Association of Canadian Archivists logo

Scope and Content

Monthly ACA Newsletter

February 2025, Volume 6, Issue 2

Click here if you are having trouble reading the newsletter.


Scope and Content will be published March 6, 2025. If you have any comments or feedback, please contact the Communications Committee.

Vice President's Message

In 2015, I wrote my master's dissertation on how archives and archivists were portrayed in popular modern fiction published between 2000 and 2015. I was truly inspired by “The Truth is In the Red Files”: An Overview of Archives in Popular Culture by Karen Buckley. I was able to explore some really fun books in genres I hadn’t really looked at before, such as the young adult and mystery/spy categories. 

While a majority of the depictions I read of archivists and archival practices gave the usual run-of-the-mill descriptions that we in the profession have come to expect (with the notable exceptions of fewer glasses and tight buns that are usually present), a handful of portrayals were truly wild. In City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, the archivists, who are also demon hunters on the side, were almost immortal beings that gouged out their eyes and sewed their mouths shut to heighten their abilities. In the Matched trilogy by Allie Condie, although not named as such, archivists are there in the background amid a dystopian setting where written information becomes a black-market currency and sets some of the conflict. The main character finds herself drawn more and more into that world and away from the one with 100 poems that people are allowed to read, 100 movies they are allowed to watch, 100 songs they are allowed to sing, and where paper only lasts a few weeks, if not days, and school children are taught to read but not write. 

What struck me about almost all of the descriptions of archivists and archival work that I read, no matter how plain or fanciful some of them may have been, was the fact that they all dealt with the commonality of truth. The majority of the portrayals showed archivists as not only the collectors and caretakers of truth but in some cases as its authority. Being holders of truth and history becomes more and more important as their fictional worlds devolve into dissent and civil war.  Another commonality found in my readings was that the aim for the preservation of information was always apparent, and archivists as its custodians was clear. 

Being seen as the arbitrators of truth is nothing new. As the caretakers of primary sources, we learn to identify records that have enduring historical significance and to give the vital component of context. We also learn to try to remove our own biases, not to choose what history is more important because it pertains to our own, and to put that history in the community it best serves. These attributes will only become more important as AI continues to evolve (right now is the worst it will ever be) and misinformation (i.e., alternative facts) continues to spread. 

We are in a profession of truth and, now more than ever, truth matters. 

Angela Fornelli, 

Vice President

Member News

Keep your ACA Member Profile up to date!

We kindly ask all our members - both new and longstanding - to take a moment to log into the Association of Canadian Archivists website and update their member information. Keeping your profile current helps us stay connected and ensures you receive the latest updates, resources, and opportunities from the ACA community. Your engagement is key to our collective success!

Nominations and Awards Committee (NAAC) 

The Nominations and Awards Committee (NAAC) is now accepting nominations for both the Board of Directors and for ACA awards. 

Board of Directors
The NAAC is seeking nominations for the following ACA Board of Directors positions that are up for election in 2025:   

  • Vice-President (2-year term)   

  • Secretary (2-year term)   

  • Director at Large 2 (2-year term)  

The deadline for nominations is close of day PT, April 7, 2025. Nominations can be submitted through the Nomination Form. 

See the ACA website for more information about the nomination and election process. Full descriptions of the Board positions and the commitment required for each elected position are also available on the ACA website. See also the ACA Nominations and Elections Policy 

Online voting will open June 4, 2025, and close at 11:59 pm PT on June 17, 2025. All members in good standing will receive an online ballot via email. The term of office for these positions is two years and will begin following the AGM on June 18, 2025.

Awards  

NAAC is also inviting nominations from the Canadian archival community for the following honours: 

  • ACA Fellows  

  • Membership Recognition   

  • Larry Dohey Award (formerly, Outreach and Advocacy Award)   

  • New Professional Award   

  • Honorary Archivist Award   

The closing date for nominations is April 14, 2025, 11:59 PTNominations can be submitted through the Nomination Form. Information on each award as well as the nomination process can be found on the Honours and Awards page. 

