Oral History
The Oral History Project is a response to the expressed needs of the diverse
English linguistic minority communities. The first area of concern is that the
history, culture, and traditions are seen as being lost, especially to the
youth. This leads to a large proportion of the youth seeking their futures in
Montréal and outside Québec. The second is the lack of communication and
dissemination of information within and among the various English speaking
regional communities and their respective organizations and societies. The hope
is to create a stronger solidarity and connectivity between the regions and
equally between the Anglophone and Francophone communities.
The Oral History Project involved all the regional communities in locating and
identifying the oral histories and collections that pertain to the Anglophone
heritage of Quebec. The direction of this undertaking will be towards
stewardship in the acquisition, control, preservation, and promotion of the
information. The intention is to allow the oral history material to reach its
potential as an access to communal memory, an alternative to the loss of
information due to automation, and the fragmentation of the information Age.
Perhaps most importantly it will help to build community identities and
individual self worth.
To directly address the need for increased communication the project was
brought into the schools to set up an oral history program that would involve
teachers and students in gathering material. Another aspect of this program was
to arrange for matriarchs and patriarchs, and others with the aids of the
regional organizations to go into the schools to teach concepts, tell stories,
and to demonstrate skills and crafts. To further this intergenerational
cooperation and sharing, students will be encouraged to visit seniors clubs and
residences.
Manuals were produced as guides
for future oral history projects for the use of the regional organizations and
others. The project also generated written
Articles, books, multi media presentations, and film on video and CD.
For further information on the project and how you or your organization could
participate, please contact the QAHN office.
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