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U of L launches Centre for Oral History and Tradition

trevor.kenney — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 17:29:59 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has launched a new institute aimed at ensuring southern Alberta’s oral history is preserved and accessible.

The Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT) will not only advance research disciplines pertaining to oral history in the academic world, but also collaborate with community organizations across southern Alberta to help preserve, study and understand the region’s oral history.

The de Grandmaison oral history project is an example of the work that the Centre for Oral History and Tradition will undertake.

“The Institute will strive to preserve and analyze oral history sources,” says Dr. Heidi MacDonald, director of the new centre. “Oral histories contain valuable information that is often not available in any other form. Preserving these narratives is critical to understanding many fields of study. Our research will have an enduring relevance well into the future because the oral histories we capture will be studied for many more generations.”

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty and graduate students involved in the institute have expertise in such areas as employment, health, sport, gender, religion, culture and local history. Together with community partners, including the Galt Museum and Archives, the centre will provide workshops and other support in order to identify, establish and assist oral history projects undertaken in southern Alberta. The centre is also committed to ensuring these projects are made available to the public.

“We want to be a portal for the dissemination of oral history to other researchers as well as provide a place where this knowledge is available to the people of southern Alberta and beyond. In addition to sharing the research we at the centre are interested in, we want to build this capacity with community groups that have an interest in preserving their own oral histories,” says MacDonald.

Collecting and preserving oral histories is becoming increasingly important. MacDonald says information is continually becoming more transient, which will have implications for the future. For example, fewer people keep diaries, and in the workplace, e-mails are easily deleted.

“Sources that historians have traditionally used are becoming rare. Far less information is hitting paper today compared to even a decade ago,” says MacDonald. “In addition, oral histories can provide personal insights that expand on more standard histories.”

The announcement of the COHT was made at the Galt Museum & Archives. The event included a display demonstrating an oral history project undertaken by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives, an initiative that supports the gallery’s vast Nicholas de Grandmaison collection of artworks and artifacts.

As an itinerant painter, de Grandmaison often stayed with ranchers, farmers and Aboriginal families for several days at a time while he painted their portraits. His unique lifestyle, character and attitude having left a plethora of interesting experiences that augment the context of his paintings. These stories complement the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's de Grandmaison collection.

The U of L is home to 12 different centres and institutes that foster and promote research expertise and capabilities as well as provide a platform for trans-disciplinary research.

The U of L’s Vice-President (Research), Dr. Dan Weeks, says these centres and institutes facilitate the formation of unique and creative research and teaching partnerships inside and outside of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s initiative to create new centres and institutes allows for greater collaboration among researchers and makes research more publicly available. The Centre for Oral History and Tradition will make an incredibly positive contribution to southern Alberta communities through its work,” says Weeks.

Oral History Project brings the past to life

david.kirby — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 15:31:23 +0000

The late English writer Rudyard Kipling once reflected, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students Karissa Patton (BA ’13) and Maria Livingston would likely agree with that observation.

U of L master’s student Karissa Patton (BA ’13) and undergraduate student Maria Livingston are investigating the past as part of the Oral History Project. (Photo by Leslie Ohene-Adjei)

Last summer, Patton, who is now pursuing a master’s degree in history, and Livingston, a third-year Native American studies student, worked together on the Oral History Project, a story-gathering initiative supported by the U of L Art Gallery, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives and the Centre for Oral History and Tradition.

Today Livingston continues to be involved in the project, which is aimed at helping people to enhance their understanding of artist Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892-1978) and his unique connections to First Nations communities. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has a vast collection of de Grandmaison artwork and artifacts, including 67 original pastel portraits that were donated to the U of L Art Gallery by BMO Financial Group earlier this year along with funding to support research related to the art gift.

A cultural icon of southern Alberta and one of the most important portraitists of First Nations people, de Grandmaison was a nomadic painter who often stayed with ranchers, farmers and aboriginal families for several days at a time while he painted their portraits. His work not only documented the history of First Nations people in Canada, but was also unmatched in its ability to capture the unique personalities of those who sat for portraits.

With guidance from U of L archivist, Mike Perry (MEd ’06), and professor Lisa Doolittle of the Department of Theatre and Dramatic Arts, Patton and Livingston contacted members of the Kainai, Siksika and Piikani First Nations, searching for and interviewing people who may have had contact either with de Grandmaison or any of the subjects featured in his paintings.

“Collecting individual narratives is important because people aren’t writing things down as much as they once did. Also, the stories that have been included in historical archives in the past have often just been those of famous people and politicians,” says Patton.

