Welcome!

The Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists (SCAA) represents the Saskatchewan archival community in the Canadian archival system, and is responsible for developing a cooperative and successful archival network in Saskatchewan, encouraging the establishment of  new archives in Saskatchewan, promoting and developing  standard archival policies and practices, and promoting public understanding and use of archives and historical resources in Saskatchewan. 

SCAA adheres to the definitions set forth in the Canadian Council of Archives (CCA) Constitutions and Bylaws when determining institutional membership.

The Council offers workshops and other educational programs and an Archival Advisory Service providing advice and assistance to archives; and maintains the Saskatchewan Archival Information Network, a network of information about archival holdings in Saskatchewan, including virtual exhibits, descriptions of archival collections, and a photo database.

WHAT'S NEW:

Workshop by Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) on "Handling Photo Material" to be held in Humboldt on September 19-20. The SCAA has been added to the CCI's workshop calendar. Watch the Workshops web-page for further details about how to register.

Thank you to all who attended the SCAA's 2017 AGM at the Swift Current Museum

Archival Records/Primary Sources

An archival record can be:

  • A textual document like a letter, a report or meeting minutes
  • A visual document like a photograph, map or architectural drawing
  • An audio document like a tape recording of music or oral history interview
  • A multimedia document like a home movie
  • A digital document like an email

The important thing to remember about any kind of archival record is that it is a primary
source of historical information.

A primary source is a record created or collected by an individual, organization or institution to document a particular event, activity, idea or decision.

Some examples of primary sources include: letters and diaries; government, church, and business records; oral histories; photographs, motion pictures, and videos; maps and land records; and blueprints.

These archival records/primary sources provide unique opportunities for exploring and understanding history.
By examining the primary sources stored in any archives, one can begin to see why history attaches importance to specific dates, names and places. At the same time, you may find information related to these dates, names and places that you would not be able to find in any history textbook.