Faculty Profile - Jennifer Botica

Jennifer Botica

Jennifer Botica

Department Chair, Faculty

Humanities & Social Sciences

PhD in Archaeology (Simon Fraser University, 2017)

MA in Near Eastern Archaeology (Universiteit Leiden, NL, 2005)

Subjects: Anthropology, History, Liberal Studies

I am an anthropological archaeologist and heritage educator based on Vancouver Island. Since 2020, I have worked as an Instructor at North Island College in the fields of anthropology, history, and liberal studies. In 2023, I returned to the site of Khirbat al-Mukhayyat in Jordan, bringing NIC students to participate in a joint project with Wilfred Laurier University. Since 2011, I have taught students at Simon Fraser University, University of Arizona, University of Toronto, and Wilfred Laurier University, with a particular focus on field-based archaeology and ethnographic research in British Columbia, Arizona, and Jordan. I also serve on NIC’s Research Ethics Board.

Beginning in 2004, I have worked as a professional consulting archaeologist, holding more than 80 Provincial and First Nations heritage permits. From 2006 to 2010, I worked as an independent research analyst and historian on behalf of Indian Residential School survivors as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. From 2009-2023, I led a team of twenty-five community-minded archaeologists and support staff across four offices as Principal and Co-owner of Kleanza Consulting Ltd., a full-suite heritage company.

Much of my research focuses on how society values heritage, who can access heritage, and issues related to equity, decolonization, heritage sovereignty, community-based practice, heritage education, and mentorship of consulting archaeologists at all stages of their careers.

PhD in Archaeology (Simon Fraser University, 2017)

MA in Near Eastern Archaeology (Universiteit Leiden, NL, 2005)

BA in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Near Eastern Studies (University of British Columbia, 2004)

RPCA (Registered Professional Consulting Archaeologist)

RPA (Registered Professional Archaeologist)

CAHP (Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals)

Provincial Instructors Diploma (Vancouver Community College, 2020)

ANT-150 Cultural Anthropology

ANT-151 Physical Anthropology & Archaeology

ANT-250 Ethnology of North America

ANT-251 Principles of Archaeology

ANT-260 Forensic Anthropology

ANT-291 Archaeology Field School

HIS-120 World History to 1000

LIB-210 Topics in World Civilization

Botica, J. (2024). At the Trowel’s Edge: Cultural Resource Management at Cedarvale. University of Toronto Press (under contract)

Botica, J., Foran, D. (2018) Engaging the People of Nebo: the Khirbet al-Mukhayyat Community Archaeology Program. Society of Historical Archaeology of Jordan 13.

Foran, D., Dolan, A., Edwards, S., Lewis, J., Buffington, A., Wight, T. (2017). Preliminary Report on the Inaugural Season of Excavation at Khirbat al-Mukhayyat. Annual of the Department of Antiquity of Jordan 58: 457-474.

Lewis, J. Review of Susan Kern’s The Jeffersons at Shadwell. Canadian Journal of Archaeology 35(2). 2010.

  • Permit holder for more than 80 Provincial heritage permits and First Nations heritage permit

  • Winner: Indigenous and Diverse Cultures Category, BC Heritage Awards (2022) for project Decolonizing Archaeology Through Allyship, Advocacy, Amplification, & Inclusion (for our work on Dig This: the Archaeology for Good podcast)

  • Host: 'Dig This: the Archaeology for Good podcast' (Apple, Spotify)

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the featured faculty member. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of North Island College.