To ensure the full range of stories compiled in the oral history project are shared for years to come, Livingston is now working on an educational program for high school students and an online resource for middle school students. The initiatives are a way of giving back to First Nations communities and youth, says Livingston, who is of Cree heritage.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to work on this project,” she says. “Along with hearing great storytelling, I’ve learned more about First Nations culture and history, and that complements what I’ve been learning in school.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ officially launched the Centre for Oral History and Tradition on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at the Galt Museum & Archives. To view the news release, follow this link.

Oral History Project brings the past to life

trevor.kenney — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 22:38:48 +0000

The late English writer Rudyard Kipling once reflected, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students Karissa Patton (BA ’13) and Maria Livingston would likely agree with that observation.

Karissa Patton, left, and Maria Livingston are helping to bring the past to life through the Oral History Project.

Last summer, Patton, who is now pursuing a master’s degree in history, and Livingston, a third-year Native American Studies student, worked together on the Oral History Project, a story-gathering initiative supported by the U of L Art Gallery, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives and Centre for Oral History and Tradition.

Today, Livingston continues to be involved in the project, which is aimed at helping people to enhance their understanding of artist Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892-1978) and his unique connections to First Nations communities. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has a vast collection of de Grandmaison artwork and artifacts, including 67 original pastel portraits that were donated to the art gallery by BMO Financial Group earlier this year along with funding to support research related to the art gift.

A cultural icon of southern Alberta and one of the most important portraitists of First Nations people, de Grandmaison was a nomadic painter who often stayed with ranchers, farmers and Aboriginal families for several days at a time while he painted their portraits. His work not only documented the history of First Nations people in Canada, but was also unmatched in its ability to capture the unique personalities of those who sat for portraits.

With guidance from U of L archivist Mike Perry and Lisa Doolittle of the Department of Theatre and Dramatic Arts, Patton and Livingston contacted members of the Kainai, Siksika and Piikani First Nations, searching for – and interviewing – people who may have had contact either with de Grandmaison or any of the subjects featured in his paintings.

To ensure the full range of stories compiled in the oral history project are shared for years to come, Livingston is now working on an educational program and online resource for high school students and middle school students, respectively. The initiatives are a way of giving back to First Nations communities and youth, says Livingston, who is of Cree heritage.

Oral History Project appeals for contributions

trevor.kenney — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:37:50 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives is calling on Albertans to assist in a historical project in support of their vast Nicholas de Grandmaison collection of artworks and artifacts.

A cultural icon of southern Alberta, artist Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892-1978) captured the history of the region and its First Nations people in an entirely distinctive and personal manner.

As an itinerant painter, de Grandmaison often stayed with ranchers, farmers and Aboriginal families for several days at a time while he painted their portraits. His unique lifestyle, character and attitude having left a plethora of interesting experiences that augment the context of his paintings.

It is these stories that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives are looking to tell through an Oral History Project that will complement the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's de Grandmaison collection of artworks and artifacts. They are currently seeking contributions from the Alberta community.

"By compiling an oral history, we really want to give the de Grandmaison collection another layer of meaning," says Karissa Patton (BA '13), a recent U of L graduate who is returning for graduate studies this fall and who is working with third-year Native American Studies student Maria Livingston on compiling the oral history pieces.

"The collection is remarkable, but in some instances we might only have the name of the person featured in the painting, and in others, we have no information at all. When you look at how the subjects are depicted, you can see that there is a story there that is just waiting to be told."

Working under the guidance of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archivist Mike Perry and Lisa Doolittle of the Department of Theatre and Dramatic Arts, Patton and Livingston have contacted various members of the Kainai, Siksika and Piikani First Nations, searching for those people who may have had contact either with de Grandmaison or any of the subjects featured in his paintings.

"It doesn't have to be a story from someone who was actually painted, it can be anything from that era that adds to the story of
de Grandmaison's visits and work," says Patton. "Even the smallest of recollections help to create a larger narrative."

BMO Financial Group recently donated 67 original de Grandmaison pastel portraits to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's already comprehensive collection of artworks and artifacts. They have been featured in the
U of L Art Gallery exhibition Nicholas de Grandmaison: Recent Acquisitions, which concludes Thursday, June 27. On Tuesday, June 25, a Closing Reception and Hoop Dance Performance will be held at 7 p.m. in the U of L Art Gallery.

"It's been wonderful to be able to present these de Grandmaison works to the public," says Director/Curator of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery, Dr. Josephine Mills. "The BMO donation has significantly enhanced our collection and really inspired us to search for ways in which we can encourage new work from First Nations artists. I think this Oral History Project is an excellent way to give even more context to these works and bring our Alberta history to life."

