Scope and Content Monthly ACA Newsletter
August 2025, Volume 6, Issue 8 |
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Click here if you are having trouble reading the newsletter.
Scope and Content will be published September 4th, 2025. If you have any comments or feedback, please contact the Communications Committee.
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Hello colleagues. I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer. It is hard to believe that summer is coming to an end. Here in Edmonton the days are getting shorter – the sun is setting at 9:15 pm instead of 10:30 pm - a sign that fall is just around the corner.
Things have slowed down a bit this summer as our volunteers and secretariat take time off to relax and unwind after a busy year. Due to vacation schedules, the Board did not meet in July but will be back in action for our next meeting on August 19.
We also have a number of new faces on many of our committees as members’ terms come to an end. We are always looking for new volunteers, so please consider serving on one of many committees. Take a look at our ACA Committee page for more information about how to volunteer.
Finally, I’m sure many of you have been following the news about the sale of Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) art and artifacts, particularly the Royal Charter of 1670. Recently it was announced that the Weston family hopes to purchase the Charter and donate it to the Canadian Museum of History. Naturally this raises questions about why the HBC Archives in Manitoba was not considered as a recipient of this Charter and concerns about the lack of consultation with the archival community. I raised this concern with reporters from the Globe and Mail and the Canadian Press who reached out to me for comment. The ACA is also working on a statement regarding this update, which we will share when complete.
In other advocacy news, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Halton Region responded to our letter of concern over the dismantling of Halton Region Heritage Services that we sent in July (letter available on our archivists.ca/advocacy page). His response was disappointing and did not address the concerns we raised beyond summarizing what was already stated in the “Deaccessioning and Dispersal Approach Summary” that is available online. While disappointing, our letter to him was mentioned and quoted in several news stories about this issue. A Halton community member has also started a petition urging the leaders of Halton Region to reconsider this decision and engage in good faith dialogue with the community. A link this petition is available on the announcements section of the ACA home page (archivists.ca).
I would like to end my message by giving a shout out to our summer student Mickenna whose summer employment comes to an end at the end of August. Many of you have met Mickenna either in Zoom meetings or in person at the conference in Ottawa. Mickenna has been working hard this summer on a number of projects, including indexing and prepping ACA records for transfer to Library and Archives Canada; prepping and scanning old copies of the Bulletin to upload to the website; supporting our conference speakers, attendees and vendors at the conference; and a variety of other tasks. We are so grateful for all of Mickenna’s hard work and support over the past few months. Thank you Mickenna.
Anna Gibson Hollow, President |
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Social Media Update
The ACA Social Media Team has an exciting update – you can now follow us on Bluesky at archivistsdotca.bsky.social! Follow along for your favourite updates about Archivaria, In the Field, and Scope and Content, and of course, come celebrate hashtag parties on our newest platform! |
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Winnipeg Selected as the Host City for the 2027 Conference
The Association of Canadian Archivists is pleased to announce that the 2027 Conference will be held in-person in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, and Dene, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Metis. The Winnipeg archival community looks forward to welcoming ACA to the heart of the continent. We look forward to gathering in this place steeped in history and rich in culture. Help us celebrate the University of Manitoba’s 150th birthday, discover treasured cultural heritage collections housed within the Hudson's Bay Company Archives, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, or take time to savour our amazing patio season. Plan to visit Winnipeg in June 2027!
#OnlyInThePeg #CanadasMiddleChild
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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, Threads, and now Bluesky! There is a different theme for each month that is announced in advance on social media and ARCAN-L. 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 these 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 next? The next ACA Hashtag Party will take place on August 28, 2025, and the theme will be #ArchivesArchitecture.Archives often contain great examples of interesting (and sometimes odd!) architecture, whether that’s in the form of photographs, plans, or drawings. Sometimes the archives are even housed in buildings with notable architecture! For this month’s hashtag party, we invite you to share materials from your collections that showcase architectural designs in all their beauty, boldness, and occasional bafflement. Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtag so we can reshare your posts!
We are also looking forward to celebrating with you for the rest of the year. The dates and themes for the remaining ACA Hashtag Parties in 2025 are as follows:
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(at)archivists.ca. |
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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!
