Jennifer Kramer

Jennifer Kramer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, holding a joint position as a museum curator at the UBC Museum of Anthropology (MOA). Her work bridges sociocultural anthropology and critical museology, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge systems and decolonizing practices. She specializes in the visual and material culture of Northwest Coast First Nations, particularly the Nuxalk, Heiltsuk, Wuikinuxv, and Kwakwaka’wakw.

Her research focuses on representation, cultural property, repatriation, and Indigenous modernity. Notable projects include collaborative exhibitions like *Kesu’: The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer* and *Shake Up: Preserving What We Value*, which integrate Indigenous epistemologies with museum practices. She has received prestigious awards for her co-edited volume *Native Art of the Northwest Coast: A History of Changing Ideas*, including the Canada Prize in the Humanities.

Kramer’s teaching spans courses on Indigenous issues in BC, museum methods, and visual anthropology. Her current projects include co-curating the *Nuxalk Strong* exhibition (2022-23) and a book exploring Nuxalk Nation collaborations with museum collections. She has secured grants from the Smithsonian, Bill Holm Center, and Peter Wall Centre to advance Indigenous-led research on language, art, and cultural heritage preservation.

• Awards: Canada Prize in Humanities (2015), Jeanne Clark Award (2015), Melva J. Dwyer Award (2014)
• Grants: Smithsonian Recovering Voices, Bill Holm Center, Jacobs Research Council, Peter Wall Centre
• Key Collaborations: Nuxalk Cultural Coordinator, U’mista Cultural Centre, MOA exhibitions

Her work prioritizes ethical relationality, Indigenous sovereignty, and the transformative potential of museums in addressing historical injustices.