The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere (the Americas)
Trent University Archaeological Research Centre Public Lecture
Event Details
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Thursday, December 2, 2021
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Zoom
Cost: Free
Trent University Archaeological Research Centre Public Lecture
Abstract: Dr. Steeves mines evidence from archaeological sites and Pleistocene environments related to mammalian and human migrations to make the case that "Clovis First" wasn't; and, that Indigenous people have occupied North and South America for more than 60,000 years. She also considers supporting evidence from genetics and linguistic anthropology concerning the earlier migrations into the Western Hemisphere.
Dr. Steeves: Paulette Steeves. PhD – (Cree- Metis), was born in Whitehorse Yukon Territories and grew up in Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada. She is an Associate Professor in Sociology – Anthropology at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, and a Canada Research Chair in Healing and Reconciliation. Her research focus is on the Pleistocene history of the Western Hemisphere, reclaiming and rewriting Indigenous histories and healing and reconciliation. In her research she argues that Indigenous peoples were present in the Western Hemisphere as early as 130,000 years ago, and possibly much earlier. Dr. Steeves argues that counter stories to Western narratives of Indigenous histories address issues that remain critical to Indigenous people; sovereignty, self-determination, healing and reconciliation. Dr. Steeves has stated that rewriting and un-erasing Indigenous histories becomes a part of healing and reconciliation transforming public consciousness, and confronting and challenging racism. Long standing academic denial of the deep Indigenous past fosters’ racism, and discrimination among the general or Settler population. Re-writing Indigenous histories, framed through Indigenous knowledge, will create discussions that counter racism and discrimination. Her first book The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Americas , University of Nebraska Press was published July 1, 2020.
The Trent University Archaeological Research Centre (TUARC) was established in May, 2001, by the University Senate. The Research Centre is dedicated to the investigation and understanding of past cultures through studies of material culture and environmental evidence, analysis of field, laboratory, and archival data, and the education of students and interested community members by courses, publications, and lectures. TUARC is a unique research institute that manages academic and research facilities for professional archaeologists, researchers, graduate students, and volunteers. We sponsor workshops and special courses on archaeology.