Cara Krmpotich

Biography

Cara Krmpotich is a museum anthropologist committed to decolonizing museum practices with particular attention to collections work. Cara studied anthropology at Trent University before she obtained a Masters in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia and a DPhil from the University of Oxford. She completed the certificate program in Museum Management and Curatorship at Sir Sandford Fleming College. Professor Krmpotich has experience with art and ethnographic collections at Trent University, the Museum of Vancouver, the Museum of Anthropology, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, National Museum of Scotland, the British Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum. Her research with the Haida Repatriation Committee has significantly shaped Professor Krmpotich’s approach to museology.Cara Krmpotich is a museum anthropologist committed to decolonizing museum practices with particular attention to collections work. Cara studied anthropology at Trent University before she obtained a Masters in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia and a DPhil from the University of Oxford. She completed the certificate program in Museum Management and Curatorship at Sir Sandford Fleming College. Professor Krmpotich has experience with art and ethnographic collections at Trent University, the Museum of Vancouver, the Museum of Anthropology, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, National Museum of Scotland, the British Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum. Her research with the Haida Repatriation Committee has significantly shaped Professor Krmpotich’s approach to museology.

Research Interest

Professor Krmpotich partners with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Profs Lynne Howarth and Heather Howard, a team of student researchers and a group of Cree and Anishinaabe seniors on a program called “Memory, Meaning-Making and Collections.” The program provides support to urban aboriginal seniors pursuing their interests in material heritage and cultural histories through artifact handling, heritage site and museum visits, talking circles and crafting opportunities. During its first two years, the program received funding from SSHRC and Canadian Heritage.