ABOUT ME

Hi, thanks for visiting!

I’m Nicole

I was born in Nanaimo, BC and now live in Victoria BC working as an archaeologist and educator. I first learned about the rich heritage of this coast as a grade 3 student from the lovely and wise Snuneymuxw elder, Dr. Ellen White, who visited my classroom at Seaview Elementary School in 1983. It wasn’t until I entered university that my learning about the northwest coast, my home, continued as I pursued a degree in anthropology. Since 2000, I have been honored to practice archaeology on the BC coast, and to be welcomed into the traditional territories of more than two dozen First Nations spanning Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, Laich-Kwil-Tach, Kwakwakwa’ak, Haida, Heiltsuk and Tsimshian culture areas.

As a professional archaeologist I work primarily with First Nations communities, The Hakai Institute, Parks Canada, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and colleagues at various universities. My archaeological research focuses on clam gardens, fish traps, household archaeology at recent village sites, stone tool analysis, and seeking out very ancient archaeological sites (10,000+ years old) in the intertidal zone, forests and caves. I have appeared in documentary productions for the BBC and Découverte on Radio-Canada and have given interviews on Global TV and CBC radio. As an educator, I’ve taught anthropology, archaeology, and ESL (English as a second language) to youth, post-secondary and adult learners. I believe that archaeological stories can inspire people, empower indigenous youth, and facilitate cross-cultural education and understanding. I feel deeply honoured to work on projects that examine the human history of the BC coast and am only now starting to realize how the early lessons from Dr. White have shaped me as a person. Like her, I find myself in classrooms from time to time and sincerely hope that by talking about my experiences in a good way, that I too can inspire students to celebrate the diversity and heritage of our coast.

Publications

BOOKs

2023

Nicole F. Smith, Dig Deep: Connecting Archaeology, Oceans and Us. Orca Book Publishers. Coming March 14, 2023. Order Here

Peer Reviewed Publications

2022

Keith R Holmes, Dana Lepofsky, Nicole F Smith, Travis D Crowell, Anne K Salomon, Ancestral sea gardens supported human settlements for at least 3800 years on the Northwest Coast of North America. Frontiers in Earth Science. 26 October 2022. doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.98811

2020

Holmes, K., Cox, K., Cline, A.R., Hatch, M.B.A., Black, M.J., Salomon, A.K., Lepofsky, D., Smith, N.F. and Dudas, S, Ancient Ecology: The Quadra Island Clam Gardens. Fisheries, 45: 151-156. doi: 10.1002/fsh.10374

2019

Smith N.F., Lepofsky D, Toniello G, Holmes K, Wilson L, Neudorf C, Roberts C. 3500 years of shellfish mariculture on the Northwest Coast of North America. PLoS ONE 14(2): e0211194. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211194

2018

Fedje D, McLaren D, James T, Mackie Q, Smith N, Southon J, Mackie A. A revised sea level history for the Northern Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Quaternary Science Reviews. 2018; 192: 300-316

2017

Neudorf CM, Smith N.F., Lepofsky D, Toniello G, Lian OB, Between a rock and a soft place: Using optical ages to date ancient clam gardens on the Pacific Northwest. PLoS ONE 12(2): e0171775. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0171775

2015

Lepofsky, D., N.F. Smith, N. Cardinal, J. Harper, M. Morris, Gitla (E. White), R. Bouchard, D. I. D. Kennedy, A. K. Salomon, M. Puckett, K. Rowell, and E. McLay, Ancient Shellfish Mariculture on the Northwest Coast of North America. American Antiquity, Pp. 236-259, Vol.80, No.2, April 2015.

2011

Fedje, D. W., Q. Mackie, N.F. Smith, and D. McLaren, Function, Visibility, and Interpretation of Archaeological Assemblages at the Pleistocene – Holocene Transition in Haida Gwaii. In From the Yenisei to the Yukon: Interpreting Lithic Assemblage Variability in Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene Beringia, edited by T. Goebel and I. Buvit. College Station: Texas A&M University Press.

