Reconciliation
In response to Call to Action Number 77, one of 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan (PAS) commits to working collaboratively with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). The PAS identified in its holdings and prepared copies of all records relevant to the history and legacy of the residential school system and provided these to the NCTR. The Archives continues to identify and share copies of newly acquired or newly discovered records.
In addition, in the spirit of reconciliation, the PAS continues to work together with individuals and organizations that are involved in researching and sharing Indigenous history and the legacy of the residential school system by:
- Facilitating research by individuals and communities, including referrals to the NCTR or to other institutions in cases where PAS does not have related records.
- Supporting hundreds of hours of reconciliation and inclusivity related training and professional development opportunities for Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan staff;
- Supporting the work of regional and national archival associations as they develop reconciliation frameworks;
- Supporting the work of local, provincial and Canada-wide reconciliation initiatives.
Territory Acknowledgement
The Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan acknowledges that the land on which our building and our Permanent Collection are located is Treaty 4 Territory and the traditional territory of the Nehiyaw (Cree), Nahkawe (Saulteaux), Dakota, Lakota and Nakota peoples and the traditional homeland of the Métis.
Respectful Terminology Project
The Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan has undertaken a Respectful Terminology Project which aims to update the terminology used in our online catalogue, focusing on language related to Indigenous communities and themes. Some of the record descriptions at the Provincial Archives contain language known today to be harmful or disrespectful.
We welcome feedback related to descriptions of Indigenous communities and individuals.
To read and learn more about the project:
Sun dog over the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan.
Cover page of the Reconciliation Framework: The Response to the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Taskforce.
The Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan is using the Reconciliation Framework: The Response to the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Taskforce (2022) to guide our reconciliation work. This framework was created in response to Call to Action #70 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report, spearheaded by the Steering Committee on Canada’s Archives (SCCA) as developed by First Nations, Inuit and Métis heritage professionals from across Canada working together with non-Indigenous archivists. The framework is the result of five years of research, relationship building, and collaborative content development; it includes input from Indigenous communities and archives; and it reflects current reconciliation conversations.