News

We are so excited to share the news that Amanda and Jenny were presented with the 2022 Heritage BC Award in recognition of Kleanza's commitment to "reconciliation, redress and expanded recognition". 

“Innovative engagement is not easily put into practice, but this project to decolonize archaeology really succeeded”, says Britney Dack, Chair of Heritage BC.  “Amanda Marshall and Jenny Botica of Kleanza Consulting, identified that technical archeological reporting is inaccessible to most community members and continues a colonial mind-set.  Their innovative approaches, such as visual recording and podcasting, allowed indigenous communities feel joy and confidence at seeing their history respected—truly something to be recognized."

Heritage BC award nominees and winners alike illustrate the talents, commitment and diversity of heritage work in our Province”, says Kirstin Clausen, Executive Director.  “Our recognition serves as a positive driver to continue preserving and saving our important cultural places and intangible heritage resources.  Heritage BC is proud to say congratulations to those who achieved this year’s best heritage projects in the categories of conservation, planning, education/awareness, indigenous and diverse culture, and “COVID pivots” as well as volunteers and professionals demonstrating dedicated service”.

A new grant being advertised on Facebook recently grabbed my attention, so I thought I’d dig a little further. It led me to Jennifer Botica, co-owner of Kleanza Consulting, a female owned and managed archaeology venture that focuses on heritage and provides education and community engagement.

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Teresa John is of Stó:lō descent from the community of Chawathil First Nations in Hope, BC. Currently a student a University of Victoria, Teresa is also building career experience with the Stó: lō Research and Resource Management Centre. She has also worked in xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sts'ailes, and other traditional territories in the Lower Mainland.

The Kleanza Scholarship Award for Students of Archaeology will be used by Teresa to attend the University of Bictoria's Field School in the summer of 2020. Completing this field school is an important step in completing Teresa's University education, and brining her another step closer to becoming a professional Indigenous archaeologist. As Teresa notes, "Becoming a First Nations archaeologist and joining the industry  benefits not only the profession, but also empowers a community to directly assert control over heritage stewardship and archaeological management practices, ensuring those practices do not work against First Nations interest. It is critical that First Nations members become directly involved in decision making processes as professional archaeologists. This scholarship will help me to make a difference not only in my own career, but also in the well being of my community and our cultural heritage."

We are awed by your dedication, Teresa, and honoured to be able to help you in this small way. All the best!

The Haisla Nation is collaborating with Royal Roads University to facilitate programs in cultural practices and language development, within the local elementary school and communities of Kitimat and Kitamaat Village. By focusing these funds within the community, we know these award will provide a tangible, positive impact to the community, as well as build capacity for future programs and fluency. 

We are proud to play even a small part in communities' self-determined language revitalization goals.