Questions about Board of Directors elections or awards should be directed to Alice Albarda (NAAC.Co-Chair2@archivists.ca), Chair, NAAC.

The ACA Conference is only 6 months away! Do you have a program or a product which you would like promoted at the conference? Take advantage of a large number of archivists and records management specialists attending the conference at Carleton University by becoming an exhibitor, or consider sponsoring the conference, its events or sessions. We have a Sponsorship and Exhibitor Guide to help you decide what works best for you and your budget. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact executive.director(at)archivists.ca.

Early-bird registration will open for the ACA Conference on February 18th, and will close April 15, 2025. Registration will stay open until May 31, 2025. Stay tuned for links to the registration for the conference, social events and workshops.

Call for Photographs – past ACA conferences and events 

Do you have any images of past ACA conferences or events? The 2025 Host Team is looking for images to help celebrate ACA’s last 50 years during the upcoming conference in Ottawa. Any questions or photographs can be emailed to Host.Team(at)archivists.ca.

ACAF Silent Auction 

Calling on all ACA creatives! With the conference only 145 days away (Jan 16th) it is time to start thinking about the ACA Foundation’s silent auction. Do you have anything wild or wonderful you could donate? Please help support the Foundation’s work advancing education for students and professionals in the archival sciences, record keeping and information management. Our Executive Director has already started to make a denim/tartan bunny…. If you have any questions or have ideas for prizes, please contact Kyle Pugh at treasurer(at)archivists.ca.

ACA Hashtag Party 

You’re invited to the ACA Hashtag Party! 

What is it?

On the last Thursday of every month, the ACA Social Media Team organizes a hashtag party, which takes place virtually on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. There is a different theme for each month, which we announce on social media and ARCAN-L in advance. On the day of the party, you can share materials in your collections related to that theme, tag us and use the hashtag, and we’ll re-share your post. The goal of the parties is to engage more with institutions across Canada, see what kinds of materials other institutions have, and promote weird, fun, and interesting items from your own collections. 

What’s the latest? 

The next ACA Hashtag Party will take place on February 27, 2025, and the theme will be #ArchivesArtsAndCrafts. For this party, we’re looking forward to seeing all your favourite materials from your collections that show us the artistic and creative pastimes of people in times past! On the day, share your materials, and don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtag so we can re-share your posts. 

We are also looking forward to celebrating with you for the rest of the year. The dates and themes for all following ACA Hashtag Parties in 2025 will be: 

  • March 27, 2025: #ArchivesSports  

  • April 24, 2025: #ArchivesPerformance 

  • May 29, 2025: #ArchivesFilm  

  • June 26, 2025: #ArchivesFamily  

  • July 31, 2025: #ArchivesImmigrants 

  • August 28, 2025: #ArchivesArchitecture 

  • September 25, 2025: #ArchivesUniqueItems 

  • October 30, 2025: #ArchivesWomensHistory  

  • November 27, 2025: #ArchivesEnclosures 

  • December 2025: [holiday break] 

Keep an eye on future issues of Scope and Content and on all our social media accounts to learn more about what each of these themes mean! 

For any questions or feedback, or if you have initiatives that you would like the ACA Hashtag Party to support, please email us at communications@archivists.ca.

Carr McLean Discount Available for 2025

The Carr McLean 10% discount is available for both Individual and Institutional ACA members for the entire membership year. This discount can be applied to any order over $100 and is non-transferable. Contact the ACA Secretariat at executive.director@archivists.ca for the new discount code that will remain effective until December 31, 2025.

Carr McLean logo, proudly Canadian

ACA Student Chapters 

The Association of Canadian Archivists Student Chapter at McGill University is hosting a virtual Day in the Life of an Archivist panel on February 28 from 10:30 – 11:30am ET. This panel is a great opportunity for students to learn more about how to become an archivist or work in an archivist adjacent position, what an archivist does in their day-to-day work, and what roles there are for aspiring archivists. They will be hosting four panellists and look forward to seeing you there! 

