Education & Outreach

Education and Outreach at ARA

ARA has an enduring commitment to archaeological and heritage education in Ontario. We are pleased to provide education, outreach, and seminar programs customized to individual needs.

Dr. Dean Knight is Professor Emeritus of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. This appointment reflects a career of shaping the University's archaeology curriculum and training more than two generations of practicing field archaeologists. Under Dean's direction, the Wilfrid Laurier University archaeological field schools were the starting point for a significant proportion of the professionals now working in the field. Members of the ARA staff regularly accept contractual faculty positions in the Archaeology and Heritage Studies Department at WLU.

ARA has strong ties to the Heritage Resources Centre, an institute at the University of Waterloo devoted to heritage education, the provision of heritage services, and the development of effective heritage policy. The core of the Heritage Team at ARA have been, and remain, pivotal contributors to the research, publication, and education work of the Centre.

ARA has broad expertise in presenting the methods and goals of archaeological and heritage investigation to all levels of experience. In cooperation with Huronia Historical Parks and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, ARA has presented primary- and secondary-school programs, including opportunities to excavate on an historically-accurate simulated site. ARA provides a suite of short courses to First-Nations communities wishing to enhance their participation in the engagement process. ARA offers short courses in skeletal identification and forensic recovery to law-enforcement and emergency-services personnel.

Please consult the links below or contact our office to discuss your archaeological, heritage, engagement, or forensics education or outreach needs.

Cultural Heritage, Archaeology, and Planning (CHAP) Symposium

Archaeological Research Associates Ltd. (ARA) hosts an annual Cultural Heritage, Archaeology, and Planning (CHAP) Symposium for our clients and friends. The purpose of the symposium is to explore relevant and timely themes and questions in the fields of cultural heritage, archaeology, and planning. The event includes presentations, panel discussions, facilitated discussions, and demonstration booths.

Please explore past topics featured at the Symposium here:

2021 CHAP Symposium

Title	Perspectives on Cultural Heritage Landscapes
Description	ARA's 2021 Cultural Heritage, Archaeology, and Planning (CHAP) Symposium was delivered as a live-streamed, digital event via Zoom Webinars. Participants were introduced to an eclectic range of cultural heritage landscapes ranging from public gardens and arboreta, through archaeological and historical sites, to traditional hunting and fishing locales, transportation routes, and the cultural landscapes and sites of First Nations, Metis, and Indigenous Communities. A moderated panel discussion presented by cultural heritage planners explored proactive approaches for identifying and conserving cultural heritage landscapes in a planning context. The attention of symposium attendees was directed to the Moccasin Identifier Project. This partnership between Carolyn King, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the Ontario Green Belt, highlights cultural and historical sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Metis, and Indigenous Communities in the landscape by providing educational resources and a practical program of identifying landscapes with moccasin designs relevant to Ontario's first communities.
Speakers & Topics	Paul Racher, ARA, Opening and Closing remarks. Dr. David Galbraith, Head of Science, Royal Botanical Gardens, on public gardens as cultural heritage landscapes. Dr. Gary Warrick, ARA Associate and Professor Emeritus of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, on the early 19th Century Mohawk-Mississauga settlement of Davisville in modern Brantford. Elder Carolyn King C.M. on the Moccasin Identifier Project, a practical and educational program to promote awareness of significant cultural and historic sites, treaties, and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Metis, and Indigenous Communities. Paula Wubbenhorst, Heritage Planner, City of Mississauga; Victoria Grohn, Heritage Planner, City of Kitchener; and Michelle Lee, Senior Policy Planner, City of Waterloo, on identifying and responding to cultural heritage landscapes in a planning context. This panel discussion was moderated by Amy Barnes, Heritage Project Manager at ARA
Location and Date	A digital live-streamed event, Wednesday, April 7-8, 2021

