Keeping an organizational archive of your work and materials is, in itself, a practice of storytelling. YOUR ARCHIVE IS YOUR STORY. “Archiving” can sound like a daunting task to add to your already overwhelming day-to-day responsibilities, but it doesn’t have to be. The work you do is valuable, and it is something that should be preserved. This section provides an overview of archiving as a practice and process before introducing a workbook for starting your own archive. Your Archive is Your Story, developed by Dr. Ashton Merck, presents an easy-to-follow process for frontline community-based organizations to build an archive documenting the stories and documents arising throughout day-to-day work.

What is an archive?

An archive is merely a collection of materials documenting your organization or community’s history. It doesn’t have to be organized or public to be an archive. Though the mundane documents of your work might not seem important at the time, the letters, documents, stories, notes, and other community and organizational “stuff” that crosses your desk is critical for preserving the stories of your people, place, and community on your terms.

Choosing to keep an archive doesn’t mean holding on to everything. It means deciding what you can hold on to and keep track of, and what is important for understanding your story.

Six questions to ask yourself before you begin archiving

1. What are some important things for young people or future generations in your community to know about their people and place?
2. What is important for others outside your community to know about your place, community and/or organization?
3. What are some shared experiences or activities that define your community and/or organization?
4. How could you preserve or document it for someone in the future who may never experience it firsthand?
5. What sorts of stories do elders and/or leaders have to share? What are some goals you have for talking to elders? What do you hope to learn from them?
6. How do you want your community and/or organization to be remembered?

Where do I start?

To work through the process of beginning an archive, start with the Your Archive is Your Story workbook. This resource walks you through the above questions, the “what should I keep?” dilemma, the nuts and bolts of maintaining an archive, and the critical question of who has access to your archive. To work through this process, start here!