24 episodes

Welcome to DIG THIS - An archaeology podcast for good. Kind of like Indiana Jones…if he was a woman…more ethical…gave a shit about the people whose belongings he was stealing…and was actually doing real archaeological work. Ok. Nothing like Indiana Jones.

Every Wednesday, Jenny Botica and Amanda Marshall have a laugh, cry, or howl at the moon over lessons learned during their 20+ years as archeologists, business owners, partners, and moms. Fearless and fierce conversations that focus on the state of their discipline, their company, their lives… and ask some hard questions.

How do we decolonize our practice?
How does our work support Indigenous communities in their goals for heritage sovereignty?
How do we keep our company on a sustainable path for growth while supporting the professional goals of our team?
How do we achieve all this AND sustain a balanced life?

If you’re an archaeologist, anthropologist, environmentalist, conservationist, or industry leader who sees the need for change; an Indigenous trailblazer working towards cultural and heritage sovereignty; or a woman leading a business (or aspiring to!) - then DIG THIS is your podcast.

DIG THIS Podcast Production by Podstarter

    • Science
    • 4.6 • 11 Ratings

Welcome to DIG THIS - An archaeology podcast for good. Kind of like Indiana Jones…if he was a woman…more ethical…gave a shit about the people whose belongings he was stealing…and was actually doing real archaeological work. Ok. Nothing like Indiana Jones.

Every Wednesday, Jenny Botica and Amanda Marshall have a laugh, cry, or howl at the moon over lessons learned during their 20+ years as archeologists, business owners, partners, and moms. Fearless and fierce conversations that focus on the state of their discipline, their company, their lives… and ask some hard questions.

How do we decolonize our practice?
How does our work support Indigenous communities in their goals for heritage sovereignty?
How do we keep our company on a sustainable path for growth while supporting the professional goals of our team?
How do we achieve all this AND sustain a balanced life?

If you’re an archaeologist, anthropologist, environmentalist, conservationist, or industry leader who sees the need for change; an Indigenous trailblazer working towards cultural and heritage sovereignty; or a woman leading a business (or aspiring to!) - then DIG THIS is your podcast.

    You Always Get When You Give

    You Always Get When You Give

    Thank you for hanging with us throughout Dig This Season 2! In this, the season’s final episode, Archaeologist Kay Jollymore talks with Jenny about mentorship! 
    From her start in the Cariboo area and throughout her career, Kay celebrates the generous people who made a difference in her career. She shares the value of becoming a mentor, how to be a good one, mentor, different kinds of mentors including the benefits of horizontal collegial mentorships. 
    Looking at in-the-field and in-the-office formal and ad-hoc training, Kay and Jenny discuss the responsibilities of both the mentor and mentee, but also how professional associations, businesses and clients can and should support and make space for this work. And the importance of mentorship to building capacity in First Nations communities to support their control of their own heritage materials. 
    No matter what, mentorship is deeply enriching, rewarding and so often, a joyful experience! 

    • 50 min
    The End of Toxic Masculinity in Archaeology? No.

    The End of Toxic Masculinity in Archaeology? No.

    Celebrating our team this Gratitude Season, each Kleanza archaeologist chose to discuss a subject that was important to them. In Episode 21, Jenny talks with archaeologist Kevin Haugrud about women in archaeology! 
    Kevin shares his gratitude for all the women he has worked with and for, in his career. Touching on mining, oil and other industry platforms, camp culture, toxic masculinity, healthy company values and fatherhood, he observes that his mentors, colleagues and bosses have been primarily women.
    “Women archaeologists? Keep them. Get more of them.” 
    Kevin talks about how their perspectives, teaching and management styles, values and priorities have impacted his work and personal life in such a positive way. 

    • 29 min
    An Obligation To Speak The Truth

    An Obligation To Speak The Truth

    Gratitude Season continues with Episode 20. Today Jenny, and Kleanza archaeologist Manda Palmer gently, with compassion and vulnerability, have a very difficult but important discussion about harassment, abuse, rape, sexual assault, mental health and burnout in the practice of archaeology…and our obligation, to ourselves now, and to the next generation. 
    Again, it feels like we're just scratching the surface, but it’s a start. And we touch on a few solutions too. The content will be alarming to some, and we have included more detailed information in the Show Notes, as well as resources, should you need them. Most importantly, please take care of yourself.

