NWT Archives Council- Recent Events

February 2007 - Introduction to Archives Workshop

With generous assistance from the National Archival Development Program (NADP) and support from the CCA Secretariat, the NWT Archives Council hosted a one-day Introduction to Archives workshop Wednesday February 14th, 2007 at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife. The NADP, a financial assistance program of Library and Archives Canada (LAC), provides contribution funding to Canadian archival organizations to increase their capacity to preserve and make accessible archival materials about Canada and Canadians. Karen Ashbury, an archivist with the NWT Archives, delivered the workshop to a mix of archives, museum, and heritage workers, council members and non-council members alike. NADP funding allowed NWTAC to assist with travel for one representative from each member institution who registered for the workshop. The Wednesday workshop was followed by a two-day workshop entitled Preservation of Archival Materials, delivered by Joe Iraci and Greg Hill of the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI). The second workshop was facilitated by Rosalie Scott, Conservator at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Both workshops were fully subscribed, and by all accounts, great successes. Not only were the workshops a great training opportunity for the Council’s stakeholders, they provided a chance for individual organizations to meet face to face to discuss what’s happening in their corner of the archival world. It is the hope of the Council to host another installment of the Introduction to Archives workshop in Winter 2008/2009.

Edward Wright (left) of the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute and Kayo Nitta (right) of the K'asho Got'ine Cultural Institute take part in the Intro to Archives workshop. Photo by Peter Harding.

The Annual General Meeting of the NWT Archives Council was held on March 10, 2006 via teleconference.

September 2005 - Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

On September 21, 2005 the NWT Archives Council (NWTAC) and Archives Council Nunavummi took a significant step in reinforcing the strength of Canada's archival community through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Council of Archives (CCA). It was decided that a dual signing ceremony be held for both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The meeting was held at the Kitikmeot Heritage Society’s May Hakongak Community Library and Cultural Centre in Cambridge Bay.

Karen Ashbury, President of NWTAC represented the NWT at the signing ceremony that included Colleen Rusk, President of the Archives Council Nunavummi. Christina Nichols, the Executive Director of the CCA traveled to Cambridge Bay for the event.

Established in 1985, the Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) is a network comprised of 13 Provincial and Territorial Archives Councils and Associations dedicated to working towards a vision of Canada in which our documentary heritage is preserved, open to all and engages citizens in their communities and country. The CCA is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2005 and part of the celebrations include signing ceremonies where all Provincial and Territorial Archives Councils can celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the CCA with their members.

The Annual General Meeting of the NWT Archives Council was held on February 16, 2005 via teleconference.

October 2004 - Introduction to Archives Workshop

The NWT Archives Council hosted an Introduction to Archives workshop for its membership in October 2004. Janice Brum, an archivist with the City of Calgary Archives delivered the two-day workshop that provided an introduction to archival theory and practice. Participants were introduced to issues such as the role of archives and archivists, the concepts of total archives and qualities of a good archival program. The workshop also dealt with the practical aspects of archival programs such as appraisal of records, archival characteristics of records, acquisition and accessioning. The second day of the workshop focused on arrangement and description, preservation and conservation issues, access to information legislation, ethics, reference services and concluded with an overview of the Canadian archival scene. The workshop was held at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife and participants were able to tour the NWT Archives and given an overview of the NWT Archives Information Management System database (AIMS), NWT Archives databases available on the Internet, as well as Archives Canada. Nine people from member institutions in Fort Smith, Inuvik, Hay River, Yellowknife, and two people from the Nunavut Archives Council attended the workshop. By all accounts, the results were very positive and the membership wishes to extend its thanks to the CCA Secretariat for their assistance and to the CCA Board for their support.

	Colleen Rusk, Archives Council Nunavummi, Christina Nichols, Executive Director of CCA and Karen Ashbury, NWT Archives Council signing the Memorandum of Understanding, September 21, 2005.
Christina Nichols, Executive Director of CCA and Karen Ashbury, NWT Archives Council holding the signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Council of Archives and NWT Archives Council, September 21, 2005.
	Introduction to Archives workshop participants who were guests at the dual signing ceremony between the NWT Archives Council and Archives Council Nunavummi. From Left to Right (seated) Marie Anguti, Deborah Evaluarjuak, Winnie Owingayak, Phillipa Ootoowak, Christina Nichols. From Left to Right (standing) Michelle Lateigne, Colleen Rusk, Ericka Chemko, Brian Lunger, Atimma Hadlari, Karen Ashbury and Ian Critchley.