A key aim of experimental archaeology is to ‘recreate’ past phenomena through controlled and objective testing of hypotheses, fostering a product-focused approach that commonly dismisses the subjective and relational experiences of the crafts being studied. Yet, this experience is an integral aspect of how many North American Indigenous cultures understand and perceive their relationships to objects. Our innate uncertainty about the past further limits the possibility of recreating it, making artefact ‘replications', however morphologically correct, a shell of humanity. There are also inherent circumstantial differences between past lifeways and present academia that limit the possibility of replication; for example, deadlines, outcome biases, and a lack of habitus.

This research proposes a multivocal approach to experimental archaeology that promotes Indigenous science, experience, and relationality. The main focus will be on building a process-oriented experience of ceramic production centred on community, relationality, reciprocity, and sensorial experience. The aim will be to experiment with the process of creating ceramics that mirror pre-contact pottery vessels found in Alberta. This experience will include hands-on material sourcing from non-urban areas, manufacturing and pit-firing of ceramic wares, and documenting project and personal successes and/or failures.