For the past few years I’ve reflected on my professional practice and accomplishments at the end of the year. I’m going to continue that tradition with this blog post albeit in a slightly more list based format than the reflective posts I’ve done in the past.
In 2016 I did a lot of things including:
- I had a short article published in Canada’s History Magazine and online on Canada’s History website.
- I wrote about my experience working at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre for the Off the Record special issue on Archives and Indigenous Issues.
- I also finished and submitted an article I’ve been working for over a year.
- I’ve continued to serve as an editor for Active History. This has allowed me to work with a number of great historians and I also wrote a handful of posts for them this year including:
- “Archival Literacy and the Role of Universities in Archival Instruction” (February 2016)
- “Creating the Historical Record in Literary and Personal Archives” (April 2016)
- “Digital Outreach and Wikipedia in the GLAM Sector” (May 2016)
- Co-author with Jay Young, “Reports from New Directions in Active History: Opening doors, gathering communities: Making archives active through events.” (June 2016)
- “Ten Books to Contexualize Reconciliation in Archives, Museums, and Public History” (October 2016)
- Co-author with Skylee-Storm Hogan, “Doing The Work: The Historian’s Place in Indigenization and Decolonization.” (December 2016)
Talks and Presentations
- In March I spoke as part of a “Finding the Embedded Archivist” panel at the National Council for Public History annual meeting in Baltimore, MD.
- This year I provided instructional programming to over 1,250 people. The bulk of these instruction sessions related to residential schools, the history of the Shingwauk Indian Residential School, and reconciliation. However a handful were also related to teaching about archives and archival literacy.
- As part of this work I’ve taken a serious look at how I present residential school history and revamped my instruction practices to make sure I’m giving priority to Indigenous voices.
Committee Work
- I was appointed as the co-chair of the membership committee for the National Council on Public History
- In August I was appointed to the Steering Committee on Canada’s Archives (SCCA) – Response to the Report on the Truth and Reconciliation Task Force. I am really honoured to be part of this committee and engaged in this important work relating to Indigenous communities and archives.
Outreach
- I started seriously editing Wikipedia. This was a bit of a rabbit hole for me – it initially started as a way to expand some of the archival outreach I do and evolved into a hobbie and something I really enjoy. I also organized a small edit-a-thon at Algoma University geared toward increasing content relating to Indigenous women on Wikipedia.
- I spearheaded the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre’s contributions to the Archives of Ontario Family Ties: Ontario Turns 150 exhibition.
- I curated and co-curated a number of smaller scale exhibitions on campus including one about local author Brian Vallée, and one focusing on Indigenous Women Activists and the Water Walk movement.
- I setup and have been maintaining social media accounts for the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre. I also learned a bit more about different tools to help schedule and manage this outreach work.
Self-Care and Other Priorities
- I kept with my commitment to make my physical health a priority. I’ve been consistent in going to the gym on a regular basis and have been trying to eat better.
- After
muchyears of debate my partner and I made a decision to move. We’ve bought and house and will be moving in 2017. This move will mean I’m much closer to my work, it will cut down my commute significantly, and result in me getting to spend more time with my daughter. - I’ve been meeting regularly as part of two writing groups – an academic one (online) and a non-fiction group. Both of these have been key in keeping me motivated on some ongoing projects.
- In November I was honured to stand beside my sister as during her wedding.
- I’m raising a funny, energy filled 2 year old who can identify Doctor Who on my t-shirts and who loves playing tea time.
At the end of 2016 I am very grateful for great colleagues, a community of public historians who energize and inspire, and challenging conversations. Onward.