For those looking to take part in the project, access the following website for more information: http://www.uleth.ca/artgallery/?page_id=5452, call 403-380-1868 or e-mail degrandmaisonstories@uleth.ca

Oral history contributions sought by gallery

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:32:50 +0000

The late artist Nicholas de Grandmaison is a cultural icon of southern Alberta. He is well known for his portraits of politicians, families and unknown subjects.

During a previous exhibition of his work at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery, there was a great deal of interest in discussing stories of the artist and of his Aboriginal subjects. The gallery is subsequently undertaking a project that invites individuals visiting the exhibit to share their unique experiences with the artist or the subjects of his paintings. The project will be publicized during the exhibition of paintings donated by BMO Financial Group at the U of L Art Gallery May 2 to June 27.

As an itinerant painter, de Grandmaison often stayed with ranchers, farmers and Aboriginal families for several days at a time while he painted them. His unique lifestyle, character and attitude have left a plethora of interesting experiences that augment the context of his paintings.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Gallery and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives are partnering to gather the stories and provide research access to them. This oral history project is intended to give greater context to de Grandmaison as a person and an artist and to give greater background to the body of his work in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ collection. As well, it will add to the rich research resource already housed on campus with the artworks, personal papers and photographs, and sound recordings produced with the artist and some of his Aboriginal sitters for portraits.

Once the stories are gathered, access will be provided through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Archives website and in person study in the Archives as well as future touring exhibitions of de Grandmaison's work.

Historical timeline launched

trevor.kenney — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:51:35 +0000

By MIKE PERRY

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives is pleased to announce the launch of the new U of L historical timeline, available through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library (www.uleth.ca/lib) and archives home (www.uleth.ca/lib/archives) pages.

The creation of the new timeline was a group effort, with a prominent role played by a couple of current students and a U of L alumnus, all currently working in the library. The project began about a year ago with new media student Marcel Jepson, who was working as a student web application developer, and I sitting down to discuss what could be developed. When we decided on what we wanted, Jepson got to work building and developing the platform.

While he did most of the work on this website, he was expertly assisted by Shem Simmons and Bryson Duda. Simmons, a graduate of the new media program who is currently working as a multimedia artist in the library's information systems department, styled and created the graphics for the timeline. Duda, a system support specialist in the library, assisted with writing the computer code that makes the timeline more interactive and searchable.

While the website was being developed, second-year computer science student Krysti Bouttell-Bonnar (a student assistant in the library) helped research the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's history for suitable content. Bouttell-Bonnar spent many hours combing through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's publications to find interesting highlights to add to the timeline.

Thanks to these four talented people, in particular, and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library, in general, for their contributions to this project.

The timeline is an ongoing project, so if you have any suggestions for content or improvements please contact mike.perry@uleth.ca in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives.

The timeline is very dynamic and allows users the ability to search the digital copies of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ papers and the Meliorist from the webpage. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Calendars from 1967 to 1995 (the most recent are already completed) have also been digitized and will be uploaded to the timeline shortly.

Mike Perry is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Archivist

This story first appeared in the November 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the full issue online, follow this link.

Oral history project brings past to life

trevor.kenney — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:02:45 +0000

By MIKE PERRY

In January 2009, Dr. James Tagg, Professor Emeritus of the history department, initiated a project to conduct, collect, digitize and make accessible interviews with individuals intimately connected with the early years of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

With the assistance of Graham Ruttan, a student in the Faculty of Education, the number of interviews conducted with faculty, staff, administrators, students and friends of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has grown to 70. The interviews are between one and three hours long and provide a wealth of engaging and informative storytelling of the lives of individuals who experienced the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge during its infancy.

According to the Oral History Association, "Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events. Oral history is both the oldest type of historical inquiry, predating the written word, and one of the most modern, initiated with tape recorders in the 1940s and now using 21st-century digital technologies."

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives, together with the Department of History, has taken on the important role of ensuring that the collection is preserved and accessible to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. Dr. Heidi Macdonald has assumed responsibility for the collection and has been instrumental in ensuring that the project continues to grow. Jacob Cameron, a technical specialist in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library and working in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives has done most of the work required to design and facilitate the easy access to these recordings.

Karissa Patton, a student in the history program, has also contributed to this project by assisting with the biographies and transcripts first worked on by Ruttan. Ruttan spent two summers on this project, interviewing former students, creating written transcripts and conducting the research for the short biographies of the participants.

