We start the New Year with an incredibly moving and uplifting story. Amanda and guest host Brady McBride welcome Debbie Nagano, Director of Heritage for the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Government and Dr. Grant Zazula who heads the Yukon government’s paleontology program to tell the story of the mummified baby mammoth, Nun Cho Ga, found in 2022. They discuss the profound opportunity this powerful event provides for Indigenous communities to learn about their own story, about their heritage, and reconnect to their language and the land. This small baby has brought healing to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in community and possibly changed the practice of paleontology. And so we honour Nun Cho Ga’s life.
*Content warning:* In this episode, Indian Residential Schools, gravesites, sacred sites and ancestral remains are discussed. These discussions may re-traumatize or trigger listeners because of the sensitive content related to the search for unmarked graves of children who attended Indian Residential Schools. If you experience trauma or feeling triggered, help is available 24/7 for survivors and their families through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health support for Indigenous Peoples across the land known as Canada is available through the Hope for Wellness chatline at 1-800-721-0066 or using the chat box at
https://hopeforwellness.ca/. The Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society provides information about these and other supports that are available:
https://www.irsss.caWhat is DIG THIS?
Welcome to DIG THIS - An archaeology podcast for good. Kind of like Indiana Jones…if he was a woman…more ethical…gave a shit about the people whose belongings he was stealing…and was actually doing real archaeological work. Ok. Nothing like Indiana Jones.
Every second Wednesday, Archaeologist and Owner of Kleanza Consulting, Amanda Marshall welcomes guests to have fearless, fierce, and fun conversations about their discipline, the work, the business, and ask some hard questions.
How do we decolonize our practice?
How does our work support Indigenous communities in their goals for heritage sovereignty?
How do we keep our company on a sustainable path for growth while supporting the professional goals of our team?
How do we achieve all this AND sustain a balanced life?
If you’re an archaeologist, anthropologist, environmentalist, conservationist, or industry leader who sees the need for change; an Indigenous trailblazer working towards cultural and heritage sovereignty; or a woman leading a business (or aspiring to!) - then DIG THIS is your podcast.