Please contact the McGill Chapter at acamcgillstudentchapter(at)archivists.ca

Early Bird Draw Winners! 

Thanks to everyone who made the Early Bird Membership Campaign a success. Winners have been drawn from those who renewed early. Congratulations to Tim Hutchinson who won the big prize of a Veho DS-7 Wireless Multi Charging Station.  Other winners: Isabel Carlin, Suzanne Dubeau, Alexandra Wieland, Rachel Beattie, Walter Meyer zuErpen, Kelly Turner, Michael Gourlie, Julia Gilmore, Loryl MacDonald, Emma Beckman, Emma Quan, Billie Crane, Megan Funk, Emily Bridgland, Marina de Souza, Brynne Martin and Ashley Noyes. Thanks also to the Nikkei National Museum and the University of Alberta Archives for donating some of the prizes. 

Call for Volunteers

ACA Communications Committee – Scope and Content editor 

The ACA Communications Committee is seeking a new co-editor of this e-newsletter! Working alongside an established co-editor, you will work on a set schedule every month to arrange the layout, copy edit the content, and seek submissions for Scope and Content. Strong grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax skills are a must, as well as the ability to work collegially within a small group, communicate well, and adhere to deadlines. The time commitment for this opportunity is approximately five hours during the first week of each month (we can work around your availability and time zone), as well as a one-hour monthly meeting with the rest of the committee. The Communications Committee largely consists of early to mid-career archival professionals from across the country who are driven and motivated, and we look forward to submissions from like-minded individuals! 

ACA Communications Committee – In the Field blog member 

Do you have a keen eye for detail, excellent writing and copy-editing skills, and a passion for gathering and sharing stories about the accomplishments and ideas of fellow archivists?  The Communications Committee is looking for a new Blog Team member to support the production of In the Field, the ACA blog. Check out the blog to see examples of the kind of work we produce, and click here for more information and to fill out the volunteer form! The time commitment for this opportunity is approximately five hours of independent, asynchronous time per month, in addition to a one-hour monthly meeting with the rest of the committee.The Communications Committee largely consists of early- to mid-career archival professionals from across the country who are driven and motivated, and we look forward to submissions from like-minded individuals!

ACA Professional Development Committee – Chair and Committee Members 

The ACA’s Professional Development Committee (PDC) is looking for new committee members. PDC plans and facilitates professional learning workshops and associated programming and develops professional development content for the ACA website. PDC meets once a month. Please contact Amanda Oliver at dal2@archivists.ca if you have any questions.  

Chair Positions Open for ACA Special Interest Sections 

We are currently seeking passionate and dedicated volunteers to chair two of our Special Interest Sections: Government Records (G.R.S.I.S.) and Environment Special Interest Section (E-S.I.S.).  

As a Chair, you will play a key role in leading discussions, organizing events, and advocating for best practices within your section. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact, collaborate with fellow archivists, and contribute to the advancement of our profession.  

If you are interested in volunteering for one of these important roles, please contact John Richan at DAL1@archivists.ca with a brief statement of your interest and experience. 

ACA Financial Review Committee (FRC) 

The ACA’s Financial Review Committee (FRC) is looking for volunteers for a two-year term. The FRC is responsible for reviewing financial policy, budgets, and safeguarding the financial assets of the Association. These positions are open to all members. If you're a financial whiz, or hoping to hone your budgeting chops, we're happy to have you join us!  

If you have questions, please contact Kyle Pugh, treasurer@archivists.ca. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using the Volunteer Form. Please note, all volunteers with the ACA are required to abide by the ACA's Volunteer Code of Conduct. 

ACA Governance Committee 

The Governance Committee needs volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using the Volunteer Form. If you have any questions, please contact Shamin Malmas, shamin_malmas@sfu.ca. 

