About Charles

Charles is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. [B.A.(Simon Fraser University), M.A. (York University), M.Phil., Ph.D. (Anthropology Program, the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York).]

Charles' primary research interests are the production of anthropological films, natural resource management (primarily fisheries related), political economy, contemporary First Nations' issues, maritime anthropology and the archaeology of north coast BC.   He has conducted field research in, and has produced films concerning, north coastal BC, Canada (including archaeological research); Brittany, France; and Donegal, Ireland. His current research project, Laxyuup Gitxaaɫa, combines archaeological and socio-cultural anthropology to document the traditional territory of Gitxaaɫa Nation.

Charles is the author of Forests and Oceans for the Future, a research blog related to First Nations issues; Anthropology @ UBC, a teaching blog; Metro Vancouver's University Town, a blog on the growing residential community at UBC. 

Charles also publishes a local area online newspaper, A Campus Resident.

Charles has been involved as a community volunteer in the University Neighbourhood's Association at UBC (where he has lived since 1996), as a member of various School Parent Advisory Councils, and for several terms a while back on the UBC Faculty Association.  Charles served as an elected faculty member on UBC's Board of Governors 2017-2020. He is currently an elected member of UBC-V's senate, 2020-2023.

Charles was born and raised in British Columbia and is a member of Gitxaala Nation, located on BC's north coast.