigenous people). And yet, that demographic is not similarly reflected in archaeology, a profession whose sole purpose is to study the human past. Archaeologists of European ancestry, who dominate the discipline in Canada, generally have no cultural affinity to their research topics. This raises the question why Black and POC archaeologists are under-represented in this discipline. Even finding POC panelists for this roundtable discussion was challenging! Is this due to systemic racism or perhaps economic considerations? Is it because the profession itself is not generally looked favourably upon by various visible minority groups? This roundtable discussion will touch upon these questions and many others. This event will be unique because the panelists want the conversations to be meaningful and impactful. To accomplish this, we want this discussion to touch on topics that are uncomfortable. Bring all your questions, stereotypes and misperceptions. Let’s talk about them. We encourage participants to ask questions that are socially uncomfortable and even unacceptable. There will be no consequences and no witch hunt. Since this discussion will be conducted online, you can remain anonymous if you wish. We need to have uncomfortable conversations if we want this profession to move forward and be inclusive for all Canadians.

Note that this roundtable does not include Indigenous panelists as there is another roundtable with an Indigenous focus. We welcome any and all participants. 

Panelists:
Margarita de Guzman
Neha Gupta
Mackenzie Johnson
Tommy Ng
Lisa Small
Achinie Wijesinghe