We LOVE sharing more about our members...not just what they do inside the gym, but what they do outside of the gym! Check this out...Meredith is an archaeologist! Read on to find out about how she got into it and what she does!
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I am an archaeologist and tribal liaison for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). I’m a native St. Louisan and have lived in the neighborhood for almost 12 years with my husband and dog, Atticus.
I enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and trying new things, but I never seem to have time for any of those. When I’m not at Dragonfly you will probably see me walking around the neighborhood because I love the architecture of this area.
I always loved history and was deeply fascinated by archaeology. I went to college majoring in secondary education with the intent of becoming a history teacher. Two things happened that changed my trajectory:
1) I was advised to take an education course that I had already taken at my community college and we didn't realize that until 3 weeks into the semester. I needed the class credits to keep full-time student status and the only other class that had not begun meeting yet was an archaeology course. I began taking that course and it was pure love.
2) I was observing a classroom one day and the thought ran through my head that I would give anything not to be here. I realized that while I enjoyed education, I did not believe I would be an effective educator in a traditional classroom setting and that this profession was not for me.
I switched my major to Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology and a minor in History my junior year of college. I had to stay an extra year, but it was worth it. Following grad school I worked for 14 years as basically a contractor before I got hired at USACE. Due to my years of working as a contractor and interacting with Tribes, I got hired at USACE as the Assistant Tribal Liaison. And then when the Tribal Liaison left his position, I got it.
And here's the simplest way I can describe my archaeology duties: In 1966, Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). This act recognizes that there are buildings, structures, objects, and archaeological sites that are culturally and historically significant to the United States and they need to be protected (often referred to as historic properties because they are considered eligible to the National Register of Historic Places). The NHPA requires federal agencies to identify and mitigate any adverse effects to historic properties when the agency is performing an action (i.e., project or providing a permit to a non-federal agency for a project). As an archaeologist for USACE, my job is to survey any area that will be disturbed by USACE to determine if any historic properties are present. If historic properties are present, I advise on how to avoid or mitigate the harm to the historic property. For example, if USACE is assisting in fixing a levee that was breached during a flood event, they would need soil to fix that breach. I would be the person that conducts a survey on the area they would be getting the soil from to ensure that no archaeological site was being inadvertently destroyed. I also review reports done by other archaeologists for USACE permitting actions to ensure that they are done to archaeological standards.
As for my tribal liaison duties, the simplest way to describe it is that I am the communicator between USACE and federally recognized Tribes, ensuring that tribal questions and concerns are taken into consideration by USACE. There are multiple laws, regulations, and executive orders that require federal agencies to consult with federally recognized Indian tribes on federal actions. There are 574 federally recognized Indian tribes in the US and each Tribe is a sovereign nation (and yes, Indian tribe or Tribe is the legal term for the government entity of a federally recognized Tribe. Yes, it is un-PC but I am required to use it because that is how they are described in law). USACE consults with Tribes that identify this area as their ancestral lands about USACE actions. Tribes are concerned about a multitude of things within their ancestral lands. This includes archaeological sites, burials, sacred sites, culturally significant sites, and environmental factors like the health of traditional plants and animals. Federal agencies are required to take tribal suggestions and concerns into consideration when implementing their final decision on any action. My job is to notify Tribes about USACE actions and to notify the project team about any questions or concerns a Tribe has raised.
I love so much about my job! I am continuously learning. Every new site provides new information about the history of that area. Every interaction with a Tribe provides me with a new understanding and appreciation for a different culture and respect for their beliefs. I meet new people and develop new relationships all the time. It's great! The physical aspects of my job definitely are not great. Heat, ticks, and the damage constant shoveling does to my knees and back takes its toll over time. At times it is difficult and frustrating, but it is incredibly rewarding.
Thank you Meredith for sharing more about your journey and a day in the life! And, as always, it's very inspiring to see someone do something they love!