Michigan, US, 10th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Archaeologist and anthropologist Lindsay Martel Montgomery, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, is bringing new depth to the history of American archaeology. Her recent research at the Arizona State Museum uncovers the overlooked contributions of Indigenous workers whose knowledge, skill, and labor were vital to New Deal-era archaeological projects. By centering these narratives, Montgomery’s work challenges traditional accounts of the discipline and calls for a more inclusive recognition of the people who built its foundations.

Revisiting Forgotten Histories

Montgomery’s research focuses on two key archaeological sites excavated during the 1930s and 1940s: Kinishba Ruins National Historic Landmark in Fort Apache and Wupatki National Monument near Flagstaff, Arizona. Both projects were funded by major federal initiatives, including the Civilian Conservation Corps–Indian Division (CCC–ID) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These programs provided critical employment during the Great Depression and helped establish modern preservation methods.

However, the official histories of these excavations often highlight the achievements of primarily male academic archaeologists while minimizing the central role of Indigenous participants in these university-led teams. Montgomery’s work reframes these projects by uncovering the experiences of this often overlooked work force in American history. 

“The story of American archaeology has too often been told from the top down,” Montgomery said. “By revisiting these archives, we begin to see that the discipline’s success depended on the contributions of Indigenous and Black workers, some of whom were women, who brought  knowledge and technical skill to every excavation.”

Kinishba Ruins: The Apache Legacy

At Kinishba Ruins, located on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, the excavation led by Byron Cummings of the University of Arizona between 1938 and 1939 relied on a team of approximately twelve Apache workers. Supported by the CCC–Indian Division, these laborers excavated, stabilized, and reconstructed ancestral pueblo room blocks dating between 800 and 1400 CE.

Montgomery’s archival research reveals how the Apache crew’s craftsmanship and familiarity with the local landscape  ensured the stability of the site’s structures—many of which still stand today. The Kinishba project also reveals layered histories of Indigenous land use and occupation, as White Mountain tribal members worked to preserve Ancestral Puebloan structures occupied centuries prior to the formation of reservation in 1891.  

“These workers were not just participants in archaeology,” Montgomery explained. “They actively shaped the modern cultural heritage landscape that we experience across the United States todaye.”

Wupatki National Monument: Rewriting the Narrative

At Wupatki National Monument, excavations were directed by Harold Colton of the Museum of Northern Arizona between 1933 and 1942. The project, supported by the CCC–Indian Division and the National Park Service, engaged Indigenous and local laborers in excavation, mapping, and restoration.

While these efforts were documented in reports and photographs, the individuals who carried out the work were rarely credited. Yet Montgomery’s research shows that these laborers were essential to the success of the project. Their skill and knowledge—particularly in masonry and site stabilization—shaped how Wupatki was interpreted and preserved.

Montgomery noted, “When we read between the lines of official records, we see a history of collaboration, adapatation,  and resilience. These projects were never just about uncovering Indigenous sites; they were a collective effort to ensure community well being in the face of socio-economic hardship p.”

A Decolonial Reinterpretation

Lindsay Montgomery’s research reframes these New Deal-era projects through a decolonial lens, highlighting both their opportunities and contradictions. The CCC–Indian Division offered Indigenous communities employment and technical training, yet decision-making power remained concentrated in the hands of academically-trained archaeologists and government officials.

Despite these structural limitations, Indigenous and Black workers exercised autonomy within these projects, bringing to these projects their own logics for participation, skill sets, and cultural practices . Their contributions demonstrate how marginalized communities have always shaped archaeology—not simply as subjects of study, but as co-creators of knowledge.

“Federal archaeology programs of the 1930s reflected both progress and inequality,” Montgomery said. “They created jobs but also reinforced hierarchies. My goal is to shed light on the daily lives of the people who made those projects possible and to ensure their names and stories are remembered.”

Reclaiming the Historical Record

At the Arizona State Museum, Montgomery analyzed field reports, newspapers,  letters, and photographs that offer a fuller picture of these projects. These materials reveal not only technical details but also the human networks that sustained them. 