    SHOW NOTES:
    To our dear listeners, this episode contains content that may be triggering. Please check the show notes for specific time code indicators and for a list of resources, should you need them. Most importantly, take care of yourself.
    From 17:30 onward, the conversation centers around sensitive issues until the end of the episode.Here are specific timecodes and information:
    17:30 - begins the talk about sexual abuse, assault, rape, harassment and substance abuse20:49 - talk about perpetrators of harassment22:00 - talk about trauma and traumatic experience24:15 - talk about power relationships and gender 25:29 - talk about signs of trauma and breaking cycles26:28 - talk about trauma and somatic therapy 29:01 - talk about supporting younger generation30:38 - talk about being trauma-informed 31:00 - talk about harassment and reporting 33:20 - talk about safety in industry culture and mental health 35:50 - talk about body autonomy36:11 - talk about Indigenous trauma 
    RESOURCE LIST:
    Texting support for survivors: https://www.webelievesurvivors.ca/ Talking on phone: crisis line 1-877-544-6424 Vesta resource library: https://www.vestasit.com/resources-library/ National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673) RAINN online.rainn.org Crisis Resources https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/crisis-resources Resources by province: https://canadianwomen.org/support-services/ https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-workplace-burnout/ https://www.traumacanada.org/resources/links-and-resources/ https://www.nwac.ca/assets-knowledge-centre/Final-Trauma-Informed-Culturally-Appropriate-Approaches-in-the-Workplace-Final.pdf

    • 38 min
    Flip The Needle, Flip the Model

    Flip The Needle, Flip the Model

    Today Jenny hosts Kleanza archaeologist, Gary Brewer, to talk about how differently archaeology, both federally and provincially, is handled across our country. Provinces don’t all do things the same way?! Whaaaaaat?! 
    Gary has worked across Canada and the US, with expertise in CRM, Academia and Regulation. He is imminently qualified, but also able to offer a rare combination of knowledge, experience and perspective regarding the challenges posed by such differing ways and views of managing archaeology and heritage. Is a consistent federal and provincial legislative approach even needed? Who benefits from a system change or from the status quo? Everyone can agree on the significance of some sites - but how they are to be managed is another story. 
    Jenny and Gary explore some really tangible solutions to the issue. It’s beginning to feel like the needle has flipped as practitioners, the public, and lawmakers, are all having the same discussion. A cause for optimism? We hope so…!

    • 35 min
    Sometimes Meaningful is Not so Meaningful

    Sometimes Meaningful is Not so Meaningful

    In Episode 18, Jenny is joined by archaeologist Mirjana McIntyre, for a serious discussion about working with First Nations in their territories. About involving, listening and acknowledging what Indigenous communities want. About the importance of developing deep and respectful relationships. What meaningful consultation really means. And tangible ideas to empower First Nations, ensuring that they have sovereignty over their land, sacred sites and archaeological finds. 
    This begins with understanding and acknowledging the impact that colonial systems have had and still have on communities, and our responsibility as allies to move the practice of archaeology forward, to put culture and heritage first. 

    • 36 min
    Knowledge is Power

    Knowledge is Power

    Gratitude Season continues!
    Today, our archaeologist, Tannis Wilson, talks about the importance of preserving organic materials and wet site finds, as well as building this capacity in Indigenous communities. She does this through the lens of caring for and preserving 2000+ year old fishing weirs.
    Archaeologists are at a bit of a trust deficit when it comes to communities, because of the terrible history. Sharing knowledge to inspire future generations, and always honouring the cultural significance and value placed on finds by each Nation, can do a lot to earn that trust back.
    Watch Since Time Immemorial, the short film Jenny and Tannis discussed in this episode.

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

oksteele ,

Such thoughtful and important conversations

Really appreciate the honesty of these conversations - and just the ability to tackle them - thank you 🧡

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