Affiliates Watkins, Ellick Head to Japan

Dr. Joe Watkins and Carol Ellick on a hike near a high point on the hike on Rebun Island

Watkins to Hold Visiting Professorship at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

In an attempt to control the Coronavirus, Japan closed its doors to travel over two years ago. Earlier this spring, travel opened for business travel with a lengthy quarantine period. As of this June, the quarantine period has been removed and travel has opened for those holding an approved visa. So, finally, after two years, SoA affiliate Dr. Joe Watkins will finally be able to begin his year-long position as visiting professor in the newly established Global Indigenous Station Program at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. Watkins will be teaching, giving public lectures, working with colleagues internationally on indigenous and Ainu issues concerning recognition and inclusion, and will conduct research for his book on indigenizing Japan. Watkins begins his term at Hokkaido University by teaching a summer seminar “Introduction to Ainu and Indigenous Studies II: Ainu culture, Indigenous Heritage and Cultural landscape” in Sapporo and the Ainu community of Biratori, from July 25 to 28, 2022.

Ellick Is Instructor at International Archaeology Field School, Rebun Island, Japan

After a two-year delay, the Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan will again host its international Archaeological Field School on Rebun Island, Japan. Rebun Island is located off the NW coast of the island of Hokkaido and is the northern-most island in the archipelago. The field school attracts students from the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Japan. This year will be SoA affiliate Carol Ellick’s third summer as an international field school instructor. Since 2008, Ellick has also taught field schools on Epi-Jomon and historic Ainu sites on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Utoro and Shari Town. The Rebun Island site contains evidence of use from the Epi-Jomon period through historic Ainu period. This year, the field school will run from August 1 through August 20. For more information on the field school or for application information see course description: https://hokkaidosummerinstitute.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/en/courses/CourseDetail=G104 or contact Carol directly: cjellick@theaceconsultants.com.