2019 CHAP Symposium

Title	Perspectives on Cemeteries and Burials in Ontario
Description	Participants considered issues surrounding burials sites including: the establishment, maintenance, and closure of cemeteries; the protection of burial sites, cemetery conservation and preservation, and the importance of burial sites to the communities they represent. The symposium concluded with a guided tour of the Hamilton Cemetery.
Speakers & Topics	Paul Racher, ARA, Opening and Closing remarks. Nancy Wilkins, Acting Registrar Inspections and Investigations Branch (Government and Consumer Services), on War Graves, burial sites, and cemetery creations, maintenance, and closure. Rick Hill, Tuscarora of the Beaver Clan and Past Chairperson for the Haudenosaunee Standing Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations, on the intent of burial and the impact of disturbance of burial sites. Kaye Boucher (IO), Jacqueline McDermid and Sarah Clarke, (ARA), on the value of documentary research to investigation of potential burial sites. Michael D'Mello, Bereavement Authority of Ontario, on the strategies the BAO uses to ensure protection of cemeteries. Kayla Jonas Galvin, ARA, a case study in cemetery conservation and preservation. Robin McKee, Historical Perceptions, a guided tour of the Hamilton Cemetery.
Location and Date	Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Wednesday, March 20, 2019

2018 CHAP Symposium

Title	All 94: Truth, Reconciliation, and Heritage Policy
Description	The symposium explored heritage policy in the context of the 94 calls to action established by the final report of the Truth and Reconcilliation Commission. During the event, residential school survivors shared their experiences and organizations presented their policy initiatives on truth and reconciliation within the heritage industry.
Speakers & Topics	Paul Racher, ARA, Opening and closing remarks. Taylor Gibson, Six Nations Polytechnic, Thanksgiving opening address & closing address. Roberta Hill, Residential School Survivor, on life at the Mohawk Institute. Paula Whitlow and Carlie Myke, the Woodland Cultural Centre, on the Save the Evidence Campaign (this year’s charity) and their work repairing and restoring the Mohawk Institute. Dena Doroszeko, Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT), on the OHT's response to the 94 Calls to Action. Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation Panel, (Megan Devries, Mark Laforme, and Andrew Hinshelwood), on consultation practices and expectations.
Location & Date	Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Wednesday, March 21, 2018

2017 CHAP Symposium

Title	Hidden Histories
Description	In acknowledgement of a diversity of perspectives in archaeology and heritage, ARA solicited presentations showcasing a broad range of experiences through Ontario's history.
Speakers & Topics	Paul Racher, ARA, Symposium welcome and closing remarks. Mark Laforme and Megan DeVries, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, an overview of the history of the First Nation, background on their treaties and claims, and expectations for consultation within their traditional territory. Graham Chernoff, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, on the upcoming guide in the Heritage Toolkit series: Cultural Heritage Resources in the Land Use Planning Process. Shannon Prince, Buxton Museum, on the history of Ontario’s largest pre-Civil-War Black settlement. Janie Cooper-Wilson, Oro African Church Preservation Project, the Oro African Church Preservation Project as a living example of the art of unearthing the human element and cultural spirituality through Archaeology and Heritage. Meagan Brooks, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, on archaeological collections management where collections are often the only record of a community’s past.
Location & Date	Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Wednesday, March 23, 2017

2016 CHAP Symposium

Title	Second Annual Cultural Heritage, Archaeology, and Planning (CHAP) Symposium
Description	The symposium addressed two questions asked frequently by heritage professionals: 'What is the archaeological process in Ontario?' and 'How do I engage with First Nations?'
Speakers & Topics	Paul Racher, ARA, Symposium welcome and closing remarks. Paul Racher, ARA Principal, “Ontario Archaeology 101” a brief archaeological history of Ontario, the archaeological assessment process, and the importance of First Nations engagement in planning, infrastructure, and resource development. Paul General, Manager, Six Nations of the Grand River Eco Centre and Paul Racher, "133 Nations: Moving the Conversation Forward" the complex archaeological and historical relationships among the First Nations and the lands they call home - Facilitated discussion
Location & Date	Waterloo Region Museum, March 3, 2016

