Throwback to the 2000's

Throwback to the 2000's: Modern Impressions and Transferable Knowledge is an Indigenous Documentary Heritage Initiative supported by Listen, Hear Our Voices (2022 - 2023), with financial support by Library and Archives Canada. StrongFront.tv worked in partnership with Mamawi Apikatetan Inc, a Winnipeg based not-for profit that lead the project. They contribute to the documentation of Indigenous knowledge and memory and their brand of storywork is strengthened by record and object literacy. Together with like-minded folks, they are fostering a digital landscape where Métis and First Nations people connect with local narratives of enduring value.

Throwback to the 2000's was a coordinated effort to preserve a collection of MiniDV tapes, ranging in date from 2000 - 2006. StrongFront.tv's video archive features Anishinaabe, Cree, Dakota, Dene, Métis, and Oji-Cree people in their territorial lands and communities across Manitoba, where topics like land-based knowledge, traditions, health, education, governance, community profiles, and organizational histories are explored. It has been 20 years since the oldest community footage was captured and since then, Elders and Knowledge Keepers have passed on, cultural practices have changed, communities have transformed, and local archives are emerging or growing. The oldest format consists of DV Tape, and many are deteriorating or are at the end of their lifetime. Tapes in the worst condition will not play and are in danger of being lost. Others are viewable but dulled by digital noise.

We prepared 190 culture and language recordings for digitization and identified 37 Indigenous clients and/or organizations for future partnerships by processing 380 tapes, or 309 hours (18, 520 mins) of content. On average, the archival lead processed 2 tapes per day over a 40-week intensive program that involved assessing the condition of the tapes and quality of recordings, playback, generating narrative descriptions, and creating a comprehensive authority list with two focused streams: Tapes in danger of being lost + Tapes suitable for digitization with Indigenous stakeholders. This index will also serve as a finding aid for names, communities, and other pertinent details that will be useful for general inquires, and as a link to tapes not recommended for digitization.

We respect the integrity of the records and are eager to build on the outputs generated from this opportunity.We continue to work together on projects that promote community empowerment through record literacy, and are empowered by larger movements where Indigenous organizations are prioritizing data sovereignty and reclaiming cultural histories. Targeted projects like Throwback to the 2000's: Modern Impressions and Transferable Knowledge, as well as Screenshots of the 90's: Active Wisdom and Modern Voices, support these efforts.

Image Sources:

Leaf bitings, Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation, 2002 (Tina Keeper Collection).

Jennie Wastesicoot, emcee for the Women's Honouring Dinner, 2003 (Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc).