YAC activities

Throughout their term, YAC members enthusiastically participate in a series of rewarding activities that allow them to make tangible contributions to the evolution of LAC. This section provides an overview of the projects carried out and the discussions held during monthly meetings.

Meeting summary

2024-2025 YAC cohort

May 15, 2025

• The Council provided feedback on LAC’s proposed digital storytelling strategy, exploring how youth can shape and engage with archival content through new formats, platforms, and outreach initiatives.
• Members shared reflections on their research experiences, identifying challenges and opportunities for improving access, representation, and youth engagement with archival materials.
• Discussions emphasized creative outreach ideas, the integration of AI tools, and the importance of inclusive storytelling to make archives more accessible, engaging, and relevant to younger audiences.

April 17, 2025

• The Council discussed upcoming opportunities to engage with the archival community, including participation in a panel focused on envisioning the future of archives at the Association of Canadian Archivists conference. Based on reflections from a recent assignment, the Council explored key themes for the future of archives, including digitization, accessibility, community engagement, and the integration of AI.
• Members participated in a collaborative brainstorming session, proposing ideas such as enhanced search features, educational outreach, interactive digital tools, and ethical AI integration to improve archival services.
• Discussions emphasized the importance of inclusive representation, innovative public engagement strategies, and balancing technological advancement with human oversight in archival practices.

March 20, 2025

• Members of the Council presented their long-term creative projects through various formats, including blog posts, digital exhibits, and artistic works. The projects explored themes such as cultural preservation, environmental awareness, linguistic diversity, and inclusivity.
• The meeting was held in a collaborative atmosphere where members exchanged feedback and ideas, demonstrating strong engagement and mutual support for each other’s work.

February 20, 2025

• The reappraisal team provided feedback on the comments received within the monthly task linked to their consultation with the YAC, highlighting the importance of better contextual information to support research. They committed to exploring concrete solutions based on this feedback.
• The meeting also highlighted the careers of two archivists who began their careers at LAC as students. One shared his experience in the FSWEP program, emphasizing the role of networking and extracurricular activities in his career path. The other presented his work in declassifying government documents and his unusual career path, enriched by diverse studies and transferable skills.

January 16, 2025

• The focus of this meeting was consulting YAC members on LAC’s strategy for the reappraisal of government archives.
• Archivists from the Government Records Branch presented the Branch’s role in managing government records, including the challenges of discoverability and access, on which the YAC members were consulted.
• They also explained the origins and methodology of the reappraisal team, macro appraisal, types of specialized media, and the challenges associated with preserving and processing non-textual materials.

December 12, 2024

• The Council’s feedback on public programming topics was acknowledged as valuable in shaping LAC’s priorities.
• The Communications team presented several concepts for rethinking LAC’s visual identity, encouraging feedback on modernizing and representing the organization’s mission. Council members actively participated in the conversation, sharing critiques, creative suggestions, and ideas to ensure the rebranding aligns with LAC’s goals and diverse audiences.
• The final meeting of 2024 included reflections on the Council’s work and appreciation for members’ contributions to assignments and discussions throughout the year.

November 21, 2024

• After conducting thorough research following the last meeting, YAC members held a joint feedback session with Private Archives archivists to discuss integrating youth perspectives into the private archives acquisition strategy.
• The Programs Division sought input from YAC members on their master interpretation plan, inviting comments and ideas on future public program topics and strategies for engaging with existing audiences and reaching new ones.

October 17, 2024

• Leslie Weir (Librarian and Archivist of Canada) and Gary Goodacre (YAC Champion and Director, Public Programming) addressed the members to launch the 2024–2025 year of the Council.
• Archivists from the Private Archives and Published Heritage Branch consulted YAC members on LAC’s private archives acquisition orientation renewal.
• Members were presented with their long-term project for the 2024–2025 year.