ACA Membership Committee 

Breaking news: The Membership Committee is seeking a new member! The membership committee promotes membership in the ACA, works on new services and benefits for members, and coordinates the popular Mentorship Program to help those new to the profession. If this sounds like something in which you'd like to be involved, please submit an online application here. And if you'd like to learn more about the Membership Committee before you put your name forward, please feel free to contact Co-Chairs Peter Houston and Curtis Frederick at membership@archivists.ca. Thank you for considering joining! 

Emerging Professionals and Student Special Interest Section 

Are you a student in an archives-related program or new to the profession? Do you have an interest in growing your professional network and engaging in a supportive environment? Join our team in re-establishing the Emerging Professionals and Student Special Interest Section. We are currently looking for ACA members to help develop and implement the Special Interest Section in its earliest stages. Students and emerging professionals are integral to the ACA and the broader archival community, and this is a great opportunity for you to assist in creating a supportive space. 

For more information or to express your interest, contact Carolyn Smith, Carolyn.Smith@dal.ca. We look forward to bringing back this Special Interest Section in the 2024/2025 year! 

ACA Members can save up to 15% on all purchases at Brodart Canada Co. Please contact executive.director@archivists.ca for the code. The code expires September 30, 2025.

In the Field: The ACA Blog

The In the Field blog is currently preparing to launch new initiatives in 2025 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ACA. Stay tuned for more information about ways you can get involved in engaging with the history of archives in Canada!

ACA Foundation 

All proceeds raised through the ACAF store go towards advancing education by providing publicly available scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance to post-secondary students, graduates and professionals to be used for training in the fields of archival science, record-keeping and information management

Support the Foundation with this very stylish swag! Visit the ACAF store here for these items and more! Available for pick-up at the ACA conference.

15 oz ceramic mug

"Archives are the gift of one generation to another."

$15 + tax and shipping


Combination package - all the swag

18 oz double wall vacuum tumbler; 15 oz ceramic mug; recycled cotton tote bag; and bamboo case sticky notes!

$75 + tax and shipping


Archival Community News

Provincial Archives of Alberta – Family History Day February 17, 2025  

Family History Day

Join us on Zoom for an introduction to genealogical resources at the Provincial Archives of Alberta.

This introductory session will explore various types of records accessible at the Provincial Archives of Alberta such as vital statistics, probate files, and court records which contain a wealth of information that may aid you in your genealogical research. The session will also discuss some federal records and additional resources such as local histories that are also incredibly valuable – Genealogical Gold!  Be sure to register.  Spaces are limited.

Family Day - Monday, February 17

Choose from two session times and register by clicking on the Zoom link.

10:00 a.m.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0hGUTTP0TkuKW-BhLbXVjw

1:00 p.m. 
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VQzHKM08QR626wBuIfS5Gg


Reclaiming our History through Archives: Black and Indigenous Perspectives, March 27, 2025, Montreal

Reclaiming our history through archives: Black and Indigenous perspectives

Join us for the winter 2025 season of the University of the Streets Café

Date & time : Thursday, March 27, 2025, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Speaker(s): Alexandra Mills, Ellen Dobrowolski, Leon Llewllyn
Cost: This event is free
Where: Livresse Bookstore2671 Notre-Dame W, Montreal, Quebec,  H3J 1N9

Archives are often understood as a method through which we learn about our collective past. However, archives, like history, are a foray into the tales that have been selected for us to remember. As we collectively attempt to de-colonise institutions, Black and Indigenous communities are increasingly turning to themselves to understand their histories.  
 
We turn to oral history, community archives, family archives, and personal stories, to learn about a past where we are featured. We turn to colonial and religious archives to reshape a past where we are supporting cast, if mentioned at all.  
 
What are the methods through which we can know Black and Indigenous history? How can that history be revived, told, and shared? How can we explore the past to better understand our stories?

National Archival Appraisal Board

There are two Masterclasses planned to provide training for community members interested in becoming Practising NAAB Appraisers (PNAs).

