We’re back with our monthly deep dives with our staff! This month, we sat down with Trevor aka Dr. Trevor Peck aka niokska iikimann (Three Feathers), which is his Blackfoot name that he was honoured with in 2014. Trevor is the author of Light from Ancient Campfires, which is the most comprehensive research on archaeology on the Northern Plains (get it here!), and is our Manager of People, Partners, and Research, as well as being a Senior Archaeologist and Permit Holder for Alberta projects. Trevor was recently and randomly gifted a tower of Diet Coke along with some Reese peanut butter cups and a Star Wars card; his team really knows him and appreciates him! But what else is there to know?!

What made you first pursue archaeology as a career path?

As a baby, my Grandmother helped raise me when my mother fell sick after childbirth. This helped us form a lifelong bond. My Grandma was a woman ahead of her time; she fed my curiosity about the world: dinosaurs, rocks, aliens, and archaeology. Added to this was my parents push to pursue a career in something I was interested in doing for the rest of my life. When the time came to select a career path it came down to archaeology and palaeontology. Since the University of Calgary had an excellent archaeology program and only invertebrate palaeontology, I chose the former.

How did you learn about Circle, and what made you want to join our community? 

For almost 18 years I was a regulator with the Archaeological Survey of Alberta. As such I had the opportunity to get to know archaeologists working at pretty much every company that operated in the Province. When it came time to move on from the Government of Alberta, I had very firm opinions of the caliber of each company. Both opportunity and my opinion of Circle’s quality of work seemed like an excellent opportunity to remain in archaeology,

If you could travel to a country specifically to do archaeology, where would it be?

That’s a tough one…probably Australia. First, my brother lives there and I would visit with him. Second, the material record is similar and the colonial history is also similar. The experience would be both familiar and novel.

Tell us one thing about yourself that 90% of us do not know?

In the 1980s I was an avid comic book collector. I only read Marvel comics, DC sucks. I collected Spider-man, X-men, Star Wars, Moon Knight, Fantastic Four, etc. Had I kept those comics I would need this job, some of them are now ‘worth’ thousands of dollars each. Still, I enjoy watching the Marvel movies despite how they often fall from the original storylines.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

I can’t overstate how much value the camaraderie and good relationships add to Circle. The atmosphere isn’t perfect, but it certainly makes coming to work a pleasure each and every day. I really enjoy this aspect of my job; what makes it even better is when I get the chance to help people excel at their job too! 

How would you spend your evening if you were in a cabin with no cell service and little internet?

I love to read. Not surprisingly I read ‘graphic novels’ (comics).  I am also a big fan of sci-fi/fantasy novels. I am currently reading the Game of Thrones series. I am looking forward to watching the TV adaptation as I am on book 4.

If you had to choose, which field animal do you most identify with?

I am a miniature Schnauzer at heart (but that’s my non-field animal ID)

My field animal ID would have to be the bison. Marg keeps stuffing me in the forest to break my plains spirit, but there are wood bison as well.

Thanks, Trevor! Until next time. 👋🏼

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