The Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists (SCAA) has proclaimed Feb. 6 to 12 as Archives Week, with the theme of archives as a place “where memories are preserved and history is made.”
“We can once again be connected to the vast amount of history and heritage our province has to offer and bring Saskatchewan’s archives into the spotlight while encouraging everyone to remain safe and respect current health measures,” the organization said about celebrating the week for the 17th year.
The SCAA has planned a virtual event, where institutions and individuals have submitted short videos showcasing their successes and achievements during the past year. They have also displayed the hard work and dedication of archivists in preserving the province’s vibrant history.
These videos will be featured online each day during Archives Week. They include virtual tours and celebrations from members such as the Craik Oral History Archives, Indian Head Museum, Melfort and District Museum, Metis Nation Registry Saskatchewan, and Music H2.
“We are excited that this event will have the capacity to reach potentially every region and community in Saskatchewan,” the SCAA added.
In the Town of Craik — located one hour north of Moose Jaw — it will hold an open house on Friday, Feb. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. to highlight its weavers and quilters who are prominent in the community. The central theme is based on a quilt previously made to highlight Craik’s historic events and celebrations.
The open house will feature demonstrations, displays and door prizes. Self-contained refreshments will be provided, while all pandemic safety precautions will be followed.
Meanwhile, in Shaunavon — about three hours south-southwest of Moose Jaw — the Grant Coteau Heritage and Cultural Centre will hold an Archives Week gallery exhibition, with the theme focusing on the history of that community’s schools.
The exhibition will include school yearbooks, graduation photographs, a slide show of archival images, school workbooks, and other school-related items from the archives. The exhibition will be open to the public during regular gallery opening hours, while a special seniors’ Coffee Chat will be held in conjunction with the exhibition.
The slide show will also be available to view its seniors’ living complexes.
The public is reminded to comply with all COVID-19 public health orders, including wearing masks and maintaining a safe social distance.
The SCAA encourages people to visit its YouTube page at www.youtube.com/user/ArchivesAdvisor/videos starting Sunday, Feb. 6 to Friday, Feb. 11 to indulge in the province’s rich past. Full details about Archives Week and other events happening throughout the province can be found at www.scaa.sk.ca/public-awareness/archives-week/.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan (PAS) is also participating in Archives Week, by launching a social media campaign to give “behind the scenes” looks at how archives work to preserve the province’s history and by creating a new exhibit showcasing the work of editorial cartoonist Brian Gable.
“Many people are curious about what we do to keep the history of the province,” said provincial archivist Carol Radford-Grant. “We are keen to highlight some of the unique aspects of our work to everyone in Saskatchewan.”
Residents can follow the social media campaign with the hashtag #WhatArchivistsDo or follow @ProvArchiveSK on Facebook and Twitter.
Meanwhile, Gable has donated several of his drawings that he created while working at the Regina Leader-Post. Many Canadians may recognize Gable’s work since Canada Post recently featured one of his drawings on a stamp.
Residents interested in seeing Gable’s work can visit the provincial archives building at 2440 Broad Street in Regina, while many unique and humorous illustrations will also be shared online.
More information about PAS’s activities during Archives Week can be found at www.saskarchives.com.
