Chris is from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Manitoba. He received his MSc in 2021 and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in geophysics at Laurentian University where his research focuses on computational seismology as applied to crustal-scale imaging. Over the course of his education, he has also gained industry experience from projects located both across Canada and globally in the hydrocarbon, mineral exploration, and natural hazard fields. In 2022, his interest in community-based and inclusive science led him to become a senior advisor to the Chief Scientist of Natural Resources Canada, where he advocates for the implementation of diverse perspectives in scientific research and policymaking.
He is motivated by his family’s forced attendance in residential schools to use his skills in the search for unmarked graves. Chris manages geophysical surveying as the lead specialist in the search for unmarked graves at his home community and has been a consultant in surrounding areas as well. As part of this, he helped to develop and implement the Sacred Children workshop series which prioritizes nation-to-nation teachings and hands-on training for Indigenous peoples to prepare for and conduct these searches.