George M. Brandak 

Highlights

At the University of British Columbia (UBC), Brandak built valuable holdings relating to  the labour movement and social democratic political movements; nurtured a strong university archives program; and encouraged fellow archival professionals in myriad ways. 

Education & Background

George Brandak was raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, received a BA from the University of Regina (1966), a Certificate in Archival Principles and Administration from Carleton University (1968), and an MA in History from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University (1973). 

Professional Career

Upon graduating, George Brandak was hired to research 1000 significant dates in Saskatchewan history, which entailed spending significant time at the Provincial Archives of Alberta. He made a good impression on Provincial Archivist Alan Turner, who subsequently hired him as an archivist (1966-1969). Brandak moved on in 1971 to work under Stan Hanson at the University of Saskatchewan Archives, while also pursuing his MA.  In 1973 Brandak was appointed Manuscripts Curator, Special Collections and University Archives Division, UBC, where he happily remained for 35 years, retiring in 2008. He distinguished himself through the acquisition of many significant archival collections relating to the labour movement, social democratic political movements, resource industries, and other records relating to social history (including the Wallace B. Chung and Madeline H. Chung Collection); as well as writers (Joy Kogawa) and artists (Toni Onley). His collection efforts, in addition to preserving Canadian history, raised the profile of UBC’s archival program significantly. 

Contributions to the Profession 

Within the ACA, Brandak took on numerous executive roles including Director without Portfolio (1981-1983), Vice President (1989-1990), and President (1990-1991). He was a founding member of the ACA’s Personal Archives Special Interest Section. He also helped found the Archives Association of British Columbia (AABC). George Brandak has generously volunteered his expertise throughout his career, serving as Archives Advisor for the BC Conference of the United Church of Canada and the Labour Heritage Board of the Labour Heritage Centre, and as a member of the Steveston Historical Society, the Forest History Association of BC, the Friends of the Richmond Archives, the BC Studies Conference, and the Ukrainian Community Society of Ivan Franko. For many years Brandak was a National Archival Appraisal Board (NAAB) member and served as Chair. For ACA members, a particular highlight of Brandak’s career is his enthusiastic service as the western leader in the annual ACA East-West Baseball Game for more than two decades. 

Honours, Awards and Recognition 

• Canadian Historical Association Lifetime Achievement Award, 1996 
• AABC Honorary lifetime membership, 2009 
• ACA Fellow, 2009 

• BC Labour Heritage Centre interview by Allen Seager, May 30, 2019, https://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/oral-history/george-brandak/ 
• George Brandak fonds, Provincial Archives of Alberta, PR3156 
• “Profile: George Brandak, The creative art of collecting”, p. 3, UBC Library Friends Newsletter, summer 2009. 

Photo source: https://www.richmond-news.com/in-the-community/richmonds-ukrainian-community-marks-80-years-in-town-3097106

If you see any inaccuracies or information gaps in any biography, the ACA would very much welcome your input. Please send a message to the current chair of the Nominations and Awards Committee.