From the Classroom to the Field: How Dr. Lindsay Martel Montgomery Is Transforming Archaeology at the University of Toronto

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / June 9, 2025 /In an era when institutions are increasingly being called to account for their historical roles in colonialism and systemic inequity, Dr. Lindsay Martel Montgomery stands out as a scholar who is not only confronting these issues but actively working to transform how archaeology is practiced and taught. An Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and the Centre for Indigenous Studies at the University of Toronto, Dr. Montgomery is pioneering a new, community-engaged model of archaeological research-one rooted in cultural humility, Indigenous collaboration, and ethical accountability.

Her work reaches beyond traditional scholarship, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world impact. Whether in the classroom or the field, Dr. Montgomery 's approach challenges the status quo, setting a new global standard for what it means to conduct socially responsible archaeological research.

Rethinking the Discipline from the Ground Up

Dr. Lindsay Martel Montgomery has long questioned the foundational assumptions of archaeology. Historically, the field has been rooted in colonial frameworks, where researchers often extracted cultural heritage from Indigenous lands without consent or collaboration. These practices, she argues, have perpetuated power imbalances and failed to recognize the living, dynamic cultures behind the artifacts.

In response to this history, Dr. Montgomery has centered her research around community-led projects, where local Indigenous and descendant communities shape the research questions, methodologies, and outcomes. One such project, the Picuris Pueblo Archaeological Research Project (PPARP) in New Mexico, exemplifies this collaborative model. As co-director of PPARP, she works closely with the Picuris Tribal Council and tribal liaison, the late Richard Mermejo, to ensure that their cultural protocols and priorities are respected at every stage of the process.

"Archaeology must be about more than discovery and documentation," Dr. Montgomery has said. "It must be about relationships-building trust, sharing authority, and honoring knowledge systems that existed prior to and outside of universities or academic institutions."

Through this collaborative approach, Dr. Lindsay Montgomery demonstrates that archaeology can be a force for healing rather than harm. Rather than treating sites as relics of the past, she emphasizes their ongoing significance in the present, especially to the communities who steward these landscapes.

A Champion of Indigenous Data Sovereignty

At the heart of Dr. Montgomery 's work is the principle of Indigenous data sovereignty-the right of Indigenous Peoples to control the collection, use, and dissemination of data about their communities and histories. For decades, much of the data generated through archaeological research has been housed in universities, museums, or government institutions-often far from the communities to which the materials pertain.

Dr. Lindsay Martel Montgomery is helping reverse that trend. She integrates the CARE Principles (Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility, and Ethics) into every aspect of her work and encourages fellow researchers to do the same. In PPARP and other projects, she ensures that community members retain control over data storage, interpretation, and access. Artifacts are not removed without consent, and findings are returned in formats that are accessible and useful to the communities themselves.

She is also a vocal proponent of aligning archaeological practice with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which calls for free, prior, and informed consent in all matters affecting Indigenous communities. At academic conferences and in scholarly publications, Dr. Montgomery has advocated for embedding these principles into institutional research policies-an effort that is beginning to shape guidelines at several Canadian and international universities.

Transforming Archaeological Education at the University of Toronto

While her fieldwork has garnered widespread attention, Dr. Montgomery 's impact within the classroom is equally significant. At the University of Toronto, she is redefining how archaeology and anthropology are taught. Her courses-such as "Indigenous Archaeologies" and "Archaeologies of Colonialism"-challenge students to interrogate the colonial underpinnings of the discipline and to incorporate Indigenous epistemologies into their work.

Dr. Lindsay Martel Montgomery 's pedagogy emphasizes co-learning, cultural humility, and critical reflection. She works to include historically marginalized scholars on her syllabi and invites Indigenous Knowledge Keepers into her classes, ensuring students are exposed to a range of voices and experiences. Her courses often culminate in collaborative projects where students work directly with Indigenous-led organizations, applying their learning in meaningful and respectful ways.

"I want my students to leave my classroom not just as better archaeologists, but as more critical and politically engaged human beings," she explains. "That means learning how to listen, how to collaborate, and how to recognize when you 're not the expert in the room."

Her mentorship has been especially impactful for Indigenous and racialized students, many of whom credit her guidance as key to their success in navigating academia. Dr. Montgomery 's commitment to diversifying the field and creating equitable pathways for underrepresented scholars is a cornerstone of her academic mission.

A Global Voice for Decolonizing Archaeology

Dr. Lindsay Martel Montgomery 's influence now extends beyond the U.S. and Canada. She is part of a global movement advocating for ethical reform in archaeology, one that calls for dismantling the legacies of colonialism within academic and heritage institutions. Her scholarship is regularly cited in journals and policy papers, and she has presented at institutions across Europe, New Zealand, and the Americas.

Her recent co-authored publication in SAPIENS proposes a roadmap for integrating anti-colonial and collaborative approaches into archaeological practice. This framework of "reclamation" is now being referenced by researchers seeking to redesign their research ethics protocols.

Dr. Montgomery is also involved in training museum professionals in cultural humility and anti-racism practices, particularly in relation to exhibit design and repatriation policies. Her advocacy has influenced institutions to revise how they handle Indigenous artifacts, ensuring they are interpreted and presented in ways that reflect community perspectives and consent.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for a Just Discipline

As the field of archaeology continues to evolve, Dr. Lindsay Martel Montgomery remains at the forefront of this transformation. Her work illustrates that meaningful change requires more than theoretical commitments-it requires action. From reshaping pedagogy and fieldwork practices to amplifying Indigenous voices and ensuring data sovereignty, her contributions are helping to reimagine archaeology as a tool for justice, healing, and community empowerment.

"True decolonization is not symbolic," she insists. "It requires meaningful and systemic changes to how we conduct research, who benefits from it, and who gets to tell the story."

In a world grappling with questions of justice, equity, and historical accountability, Dr. Lindsay Martel Montgomery offers not only a critique of archaeology 's past but a compelling vision for its future. Her example proves that when scholars move from the classroom to the field with humility, respect, and purpose, they can help forge a more ethical and inclusive discipline-one that honors the people and places at the heart of its work.

CONTACT:

Lindsay M. Montgomery
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-montgomery-38329b344/
email: lindsay.montgomery@utoronto.ca

SOURCE:Lindsay Montgomery

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