BLACK ARCHIVAL
ROUTES & RISINGS
EXPERIENCE ARCHIVES
MUSIC
FASHION
HISTORY
About
The Black Archival Routes and Risings project aims to collect, preserve and steward archival material important to the history of Black people in Canada and globally. The genesis of the project is rooted in the unacknowledged richness of archival materials encapsulating Black histories dispersed among various Black communities and organizations nationwide. The lack of recognition, standardized cataloging, and preservation methods reflect the ongoing marginalization of Black Canadian history, exacerbating the misrepresentation and undervaluation of Black experiences across Canada.
The goal is to preserve Black knowledge and for materials to be used by Black students, faculty and community members to further educate and advocate for community needs.
Preserving Black Knowledge & History for Black Communities.
HISTORY & WHO WE ARE
The history of Black experiences in Canada (and in Ontario particularly) is misrepresented, under-represented and under-valued. At the same time, much of the material history – weathered as a result of time and the passage across generations of Black elders – is in danger of being lost forever.
MISSION
The mission is to Preserve Black Knowledge and History for Black Communities.
The material record of Black history and contribution in Canada is scattered in disparate collections across the country including, private family collections, public institutions, and group associations. These fragmentary, unknown, undiscoverable, incomplete, and/or inadequately cataloged materials create barriers to a fuller understanding of Black history and experience in this country and contribute to the ongoing marginalization of Black Canadian history.
The purpose of the Black Archival Routes and Risings project is to disrupt the elitism and racism embedded in traditional archival practices and ensure that Black communities have access to knowledge about their people and communities.
VISION
With the younger generation representing a significant proportion of the Black population, ensuring access to their unique histories as part of the Black diaspora in Canada becomes increasingly crucial before these histories are lost. The vision for the Black Archival Routes and Risings project is to ensure there is a dedicated space for students and all to access Black archival materials. The digitized form is imperative and will be a large component of the project; however, we wish to have some materials be “live”.
Calling all learners and transformative creators!
As such, the vision for these archival materials is a BROAD GLOBAL outreach via digitization and a LOCAL connection via a shared SPACE which will feature some primary sources featured in our Immersion Studio, exhibits, listening devices and part of other externally facing cool activities!
Community and Personal Archive
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Jamaican-Canadian Association
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Roy Williams
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Kay Blair
*Once we have the final content this section will be redesigned further to work better with content - this is just a placeholder.
OUR DATABASE
Explore our extensive and ever-growing collection of archives. We are proud to house a vast array of historical treasures, including detailed maps, unique artifacts, and captivating art pieces. Our collection also features dozens of significant documents from the UN World Conference, offering invaluable insights into global history and diplomacy. We continually expand our archives, ensuring that new materials are preserved and made accessible for future generations. Dive into our collection and discover the depth and richness of our historical repository.