One of the many archival pictures from the City of North Battleford Historic Archives collection. (submitted photo/City of North Battleford Historic Archives)

By Angela Brown

Preserving history

City administration to meet with historic archives volunteer committee to assess needs

Jun 14, 2019 | 4:55 PM

For Tammy Donahue Buziak, preserving history is her calling.

She was employed for more than a decade as the archivist for the City of North Battleford Historic Archives at the Don Ross Centre since 2007. She retired last year.

But Donahue Buziak has stayed on as one of eight volunteers who maintain the site.

“I love the archives,” she said. “It’s a very important part of the city.”

Donahue Buziak said the archives played a key role in marking the city’s centennial in 2013. She stressed how it essential to serve as a physical record of the city’s vast history, and it keeps growing with each new donation received.

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“A wise man learns from history,” Donahue Buziak said of how critical the archival collection is for the city, not only as an historical marker but also as an educational tool for the future for the community and beyond.

The city has not replaced the archivist’s position in this year’s budget due to financial constraints.

Archives supporter Barbara Sealy sent a letter to North Battleford city council expressing her concerns as she views the archives’ future as being “in jeopardy.”

“To learn that our city archives may be left in the capable hands of a dedicated group of volunteers without the guidance and expertise of a paid professional is of dire concern to me, both as a one time volunteer committee member but also as a concerned citizen of this community,” she wrote.

At its meeting June 10 North Battleford council asked administration to meet with the archives volunteer committee to see what challenges the group is facing in continuing to maintain the archives and how the city can offer its support.

Coun. Kent Lindgren asked how city administration will support the archives going forward without a paid position, and what approach the city can take to ensure the city maintains its archives.

“We are all aware of the challenges we face as a community and city, and this is part of that,” Lindgren said, while adding council wants to make sure the city continues to support the archives into the future.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW