Kwusen staff teach Applied Anthropology and Archival Research course at UVic
Kwusen’s Towagh Behr (Director of Research and Operations) and Alissa Cartwright (Indigenous Rights Research Manager) collaborated with the Simpcw First Nation to conduct the second delivery of an upper-level anthropology class at the University of Victoria in spring 2022. The first iteration of this class was taught in 2019 in partnership with Saik’uz First Nation.
The class, entitled “Applied Anthropology and Archival Research”, provided students with practical skills in the field of anthropology as well as a detailed introduction to archival theory. Students engaged with archival methodologies that support Indigenous data sovereignty, with a focus on topics like archival power, intellectual property rights, and repatriation.
Instruction balanced critical scholarship with hands-on learning and was complimented by a variety of guest speakers with expertise in archival research, the operations of memory institutions, and collaboration with Indigenous Nations. Guest lecturers included staff members from the Gitxaała Nation and Royal BC Museum.
The goal of the class was not only to develop the skills of students, but to use the results of their learning to contribute to the repatriation and management of archival materials on behalf of Simpcw First Nation. In addition to liaising between the students and Simpcw, Simpcw’s Archives Coordinator, Anna Kay Eldridge, taught the students about archival best practices.
“The opportunity to explain and share the specific research needs of our community with emerging professionals was valuable in providing a better understanding of the challenges our communities face when working with colonial repositories and systems of organization. Assistance in surveying the extensive collection of records sourced from archival institutions such as Library & Archives Canada, the Hudson’s Bay Company Archives, and B.C. Archives—together with the transcription of critical documents—was incredibly useful in helping us work through a substantial backlog of research, making it more accessible to internal researchers and community members.”
Class assignments were developed in collaboration with Simpcw and adapted in line with Simpcw’s evolving archival needs throughout the semester. The students’ main project involved reviewing and archiving historical documents into Simpcw’s digital archive in the Community KnowledgeKeeper (CKK). At the end of their research, students produced a results memo detailing research highlights and providing recommendations for future research. In all, students reviewed around 1,000 historical documents for Simpcw, transcribing nearly 50 pages that were identified as high priority for the Nation.
Students transcribed and digitized scanned materials to upload to Simpcw's CKK. The transcribed materials are now text searchable within the CKK.
When the class concluded in April 2022, students were equipped with the practical and theoretical tools to critically engage with archival materials and practices; conduct research using ethical and reflexive methodologies; and complete accurate data entry and management. Skills and connections gained in the class resulted in one of the students, Hailey Ackinclose, being hired as part of Kwusen’s growing research team!
Special thanks to Anna Kay Eldridge for her support and participation in the class.
Questions or comments about the class? Reach out to us at support@kwusen.ca. If you would like repatriation or archival research support, please reach out to alissa@kwusen.ca.
