The Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology (IPIA), based at the University of Alberta, is a research institute dedicated to advancing Indigenous-led, community-engaged, and ethically grounded approaches to archaeology and cultural heritage in western Canada and beyond
Building on the foundational work of the former Institute of Prairie Archaeology, IPIA expands the Institute’s mandate to respond directly to contemporary calls for reconciliation, Indigenous sovereignty, and responsible heritage governance.
In reflecting on the Institute’s future direction, former Executive Director Dr Jack Ives observed that archaeology must serve as “a powerful vehicle for leading forward in the reconciliation process,” one that fosters accurate understandings of the Indigenous past and supports respectful futures in which First Nations and Métis communities thrive. This vision continues to guide IPIA’s work today, informing its commitment to Indigenous governance, relational accountability, and community-defined research priorities.
Under the leadership of Dr Kisha Supernant (Métis/British), Professor of Anthropology and Director of IPIA, the Institute has developed a community of practice grounded in the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing and being with archaeological research, policy development, and teaching. IPIA’s work is organized across three interconnected strands: practice, policy, and pedagogy.
Practice: Community-engaged and heart-centred archaeology
IPIA’s practice-based work is rooted in long-term, place-based research across western Canada. Central to this approach is a commitment to conducting research with, by, and for Indigenous communities, rather than on or about them. IPIA scholars work at the invitation of Indigenous Nations and organizations to address locally identified heritage priorities, whether those involve archaeological assessment, heritage documentation, cultural landscape research, or support for community decision-making.
The Institute emphasizes community-driven research and service, recognizing that archaeological expertise can play an important role in supporting Indigenous Nations as they navigate heritage-related challenges arising from development, land-use planning, and environmental change. This includes providing research support, technical assistance, and interpretive expertise in ways that respect Indigenous authority over knowledge and data.
A defining element of IPIA’s work is its commitment to heart-centred archaeology—an approach that foregrounds care, responsibility, humility, and relational ethics within archaeological practice. This perspective recognizes that archaeology is not only a technical or scientific endeavour, but a relational one, involving responsibilities to ancestors, communities, lands, and future generations.
IPIA also supports broader community-engaged archaeology initiatives through mentorship, collaborative project development, and the cultivation of shared principles for ethical research. These principles guide the work of IPIA Scholars and Affiliates and establish expectations around respect, reciprocity, accountability, and long-term relationship-building. Through this practice-oriented work, IPIA seeks not only to respond to immediate heritage needs but also to envision sustainable futures for Indigenous archaeologies grounded in Indigenous governance and values.
Policy: Supporting indigenous heritage governance
Alongside applied research, IPIA plays an active role in heritage policy development and advocacy. The Institute recognizes that meaningful change in archaeology and heritage management requires structural transformation, including updates to legislation, regulatory frameworks, and institutional practices.
IPIA works collaboratively with Indigenous Nations to support the development and implementation of Indigenous heritage policies, enabling communities to articulate their own laws, protocols, and expectations regarding cultural heritage. Wherever possible, the Institute follows OCAP® principles and broader Indigenous data sovereignty frameworks, ensuring that communities retain control over how their heritage information is created, used, and shared.
At the provincial level, IPIA contributes research expertise and policy analysis to inform updates to heritage legislation, particularly in relation to Indigenous rights, consultation processes, and the protection of culturally significant places. At the national level, the Institute advocates for the development of Indigenous heritage legislation and policy frameworks that recognize Indigenous jurisdiction and move beyond colonial models of heritage management.
IPIA also plays a leadership role in developing wise practices for ethical Indigenous heritage research, bridging academic scholarship, community experience, and policy realities. This work is especially critical in contexts involving sensitive heritage, such as burial sites, ancestral remains, and landscapes affected by residential schools. Through its policy work, IPIA aims to support Indigenous Nations in exercising authority over their heritage while contributing to more just, transparent, and accountable heritage systems across Canada.
Pedagogy: Teaching, learning, and capacity building
Pedagogy forms the third core pillar of IPIA’s mandate. The Institute is committed to transforming how archaeology and heritage are taught by integrating Indigenous ways of knowing and being into university classrooms and experiential learning environments. IPIA-supported teaching emphasizes critical engagement with the history and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism in archaeology, encouraging students to understand how disciplinary practices have shaped – and continue to shape – relationships between archaeology and Indigenous Peoples. This pedagogical approach prioritizes reflexivity, ethical responsibility, and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.
Place-based learning is a key component of IPIA’s educational model. Field schools and community-based learning opportunities are designed to foster meaningful engagement with local landscapes, histories, and communities, moving beyond extractive training models toward relational learning experiences.
The Institute also prioritizes capacity-building initiatives within Indigenous communities. This includes supporting training in archaeological methods, heritage documentation, digital technologies, and research governance, as well as providing community-service learning opportunities for students that directly benefit partner communities. Through pedagogy, IPIA seeks to educate future archaeologists, heritage professionals, and policy-makers who are equipped to work responsibly, collaboratively, and respectfully in Indigenous contexts.
Looking forward
Together, IPIA’s work in practice, policy, and pedagogy reflects a holistic vision for archaeology as a tool for care, accountability, and reconciliation. By centring Indigenous governance, fostering collaborative relationships, and supporting sustainable heritage stewardship, the Institute aims to contribute to a future in which archaeology supports Indigenous self-determination rather than undermining it.
