Archaeologist first dug into her future as a La Conner student

It was at La Conner High School where one of the foremost archaeologists in North America started to dig what would become her life’s work.

A transfer student in the late 1990s from Victoria, B.C., the future Dr. Kisha Supernant recalled, “as a sophomore, I took the world history class with Mr. (Vince) Sellen that really helped solidify my interest in archaeology.”

Today, she is the director of the Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology and an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Alberta.

Supernant has become prominent for her role using remote sensing technologies to locate and protect unmarked burials at the request of First Nations communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Her work has been profiled this year by the New York Times and other media outlets across the U.S. and Canada.

“Overall, what gives me a sense of achievement is when I see the impact of my scholarship on how others understand archaeology,” she told the Weekly News. “The field of archaeology has not always included diverse perspectives and voices, especially of those who are descended from the people who archaeologists often study.”

Supernant, of Metis descent, is making a major impact by searching for Indigenous remains at or near the sites of former residential schools.

“I hope to be able to bring some closure and healing to communities through this work,” she said.

That work, however, is challenging on several levels.

“Finding the graves of children is a heartbreaking process,” Supernant stressed. “As a mother of a young daughter and someone whose family has been directly impacted by residential schools, locating graves of children who were often buried without their parents and loved ones knowing they died is deeply painful.

“What gets me through,” she said, “is how meaningful my work is to the indigenous communities. Because I’m able to help, I must use my skills and expertise to help bring answers and justice about these children who never came home.”

Supernant credits her La Conner teachers for inspiring her to realize her potential.

“I enjoyed my time at La Conner High School,” she said, “and it helped set me up for success.”

Following her 1998 graduation, she earned an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia. From there, Supernant completed work on her master’s at the University of Toronto before returning to UBC for her doctorate.

But perhaps the most significant steps on that journey were taken in La Conner, where teachers like Sellen and Kathy Shoop – the latter taught English and drama – instilled in Supernant an eagerness to learn and the confidence to excel in the classroom and beyond.

Shoop cast the studious and introspective Supernant as second lead in a school play, a role requiring her to sing a solo on stage.

“She saw my potential early on,” Supernant said of Shoop, “and challenged me to do my best work.

“My favorite classes,” she said, “were always with Mrs. Shoop. “While I have been lucky to have (had) many great teachers, Mrs. Shoop was the most influential and remains my favorite teacher of all time.”

The two continue to correspond regularly, with Shoop noting that Supernant finds refuge in the kitchen from her various career demands.

“She is an exceptional cook,” Shoop said, “and that often provides her a respite from the emotional nature of her present work.”

“I love to make gourmet meals,” Supernant confirmed, “and elevate simple ingredients.”

Befitting someone who spent her formative years in La Conner, seafood is a favorite. A Supernant specialty is pan-seared halibut enveloped with a lemon chive butter, accompanied by a velvety roasted yam puree and crisped fiddleheads.

In La Conner, Supernant played basketball and was a member of the Knowledge Bowl program, whose teams are perennial state title contenders.

Still, it was reinforcement of her interest in archaeology that would unearth a world of opportunities for Supernant.

She continues to look ahead, in fact and is well positioned to be a major player as archaeology evolves in the 21st century.

“I have long argued,” she said, “that changing archaeology to be more inclusive and to work in partnership with others improves our understanding of the past. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I see those values being taken up by students, by colleagues and by the discipline as a whole.”

In addition to her work on behalf of Indigenous communities, Supernant is an award-winning teacher, researcher and writer. She recently was named to the Royal Society of Canada, the country’s most prestigious scholarly institute.

“I expect that the next few years of my life will be largely dedicated to supporting Indigenous communities in searching for their relatives around residential schools,” she said. “After that, I will see what comes but I have been increasingly drawn to leadership positions, so it is possible my journey will take me into university administration or something similar.”

She is also looking forward to a less metaphorical journey – an actual trip back to where it all started.

“I haven’t been to the area in some time,” Supernant said, “but we still have family friends who live around La Conner, so I hope to visit at some point when COVID restrictions allow.”