Through this work, Montgomery aims to challenge the assumption that archaeology’s progress was driven solely by scholars and institutions. Instead, she presents it as a collective enterprise fueled by various and often divergent rationales for participation..

Her research also connects the Arizona case studies to a broader pattern across North America, where New Deal programs relied heavily on Indigenous and Black labor to excavate and restore cultural sites. These workers’ efforts helped shape the field’s technical  evolution and the creation of national heritage sites, even if their names remain absent from published histories.

Impact and Future Directions

Montgomery’s findings are already inspiring new conversations about ethics and recognition within archaeology. By highlighting the unacknowledged contributors to New Deal projects, her work encourages museums, universities, and heritage organizations to reassess their archives and exhibits. She advocates for greater transparency in authorship, credit, and narrative representation.

“The act of uncovering these hidden histories is transformative,” Montgomery reflected. “It reminds us that at its core archaeology is not just about artifacts—it’s about people, relationships, and memory. Acknowledging those who built this field changes how we understand its past and its future.”

Looking ahead, Montgomery plans to expand her research beyond Arizona to include similar projects in Georgia, Oklahoma, Indiana, and New Mexico a. Through deep archival work and discussions with descendants,, she hopes to bring these individual stories into the spotlight and to write a new history of archaeology centered on BIPOC labor.  

A Path Toward Inclusive Archaeology

Lindsay Martel Montgomery’s work contributes to a growing movement to decolonize archaeology and make it more inclusive, ethical, and community-centered. Her research reaffirms that the discipline’s foundations rest not only in academic theories but in the lived experiences and hands-on expertise of those who shaped its early development.

By rediscovering these unsung architects of archaeology, Montgomery is helping to redefine the discipline’s legacy. Her work invites a future in which archaeology is not simply about studying the past, but about understanding how the past continues to live through the communities who built it.

About Lindsay Martel Montgomery

Lindsay Martel Montgomery is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. She earned her Ph.D. in Anthropology from Stanford University and specializes in Indigenous archaeology, heritage ethics, and community-based research. Her projects across North America have advanced models of trauma-informed practice, Indigenous data governance, and collaborative heritage management. Montgomery’s leadership as a scholar, educator, and consultant has made her a recognized voice in the movement to decolonize archaeology.

For more information, please feel free to visit https://www.lindsay-montgomery.com/ 

Nashville, Tennessee, 10th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Tennessee United for Human Rights (TNUHR) coordinates with human rights agencies across the state to organize the annual Human Rights Day celebration, set for December 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.

This year’s theme, “Challenging Hate: Standing Together for Universal Human Rights,” reflects the ongoing commitment of local organizations to unite communities, confront prejudice, and promote equality and understanding for all.

The celebration will honor individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to advancing human rights in Tennessee. Nominations for the 2025 Human Rights Awards are now open and can be submitted online at www.tnuhr.org/nominate.

Event registration, updates, and more information are available at www.tnuhr.org. Human rights organizations interested in joining the planning committee or participating in the event are invited to email info@tnuhr.org to get involved.

Tennessee United for Human Rights encourages everyone to take part in this statewide effort to celebrate and defend human rights for all people.

Michigan, US, 10th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, BlackBird Financial LP, the New Jersey–based investment partnership founded and led  by Chief Investment Officer Judah Spinner, has spotlighted four cornerstone  investments, Alibaba, Caesars Entertainment, Builders FirstSource, and Dollar General,  as emblematic of its disciplined, Graham-and-Dodd-inspired philosophy. Each position  reflects the firm’s focus on structurally advantaged businesses purchased at prices well  below intrinsic value. 

Alibaba: Global Scale, Local Mispricing 

BlackBird’s stake in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA) highlights its  conviction in undervalued global leaders. Despite generating over $1.3 trillion in gross  merchandise value in fiscal 2025 and holding nearly $70 billion in net cash, Alibaba  trades at a market cap below $300 billion. Once adjusted for its Ant Group stake and  other assets, the market effectively values Taobao and Tmall at under $100 billion. 

