Cultural Heritage Resource Management

Upon graduating from Acadia University in 2011, I worked as a Park Ranger with Ontario Parks and flew to work every day in a Turbo Beaver airplane to maintain the pristine beauty of Ontario’s “crown jewel,” Algonquin Provincial Park. In pursing my personal passions, I obtained my Avocational Archaeology License and began to participate in archaeological digs throughout Ontario, and continued researching my Algonquin heritage through genealogical and archival records. I also assisted in the development of strategies for American eel recovery in the Ottawa River Basin through field research and collection of Algonquin Traditional Knoweldge.

In 2013, I became an Economic Development Officer for the Algonquins of Ontario. I support Treaty Negotiations while working to strengthen relationships with the governments of Ontario and Canada. I am responsible for planning, promoting and implementing community and economic development while developing a comprehensive economic profile of the Algonquin Nation. In the realm of Cultural Heritage Resource Management, I work to raise the profile of the Algonquin Nation through projects that celebrate Algonquin art, heritage and culture while ensuring the protection and preservation of Algonquin cultural resources.  I am also the Producer and Host of And Then There Were None, a narrated documentary/feature film (Vantage Point Media) that explores the environmental, cultural, and social implications of the near extinction of buffalo in Canada, in hopes of encouraging a wider conversation.

My liberal arts education at Acadia University not only helped me develop a life-long love affair with Canadian literature and history, but most importantly, Acadia taught me how to think critically. In my last year at Acadia, a professor told the class that no matter what, never take information at face value. Always question every ounce of truth we are presented with and formulate our own understanding based on all viewpoints. This lesson, as well as many others learned at Acadia, has proved to be invaluable and allowed me the opportunity to navigate through the professional realms of biology, economic development and cultural heritage management. I am forever grateful for my time at Acadia. No matter where my life path leads, I will always consider Wolfville my home.