"What Response?" An Extensive Review of Truth and Reconciliation in Canadian Archives

Abstract

A decade after the Calls to Action were published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), I have conducted an assessment of the archival community to determine the extent to which they have responded to the Calls. I have completed an extensive review of every Indigenous and non-Indigenous archival organization at the federal, provincial and community level with publicly available information. From the collected reports, policies, standards, guidelines, and academic writing the data demonstrates themes, concepts and practices related to Indigenous sovereignty. The data presents an overview of best practices existing within the field, and I critically analyze them to identify at what capacity the archival community has made progress since 2015. Although work has been done to respond to the TRC in the last decade, my research demonstrates fundamental flaws within the Canadian archival system that hinder reconciliation efforts and show a continued need for accountability within the community.