2011

Mackie, Q., D. W. Fedje, D. McLaren, N.F. Smith and I. McKechnie, Early Environments and Archaeology of Coastal British Columbia. In Trekking the Shore: Changing Coastlines and the Antiquity of Coastal Settlement, edited by N. F. Bicho, J. A. Haws & L. Davis. pp. 51–103. Interdisciplinary Contributions to Archaeology. Springer, New York.

2008

McLaren, D. and N. F. Smith, The Stratigraphy of Bifacial Implements at the Richardson Island Site, Haida Gwaii. In Projectile Point Sequences in Northwestern North America. R. Carlson and M. Magne, eds. Pp 41 – 60. SFU Press, Burnaby, B.C.

2003

Smith, N.F., M. Rogers, A. Gemmill, and T. Smith (Eds.), Cultural Reflections: Journal of the Graduate Students of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Vol. 5.

Non-Peer Reviewed Publications

2022

Kii’iljuus B Wilson, N. Smith, A. Salomon, S. Augustine Naw náaGalang – Octopus Houses of Haida Gwaii. Sea Gardens Across the Pacific Story Map. Pacific Sea Garden Collective (eds). doi.org/10.6069/ZJB9-CG30

2021

N. Smith, Alag̱a̱mił N. Norris, Qaixaitasu Elroy White, S. Augustine, M. Hatch, J. Harper, D. Lepofsky, M. Morris, A. Salomon, J. Silver, and E. Spencer.  2021 How to Identify and Record a Clam Garden. Clam Garden Network.

2020

N.F. Smith and ICLEI Canada. Considering Sea Level Rise and Cultural Heritage: A Resource for Municipalities. An Initiative from the Together for Climate Project. icleicanada.org/project/protecting-cultural-heritage-from-sea-level-rise/

2020

Lepofsky, D., N. Smith, P. Waterfall, and E. White. Húy̓at: Our Voices, Our Land  Teacher’s Guide: Grade 9 Social Studies and Science Curricular Competencies and Content Linkages. www.hauyat.ca/about.html#teacher-guide

2018

Smith, N.F. Clam Gardens! Dimensions, British Columbia Social Studies Teachers’ Association. February 2018, Pg.11.

2017

D. Lepofsky and N.F. Smith, Ancient Clam Gardening on the Northwest Coast, British Columbia History, The British Columbia Historical Federation Magazine, Spring 2017, Vol. 50, No.1.

2015

N.F. Smith, D. Lepofsky, and the Clam Garden Network. The Clam Garden Network. Launched Feb.1, 2015. www.clamgarden.com

2013

McKechnie, Iain and N.F. Smith, Coastal Field Archaeology in Huu-ay-aht First Nation Territory, Southwestern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. SAA Current Research Online 153(1).

2009

Smith, N.F. Visitor Update. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, Kiing’aay, Staff Newsletter, March 27th, 2009.

2008

Smith, N.F., University of Victoria at Hiikwis, Vancouver Island. The Midden. Vol. 40 (3):11-12.

2008

Sanders, A. and N.F. Smith, Reporting on Investigations in Northwest Coast Archaeology. The Midden. Vol. 38 (3):5 – 8.

2004

Mackie, Q. and N.F. Smith, Early Holocene Occupation Layers at the Richardson Island Site, Haida Gwaii. The Debitage. Vol. 2(1):2-6.

1997

Smith, N.F., Boot Review: Adidas Predator Traxion. On the Ball: The Women’s Football Magazine. Vol. 7:16.

Thesis

2004

N.F. Smith A Geochemical Approach to Understanding Raw Material Use and Stone Tool Production at the Richardson Island Archaeological Site, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Unpublished MA Thesis, University of Victoria, BC, Canada. www.academia.edu/3404441

experience

Education

2004

Masters of Arts

Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria

Thesis: A Geochemical Approach to Understanding Raw Material Use and Stone Tool Production at the Richardson Island Archaeological Site, Haida Gwaii, BC.

1998

Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

Cambridge English Language Assessment, University of Cambridge/British Language Institute, Madrid, Spain

1997

Bachelor of Arts w/ Distinction

Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria

Professional Appointments

2022 – Present

Program Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Initiatives,

UN Ocean Decade Regional Collaborative Centre for NE Pacific

Tula Foundation, Hakai Institute.

