Learning  Trauma Informed, African Heritage Archival Practices 

Decolonising the Archive (DTA) created a bespoke version of their course Correcting Our Collecting: An Introduction to African-Centred Archiving, to deliver in collaboration with Synergi. This version of the course was free for participants and was specifically for BPOC with lived experience of mental ill-health, distress and/or trauma – in particular,  those who are involved in grassroots organising at the intersection of racial justice and mental health.

The course addressed how to archive politically potent material relating to racial justice, mental health and activism in a way that is restorative and centres the archivist’s mental health. Sessions combine presentations, practical activities and discussions. This was an entry-level course suitable for those interested in learning more about what archives are, what they can be, how they are created, how they can be managed, and what we should consider when working with archives within our own communities.

‘Each workshop introduced participants to some basic principles, skills, and ideas we feel are important when thinking about archiving from an African heritage perspective. We feel this perspective is an important approach to how archives are created, curated, and accessed— in order to make sense to us.

We also recognise that there are areas involved in our historical narratives that are sensitive and violent. As such, we recognise that the mental health component to learning will be an active and considered method to be applied to both skills and training.’

There were 3 online workshops a

You can read about the workshop content below.  

Workshop Content

Workshop 1: Introductions & Foundations with Connie Bell

Archiving is context dependent. It must come from us. What are the values, methods and experiences that need to be reflected in our approach to the archive? This session will explore:

• – Cultural Memory and archives
  • – Decolonisation and Repair for Mental Wellbeing
  • – Values for Restorative Justice frameworks
  • – Documentation and Self Determination
  • – Trauma and the Archive 

Workshop 2: Coming in from the Cold.

Recognising the biases and unhealthy learning Patterns to undermine self-discovery with Prof. Stanley Griffin

Our memory comes in many forms. We need to consider the meaning of particular events in our community and use this understanding to support how we approach preserving and sharing them.

• – Identifying community memory
  • – Undoing unhealthy social patterns that affect community memory
  • – Promoting and Practicing reparative community memory

Workshop 3: Archiving through creative participation and Oral Histories with Mitchell Esaj

Orality is central to African heritage history-making, but the narrow confines of Eurocentric approaches risk the recolonisation of our memory. A decolonial approach to oral archives is necessary.

• – Creative expressions of archiving heritage communities
  • – Oral Histories and the Archive
  • – Practical approaches to creative collections & oral history
  • – Ethics ownership & permissions

Workshop 4: All Day in person session

First Half: Collecting & Documentation with Etienne Joseph & Connie Bell

Managing archives takes work(!) and is inherently subjective. Whether self-determined or collaborating with an institution, frameworks need to be set up to preserve the integrity of your collection and your vision.

• – The politics of cataloguing
  • – Managing archive collections
  • – Digital archiving
  • – Working with institutions

Second Half: Archiving for Racial Justice and Liberation Practice with Mitchell Esaj from Amsterdam

Physical exercise with Mitchell exploring his documents on racial justice and activism.