PUBLIC ARCHIVES
OF CANADA

ARCHIVES PUBLIQUES
DU CANADA

 

In the context of Western Canada even Clifford Sifton
was an immigrant. Although his name is associated with the
great influx of continental Europeans at the end of the nine-
teenth century, there were "strangers" in the West long before
his time. Some who came stayed to add an element to the spec-
trum which was not foreseen by government policy. The raw
material of which Western Canada's history is made should re-
flect this complete human dimension, and it is the archivist's
business to locate and preserve this heritage and make it
available for research.

In order to do our job we need the goodwill and co-
operation of the ethnic communities themselves. Equally
important, however, is the understanding and advice of those
who are active in the wide variety of formal disciplines
which make use of archival material, as well as the help of
dedicated and concerned amateurs.

It is essential that historical material relating to
ethnic communities, wherever it is found, be it in photographic
or manuscript form, on film or on tape, be made secure from the
destructive effects of accident, ignorance, and time. If you
know of material, no matter how recent, please press upon its
owners the importance of long-term care, and bring it to the
attention of an archival institution.

The National Ethnic Archives is primarily concerned with
the papers of persons and associations of national scope and
significance, and encourages the preservation of all documentary
material by the most appropriate agency. At the Public Archives
of Canada we have first class facilities for both research and
preservation, but we have no monopoly on ethnic historical re-
sources. In fact, we are just beginning. If you would like
further information, or you would like to discuss ethnic materials
generally, please contact us:

National Ethnic Archives,
Public Archives of Canada,

395 Wellington Street,
Ottawa K1LA ON3