Scope and Content Monthly ACA Newsletter
September 2025, Volume 6, Issue 9 |
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Click here if you are having trouble reading the newsletter.
The next Scope and Content will be published October 2nd, 2025. If you have any comments or feedback, please contact the Communications Committee.
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Now that summer is beginning to give way to fall and the days are getting more noticeably shorter, it feels as there is never enough time to do everything on our to-do lists. All around us there is so much happening quickly and all at once and yet, at the same time, not fast enough at all. Looking at events around the world today, especially through the lens as an archivist whose very profession is the preservation of records of historical significance, it can be overwhelming. It is hard to keep track of everything that is happening because by design, there are just too many stories to keep track of, not only globally but right next door. It can be easy to say “Oh, this won’t happen here because of X” and wave it off with a dismissive gesture, but let’s not forget we never thought what is happening south of our border would ever happen there. Perhaps this is why community spaces such as the ACA are important. As a group of people who can often work in isolation, the ACA gives avenues for archivists at all stages of their career and experience to meet and connect with one another on not just the work we do but also why we do it. Being on committees and working groups provide not only experience but also provide the opportunities to be able to network with other archivists and talk about those topics that put our loved-ones to sleep (no matter how hard they try) but excite us. They can also provide support systems and avenues for advice. With that, the Board and Secretariat are hitting the ground running as we are preparing to take advantage of the fall Planning and Priorities meeting, to get a lot of work done on an ambitious agenda. The Board and most committees took well-earned summer hiatuses but are back and hard at work. The Governance Committee will be meeting in the first half of September with, as always, a heavy workload. The Conference Planning Policy is already building the Program Team for the 2026 Virtual Conference as well as working on the 2027 In-Person Conference in Winnipeg. The Records Management Working Group have already met and are now working on the reviews of both the Policy and Retention Schedule as well as updating procedures and processes for the 21st century. As always, I would like to thank everyone who volunteers for the various Committees, Working Groups, Special Interest Sections, and the Student Chapters, as well as a special thank you to those who step-up to Chair and lead those groups. If you have any questions around volunteering, please reach out to me at vicepresident(at)archivists.ca Angela Fornelli, Vice President |
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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 September 25, 2025, and the theme will be #ArchivesUniqueItems. Do you have materials in your archives that you think no other archives is likely to have? This month’s ACA Hashtag Party is your chance to show off! We always say that archival materials are one of a kind, and for this month’s theme, we’re looking forward to seeing all the truly strange, unique, and wonderful items that comprise your collections. On the day, share your materials and tell us what they are – they might be so unique that we’ll need an explanation! Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtag and we’ll be celebrating alongside you on social media to re-share your posts all day. #ACAHashtagParty #ArchivesUniqueItems
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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Website Updates!
It is our 50th Anniversary! Thanks to the hard work of our summer student Mickenna Ward and NAAC, we have made some updates and additions to the ACA Website which give a glimpse into our storied history.
ACA Fellows:
The Nominations and Awards Committee is pleased to announce the addition of Fellows’ biographies to the website. The list of fellows can be found here: https://archivists.ca/ACA-Fellows-and-Nominating-a-Member-Info and all names have been hyperlinked to a page-long biography. The biographies for the most recent fellows are in progress and will be uploaded when they are complete.
If you see any inaccuracies or information gaps in any biography, the ACA would very much welcome your input.
Bulletins:
All of the extant copies of the Bulletin have been scanned and uploaded to the Bulletin page of the website: https://archivists.ca/The-Bulletin-Annual-Reports
The Bulletin online ranges in dates from June 1978 to the present, with some gaps in the collection. The Bulletin first served as the newsletter for the ACA and included the annual report in its pages. It has been our annual report since 2015.
Conference Programs:
All of the extant copies of our conference programs have been uploaded to the ‘Past Conferences’ page: https://archivists.ca/ACA-Past-Conferences . There are some gaps in the collection.
If you have any copies of missing Bulletins or Conference Programs, we would be delighted to add them to our site. |
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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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ACA Communications Committee
A warm welcome to Natasha Fisher, the new Chair for the Communications Committee! Natasha is currently the Digital Archivist at the ArQuives and a member of the ACA Website Working Group. They have worked in the past on marketing, focusing heavily on websites, blogs, newsletters, and email campaigns. As Chair, they will oversee our three volunteer teams across Canada, coordinating our social media, In the Field blog, and Scope & Content monthly newsletter; and act as the main point of contact between Communications, the Board, all other committees, and special interest sections looking to publicize information through official ACA channels. To get in touch with Natasha in their role as Communications Chair, email communications(at)archivists.ca. |
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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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Professional Development Committee The Professional Development Committee needs volunteers! Please contact chair John Yolkowski for more information.
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!
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. If this sounds like something you would like to volunteer for, please submit an ACA Volunteer Form and contact me (Sarah Glassford) or Gillian Leitch with any questions. |
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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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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.
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.
The conference will showcase what archives mean to communities, institutions, and individuals, while also providing space to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we want to grow as a sector. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues, explore new ideas, and be part of a memorable program.
