About the Department

Department of Archaeology and Anthropology

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN

Located on Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Metis, the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology is a vibrant community of engaged scholars working to advance knowledge and understanding of human diversity and adaptation - past, present, and future - while seeking answers to the most vexing issues and problems affecting our species and our planet. Our mission is to conjoin extraordinary teaching and research to provide students with a life-long experience of insights that will contribute to their intellectual and personal development.

The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology offers a variety of relevant and leading edge undergraduate and graduate programs (please see relevant tabs for details).

The Archaeology program focuses on Pre-Contact and Contact North American and Siberian archaeology and bioarchaeology, with emphasis on the Northern Plains, Boreal Forest, and Coastal regions of western Canada. This includes long-term research collaborations with Wanuskewin Heritage Park, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation in BC, and numerous Cultural Resource Management firms.

The Anthropology program focuses on community-based and engaged research in Medical, Environmental and Practicing/Applied Anthropology, with specific strengths in ethnographic theory and methodology and public policy application. Long-term partnerships with First Nations and other Indigenous communities in the Prairies and non-governmental organizations in Saskatoon and surrounds, are coupled with international collaborations in in various global locales.

A Place of Extraordinary Achievements:

            Extraordinary Teaching:

  • Many teaching awards at all levels, including Provost’s Awards, College of Arts and Science Teaching Excellence awards, USSU teaching awards, Master Teacher Award, and a 3M Teaching Fellowship!

Extraordinary Research:

  • Extensive Tri-Agency research grant success (CIHR and SSHRC)
  • Community awards for research and engagement
  • Strong publication record in all formats, including journal articles, books, technical reports, documentary film, many with an eye to the translation of knowledge into action and policy

Extraordinary recognition:

  • One Order of Canada
  • One Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
  • One Member of the College of New Scholars of the Royal Society of Canada
  • One New Researcher award winner
  • One University Distinguished Researcher winner
  • One SSHRC Impact Award winner
  • Five Fellows of the Society for Applied Anthropology
  • One national historic site (soon to be a World heritage site!)
  • Two winners of the Weaver-Tremblay Award in Canadian Applied Anthropology

Extraordinary Scholarly Service:

  • Election to office of President of the Canadian Anthropology Society (two faculty) and the Society for Applied Anthropology

The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology supports the

Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission