Reconciliation Framework for Archivists Action Plan

TRC Task Force Action

Fundamental project goals are:

To identify, by working with Indigenous communities, how Canada’s archives might move towards reconciliation, in light of both UNDRIP and UNJOP.
To produce recommendations for full implementation of the findings of the above research.
To design a reconciliation framework, in collaboration with Indigenous communities, which actively engages and includes Indigenous cultural memory-keepers, their perspectives and methodologies, within the Canadian archival system.

Additional anticipated outcomes include:

Full inclusion of the voices of Indigenous record-keepers / cultural memory keepers within Canadian archival discourse; and
Increased collaboration with Indigenous communities towards the respectful management of archival materials pertaining to them and their histories, but still in the custody of Canada’s archives.

To achieve these goals, the following activities will be undertaken by Indigenous and non-Indigenous project researchers:

A review of archival policies and practices existent across Canada, and a Canada wide survey of archival professionals to identify potential barriers to, or practices in support of, reconciliation efforts between the Canadian archival community and Indigenous record-keepers.
An international literature review to assess discourse on related topics (i.e. reconciliation, participatory archiving, existing protocols & principles documentation, etc.).
Outreach, dialogue and collaboration with Indigenous community representatives from tribal councils, cultural centres, and territorial governments across Canada whose responsibility it is to oversee programs pertaining to traditional Indigenous knowledge. Discussions will focus on how Canadian archives should manage Indigenous archival resources and programs, and how the Canadian archival profession can successfully include Indigenous record-keepers as archival “colleagues”.
Development of living protocols & principles and an overarching reconciliation framework through which to support the culturally appropriate management of Indigenous related materials held in care by Canadian archives and to address “Call to Action #70.”

Call to Action # 70: Museums and Archives (67-70)