“In our view, Alibaba is extraordinarily cheap,” Spinner said. “These platforms are the  largest retail ecosystems in the world, supported by logistics and fintech infrastructure  that competitors cannot replicate. For long-term investors, this represents a remarkable  discount.” 

Alibaba’s cloud computing arm, AliCloud, grew revenue 26% year-over-year and is  investing tens of billions of dollars in AI and infrastructure, positioning it for head-to head competition with global hyperscalers. 

Caesars Entertainment: Free Cash Flow Catalyst 

BlackBird also disclosed a significant minority position in Caesars Entertainment Inc.  (NASDAQ: CZR), one of the nation’s premier gaming and hospitality companies.  Following a multiyear capital expenditure cycle, Caesars now benefits from sharply 

reduced investment needs, freeing up cash flow for debt repayment and shareholder  returns. 

“Caesars is at the start of a powerful free cash flow cycle,” Spinner explained. “The  company has already cut costs, improved operations, and with a market cap of just $5 billion, it is deeply undervalued.” 

Judah Spinner praised CEO Tom Reeg’s leadership through the Eldorado merger and ongoing  deleveraging initiatives. “He’s exactly the kind of CEO we want to back,” Spinner said. 

Builders FirstSource: Consolidation and Capital Discipline 

BlackBird’s position in Builders FirstSource (NYSE: BLDR) reflects its view on the long term power of industry consolidation. Following its 2021 merger with BMC Holdings and  over 30 subsequent acquisitions, Builders FirstSource has created a coast-to-coast platform focusing on higher-margin, value-added components like trusses and wall  panels. 

“Builders FirstSource is playing the hand perfectly,” Spinner said. “They’ve consolidated  the industry, shifted to higher-margin products, and repurchased nearly half their  outstanding shares over the past five years. That is exactly the kind of disciplined  execution we look for.” 

With 550 locations in 40 states, the company’s scale, efficiency, and shareholder friendly management have positioned it for continued growth throughout the cycle. 

Dollar General: Rural Dominance and Leadership Renewal 

Most recently, BlackBird announced a significant position in Dollar General Corporation  (NYSE: DG), the unrivaled leader in small-town retail. With nearly 20,000 stores, over  80% located in communities of 20,000 people or fewer, Dollar General has built a moat  around rural markets that competitors, including Walmart, failed to penetrate.

“Dollar General dominates rural markets in a way no one else can match,” Spinner said.  “They’ve perfected profitable small-box retail in towns where rivals cannot operate  efficiently. That’s a classic BlackBird investment.” 

Under returning CEO Todd Vasos, the company has accelerated store renovations,  tightened execution, and improved margins. BlackBird views these initiatives as  reinforcing Dollar General’s leadership and long-term growth trajectory. “This is a  business that knows exactly what it does best and is doubling down on it,” Spinner  added. 

A Philosophy of Discipline and Patience 

Taken together, BlackBird’s positions in Alibaba, Caesars, Builders FirstSource, and  Dollar General illustrate Spinner’s consistent framework: seek businesses that possess a durable competitive advantage, have a proven management team, and are available  at a steep discount to intrinsic value. 

“We’re not guessing where stocks will trade next week or month,” Spinner said. “We’re  focused on buying businesses that we want to own for years, at prices that give us both  safety and upside. That’s why our portfolio is concentrated and we act only when  conviction is high.” 

About BlackBird Financial LP 

BlackBird Financial LP, founded by Judah Spinner, is a value-oriented investment firm  based in Toms River, New Jersey. The firm concentrates capital in structurally  advantaged businesses trading well below intrinsic value. In the first half of 2025,  BlackBird delivered a 34.4% net return, significantly outpacing the S&P 500’s 6.1%  return. 

To learn more visit: https://judahspinner.com/