Welcome to Archive/Counterarchive

Archive/Counter-Archive is a project and research network dedicated to activating and preserving audiovisual archives created by Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), Black communities and People of Colour, women, LGBT2Q+ and immigrant communities. Political, resistant, and community-based, counter-archives disrupt conventional narratives and enrich our histories.

Established in 2018 through a Social Science and Humanities Partnership Grant, the network is committed to finding new ways to activate, preserve and restore Canada's diverse moving image heritage. Our evolving mandate combines education and advocacy to raise awareness and find resources to support audio-visual preservation -- with a special focus on short format media which have very few resources available for preservation.

activating Canada's audiovisual heritage

News and Events

Check out what's on at Archive/Counter-Archive below! Visit our News and Events page for complete listing.

Case Studies

Our Case Studies examine a range of themes, media, histories, and geographies through a selection of Canadian, community-based, and independent archives and collections.

See Case Studies
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James Redsky, Birch Bark Migration Scroll (103 ft), permission: Angelina Redsky

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Survival of the Delirious, 1988, 15:00, by Michael Balser and Andy Fabo

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 Artist: Crista Dahl, Exhibition: Life Rhythm Retrospective), Photo: Ashley Tanasiychuk, from the Crista Dahl Media Library and Archive, VIVO

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 GIV - Recommended Daily Allowance (Diyan Achjadi, 2002)

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Working Groups

Working Groups provide a resource for the Case Studies and extend the research through papers, policy recommendations, workshops, exhibitions, and public talks.

See Working Groups

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