Shifting Paradigms – creating more equitable and inclusive practices at the Archives of Ontario
Friday October 15, 2021
From 1:30pm to 2:15pm
In this discussion panel, archivists from the AO will share their work on projects designed to shift the institution’s archival practices to be more equitable, diverse and inclusive.
The mission of the Archives of Ontario (AO) is, in part, to “document the history of Ontario and Ontarians in all their diversity.” Yet many people living in Ontario have no connection to our program or representation in our records? How, then, can we better meet our mandate? Alongside many other archival institutions, the AO is undergoing a paradigm shift. Through several projects currently underway, the institution is seeking to become more inclusive in its collections development and management activities. Our aim is to dedicate time to learning from, listening to and building relationships with the many communities that call Ontario their home and that are mis-, under- or unrepresented in our holdings. As an archives, we are committed to supporting community-generated practices and ways of sharing stories.
In this discussion panel, archivists from the AO will share their work on projects designed to shift the institution’s archival practices to be more equitable, diverse and inclusive. These projects include:
- A Description Policy for the AO
- Community engagement projects
- GLAM Wiki site
In sharing this work, we aim to open discussion on some of the following questions:
- How can public archives address equity, diversity and inclusion in their collection development activities and descriptive practices?
- How can public archives use social media and other online platforms to empower communities to tell their own stories?
- Can public archives become a trusted advocate for the preservation of community history?
- Is it possible to think of government records as community records?
Speakers
Archivist, Collections Development and Management Unit
Archives of Ontario