2015 CHAP Symposium

Title	Cultural Heritage, Archaeology, and Planning (CHAP) Symposium: Where Are We Now?
Description	In honour of National Indigenous History Month, the symposium theme was engaging First Nations in heritage and archaeology.
Speakers & Topics	Paul Racher, ARA, Introduction: "On original sin." Paul General, Six Nations of the Grand River, on what the community is trying to achieve through the engagement process and how they envision relationships moving forward. Carolyn King, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, on community engagement goals now and into the future. Dr. Robert Shipley, Associate Professor, School of Planning, University of Waterloo, insights into the municipal planning requirements that arise out of engagement policies. Paul Racher, Principal ARA, Summation: "A sense of place."
Location & Date	Waterloo Region Museum, Friday, 26 June 2015

Education and Seminars

ARA is passionate about education. Many of our staff are highly experienced educators and regularly give talks about Ontario’s archaeology and cultural heritage; geared to all ages and audiences. Please review some of the topic areas proposed below or contact the office to explore seminar or outreach ideas.

Things we are thinking about right now

Truth, Reconciliation, and the Residential School System
Cemeteries and Archaeology
Read more about Truth, Reconciliation, and cemeteries in an article by Paul Racher in the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association Facility Forum magazine.
The Duty to Consult and Accommodate
Archaeology 101 - an introduction to archaeology in Ontario.
You can listen to Paul Racher’s Archaeology 101 webinar on the Ontario Historical Society website.

Targeted seminars and short courses

ARA has a well-developed set of training programs that can be tailored to the needs of any group. ARA has experience with:

Indigenous Monitor Training - ARA provides a suite of short courses to First-Nations communities wishing to enhance their participation in the engagement process.
School Programs - In cooperation with Huronia Historical Parks and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, ARA has presented primary- and secondary-school programs, including opportunities to excavate on an historically-accurate simulated site.
Forensics - ARA offers short courses in skeletal identification and forensic recovery to law-enforcement and emergency-services personnel.

ARA projects in local communities

ARA is pleased to present our own archaeological and heritage work through community or general-interest seminars. Some projects that have recently generated considerable local attention include:

"Brantford from Below" - insights from the Laurier YMCA Site in the City of Brantford
"Archaeology at the Mohawk Institute Residential School" - findings from the volunteer project at the Mush Hole
"Archaeology on Display" - urban archaeology on a busy stretch of Wilson St. in Ancaster captivated passers by with the evocative exposure of a 19th century commercial streetscape.

Academic and professional papers

Members of the ARA team regularly present papers at academic conferences and professional meetings. Recent presentations include:

Grand River Archaeology and the Colonial Narrative - paper delivered at Heritage Day, Brantford (P. Racher, 2019).
Alt-Wrong: Archaeology versus the Populist Right - paper delivered at the Huronia Chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society(P. Racher, 2019).
Colonialism 101: A Heritage Perspective - Guest lecture for the Wilfrid Laurier University Archaeological society (P. Racher, 2019).
Truth, Reconciliation, and Archaeology - 2018 Sally Weaver Award Guest Lecture (P. Racher, 2019).
Indigenous Archaeology and the Colonial Narrative - paper delivered to the Heritage & Archaeology Open House and Symposium, Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington (P. Racher 2019).
In the Heart of the Conflict: Willowbank National Historic Site. - paper presented at the Ontario Archaeological Society Annual Symposium (P. Young, M. Brooks, 2015).
From Architecture Matters to Heritage Conservation Matters - learning module delivered at Ontario Association of Architects Conference (K. Jonas Galvin, P. Young, 2016)
Economics of Heritage Designation - KW Association of Realtors, Kitchener.
The Value of Adding to the Narrative: Beyond a White Settler History - Ontario Heritage Conference, Sault Ste. Marie.
Urban Historical Archaeology: Exploring the Black Community in St. Catharines, Ontario - Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology Conference (S. Bolstridge, S. Clarke, 2016)