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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"Into the Archives" Artist Workshop Series, Oct 6-Nov 2, 2025 “Into the Archives” is an exciting new artist workshop series for emerging artists interested in learning tools to critically and creatively approach archives and history in their practice. Drawing from the Muslims in Canada Archives (MiCA) collections, the program takes up questions that are key to preserving the Muslim histories of Canada: What gaps and erasures do Muslim people navigate within mainstream heritage institutions? How can we document underwritten Muslim stories with care and consent? And how do archival collections enrich our understanding of the past, present, and future of Muslim life? Participants will be invited to locate these conversations within the context of catastrophes that defined many Muslim migrations to Canada, including the legacies of colonial infrastructure and imperial intervention. The program will culminate with a keynote artist talk by one of Canada's leading Muslim artists.
Deadline to apply is 11:59 PM EST/8:59PM PST on September 15, 2025. This event will take place in-person at the Jackman Humanities Building in Toronto; successful applicants will be offered a spot no later than September 28th. https://www.muslimsincanadaarchives.ca/en/posts/into-the-archives-artist-workshops/ |
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Register to the upcoming Practising NAAB Appraiser (PNA) Masterclass in Winnipeg (17-20 November 2025)! Registration page: https://naab.ca/event-6307920
Registration deadline: 10 November 2025 The National Archival Appraisal Board (NAAB) & the Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) are pleased to offer HYBRID training in the monetary appraisal of archives. This upcoming Masterclass session, anchored at the University of Manitoba Archives, is offered as a HYBRID training opportunity: participants may register to attend in person or remotely. The Masterclass will be taught by Simon Rogers, Chair of the NAAB Board of Directors, Brian Hubner, NAAB Regional Director for the Prairies, and Brock Silversides, Practising NAAB Appraiser. The Masterclass puts in place the critical pieces of the archival monetary appraisal puzzle and, in a straightforward way, enhances your skills, increases your understanding about monetary appraisal processes and improves your ability to undertake effective archival monetary appraisals. Case studies will be used to illustrate and deepen the lessons learned. On the final day of the Masterclass, participants will inspect archival material for their summative assignment – a full archival monetary appraisal and a written monetary appraisal report – due on 4 December 2025. Upon successful completion of the summative assignment participants will become eligible to be designated as a Practising NAAB Appraiser. Other benefits: Take this knowledge back to your workplace. Bring immediate benefit to your archival institution by conducting small and medium dollar value in-house archival monetary appraisals. Earn extra income or share your expertise with the broader heritage community by participating on NAAB panels in your region. Develop your leadership abilities in archival monetary appraisal and help shape and sustain the future of the archival monetary appraisal landscape in Canada – become a PNA! The Masterclass is designed for GLAM sector or heritage professionals with some appreciation of archival research and professional standards. If you have any questions or concerns about whether the Masterclass is right for you, please contact us at NAAB@archivescanada.ca The Winnipeg session will be delivered in English only. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: https://naab.ca/Masterclass
Inscrivez-vous à la prochaine Classe de maître d’Évaluateur du CNÉA en exercice (ECE) à Winnipeg (17 – 20 novembre 2025) ! Page d'inscription : https://cnea.ca/event-6307920
Date limite d’inscription : 10 novembre2025. Le Conseil national d'évaluation des archives (CNÉA) et le Conseil canadien des archives (CCA) ont le plaisir de proposer une formation HYBRIDE dans le domaine de l'évaluation monétaire des archives. Cette prochaine Classe de maître, qui se tiendra aux Archives de l'Université du Manitoba, est proposée sous la forme d'une formation HYBRIDE : les participants peuvent s'inscrire pour assister à la formation en personne ou à distance. La Classe de maître sera animée par Simon Rogers, Président du Conseil d'administration du CNÉA, Brian Hubner, Directeur du CNÉA, région des Prairies, et Brock Silversides, Évaluateur du CNÉA en exercice. La Classe de maître met en place les pièces essentielles du casse-tête de l'évaluation monétaire des archives et, de manière directe, améliore vos compétences, votre compréhension des procédés d'évaluation monétaire et votre capacité à entreprendre des évaluations monétaires efficaces des archives. Des études de cas seront utilisées pour illustrer et approfondir les leçons apprises. Le dernier jour de la Classe de maître, les participants inspecteront des documents d'archives en vue de leur travail de synthèse, une évaluation monétaire archivistique complète et un rapport d'évaluation monétaire écrit, à remettre le 4 décembre 2025. Après avoir réussi ce travail, les participants pourront recevoir le titre d'Évaluateur du CNÉA en exercice. Autres avantages : Rapportez ces connaissances à votre lieu de travail. Apportez un bénéfice immédiat à votre institution d'archives en réalisant des évaluations monétaires d'archives de petite et moyenne valeur en interne. Gagnez un revenu supplémentaire ou partagez votre expertise avec l'ensemble de la communauté patrimoniale en participant aux panels du CNÉA dans votre région. Développez vos capacités de leadership dans le domaine de l'évaluation monétaire des archives et contribuez à façonner et à soutenir l'avenir du secteur de l'évaluation monétaire des archives au Canada - devenez un ECE ! La Classe de maître est destinée aux professionnels du secteur GLAM ou du patrimoine ayant une certaine connaissance de la recherche archivistique et des normes professionnelles. Si vous avez des questions ou des doutes concernant la pertinence de la Classe de maître pour vous, veuillez nous contacter à l'adresse NAAB@archivescanada.ca La séance de Winnipeg se déroulera en anglais uniquement. POUR PLUS D'INFORMATIONS, VISITEZ : https://cnea.ca/Masterclass |
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Reach your audience with advertising in Scope & Content. Contact Gillian Leitch for more information. |
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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, October 2nd, 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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