In a time when equity, diversity, and inclusion are being actively targeted in the United States, Dr. Lindsay M. Montgomery is standing at the forefront of a movement to transform the field of archaeology through what she and others have called archaeological reclamation.
PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / May 21, 2025 / In a time when equity, diversity, and inclusion are being actively targeted in the United States, Dr. Lindsay M. Montgomery is standing at the forefront of a movement to transform the field of archaeology through what she and others have called archaeological reclamation. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto, Dr. Montgomery is reshaping traditional academic practices by prioritizing Indigenous knowledge systems, community-led research, and data sovereignty in the field of archaeology.
Her work not only challenges the historical foundations of archaeology - a discipline deeply intertwined with colonialism - but also offers a path forward for a more ethical, inclusive, and accountable future. Dr. Montgomery's advocacy for integrating Indigenous and descendant community perspectives into archaeological methodology is both timely and urgent, in response to the rise of radical populism and increasing threats to equity deserving groups.
Rethinking the Discipline: Archaeology Beyond Extraction
For much of its history, archaeology has operated from a Western-centric framework, often treating Indigenous lands and artifacts as objects of academic curiosity rather than living elements of contemporary cultures. Dr. Lindsay Montgomery has spent over a decade challenging this mindset. Through her research and collaborative fieldwork, she demonstrates that archaeology can - and must - move away from extractive practices and toward models that are based on respect, reciprocity, and collaboration.
A cornerstone of Dr. Montgomery's approach is her work with Picuris Pueblo in New Mexico. The Picuris Pueblo Archaeological Research Project is a community-based collaboration that respects the Pueblo's cultural protocols while producing research centered on questions posed by the community and driven by the tribe's cultural heritage goals..
This model of engaged archaeology isn't just groundbreaking - it's also necessary. As Dr. Montgomery often emphasizes, "Ethical archaeology is always rooted in and responsive to the community".
Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Ethical Accountability
Central to Dr. Montgomery's mission is the principle of Indigenous data sovereignty - the right of Indigenous Peoples to govern the collection, ownership, and application of data about their communities, histories, and lands. Historically, data collected through archaeological projects have been housed in distant universities, disconnected from the communities to which they pertain.
Dr. Montgomery is working to reverse this trend by enacting research models that ensure communities maintain control over archaeological findings. This includes how they are stored, interpreted, and even who has access to them. In her presentations at the Canadian Archaeological Association and Society for American Archaeology, she has outlined the importance of embedding data sovereignty into all stages of research - from grant writing to fieldwork to final publication.
She is also a vocal proponent of aligning archaeological practice with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). While many institutions acknowledge UNDRIP in theory, Dr. Montgomery pushes for action: reforming policies, reimagining collaboration, and rewriting the ethical standards that govern research in Indigenous spaces.
Addressing Populism, Colonial Legacies, and the Role of the University
Dr. Montgomery's recent chapter in Archaeology, Heritage, and Radical Populism explores how liberal frameworks of heritage management, when uncritically applied, can reinforce colonial systems of power. Her chapter critiques both liberal and conservative approaches that claim neutrality, revealing how these models often sustain anti-Blackness and Indigenous disempowerment. She calls instead for a radical, abolitionist archaeology - one that moves beyond surface-level inclusion and actively dismantles oppressive systems within the discipline.
As a faculty member at the University of Toronto, Dr. Montgomery is also keenly aware of the role that academic institutions play in either upholding or challenging colonial norms. She is an advocate for reshaping curriculum, diversifying faculty, and embedding anti-colonial principles into graduate training. Her mentorship of emerging scholars in anthropology and archaeology is helping to build a new generation of practitioners equipped to engage with communities ethically and collaboratively.
Culturally Humble, Trauma-Informed Research Models
In addition to technical reforms, Dr. Montgomery is advancing a human-centered approach to archaeology - one grounded in cultural humility and trauma-informed methodologies. In a recent co-authored presentation with Elizabeth Montgomery, a registered social worker and mental health professional, she outlined a framework for engaging with the legacy of residential schools in archaeological research. Their model draws from psychotherapy principles and centers the voices of survivors and intergenerational communities affected by these institutions.
This emotionally intelligent approach represents a major departure from traditional academic detachment. By acknowledging the deep psychological and cultural trauma linked to many archaeological sites, Dr. Montgomery argues that researchers must also take responsibility for creating safe, empowering spaces in which dialogue and healing can occur.
Shaping the Future of Archaeology
Dr. Montgomery's contributions extend far beyond the lecture hall. Her impact is visible in the policies she influences, the students she mentors, and the communities she serves. She embodies a new paradigm of archaeology: one where relationships are prioritized, research is shared equitably, and the past is explored with an eye toward justice in the present.
In her own words: "Decolonization requires real, material changes to how we teach, research, and engage with the past. Indigenous and descendant communities can no longer just be given a seat at the heritage table, they need to be at the front of the board room."
A Broader Movement Toward Justice
Dr. Lindsay Montgomery's work is part of a growing global movement to decolonize institutions, knowledge systems, and methodologies. From land acknowledgments to policy reform, the landscape of anthropology is shifting - and scholars like Dr. Montgomery are leading the charge. Her scholarship, activism, and fieldwork serve as a reminder that change is not only possible but already happening, one project and one relationship at a time.
As the University of Toronto continues to support research that bridges academic excellence and community impact, Dr. Montgomery's work is a shining example of what it means to do meaningful, ethical, and socially responsible scholarship.
Contact: Lindsay Martel Montgomery
email: lindsay.montgomery@utoronto.ca
SOURCE: Lindsay Montgomery
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