Benjamin J. Kucher Named to ACGC’s Top 30 Under 30 for 2025
15 January 2025
University of Alberta Anthropology graduate student Benjamin J. Kucher has been named one of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation’s (ACGC) Top 30 Under 30 for 2025. This recognition highlights young leaders in Alberta who are making meaningful contributions to social justice, sustainable development, and community engagement.
Benjamin is a Métis scholar whose research focuses on Métis archaeology, trade networks, and cultural identity, with a particular emphasis on the significance of trade beads in Métis material culture. His work integrates archaeological theory, community-based research, and Indigenous studies, contributing to a broader understanding of Métis history and identity.
Benjamin is also a dedicated student leader and activist. He served as the Vice President (Student Life) for the University of Alberta’s Graduate Students’ Association (GSA), he Chairs the Canadian Archaeological Association’s Indigenous Issues Committee, is a member of the Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves Youth Advisory Committee, and an active voice in national Indigenous advocacy efforts.
Benjamin’s recognition by ACGC reflects his ongoing commitment to reconciliation, Indigenous self-determination, and the decolonization of archaeology and academia. As part of the Top 30 Under 30 cohort, he joins a distinguished group of young professionals dedicated to making a difference in Alberta, Canada, and beyond.
For more information on ACGC’s Top 30 Under 30 program, visit https://top30under30.acgc.ca/