Simon Rogers will be teaching the Masterclass at the City of Toronto Archives, February 18 to 21, 2025. For more information and to register, see here.

The second Masterclass will take place at the University of Victoria, April 28 to May 1, 2025, and team taught by Simon Rogers and Joanna Aiton Kerr.

Registration is limited to archivists and records management professionals. For participants without institutional support, customized payment arrangements can be made by contacting pna-ece@archivescanada.ca

ARCHIVES * RECORDS 2025 Travel Awards 

Are you looking for financial assistance to attend ARCHIVES * RECORDS 2025 in Anaheim, CA? There are three travel award opportunities available to help with registration, transportation, and lodging costs while attending the SAA Annual Meeting. See descriptions and requirements of individual awards below. Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2025. Note that you can apply for multiple awards in a single cycle, but may only receive one. All applications must be submitted online. 

Brenda S. Banks Travel Award 

The Brenda S. Banks Travel Award recognizes and acknowledges individuals, such as those of African, Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern/North African, Native American, Alaska Native, or Pacific Islander descent, who have demonstrated professional archival experience and who manifest an interest in becoming active members of SAA. Recipients receive full complimentary registration and related expenses for hotel and travel to attend the SAA Annual Meeting during the year in which the award is received. In addition, recipients receive a complimentary one-year membership in SAA. 

Click here to preview the application and/or to apply for the Brenda S. Banks Travel Award.

All applications must include the following: 

  • Personal statement/essay of no more than 500 words; and
  • CV or resume

If you have any questions regarding the award or the application process, please contact Jane Cross, Brenda S. Banks Travel Award Committee Chair, at jane_cross@yahoo.com. 

Donald Peterson Student Travel Award   

The Donald Peterson Student Travel Award supports students and recent graduates from graduate archival programs within North America to attend SAA’s Annual Meeting. This participation must include either a presentation of research during the Annual Meeting or active participation in an SAA-sponsored committee, section, or roundtable.  

Click here to preview the application and/or apply for the Donald Peterson Student Travel Award.

All applications must include the following: 

  • A 500-word essay describing the applicant's career goals and potential impact on the archival profession;
  • Unofficial transcript to verify student status or copy of graduate diploma; and
  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals having definite knowledge of the applicant's qualifications.

If you have any questions regarding the award or the application process, please contact Megan Mummey, Donald Peterson Student Travel Award Committee Chair, at megan.mummey@uky.edu. 

Harold T. Pinkett Student of Color Award 

The Harold T. Pinkett Student of Color Award recognizes and acknowledges graduate students of color, and seeks to promote their participation in SAA and in the archival profession. Up to two awards may be given during an awards cycle. Recipients receive full complimentary registration and related expenses for hotel and travel to attend the SAA Annual Meeting during the year in which the award is received. In addition, each recipient receives a complimentary one-year membership in SAA. 

Please note that this year, in an effort to encourage the broadest and most inclusive pool of applicants, the awards committee has removed the requirement for official transcripts and letters of recommendation. Learn more about the Pinkett Award and preview the application. 

All applications must include the following: 

  • Personal statement/essay of no more than 500 words discussing your experiences with and/or commitment to working with, or documenting and preserving, the histories of communities of color; and
  • CV or résumé.

If you have any questions regarding the award or the application process, please contact Kimberly Barzola, Pinkett Award Committee Chair, at kimvillafuertebarzola@gmail.com.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Award   

The Oliver Wendell Holmes Award enables international archivists, who are currently training or studying in the United States or Canada, to augment their experience by traveling to the Annual Meeting of the Society of American Archivists. Recipients receive a certificate and a cash award of $1,000 to help cover costs of the SAA Annual Meeting for archives students who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens (or permanent residents) and are studying in the United States or Canada. Self-nominations are welcome. 

Please click here for additional details and to preview the online application for the Holmes Award.

All applications must include the following: 

  • Personal statement/essay;
  • CV or resume.

