Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith graduated with an MA in Heritage Resource Management from the Archaeology Department at SFU in 2021.

Her thesis research was conducted in partnership with the Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council and their consulting business A.E.W. LP and was partially supported with funding through the Mitacs Grant Program. Sarah’s research focused on using LiDAR data to prospect for sites at the Highland Valley Copper Mine, near Logan Lake, BC. Undertaking MA research during a global pandemic had its challenges and she is very grateful that her program was already in an on-line format and that her research data was digitally accessible.

She has worked in the heritage resource management sector in British Columbia since 2006, employed with a variety of consulting firms both commercial and Indigenous-affiliated. She currently works as an Associate Archaeologist and Project Manager at Stantec Consulting Ltd., based in Burnaby, BC and enjoys the opportunity to interact with clients and Indigenous groups throughout Western Canada. She is passionate about increasing the accessibility and relevance of heritage research products through innovative media delivery and mentoring an amazing team of up-and-coming archaeologists. Sarah believes in meaningful Indigenous involvement in heritage management decision-making and in the implementation of UNDRIP in BC, in Canada, and abroad, to increase the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly in relation to heritage management.