Outreach

ARA is pleased to participate in a variety of outreach programs and community initiatives. Our team members serve on the decision-making bodies of professional associations that help shape our industry. ARA takes an active role in:

Turtle Island News Earth Day Festival - ARA has been part of the Turtle Island Earth Day Festival at Ohsweken, Six Nations of the Grand River, since 2013. Artifacts discovered during archaeological assessments within the region are displayed for community members and attendees to view and interact with. ARA staff enjoy the opportunity to discuss the finds, exchange stories with participants, and showcase the archaeology of Southern Ontario.
City of Kitchener’s Earth Day at Huron Natural Area - Following a multi-year, Stage 1-4 assessment of a large 500-year-old Neutral village site in the Huron Natural Area, ARA assisted the City of Kitchener with a protection strategy that integrated the site into the city park. ARA has participated in archaeologically-themed Earth Day outreach activities in the site.
Mohawk Institute Survivors Gathering - ARA has participated in the Survivors Gathering at the Mohawk Institute former Residential School since 2017. The annual event, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day, focuses on remembering and acknowledging Residential School Survivors. ARA presents a public-archaeology opportunity in which ARA staff lead volunteers in the on-going archaeological excavations at the site. Survivors, their families, and attendees are invited to learn more about the archaeology and history of the property during the Healing Walk.
Kitchener Public Library Local Indigenous History and Culture Bike Tour - In 2015, ARA partnered with the Kitchener Public Library (KPL) to create an informative walking/cycling map of the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Local Indigenous history and culture was highlighted in distributed literature during Indigenous History Month (June) and was used to guide walking and cycling tours.
Onkwehón:we Festival - Begun in 2018, the Onkwehón:we Original Peoples' Festival is a free cultural event that showcases art of the Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous Nations on the grounds of the Woodland Cultural Centre and Mohawk Institute former Residential School. ARA has participated in the event since its inception, presenting collections of artifacts from the area and leading volunteers in ongoing excavations on the festival grounds. The exquisite objects from the archaeological past underscore the deep tradition of art and innovation among Ontario's first peoples.
Heritage and Archaeology Board Work - Members of the ARA team hold leadership positions in a number of professional associations. Our staff sit on the boards of: the Ontario Association of Heritage Professionals (OAHP), the Ontario Archaeological Society (OAS), and local Municipal Heritage Committees. Several team members are coordinators and volunteers for Jane’s Walks and Doors Open Ontario.

Volunteer Initiatives

Current: The Mohawk Institute

ARA has a leadership role in the Ontario Archaeological Society’s work at the Mohawk Institute/Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ontario. The Mohawk Institute is a former residential school. Locally known as the “Mush Hole,” it was notorious for its treatment of Indigenous children while it was in operation between 1828 and 1970.

In recent years, the Woodland Cultural Centre, located on the grounds of the Mush Hole, has embarked on a “Save the Evidence” campaign to ensure that the building will endure as a monument to the victims who passed through its doors.

ARA is organizing archaeological work on the property to recover and document materials in advance of planned improvements at the site.

How you can help

The Mohawk Institute is one of the last remaining residential schools in the province and has a powerful story to tell. To learn how you can help, please visit the "Save The Evidence" campaign at the Woodland Cultural Centre.
Please come and volunteer some time with excavations at the Mohawk Institute. The effort is coordinated via the project facebook page.
More information about the project is available from the Globe and Mail.

Past: Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church National Historic Site, Township of Oro-Medonte

Starting in 2015, ARA donated crews and expertise to complete archaeological assessment of the Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church. Built during the 1840s, the church served an African Canadian community established in Oro following their military contribution during the War of 1812. The wood-framed church and surrounding cemetery is a National Historic Site. The church has been preserved and raised by the Township onto a new foundation.

Follow the remarkable story of the Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church here:

Archaeological work began at the church in earnest in the autumn of 2015.
CTV News coverage of the archaeological investigation.
The church reopened in August, 2106 with considerable fanfare and to the delight of the community.