WILD ARCHAEOLOGY HOSTS
Dr. Rudy Reimer (Yumks)
Squamish Oyate
Jenifer Brousseau
H’ah’atonwa Oyate
Jacob Pratt
Dakota/H’ah’atonwa Oyate
Dr. Rudy Reimer Wild Archaeology Co-host/Archaeological Guide
Dr. Rudy Reimer is an Indigenous Archaeologist from Skwxwu7mesh Uxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and a tenured professor in the Department of Archaeology at Simon Fraser University. Rudy also teaches in the university’s interdisciplinary First Nations Studies Program.He holds degrees in archaeology from Simon Fraser University and a PhD in anthropology from McMaster University.
Rudy grew up across Canada and lived away from Squamish Territory for the first twelve years of his life.As a child, Rudy’s passion for history was developed through exposure to famous archaeological touring spectacles such as the tomb of King Tut. Although he was guided to think about the past, it wasn’t until his family returned to Squamish territory that he learned from elders the ancient ties his culture has to the land.
Rudy grew up across Canada and lived away from Squamish Territory for the first twelve years of his life.As a child, Rudy’s passion for history was developed through exposure to famous archaeological touring spectacles such as the tomb of King Tut. Although he was guided to think about the past, it wasn’t until his family returned to Squamish territory that he learned from elders the ancient ties his culture has to the land.
As an archaeologist, Rudy integrates an indigenous phenomenology of places into his research, as well as archeometric techniques including electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence to identify the elemental fingerprints of key materials. His research is with, by, and for Indigenous communities. His culturally informed approach is self-reflexive and seeks to return cognitive geography, or a sense of place and being to the people in the Squamish Nation. Rudy highlights oral history and traditions that link people to places alongside his fieldwork to gain a nuanced understand of modern and ancient worlds.
Rudy is an advocate of sustainable, non-invasive archaeology, and he is careful to design research projects that have minimal destructive impact. His current research examines the social importance of volcanoes as sources of obsidian in the Pacific Northwest, the study of stone tool quarries, the importance of animal resources and dogs for Coast Salish peoples, and the role and meaning of ancient expressions of art. Rudy’s research also considers possible explanations of intangible or seemingly unexplained phenomena including First Nations beings and landscape features that often lay outside standard archaeological explanations.
Jenifer Brousseau
Co-hostJenifer Brousseau is an Anishnaabe/Cree and French interdisciplinary artist from the unceded traditional territory of Serpent River First Nation (Ontario, Canada). Currently residing in West Vancouver, Jenifer wears a number of creative hats and holds a variety of titles including co-host on APTN’s Wild Archaeology;keynote speaker with the International Indigenous Speakers Bureau; vocalist with Indigenous music group M’GIRL, as well as Executive/Artistic Director of imagi’NATION Collective, an arts-based production company focused on healing Indigenous youth. She is performing at the National Arts Centre this September in the acclaimed play Unnatural and Accidental Women.
Jenifer has journeyed extensively throughout Canada and worldwide, working on arts based initiatives withhundreds of Indigenous communities. In addition to these remarkable achievements, this strong Indigenous woman has written, produced and directed her owntheatrical pieces with a focus on Indigenous issues including reconciliation, harm reduction, suicide prevention, and cultural reconnection. (Click below to read more)
Most notably, her original theatre production Beneath the Surface has enjoyed successful theatrical runs in schools, communities and theatres for the better part of a decade, receiving the Telus Innovation Award in 2016. It is currently being developed into a national outreach program, supporting Indigenous youth and communities throughout Canada. Beneath the Surface has inspired Jenifer’smost recent achievement,Beyond, a feature length film currently in pre-production, and chosen for reading at the 2019 International Women in Film Festival.
Jenifer’s extensive resume in social, support, and prevention work in the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver has broadened her understanding of the way change is created, and her experiences with trauma, coping, and Indigenous identity have shaped her leadership skills. Jenifer fuses passion, art and creativity with social justice and compassionate education to create her own unique blend of powerful change. Whether through a speaking engagement, a vocal performance, her impactful writing and directing, or any other aspect of her work, Jenifer inspires positive change. No matter which creative hat Jenifer Brousseau wears at any given time, she leaves an imprint of empathy and a spark of hope.
Jacob Pratt
Co-hostJacob Pratt is Dakota and Anishinaabe from Cote First Nations in Saskatchewan. A well-established actor, dancer and musician, Jacob has performed throughout North America and worldwide. In addition to co-hosting APTN’s Wild Archaeology, he is also the lead voice actor on APTN’s Louis Says. Alongside his accomplishments as an actor, Jacob is an award-winning Native American Flute player and dancer with roots in Pow Wow and Hoop Dance. He has also trained in ballet, contemporary dance and choreography.
Jacob continues to build his career in the entertainment industry through work on his own original projects, and more recently, work with the Walt Disney Company. (Click below to read more)
In addition to his achievements as a professional performer, Jacob has a passion for working with Native youth and believes deeply in their untapped potential. He is committed to speaking at motivational presentations and workshops with hopes of encouraging the next generation to strive for success.
Jacob holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the First Nations University of Canada and a master’s in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
