Definitions
Understanding the roles that shape our community and our work.
Archival work is the process of documenting, organizing, maintaining, and sharing records. While there are formally trained archivists, anyone can do archival work in their community.
A community archivist is someone who preserves the history of their family and community. We need community archivists to protect our documentary heritage for future generations.
Community archiving goes against the grain of traditional archival practices and empowers people to rethink what archive work is and can be.
Archivist
Memory work can be defined as the process of remembering and using recorded information from the past. Memory work is rooted in community activism. It is an approach to everyday life. It is about exploring what was, what is, and what will be.
A memory worker is someone who transmits and activates memories. They keep our memories alive. We have a duty to our ancestors to remember.
Memory Worker
Historical research involves investigating, gathering, and interpreting information about the past.
A researcher is someone who performs research by inquiring into the past. Historical research surfaces the connection between the past, the present, and the possible furture. It shapes how we understand ourselves.
Researcher
