For this episode, Carlton discusses Prey (2022) with Jaquelyn Sparks. They dive into themes of the film, including likes and dislikes, beavers, horses, and a lack of trade goods. Both Carlton and Jacquelyn recently watched the film to get Carlton ready for his hour-long interview on the Screens of the Stone Age Podcast. Definitely check out Carlton’s episode over there to get a full dive into the movie.

In this episode, I sit down with Nebraska archaeologist Nolan Johnson to talk about his work uncovering and interpreting the state’s rich historic past. We begin with the Beaver Creek Trail Crossing, a site that offers a glimpse into the experiences of travelers along the overland trails and the material traces they left behind. Nolan shares the story of how the site was investigated, what artifacts reveal about life on the move, and why these places remain important today.

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Bozell, who served the Nebraska State Historical Society for more than three decades and retired as State Archaeologist after a career that began in the 1980’s. Rob reflects on his journey through some of the most transformative decades in American archaeology, including the passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and its lasting impact on the field. In the first half of our conversation, Rob takes us back to the 1990s—sharing how he stepped into leadership just as NAGPRA and the Nebraska Unmarked Human Burial Sites and Skeletal Remains Protection Act were enacted, and how Nebraska institutions and tribal nations worked to navigate this new legal and cultural landscape together. In the second half, we turn to the 2000s and 2010s, as Rob discusses major projects like the rediscovery of the Engineer Cantonment site, the evolution of preservation practices, and his efforts to foster meaningful relationships between archaeologists and Indigenous communities. He closes with reflections on his career, the legacy of NAGPRA, and his hopes for the next generation of archaeologists committed to Great Plains Archaeology

This episode continues my conversation with Tyrel Iron Eyes (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) and Chance Ward (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe). We turn to the stories and lessons from the field—where archaeology is practiced on the ground and in real time. Tyrel and Chance reflect on the growing presence of Native archaeologists, the ways Tribally informed practices are reshaping fieldwork, and how their own experiences demonstrate the importance of centering Native voices in research.

In the first of this two-part conversation, I’m joined again by Tyrel Iron Eyes (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) and Chance Ward (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe). Rather than revisiting their individual career paths, we dive into the shared experiences of being Plains Native archaeologists working within institutions not designed for Native voices. Tyrel and Chance reflect on the balance between professional responsibilities and community obligations, the pride and challenges of representing their Nations in archaeology, and why mentorship and representation are so crucial for future generations of Indigenous professionals.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover sits down with Chance Ward, NAGPRA Coordinator for the State of Colorado and enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Together they explore what it means to oversee NAGPRA implementation at the state level—what the role involves and how Colorado approaches the repatriation process. Chance also reflects on his own perspective as a Lakota professional working in a state with historic ties to more than 48 Tribal Nations, including his own. Through this conversation, listeners gain insight into both the mechanics of NAGPRA and the personal dimensions of serving Native Nations from within state government.

The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast is taking a break this week, so please enjoy this episode of Heritage Voices, another excellent show on The Archaeology Podcast Network. On today’s episode, Jessica chats with Martha Only a Chief [Pawnee (Chawi) and descendant of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe; NAGPRA Coordinator for the Pawnee Nation] about her experiences working on NAGPRA and for the Cultural Resources Division of the Pawnee Nation. She explained what the basic NAGPRA process is like, Pawnee’s specific approach, and how it has changed since she started this work. We also talked about what approaches she appreciates from the institutions they work with, as well as coordinating with other Tribes on this work. Finally she shares some personal experiences doing this work and what this work means to the Pawnee.

