As a continuation to my first blog post, I thought it would be interesting to continue writing about archives from a different point of view. They are still the focus in our ASTU class, but I thought it would be interesting to bring in some things from sociology too.

As previously spoken about, archives are typically a way for archivist to track the past, but as we learned about different family dynamics in sociology, I thought it would be interesting to tie the two together. Dr. Rachel Sullivan used the example of how many generations ago, children were placed in nunnery’s to be raised if there was some sort of dysfunction within the household (abuse, poverty, etc.). Upon learning this fact, I saw this as a sort of Archival Silence because although the evidence of trouble in the family was not clearly listed, the absence of the children was a signal that something was off.

When looking at things from a point of view that allows you to look past the obvious, it is surprising what one could discover. Information that was usually meant to be secretive becomes exposed through the actions that your ancestors may have taken to keep it covered.

As to how someone could get access to this past information varies from family to family. Personally, I was able to recall many instances where I was able to discover archival silences just by calling my mother and asking her about her childhood. Others may have the luxury of having diaries that are in good condition, or even picture albums that could trace their ancestors past. A increasingly curious generation has even led to websites such as  http://www.ancestry.ca, which allows people to sign up and find documents and pictures from their families past.

These silences are everywhere and it only takes a little bit of listening and searching to discover them

Archives are known as historical documents that are collected throughout the years to provide information about a certain time, place, culture and group of people. When given the definition of an archive, it looked fairly simple and straight forward. What I didn’t realize was that archives carry so much more than just facts and information, they hold power and they help shape and form identity.

In Of Things Said and Unsaid: Power, Archival Silences, and Power in Silence by Rodney G.S. Carter, Carter talks about different powers that are exerted in archives; the power of the dominant and the lack of power that the marginalized groups experienced through not being archived. It amazed me that archives could actually have such massive implications. Groups could be forgotten, identities could be misrepresented and overstepped and people are not able to grow and move on.

After learning about this sliver of information about archives, I couldn’t help but see a connection to many Aboriginal groups. Throughout their history, many have continually tried to alter their identity and change their ways and traditions. Now we have moved towards acceptance and acknowledgment of the importance of having their history documented. Having archives and being able to access them is like being taken back in time. With many different archives acting as puzzle pieces, one will eventually be able to put it together to gain a bigger picture.

Without realizing it then, I recall watching a documentary on APTN, an aboriginal television network, of Eastern Canadian (Nova Scotia) Aboriginals being given access to old letters, objects, clothing items and names of people from the same tribe. I did not understand what it meant to the aboriginal people because I wasn’t aware that these items from the past held so much meaning for those in the present (and future to come).