Abstract

Archaeological consulting in Canada plays a critical role in cultural resource management, development review, and heritage stewardship. Yet, despite increasing attention to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the discipline, the lived experiences of non indigenous ethnic minorities working in archaeological consulting remain underrepresented and insufficiently examined. This panel is a continuation of previous CAA discussions bringing together archaeologists from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds to share personal and professional experiences navigating consulting practice within varied regional, institutional, and regulatory frameworks across Canada.

Panelists will explore themes including access to employment and advancement, workplace culture, fieldwork dynamics, interactions with clients, regulators, and Indigenous communities, and the emotional and professional labour involved in negotiating identity in predominantly Eurocentric professional spaces. The discussion will also address systemic barriers, micro-aggressions, mentorship gaps, and strategies for resilience, advocacy, and change within consulting environments.

The session invites participation from ethnic archaeologists’ community at all career stages, consultants, regulators, and allied professionals committed to building a more reflective and representative discipline.