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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(at)archivists.ca for the new discount code that will remain effective until December 31, 2025. |
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Archivaria is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Rebecka Sheffield (Archives of Ontario) as incoming General Editor. Rebecka’s 3-year term will begin with the publication of Archivaria 100: Legacies of Critical Theory in Archives (Fall 2025), a highly anticipated special issue in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the journal and the 30th anniversary of the English language translation of Jacques Derrida’s Archive Fever: A Freudian Impression. Archivaria 100 is guest edited by Dr. Mario H. Ramirez (The City College of New York, CUNY). The Editorial Board of Archivaria would like to recognize the tremendous work of outgoing General Editor Heather Home (Queen’s University), who will continue to support the journal as Past General Editor. Archivaria welcomes back Shyla Seller as interim Managing Editor. Also joining the editorial board are Dr. Jessica Lapp, Dr. Amy Furness, Dierdre Bryden, Catherine Barnswell, and Ariane del Brun. Thank you to François Dansereau, Shiham Alaoui, and Shadrack Katuu, who have ended their terms. |
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ACA Communications Committee
The ACA Communications Committee is seeking a new Chair! As Chair, you will oversee a team of nine excellent volunteers from across Canada working on one of three teams: social media, In the Field (the ACA’s blog), and Scope and Content (the ACA’s monthly newsletter). Chair duties include scheduling and leading monthly committee meetings; attending biannual meetings of all committee chairs and Board members; recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new committee members as needed (approximately once or twice per year); acting as the main point of contact for the Board, all other committees, and special interest sections seeking to publicize information through official ACA channels; liaising consistently with the Program and Host Teams for the ACA annual conference; and much more. This role is well-suited to those with leadership and management experience, or those looking to gain such experience, as well as those with strong organizational skills and big-picture thinking. Email communications(at)archivists.ca to express your interest or ask questions! The ideal start time for a new chair would be August 2025.
Conference Planning Committee
The Conference Planning Committee needs volunteers! Are you interested in the long-term planning of the ACA’s conferences and assisting the Program and Host Teams’ work? For more information, please contact Max Otte, CPC Chair, at conference.planning(at)archivists.ca.
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(at)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 at treasurer(at)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 at shamin_malmas(at)sfu.ca.
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 at Carolyn.Smith(at)dal.ca. We look forward to bringing back this Special Interest Section in the 2025/2026 year!
Membership Committee
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 would like to be involved, please submit an online application here. If you would like to learn more about the Membership Committee before you put your name forward or have questions about Committee activities, please contact Curtis Frederick, Committee Co-Chair, at membership@archivists.ca. Thank you for considering joining!
Nominations and Awards Committee
The Nominations and Awards Committee (NAAC) is looking for new members! I have reached the end of my term on this committee, where I have served as Chair for the past four years. Two other members have reached the end of their terms as well, so there are currently at least three vacancies. NAAC is responsible for receiving nominations for ACA awards and Board elections, selecting award winners, and administering elections. The committee's work is very structured as we work around the ACA's calendar for elections, the AGM, and the annual awards ceremony. The workload is highest during the election period and awards selection, but lighter for the rest of the year. Other projects that NAAC has taken on in recent years include updating the Fellows biographies for the ACA website, reviewing the Elections Policy, and reviewing and updating award criteria.
As someone who joined this committee four years ago as a job-hunting new professional, I would like to emphasize the benefits of volunteering for committees as a new grad or student! Volunteering for NAAC gave me the opportunity to meet other archivists from across the country and gain experience chairing a committee. I also had the chance to participate in events like the awards ceremony. If this sounds like something you would like to volunteer for, please submit an ACA Volunteer Form and contact me (Alice Albarda) or Gillian Leitch with any questions. |
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Call for 2026 Virtual Conference Program Team Chair
The ACA is seeking a Conference Program Team Chair for the 2026 Virtual Conference. This is an opportunity to shape the conference program and give back to your professional community.
