Poster Subject: Indigenous Studies

Poster Title: Beyond the Academy: Exploring Indigenous Archaeology in Newfoundland & Labrador Through Infographics

Bio: Hannah Russell (She/Her) is an undergraduate student in her third year working towards her Bachelor of Social Work at Memorial University’s School of Social Work. Hannah is from Charlottetown, a small, rural community on the south coast of Labrador, coming from a family of mixed settler and Inuit ancestry. Jared T. Hogan (He/Him) is a settler from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, whose research explores the representation of Indigenous Peoples in museums and education spheres. Currently, Jared is a PhD Candidate in Archaeology and a Per Course Instructor in Anthropology, Archaeology, Education, and Sociology at Memorial.

Abstract: This project seeks to create accessible, visually engaging infographics on the three primary Indigenous archaeological cultures in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)—First Nations, Past Arctic Peoples, and Inuit. These infographics will be made using Canva and hosted on the Department of Archaeology's website to fill a significant gap in public education about Indigenous history in NL. Contrary to common misconceptions, Indigenous Peoples have been in NL since time immemorial, with archaeological data dating back at least 9,000 years. By creating visually appealing infographics, the project will inform the public about the Indigenous archaeological cultures in NL, supporting the narrative that Indigenous Peoples were here in the past and are still here today. The collaboration on this project began through Hannah's creative classwork in Jared's ARCH 3290: First Peoples in Newfoundland and Labrador class, evolving into a broader educational effort. While Jared's experience emphasizes gaps in resources for non-Indigenous residents, Hannah's rural and Indigenous perspective underscores the need for accessible archaeological knowledge. Information provided in these infographics will be collected from academic and grey literature, including Indigenous perspectives on their history found on Indigenous Government websites and anthropological perspectives through scholarly articles and books. Infographics will be reviewed by a Faculty Committee in the Department of Archaeology before publishing. However, it is clear there needs to be more Indigenous inclusion in conversations on the archaeological past.

Corresponding Author's Email: jthogan@mun.ca