Jennifer Botica

About

I am an anthropological archaeologist and heritage educator based on Vancouver Island. Since 2020, I have worked as an Instructor at North Island College in the fields of anthropology, history, and liberal studies. In 2023, I returned to the site of Khirbat al-Mukhayyat in Jordan, bringing NIC students to participate in a joint project with Wilfred Laurier University. Since 2011, I have taught students at Simon Fraser University, University of Arizona, University of Toronto, and Wilfred Laurier University, with a particular focus on field-based archaeology and ethnographic research in British Columbia, Arizona, and Jordan. I also serve on NIC’s Research Ethics Board.

Beginning in 2004, I have worked as a professional consulting archaeologist, holding more than 80 Provincial and First Nations heritage permits. From 2006 to 2010, I worked as an independent research analyst and historian on behalf of Indian Residential School survivors as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. From 2009-2023, I led a team of twenty-five community-minded archaeologists and support staff across four offices as Principal and Co-owner of Kleanza Consulting Ltd., a full-suite heritage company.

Much of my research focuses on how society values heritage, who can access heritage, and issues related to equity, decolonization, heritage sovereignty, community-based practice, heritage education, and mentorship of consulting archaeologists at all stages of their careers.

Achievements

• Permit holder for more than 80 Provincial heritage permits and First Nations heritage permit
• Winner: Indigenous and Diverse Cultures Category, BC Heritage Awards (2022) for project Decolonizing Archaeology Through Allyship, Advocacy, Amplification, & Inclusion (for our work on Dig This: the Archaeology for Good podcast)
• Host: 'Dig This: the Archaeology for Good podcast' (Apple, Spotify)