The Canadian Archaeological Association Working Group on Unmarked Graves (CAAWGUG)
CAAWGUG had developed resources for those affected by the search for missing children and unmarked burials.
About the Innovation
The Canadian Archeological Association Working Group on Unmarked Graves (CAAWGUG) developed resources for those affected by the search for missing children and unmarked burials. CAAWGUG has served as an expert panel for Indigenous communities, acted as advocates for Survivors to government, guided private industry, and become a key public voice that has informed opinion and journalism.
About the Innovator
The CAAWGUG is composed of 15 scholars from across Canada, from within institutions of higher learning and Indigenous communities. Their collective awards are considerable. The committee chair, Dr. Kisha Supernant (Department of Anthropology (ualberta.ca) | Kisha Supernant | Edmonton), is a member of the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars and a Dorothy Killam Fellow. The nomination lead, Dr. Andrew Martindale (Andrew Martindale – Department of Anthropology (ubc.ca)) is the recipient of numerous SSHRC grants, a Killam Research Prize, and is this year’s recipient of the SSHRC Impact Award (Connections). The CAAWGUG was formed in May 2021 and, drawing on many years of experience searching for missing children from residential schools, developed guidance for Indigenous communities conducting searches. By 2022, this included overviews and detailed technical documents in video and written form as well as course and training materials for survivors, their families, and their communities. The CAAWGUG continues to lead the nation with guidance, training, support and assistance for communities conducting searches from children who disappeared from residential schools.
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