In this solo episode, Carlton breaks down five of the most common misconceptions about Great Plains archaeology—from the myth of an “empty” landscape to the oversimplification of bison jumps and arrowheads.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover is joined by Dr. Madeline Mackie, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Michigan State University, to explore the archaeology of mammoth kill sites in the Northwest Plains. Dr. Mackie walks us through what makes a site a “kill site” and how archaeologists determine whether mammoths were hunted by humans or died naturally. She shares insights into the types of tools, bone modifications, and site features that point to deliberate human activity—offering a glimpse into the complex and skilled lifeways of Paleoindigenous peoples. The discussion also highlights what these mammoth kills reveal about how early humans adapted to shifting environments at the end of the Ice Age, providing crucial context for understanding the transition into the Archaic period. Dr. Mackie closes with a call to action: the Plains needs more archaeologists dedicated to uncovering and interpreting the Archaic period—one of the most understudied and dynamic chapters of Indigenous history.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover sits down with Matt Reed, Chief and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. Matt shares how his role as THPO serves as both a cultural and regulatory responsibility—protecting sacred sites, ancestral landscapes, and Pawnee heritage through a tribally driven preservation program. The conversation explores how Pawnee worldviews and values shape historic preservation efforts, highlighting the spiritual and cultural importance of place. Matt also discusses what it means to lead as both a traditional leader and a THPO, and how the Pawnee Nation asserts sovereignty while navigating consultation and compliance with federal and state agencies. This episode offers a powerful perspective on the intersection of leadership, land, and legacy—and what it takes to preserve history with integrity and purpose.

So Chance and Carlton were unable to get a recording together with the Federal Funding threats to the Historic Preservation Fund keeping their schedules incredibly busy into the evening. So, instead, here’s an ENCORE episode from A Life in Ruins Podcast featuring Chance and Carlton back in graduate school. In this episode, Carlton is joined by Chance Ward, an M.A. student in Museum and Field Studies at CU Boulder and a Tribal Citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The two start the episode with a discussion on how Chance got into Anthropology at Fort Lewis College. We then delve into his post-undergrad career in CRM and working for the Southern Ute Tribe. Carlton investigates why Chance chose CU Boulder and they get into a dialogue about how Chance's grad school experiences have shaped the direction of his career. In the final segment, Carlton and Chance talk about their recent media experiences together such as being interviewed for a PBS documentary on horses and a conversation they had with Mel B's (Yes, the one from the Spice Girls) agent.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover is joined by Tyrel Iron Eyes, Tribal Archaeologist for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Tyrel shares what it means to serve in this role and offers listeners an in-depth look at how archaeology is practiced through a Lakota lens. From day-to-day responsibilities and the structure of Standing Rock’s Tribal Historic Preservation program to the core Lakota values that guide decision-making, Tyrel discusses the importance of protecting sacred sites, cultural landscapes, and the integrity of Indigenous knowledge. Tyrel offers reflections on what respectful collaboration looks like from the tribal side and why it’s critical for CRM firms, universities, and outside archaeologists to understand and honor tribal perspectives. He also speaks to the vital role of Indigenous archaeologists and the importance of encouraging the next generation to take on this work. This episode is a powerful reflection on the responsibilities of protecting the past while serving the present and future needs of Native nations.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover speaks with Stacie Laravie, citizen of the Northern Ponca of Nebraska and former Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. Stacie shares insights into the deep history and enduring resilience of the Ponca people, with a focus on the legacy of Chief Standing Bear—whose 1879 court case established, for the first time in U.S. law, that Native people are “persons” under the Constitution. Together, they explore the archaeology of Ponca homelands, the impacts of forced removal, and how material culture and oral history work together to tell the story of a people who never forgot where they came from. Stacie also reflects on her work in historic preservation and the importance of protecting sacred sites and ancestral knowledge. This episode honors the past while celebrating ongoing efforts to reclaim, preserve, and share Ponca heritage.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover sits down with Dr. Alex Craib, Adjunct Professor at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and recent PhD graduate from the University of Wyoming. Dr. Craib shares insights from his doctoral research at Alm Rockshelter in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming—a site that offers a rich archaeological record spanning thousands of years. Together, they discuss the cultural materials uncovered at Alm, the site's stratigraphy, and what these findings reveal about patterns of human occupation, mobility, and resource use in the region. Dr. Craib also reflects on the methods he used, the surprises that emerged during analysis, and how Alm Rockshelter contributes to broader understandings of Plains prehistory. This episode explores how archaeology can uncover deep connections between people and place across time—and why sites like Alm Rockshelter matter for telling those stories today.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover sits down with public archaeologist and science communicator David Ian Howe for a wide-ranging conversation on the cultural, spiritual, and archaeological significance of wolves and other canids across the Great Plains. From ancient burials of domesticated dogs to the symbolic power of the wolf in Indigenous cosmologies, Carlton and David explore how Plains societies understood and related to their four-legged companions and wild kin. Whether you're a dog lover, a zooarchaeology nerd, or someone curious about the deep-time connections between humans and animals on the Plains, this episode offers rich insights and thoughtful discussion.

