Dr. Douglas Stenton

Biography

Douglas Stenton is a retired archaeologist and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in the archaeological research of the Eastern Canadian Arctic (Nunavut). He has significant experience directing research and training in this region since 1980, with a focus on late prehistoric settlement-subsistence systems, particularly those associated with the Thule culture and the historical context of the 1845 Sir John Franklin Expedition. Stenton has played an instrumental role in developing and implementing archaeological legislation and policy in Nunavut. His past roles include serving as Executive Director of the Inuit Heritage Trust, where he represented Inuit interests in archaeological resource management under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, and as the Director of Heritage for the Government of Nunavut from 2002 until his retirement. His contributions to northern heritage were recognized with the Polar Medal in 2015 and his appointment to the Order of Canada in 2017. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Alberta, awarded in 1989, and has published numerous articles in refereed journals addressing various aspects of Arctic archaeology.

Research Interests