Executive Bio
Laura McRae - Archaeology Lead, KGS Group (Winnipeg)
Laura has over 21 years of archaeological experience, including 18 years as a professional archaeologist within the cultural resource management industry. She holds a professional archaeology licence in Ontario and is currently approved to hold professional permits in Manitoba and Nova Scotia. She has extensive knowledge of the legislation, regulations, and guidelines for each province and has a well-respected relationship with each province’s regulatory body. She has a broad range of project management and field director experience for a variety of archaeological assessments, including pre- and post-impact assessments, resource overview studies, heritage inventories, construction monitoring, mitigation and salvage excavations, analysis of material culture (incl. flora and fauna), and development and implementation of archaeological protection plans.
Laura has participated on projects in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Belize (Central America) for a wide range of industries, including hydro-electric corridor development, highways and transportation, infrastructure development and maintenance, Provincial and Federal parks preservation and expansion, and mineral exploration and development. Many of her projects have involved partnerships with federal, provincial, and municipal government agencies, public non-profit organizations, engineering companies, private landowners, and Indigenous Nations. Her primary focus has been in the Canadian Shield and boreal forest regions often in remote conditions and she has in-depth knowledge of the archaeological site types and material culture present in these regions. She is committed to fostering respectful and collaborative relationships with Indigenous Nations and to ensuring their interests and rights in the archaeological process are not overlooked.
As a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), Laura is also particularly concerned with the transition period between pre-contact First Nations groups and the introduction of European trade and settlement. Laura is an active member of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA), and the Manitoba Archaeology Society (MAS).