    If you have any questions regarding the award or the application process, please contact Susan Swiatosz, Oliver Wendell Holmes Award Committee Chair, at s.swiatosz@unf.edu.

Call for Applications: CAPAL Early Career Researcher & Student Research Paper Awards 

The CAPAL Awards Committee is excited to announce two prestigious new awards from CAPAL: the Early Career Researcher Award and the Student Research Paper Award. These awards aim to recognize and encourage excellence in research within our community.

Student Research Paper Award 

This award recognizes research excellence in an unpublished paper written by students completing an MLIS or equivalent degree. The award includes a $500 prize and a one-year CAPAL membership. It is open to both individual and group submissions, with the prize money split among winners. 

Application deadline: March 1, 2025 

Applications for both awards should be submitted to capalawards@gmail.com. 

For detailed information about the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and submission guidelines for each award, please refer to these documents: Early Career Researcher Award, Student Paper Award on the CAPAL Awards Committee webpage. 

We look forward to celebrating the innovative research contributions of our members. Apply today and showcase your impactful work!

AAO Professional Development Committee Presents Video Digitization Fundamentals 

Whether you are new to video digitization or are seeking a refresher on the fundamentals of digitally preserving videos, this online workshop is for you.They will review how to identify different video formats, go through basic cleaning and care guidelines for tapes and their corresponding decks, learn how to identify common problems and artifacts that may arise during the transfer process, and review transcoding and file management of the resulting digital objects. This session will primarily focus on demonstrations with U-matic, VHS, and DV formats. 

Preserving video can be a nuanced pursuit, but this workshop should equip you with an overview of resources on archival best practices, guidelines, and firsthand tips, so that you can feel more confident in pursuing your video digitization goals. 

Special thanks to Western Front in Vancouver for the use of their archives’ video digitization suite for all demonstration activities. 

When: March 10, 2025, 1:30-4:30pm 

Where: Online. Instructions will be sent upon registration. 

Cost: $80 (AAO members), $50 (AAO student members), $120 (non-members)

Archivists in the News

We’ve compiled some interesting initiatives and news stories regarding archives! Check them out below:

  • Winnipeg 150 Award 

    Gilles Lesage, retired Directeur général de la Société historique de Saint-Boniface and longtime NAAB appraiser, has been recognized by the Winnipeg 150 Committee as having made "a significant impact on the quality of life" for his neighbourhood and his city. The award, a medal and a tree planted in Gilles’ honour, is in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of City Council after the establishment of the City of Winnipeg. 

  • Library and Archives Canada – Price McIntosh Scholarship 

    We are proud to announce the 2024-2025 recipients of the Price McIntosh Scholarship. This year, $37,500 was awarded to support eight students in fields related to Canadian documentary heritage. 

    For the fourth year in a row, the Price McIntosh Scholarship encourages Indigenous students (First Nations, Inuit or Métis Nation), persons living with disabilities and members of visible minorities to pursue studies in fields related to libraries and archives. 
     
    The Price McIntosh Scholarship offers $5,000 for full-time studies and $2,500 for part-time studies. 
     
    Congratulations to the 2024-2025 recipients! 
     
    For more information, click here.

  • Préserver la mémoire institutionnelle de l’Université de Moncton 

    Interview with University of Moncton archivists and students about the review of its collection, to preserve the documents, digitization, and produce a master list of its collection.  

  • Hespeler Heritage Centre (Ontario): preserving and promoting history 

    The Hespeler Heritage Centre, established in 1992 and located in the historic Old Hespeler Town Hall, houses an extensive archival collection of over 5,000 items, including photographs, documents, memorabilia, and artifacts dating from the early 19th century to the present. The Centre is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Hespeler, a community that became part of the City of Cambridge in 1973. Lawrence Turner, the Centre's executive chairperson, emphasizes the importance of maintaining Hespeler's unique heritage, especially following the amalgamation with Galt and Preston, which led to concerns about the potential loss of individual community identities. The Centre serves as a vital resource for those interested in exploring and understanding Hespeler's historical narrative.

