Lab Spotlight: Kaleena Denby
Energy Stories Lab’s associates are constantly pursuing interesting and essential research. Once a month, we want to give the opportunity to one of our talented lab associates to speak on what interests them most! This month features undergraduate PURE student Kaleena Denby.
Tell us a bit about your research, including any creative approaches you may incorporate.
My research focuses on two urban heritage sites, the Hunt House & the Métis Cabin. The project goal is to better understand how Métis residents of Calgary relate to these historic sites, and to understand Métis experience with local heritage and history. To achieve this goal, I have been interviewing Métis participants, and have 3D captured these structures with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).
The final output for my research will be formatted in a Storymap web-page to capture the layered history of the heritage site. It will incorporate archival images & text, digital captured 3D models of the cabins, and interviews with Métis voices, which will be publicly accessible for anyone to interact with.
Why do you think your research matters now?
The importance of having Indigenous peoples engaged in archaeological and heritage works has been the heart of my project. This project is designed to highlight the stories and voices of Indigenous people when doing heritage works, which is something archaeology has failed to do in the past. Hearing from Métis peoples on these sites has been the most significant experience with my research, which I hope to share with the wider public through the web-page.
What is an energy issue, topic, or finding that you wish more people knew about?
In Alberta, one find I wish more people knew about is that a lot of archaeological projects come from oil and gas surveying. There have been cases where oil workers have come across cultural belongings while searching for hidden oil. This can be an issue for archaeologists, but I think more strongly it affects Indigenous peoples. I’ve read and heard cases where surveying has disturbed sacred spaces. I wish this issue was discussed more in public spaces.
Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to include?
If you are interested in checking out the webpage for the Hunt House and Métis Cabin, I will be posting it here sometime in the fall.
