Reflection: 2016 Accomplishments

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: … Continue reading Reflection: 2016 Accomplishments

AAO: Toward Truth and Reconciliation

Today the Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) announced the first of two web pages "aimed at supporting the Truth and Reconciliation process and improving access to Indigenous focused archival and cultural resources."  Toward Truth and Reconciliation is a page dedicated to "assisting Ontario's archival community to navigate the path toward the decolonisation and Indigenization of … Continue reading AAO: Toward Truth and Reconciliation

Grant Writing, Precarity and Invisible Labour

If you follow me on Twitter you might have seen some of my recent thoughts on grant dependency, percarity, and the impacts on long term planning.  Basically, I've been mulling over the implications of grant dependency on heritage labour and our professional communities.  These thoughts we in part inspired a conversation I had recently that … Continue reading Grant Writing, Precarity and Invisible Labour

Response to the Report on the Truth and Reconciliation Task Force

As was recently announced over Arcan-L I'm been appointed as one of the members of the Steering Committee on Canada's Archives (SCCA) - Response to the Report on the Truth and Reconciliation Task Force.  I feel honoured to be part of this initiative to address the TRC's Calls to Action relating to archives and look … Continue reading Response to the Report on the Truth and Reconciliation Task Force

Volunteer Labour in Archives

I've been thinking a lot recently about the implications of volunteer labour in the archival profession and the challenges faced by archives that are completely volunteer run.  If you haven't already go read "Implications of Archival Labor" by Stacie Williams. Williams' work clearly outlines the problems wTith invisible labour in archives, the need for archives … Continue reading Volunteer Labour in Archives

Archival Professional Communities

At the start of November I participated in a meeting of Anglican Diocesan Archivists in Toronto.  Spread over two days the meeting was a chance for Diocesan Archivists to connect, talk about ongoing projects, and discuss professional challenges and triumphs.  Many of the archivists in the room have been serving as Diocesan Archivists for many … Continue reading Archival Professional Communities

Off The Record Issue on Archives and Indigenous Issues

The Archives Association of Ontario's Off The Record open access issue on archives and Indigenous issues was recently released.  The issue includes a lot of great and insightful content including: three holdings profiles focusing on access to Indigenous-related materials and three feature pieces on various facets of the intersection of Indigenous communities and archives. Overall, it … Continue reading Off The Record Issue on Archives and Indigenous Issues

Ten Books to Contextualize Reconciliation in Archives, Museums, and Public History

My latest post "Ten Books to Contextualize Reconciliation in Archives, Museums, and Public History" can be seen over at Active History.  The post looks at ten books and articles as a starting point for learning about reconciliation, residential schools and indigenous rights in the context of heritage organizations.

Archivist Interview Series

Margaret Bond recently interviewed me as part of her ongoing Archivist Interviews series.  The interview talks about my current job, how I came to work in archives, and one of my favourite archival finds. It was a delight to work with Margaret on this interview and her ongoing series highlights a range of archival professionals … Continue reading Archivist Interview Series

Archives of Ontario Family Ties Exhibit

Yesterday the Archives of Ontario launched their sesquicentennial exhibit Family Ties: Ontario Turns 150.  Running until 2018 the exhibit looks at 150 years of Ontario and what Ontario was like at the point of confederation.  The onsite exhibit focuses on four family groups in Ontario during the confederation era.  One of those family groups is … Continue reading Archives of Ontario Family Ties Exhibit