SUU Hosts National Archaeology Educators Conference, Earns Project Archaeology Center of Excellence Award
Published: March 10, 2025 | Author: Sarah Bennett and Sarah Lavin | Read Time: 3 minutes
Southern Utah University was designated a Project Archaeology Center of Excellence (PACE) during the National Archaeology Educators Conference (NAEC).
The award recognizes an institution that delivers outstanding Project Archaeology curriculum and professional development. Dr. Jean Boreen, dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, an ardent supporter of the Project Archaeology program, and a distinguished conference guest, accepted the award on behalf of SUU.
Project Archaeology is a national education program that promotes cultural understanding and the protection of archaeological sites through education. The program provides high-quality materials that enable students to think like archaeologists and make cultural connections between the past, present, and future, becoming stewards of a collective cultural heritage. Staff, partners, and leaders continued efforts to bring Project Archaeology curricula into every classroom and to professionalize the field of archaeology education by hosting the biennial (NAEC) at SUU’s R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center.
Teaching difficult history was a central theme of the event. Darren Parry, Indigenous author, activist, educator, and former chairman for the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, delivered a deeply thought-provoking keynote address. He spoke on the 1863 Bear River Massacre, a difficult part of Shoshone history; archaeology has now provided a new perspective on the Euro-centric narrative of the event. Parry’s speech, paired with a Difficult History Forum, which included archaeologists and Indigenous educators from across the nation, laid a foundation for using archaeology to teach difficult history.
The three-day conference featured experiential, empowering, and collaborative learning sessions and field excursions. Conference attendees used inquiry-based learning to investigate petroglyphs and pictographs, the ancient rock art or rock writing found throughout southwestern Utah. Participants explored petroglyphs from the perspective of an educator, a learner, an indigenous person, and an archaeologist through hands-on activities and field excursions.
The Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) provided an opportunity to consider art as cultural communication. Participants recorded petroglyphs using archaeological methods at Black Point, a rock art (or rock writing) site near Enoch, Utah. Virgil Johnson, a celebrated SUU alumnus and recipient of Project Archaeology’s 2024 Distinguished Archaeology Educator Award, led an emotive visit to Parowan Gap, another significant rock art site.
Indigenous speakers and performers participated throughout the conference. Johnson facilitated several cultural experiences, including blessings and a cleansing ceremony at Parowan Gap. Tony Drews of Nashke Native Games kicked off the conference with engaging, educational games that promote cultural awareness and Ojibwe language revitalization.
SUU’s Native American Student Association graciously attended the opening session and performed an Apache Warrior Dance and a Navajo Basket Dance. Historically, the Apache War Dance prepared warriors for battle and celebrated their bravery upon safely returning home. Today, the dance honors the courage and strength of the ancestors. The Navajo Basket Dance is a ceremonial performance that symbolizes the history of the Navajo people. During the event, Johnson, Drews, and members of a Southern Paiute drum circle honored the university and Dean Boreen with gifts and an honor song. Ms. Eleanor Tom and Brent Tom closed the conference with the round dance, a modern Southern Paiute tradition of community and togetherness.
Learn more about the Utah Project Archeology.
Tags: College of Humanities and Social Sciences Community
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu