Canada Head-Smashed-In

This program combines online prep element, following with hands-on excavations and lab work. The field school is done in close collaboration with, and support of, the Blackfoot tribe, in a UNESCO World Heritage site. It provides students with a very intensive training program that prepares them well to work in archaeology and understand how best to work with, and listen to, the voices of many stake holders, including indigenous First Nations. The program directors are local, senior faculty that consistently get highest remarks in student evaluations. This is an excellent program that provide students with the opportunity to deeply engage with North American Archaeology. Alas, this program runs only once every two years, which is not ideal and does not allow timely access for returning students if they wish to engage in independent research. The program directors are strongly encouraged to reflect on and provide this program on an annual basis.

Looks terrific -- well honed and realistic. Zoom component excellent, as is collaboration with Blackfoot tribe.

Seems like a great field school to support. Solid all-around approach.

This looks to be an excellent field school planned with academic rigour in mind. I like the 2 weeks zoom class at the beginning that includes a paper to be reviewed at the end. The dedicated field time, followed by lab time ensures that the students are able to focus on the processing and cataloging as a critical part of the excavation process. I like the inclusion of indigenous ways of knowing in the curriculum.

This project looks excellent, and I'm impressed with the breadth and theoretical sophistication of the readings. I especially admire the project's collaboration with Indigenous communities. While some parts of the budget seem low to me, I assume that the funds are sufficient since the project has run successfully in the past. Overall, the project seems to be the result of a lot of careful thought and development.

Best Syllabus of all. This looks like a great fieldschool. Highlights are the possibility of doing survey and excavation; The opportunity of learning about indigenous archaeologies and of learning directly from Blackfoot collaborators about local traditions; The environment and the fact that time is taken to process finds after the excavation.

I think this is an excellent repeat field school; it's academically rigorous at the same time as very aware of the wide range of skills being taught (including "living on the land").

It was an incredible area and you learn so much from the experience!

I think so yes, but only if theyre someone who is apt and excited about camping

Great variety of material exposure and theory. I exposure to CRM communities and academic communities. Integration with indigenous was great.

I would recommend it for a friend interested in archaeology because it is a lot of applicable and important information condensed into a short amount of time. This essentially gives you a glimpse into life as a professional archaeologist that is otherwise not gained through just university classes.

Its a great learning opportunity especially if you want to do archaeology on the Plains.

[This field school] broadened my horizons on what I want to pursue in life and taught me a lot about myself. This program taught me the importance of history in order to preserve living cultures. Giving power back to communities and oral traditions. Thank you for this experience.