2012 – Present

Professional Permit Holding Archaeologist and Educator,

Victoria, BC.

2014 – 2019

Archaeologist,

Hakai Institute and University of Victoria, BC.

2007 – 2012

Archaeologist,

Parks Canada, Victoria and Vancouver, BC.

2006 – 2007

Independent Professional Archaeologist,

Victoria, BC.

2005 – 2006

Senior (Permit Holding) Archaeologist,

Millennia Research Ltd., Victoria, BC.

2004

Senior Archaeologist,

Huu-ay-aht First Nation and Coast Heritage Consulting, Pachena Bay, BC.

2003

Archaeologist,

I.R. Wilson Consultants Ltd., Victoria, BC.

2000 – 2002

Associate Director of Admissions,

Shawnigan Lake School, Shawnigan Lake, BC.

Teaching Appointments

2012 – 2015

University of Victoria, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Instructor,

Coastal Field Archaeology

2006 – 2008

University of Victoria, Instructor,

Anthropology 343 (Archaeological Field Methods), Anthropology 344 (Regional Topics in Archaeology).

2006 – 2007

Camosun College, Instructor,

Anthropology 104 (Introduction to Anthropology), Anthropology 140 (Archaeology of the Pacific Rim), Anthropology 240 (Archaeological Method and Theory), (Maternity Leave Replacement Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007).

2003 – 2004

University of Victoria, Lab Instructor,

Anthropology 240 (Introduction to Archaeology), Anthropology 250 (Introduction to Physical Anthropology).

2002 – 2004

University of Victoria, Teaching Assistant,

Anthropology 200 (Cultural Anthropology); Anthropology 240 (Introduction to Archaeology); Anthropology 250 (Introduction to Physical Anthropology); Anthropology 311 (Applied Anthropology).

1999 – 2000

Shawnigan Lake School, Teaching Intern, Tutor, Coach

1999

GEOS Language Academy, Vancouver, BC, Instructor,

English as a Second Language to International Adult Students at beginner, intermediate, and advanced language levels (January – June 1999).

1998

British Language Institute, Madrid, Spain, Instructor,

English Language Courses taught to both adults and children at beginner, intermediate and advanced language levels (March – December 1998).

Presentations

Talks and Keynotes (Recent)

2021

BC Science Teacher’s Association

Catalyst Conference. October 22nd, 2020.

2021

Clam Garden Network

Conversations Series Webinar 1. April  23rd, 2021, and Webinar 2. Sept 17th, 2021.

2021

Simon Fraser University

Department of Archaeology, Seminar Series. April 16th, 2021

2021

Raincoast Education Society

Invited Presentation. January 26, 2021.

2020

BC Science Teacher’s Association.

Catalyst Conference. October 23rd, 2020.

2020

University of Victoria, Department of Anthropology

Keynote address. April 2, 2020. *Cancelled due to Covid-19

2019

DFO and School District 68

Keynote address. Archaeology from Stream to Sea.

2019

School District 79

Keynote Address. Archaeology from Stream to Sea. All grade 10 students in District

2018

DFO and School District 79.

Keynote Address. Archaeology from Stream to Sea.

2017

University of British Columbia, Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy

Ancient clam gardens in the Pacific Northwest: Teaching and learning at the confluence of archaeology, marine science, and traditional (Indigenous) knowledge. Seminar Series,  Vancouver, BC, February 17th, 2017. mediasitemob1.mediagroup.ubc.ca

2017

University of Victoria,

Ancient Clam Gardens of the Pacific Northwest. Guest Lecture Anthropology 340, Instructor Iain McKechnie,  Victoria, BC, February 10, 2017.

2017

Simon Fraser University/British Columbia Institute of Technology

Clam Gardens: Traditional Shellfish Mariculture on the Northwest Coast. Guest Lecture for Master of Science Program in Ecological Restoration. Instructor Audrey Pearson, Burnaby, BC, February 1st, 2017.