Responsibilities:
The 2026 Program Team Chair will oversee the annual conference, from recruiting the members of the Program Team to leading the development of the conference theme and overall programming. The Program Team Chair is (thankfully!) not responsible for all aspects of the conference and works closely with the Conference Planning Committee (CPC), the ACA Office, and the members of the Program Team. Specific duties include leading the Program Team to:
Time Commitment:
The Program Chair will begin planning work in the summer of 2025 by forming the Program Team and beginning work on developing a conference theme. The Program Team typically meets once a month, excepting the period when the committee is evaluating proposals for inclusion (which is more time intensive), and the Program Team Chair is expected to attend monthly Conference Planning Committee meetings. If selected, the Program Team Chair is expected to attend the Conference that will be held virtually in June 2026. The Program Chair is also responsible for identifying and contacting plenary speakers. This requires a large time commitment, and it is recommended that interested individuals have some institutional support.
Qualifications:
You must be a member in good standing of the Association of Canadian Archivists. Preference will be given to individuals with previous ACA volunteer and conference planning experience. The successful candidate should have some of the following attributes:
Application Process:
Please submit a short expression of interest of no more than 250 words detailing your qualifications, conference planning (or similar) experience, and engagement with ACA to executive.director@archivists.ca by end of day August 28th, 2025.
The Association is open to considering Co-Chairs should that be of interest. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to CPC Chair Max Otte at conference.planning@archivists.ca or Ottawa Program Chair Patti Harper at Program.Team.2025@archivists.ca if they have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity. |
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In the Field: The ACA Blog
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If you’d like to submit a blog post, please read and complete this form. We look forward to your contribution! |
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The ACAF has added two new items to its store:
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Limited edition and numbered ACA Anniversary Print. Designed and printed by the Carleton University Book Arts Lab, this beautiful print is only $75 + tax. Prints come in a plastic sleeve, but a tube can be purchased for an additional $3 for safe transportation.
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ACA vintage Arthur Doughty Mugs. Unearthed recently! There are a limited number of mugs produced by the ACA, which feature an authentic likeness of Arthur Doughty, and the quote ,“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.” Mugs are $20 + tax each.
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These items and more can be purchased online and shipped to you directly (note that shipping costs are priced separately). All proceeds go toward funding publicly available scholarships, bursaries, and other financial assistance for post-secondary students, graduates, and professionals who are pursuing education and training in the fields of archival sciences, record keeping and information management! |
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Amy Furness appointed Chief Librarian of Victoria University
In July, Amy Furness was appointed as the Chief Librarian of Victoria University. Prior to this, Furness had been with the Art Gallery of Ontario since 2001, serving as the Head of Library & Archives since 2016. Furness completed her Masters and PhD at the University of Toronto, and has worked with the iSchool as a lecturer and practicum supervisor. At Victoria, she will head up the E.J. Pratt Library, Emmanuel College Library and the Victoria University Archives. Congratulations Amy!
Passing of David W. Leonard
The archival community recently lost David W. Leonard, esteemed historian and archivist, and recipient of the Alberta Order of Excellence. To learn more about David’s contributions to the field, please click here.
2025 AABC/YCA Joint Conference Registration is open
We are pleased to announce that registration for the 2025 AABC/YCA Joint Conference is now open! To register, click here. All conference information including sessions, speakers, schedule, and the Managing an Oral History Program workshop is available on our website.
Join us virtually from October 7-9th, 2025 to learn how archival practitioners have risen to challenges in unique and innovative ways - using experience, technology, tools, and partnerships to leverage a new dynamic path forward.
YCA Members: if you are interested in registering to attend the conference, please get in touch so that we can provide you with a YCA member discount code.
Yukon Participants: We will have an in-person option for conference attendance in Whitehorse. Please indicate on the registration page if you are interested. We’re also planning a relaxed social gathering on the evening of October 7th in Whitehorse—more details to come soon. Hope to see you there!
Australian Society of Archivists 2025 Conference Registrations Now Open
Registration is now open for this year’s conference, Telling Our Stories: Community, Connection, Resilience. ACA members are eligible for member rates. Take advantage of early bird pricing, available until midnight on August 31.
Join us in Sydney (Warrane/Warrang) from November 10-13, 2025 to mark the ASA’s 50th anniversary and bring together diverse perspectives and stories that reflect our profession and practice.
For those unable to attend in person, on-demand packages will be available to purchase. Full details, including pricing and access instructions, will be announced soon. |
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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.
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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!
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The next issue of Scope & Content will come out on
Thursday, September 4th, 2025. See you then!
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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.
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