In this episode, we discuss the value of archival preservation and the important work being conducted at York University to identify, archive, digitize, preserve, and provide free access to source materials that reflect the knowledge, collective memory, and experiences of diverse immigrant communities.
We hope you find this discussion educational and are motivated to help preserve the history and heritage of your community for future generations. Archival preservation offers many benefits to you, your family, your community, your city, and to our collective understanding of diverse immigrant groups that contribute to these many places we now call ‘home.’
Michael Akladios hosts this discussion, joined by Michael Moir, head archivist at the Clara Thomas Archive and Special Collections at York University Libraries, Gilberto Fernandez, co-founder and project manager of the Portuguese Canadian History Project, and Christopher Grafos, co-founder and Project manager of the Greek Canadian History Project.
Recorded in the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies at York University, our guests discuss a broad range of questions, including:
- What is an archive and what do archivists do?
- What are the benefits of preserving documents and other material at an archive?
- Who may access the material once it is donated?
- Why is it important for communities to preserve their records in an archive?
- How may various families, groups, and institutions benefit from preservation and increased access to a peoples’ histories?
Visit our Archival Donations page to view the growing collection of immigrant history at York University. Consider donating and read this Fact sheet to learn more about the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections’ donation policies. Contact us at team@egyptmigrations.com for more, and if you have any questions.
Egypt Migrations 