¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

Leslie LeBourdais

HRM MA Student, George Nicholas
Archaeology

Areas of interest

Indigenous Archaeology, heritage legislation, GIS and the protection of Indigenous rights and materials.

Education

  • ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, Archaeology, 2004
  • Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), 2011; BCAPA Associate 2019

Introduction

Weytkp! (Hello!) I am a member of the Pelltiq’t te Secwépemc Nation and currently the Assistant Manager, Culture and Heritage of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Natural Resources Department. As an Archaeologist and Geographic Information Systems analyst I work with First Nations, local communities and various levels of government. I have produced multiple GIS solutions for forestry, archaeology, land title, specific claims, First Nations use and occupancy, and biodiversity including web mapping applications. As an Archaeologist, I have conducted various archaeological assessments throughout Secwepemcúĺecw for forestry, mining, construction, residential, oil and gas, hydro and telecommunications developments.

MA Research

My research focuses on how Indigenous peoples define and identify cultural landscapes and how they can use this knowledge to implement the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with regards to Heritage Management within Indigenous Nations in accordance with Traditional Indigenous Law.

Part of my research will involve the teachings of stsptekwle (Secwepémc oral traditions) and how Secwepémc law guides the definition and identification of cultural landscapes by Secwepemc as a key component to managing their cultural heritage in accordance with Secwepemc law and truly implementing UNDRIP.

Other Activities

My broader research interests include new technologies, community-based research, and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK).

Examining a feast spoon in the ethnology collections at the Canadian Museum of History, 2008.
Harley and me at Pavilion Pictographs EfRk-3, 2015
Survey crew 2017 Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Archaeological Impact Assessment