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Presence – A Research Guide to Indigenous Materials at the CDMLA
A finding aid highlighting videos, ephemera, publications and other records created by, with, or about Indigenous peoples within the archive.
Indigenous peoples in this case referring both to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples as well as Indigenous peoples throughout the world.
How to Use
The guide is sorted by format. On the left hand menu, click a format to access a searchable database for that format. Each database is full-text searchable and includes information such as known contributors, dates, locations, communities, and other descriptive information. The information about each item has been primarily compiled from the records and videos themselves, and is therefore only a starting point in exploring the relationships and materials represented.
On the page for each format, accessible on the left, you’ll be presented with a table view. Each will reflect a video, a collection, or a file. Some information will be visible in the row (such as date and creator), and there is additional information available by clicking the green button to the left of the first column.
Additionally you can choose which fields you’d like visible in the main table view using the button labelled “Column Visibility” which will open a menu to toggle visibility for each field type depending on your needs. You can also choose to download the complete format guide by clicking any of the buttons labelled “CSV”, “PDF”, or “EXCEL”. The downloaded guide will allow you to save the document for your reference and makes more complex searching possible.
For more information on any material format, click the link to the general CDMLA page.
If you’d like a guided introduction to this subject guide and how to navigate it, please contact us.
Materials
A searchable database of approximately 200 video works created by, with, and/or about Indigenous people. The list can be searched, printed, and downloaded. When known from the video, affiliated communities/nations have been named. When known, people who contributed to the work in roles other than “producer” such as actors, performers, interviewees or similar are named.
Video works have arrived to the CDMLA and Video Out distribution in a variety of ways. Some works were contributed to the collection by the an original producer to be distributed, other works were also or only shared to be viewed for access/research. Other videos are recordings of broadcasts or were gathered to be deposited. In some cases, we don’t currently know who produced a video or who people in the video may be. We provide access to videos as seems appropriate and ethical when original agreements and contact information are not available. For more general information on video works see videoout.ca. Many video works have also been accessioned as part of the CDMLA special collections and other projects.
A searchable database containing high-level descriptions of special collections and archival fonds at the CDMLA either created by Indigenous people or which contain Indigenous peoples. The list can be searched, printed, and downloaded. For full archival descriptions please see the rest of the CDMLA site and MemoryBC.When known, affiliated communities/nations have been named. When known, people who contributed to the work in roles other than “producer” such as actors, performers, interviewees or similar are named.
The special collections of the CDMLA primarily consists of the fonds of local media artists, activists, and organizations. There are also several fonds specific to VIVO-related projects, which are related to the SVES fonds but are distinct collections. Many of the special collections consists of both paper and media records.
A searchable database containing file level descriptions of CDMLA “Networking Files” that mention Indigenous artists, creators an events. The list can be searched, printed, and downloaded.
The Networking Files contain correspondence and ephemera received by VIVO Media Arts from other artist run centres, festivals, art galleries and organizations from around the world.
Media Artists and Activists Documentation Files (MAAD Files)
A searchable database containing file level descriptions of CDMLA “MAAD Files” pertaining to Indigenous artists and organizations that VIVO Media Arts Centre has or had a relationship with. The list can be searched, printed, and downloaded.
The MAAD files are active research files containing press clippings and promotional materials for artists and activists that VIVO has had a relationship with such as board members, select organizations, and artists in distribution with Video Out.
How to view
• Request online access via email. CDMLA staff may be able to provide you with a link to a digitized version of your requested materials (including video) online, dependent on copyright and distribution agreement restrictions. The fulfillment of such requests can take time, so please schedule ample response time into your research.
- Some materials may only be available at the discretion of the archivist and/or original contributors dependent on the type of research and request. You may also need to contact original contributors or creators for further use.
• Visit in person. Email to schedule a research appointment. When viewing print materials and special collections, an in-person visit will likely be necessary, and probably more fruitful/impactful.
• Email to work out other options.
• Some videos may also be digitized and available directly from their producers/creators online
Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
library@vivomediaarts.com