While the project is largely complete, it is still a work in progress. It can be accessed on campus from two online locations. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library's homepage under the Resources tab, choose "U of L's Digital Collections" and follow the link to the collection. It is also located on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives web page at digitallibrary.uleth.ca/cdm/singleitem/collection/oralhistory/id/44/rec/1.

Dr. Tagg joined the Department of History in 1969. During his tenure here, he served as assistant dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science. Tagg, who retired in 2003, devoted much of his time to the advancement of liberal education here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. In recognition, the U of L has honored him and a fellow Professor Emeritus, Dr. Ron Yoshida, with the Tagg-Yoshida Lectures, which emphasize the importance of liberal education to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and to the southern Alberta community.

In addition, the Dr. James D. Tagg Citizenship Award is available to continuing graduate students for academic achievement and community involvement.

This oral history project provides the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with a distinctive and valuable way to capture the early history of our institution. Together with all the interviewees, Tagg has captured the lived experiences of individuals forever linked to the U of L. It will serve as an enduring legacy to our institutional memory.

Mike Perry is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archivist

This story first appeared in the February 2012 edition of The Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Oral history project brings past to life

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:34:42 +0000

In January 2009, Dr. James Tagg, Professor Emeritus of the history department, initiated a project to conduct, collect, digitize and make accessible interviews with individuals intimately connected with the early years of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

In addition, the Dr. James D. Tagg Citizenship Award is available to continuing graduate students for academic achievement and community involvement.

Mike Perry is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archivist

This story first appeared in the February 2012 edition of The Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives plays important role in preserving institutional history

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:34:20 +0000

By MICHAEL PERRY

Every year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge produces vast quantities of official records on paper, in video, photographs and, increasingly, in electronic format. Much of the material is retained in the various departments across campus until it reaches the end of its ongoing usefulness. What happens to it then, and who preserves the history of our institution?

Records that are scheduled for retention, destruction or archival selection are sent to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library's Records Management office (403-329-2750).

Records management is a broad term that is used extensively in the day-to-day operations of institutions and businesses, while the role of archives is less understood. Where records managers are concerned with the administration of the current records of an organization, archivists deal with those records that have been selected to be kept for their continuing value.

Interestingly, only 10 per cent of official records are usually selected for permanent preservation. The office responsible for controlling, preserving, protecting and making available this "institutional memory" is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives.

Established in 1968 and under the stewardship of numerous people (Donald Wick, Owen Holmes, Jane Freeman, Winston Jones and Michael Perry), ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives is a comprehensive collection of material relating to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's history – and it is continually developing.

Although the office was closed for a few years in the late 1980s and was most recently suspended for three years, the Archives is once again accepting official records through Records Management, as well as unofficial historical artifacts, photographs, etc. directly from departments across campus and the larger academic community.

As an example, we have just received a number of documents and items essential to the institution from Dorothy and William Beckel (William Beckel was the U of L president from 1972-79).

The core functions of archivists include the acquisition, selection and appraisal of official and non-official records, their arrangement and description, storage and maintenance, conservation and preservation, access and reference.

Materials selected for inclusion include meeting minutes, correspondence, announcements, university publications, reports, building plans, photographs, posters, drama productions, videos, audio tapes, personal papers, artifacts, theses and dissertations. Any other material that assists in providing documentation of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's fulfillment of its teaching, research and public service, thus rendering the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's long-range accountability to the society that sustains it, are also maintained.

Currently, the work of the archives includes acting on a preservation assessment completed by a conservator working for the Archives Society of Alberta; working through a huge backlog of official records currently being held in Records Management; migrating our analog collection of video and audio to digital media; and providing much needed advocacy and outreach to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community.

In the past, students have assisted with projects in the archives through completing independent and applied studies courses. Re-integrating the archival program into the academic sphere will assist to keep it relevant and indispensable.

If you have any questions about this process, or any material you think belongs in the archives, please do not hesitate to contact the Records Management office.

Michael Perry, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archivist

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archives plays important role in preserving institutional history

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:58:31 +0000

Every year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge produces vast quantities of official records on paper, in video, photographs and, increasingly, in electronic format. Much of the material is retained in the various departments across campus until it reaches the end of its ongoing usefulness. What happens to it then, and who preserves the history of our institution?

Records that are scheduled for retention, destruction or archival selection are sent to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library's Records Management office (403-329-2750).

As an example, we have just received a number of documents and items essential to the institution from Dorothy and William Beckel (William Beckel was the U of L president from 1972-79).

If you have any questions about this process, or any material you think belongs in the archives, please do not hesitate to contact the Records Management office.

Michael Perry, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Archivist

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