ACA 2012: In Search of Archival Gold
Gold is undoubtedly a valuable and precious commodity, and has been for centuries. People have travelled around the globe in the hope of finding it, just as they did in the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. This influx of people had a profound impact on the indigenous First Nations and on the development of the Yukon Territory.
Within Canadian archives is another form of gold, one that is in many cases “priceless” simply because it is unique and irreplaceable: archival records. These archival records are the foundation of Canada’s rich and vibrant documentary heritage, much of which is gathered and protected by dedicated and enthusiastic archivists eager to fulfill their key role in determining society’s collective memory.
Over the past several years, we have examined archival theory and core functions, our community and its relationship to other heritage and user communities, the impact of an increasingly digital world, and the uses of archives.
Now it’s time for us to celebrate and highlight that “archival gold,” and to discuss the opportunities, issues and challenges that these records present, in the same year that the Yukon Archives in Whitehorse is celebrating its fortieth anniversary. Traditional textual manuscripts, government records, photographs, sound and moving images, maps, electronic records, artwork, architectural plans– all of these things are our treasures. As Dominion Archivist Arthur G. Doughty famously said,
Of all national assets archives are the most precious; they are the gift of one generation to another and the extent of our care of them marks the extent of our civilization.
A preliminary Conference-at-a-Glance is now available, providing an overview of sessions and activities planned for your visit to Whitehorse. This information will be updated in the coming weeks as additional details are confirmed.
Program Format:
The format of sessions at ACA 2012 will be a mixture of traditional sessions (formal presentation of papers; approximately 20 minutes per speaker, with questions to follow as time allows) and panel discussions (abbreviated presentation of papers; approximately 10-15 minutes per speaker, with discussion to follow).
The Call for Student Proposals closed, Monday, January 9th, 2012.
There will also be a poster session; information is summarized using texts and images, presented in a poster format), which will be on display with the trade show exhibitors. The Call for Poster Submissions closed on Monday, January 16th, 2012.
The Call for Session and Paper submissions closed September 23, 2011.
ACA 2012 Commitment Forms:
Speaker's commitment: click here for the web form.
Chair's commitment: click here for the web form.
Questions?
If you have questions pertaining to the conference program, contact:
Catherine Bailey
Chair, ACA 2012 Conference Program