On this episode, Carlton has a solo interview with a leading figure in Indigenous Archaeologies - Dr. Joe Watkins. Dr. Watkins is a Citizen of the Choctaw Nation and has been an advocate for archaeological collaboration with Indigenous Communities throughout his career as an archaeologist. Carlton explores Dr. Watkins' career in Archaeology and the history and continued importance of Indigenous Archaeologies.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, we examine the shift from the Late Plains Woodland Period to the emergence of the Early Plains Village tradition in the Central Plains. We explore the changes in settlement patterns, subsistence strategies, and social organization that accompanied this transition, from increased maize agriculture to the development of more permanent villages. What drove these transformations, and how did they set the foundation for later Central Plains societies? Join us as we unpack the archaeological evidence and discuss what this pivotal period reveals about the resilience and adaptability of Plains communities.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, we explore the Plains Woodland Period and the vast networks that connected the Great Plains to the Midwest and Southeast. Focusing on the Kansas City Hopewell, we examine the evidence for long-distance exchange, ceremonial traditions, and social ties that linked Plains communities with broader cultural movements. We also discuss Late Woodland feasting events and their role in setting the stage for later interactions with Mississippian cultures. Join us as we uncover how these early connections shaped the cultural landscape of the Plains before the rise of the Mississippian world.

In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, we dive into the history of Indigenous representation in the Sid Meier's Civilization series. From early portrayals to the groundbreaking collaboration with the Shawnee for Civilization 7, we explore how gaming has shaped public perceptions of Indigenous histories. Our discussion unpacks the importance of authentic representation, the role of Indigenous-led initiatives in game development, and how community engagement can create more accurate and meaningful narratives. Tune in as we examine what this means for archaeology, public education, and the future of Indigenous storytelling in digital spaces. Links: * The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/4A64214086B2A3E69CA3F9AE3F11DBDC] * Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700610006/] * Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio [https://anthropology.ku.edu/node/183] Transcripts * For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/great-plains-archaeology/14 Contact: * Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist * Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com Affiliates * Motion [https://www.archpodnet.com/motion]

In this episode of the Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, host Carlton Shield Chief Gover unpacks the history and evolution of the Great Plains taxonomic system—the framework used by archaeologists to categorize and understand cultural periods in the region. From the early development of typologies to modern refinements, this system has shaped how researchers interpret the archaeological record of the Plains. Links: * The Midwestern Taxonomic Method as an Aid to Archaeological Culture Study by W.C. McKern (1939) * The Sedentary Horizon of the Northern Plains by Donald J. Lehmer (1954) * Method and Theory in American Archaeology by Gordon R. Willey and Philip Phillips (1958) * Horizon and Tradition in the Northern Plains by Donald K. Lehmer and Warren W. Caldwell (1966) * Taxonomic Practice and Middle Missouri Prehistory: A Perspective on Donald J. Lehmer's Contributions by Richard A. Krause (1977) * The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021) [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/archaeology-of-the-north-american-great-plains/4A64214086B2A3E69CA3F9AE3F11DBDC] * Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998) [https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700610006/] * Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio [https://anthropology.ku.edu/node/183] Transcripts * For rough transcripts of this episode, go to: https://www.archpodnet.com/great-plains-archaeology/13 Contact: * Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist * Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com Affiliates * Motion [https://www.archpodnet.com/motion]