  • Nazi Persecution Scattered my Family. A Lost Archive Brought Us Together 

    Author Timothy Taylor recounts his journey to Germany in this article to commemorate six family members who survived the Holocaust, including his mother. The narrative delves into the family's history, highlighting their experiences during the Nazi era and the subsequent diaspora that scattered them across the globe. Central to the story is the discovery of a lost archive containing over 10,000 pages of documents, which provides profound insights into the family's past and the broader context of Nazi persecution. Through this personal exploration, Taylor reflects on memory, identity, and the enduring impact of historical trauma.

  • Archivists Work to Identify and Save the Thousands of Datasets Disappearing from Data.gov 

    Since President Trump's inauguration, over 2,000 datasets have been removed from Data.gov, the U.S. government's primary open data repository. Notably affected are datasets from the Department of Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The removal of these datasets has raised concerns among archivists and researchers who rely on this information. Efforts are underway to identify, preserve, and restore access to these datasets, though the decentralized nature of Data.gov—where data is often hosted on individual agency websites—complicates these efforts.  

  • Library and Archives Canada – Black Porter Perspectives: Bringing Thomas Nash, a Canadian National Railway Porter, Back to Life 

    Andrew Elliott explores the life of Thomas Nash, a Black porter who served with the Canadian National Railway (CN) for 42 years, from 1927 to 1969. Elliott highlights the rarity of finding detailed records of individual porters within CN's extensive archives, noting that Nash's personnel file offers valuable insights into his personal history and the broader experiences of Black railway porters in Canada and the challenges in documenting the contributions of Black Canadians in railway history and emphasizes the importance of preserving such narratives.

  • Le Centre d’archives de la Grande Zone argileuse invite le public à une série d’activités destinées à célébrer et à préserver l’héritage de pionniers francophones. 

    Interview with Joel Lauzon, archivist at Centre d’archives de la Grande Zone, about the creation of a collection of oral interviews with area pioneers.

  • McGill University – An Archive of Dissent: Documenting Black student protests in Montreal 

    Arismita Ghosh examines the pivotal role of Black student activism in shaping Montreal's academic institutions, particularly during the 1960s. The article highlights the 1969 Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University) protest, where hundreds of students organized a two-week peaceful sit-in at the university's computer lab to challenge systemic racism within the faculty and administration.

  • University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies student awarded Price McIntosh bursary 

    Sadie Anderson, a part-time Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) student at the University of Alberta and an Indigenous archivist at the University of Saskatchewan, has been awarded the Price McIntosh Bursary by Library and Archives Canada. This bursary supports students who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour in pursuing studies in library and archival fields. Anderson emphasizes the importance of archives collaborating with diverse communities to ensure inclusivity and safety in their collections. She also highlights the significance of Indigenous content in SLIS's program as a key factor in her educational journey.

  • Saskatoon residents get rare look at city archives during grand opening 

    Saskatoon residents were given a rare opportunity to explore the city's archives during its grand opening at a new location. The event provided attendees with a behind-the-scenes look at historical documents, photographs, and artifacts that chronicle Saskatoon's rich history over the past century. The archives' relocation aims to enhance public access and engagement with the city's heritage.

Job Opportunities

Submit your job opportunity here and it will be posted to the ACA website. We will also share this opportunity on our social media channels.

Contract Archivist, Gwich’in Tribal Council – Culture and Heritage Department, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories 

Deadline: Until position is filled

Follow the ACA on our social media channels:

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads

FaceBook. Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram logos.

Do you have news you’d like the ACA to share via its social media channels? The Communications Committee has created a form you can use to give us the details! 

The next issue of Scope & Content will come out on  

Thursday, March 6, 2025. See you then!

Contact Us

Suite 1912-130 Albert Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4

Tel: 613-383-2009

Email: aca@archivists.ca

www.archivists.ca


The ACA office is located on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.