Archiving for MTS

Submitted by Manitoba Teachers’ Society

Not many people can say that their job feels like a little bit of Christmas when a new pile of work hits their desk. As the archivist for the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, Mireille Theriault says that feeling of anticipation does come close though whenever someone sends over a donation for the collection.

“That first peek inside a box I’ve been waiting for is a real treat. I’ve got my gloves on and can’t wait to start sorting through it all. What I would consider a real gem is an actual teachers’ contract from the 1920’s or 30’s, a notice of a local meeting to members or official correspondence from the federation’s head office. And of course photographs of teachers. Those are always a great find,” she says.

Since first starting to publicize MTS’s search for archival materials, Theriault has received about a half-dozen phone calls that have culminated in a donation of either photographs, back issues of the Manitoba Teacher or personal memorabilia from teaching days. A few presidents of teachers’ associations have also come forward with collections of their meeting minutes, newsletters and correspondence.

“I hope to receive more over the next year or so. I just know there is a lot out there about the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and we want to bring as much of it home as possible in time for the 100th Anniversary in 2019.”

This approaching milestone was the impetus in establishing an official archive for the Manitoba Teachers’ Society in the fall of 2013. “Education is an integral part of any culture and the MTS has played a huge part not only the lives of teachers and students but in how our educational policies and institutions have developed,” says Theriault. “The provincial executive along with former General Secretary Ken Pearce recognized that, aside from preparing for the anniversary, it was high time we properly organized the information we had in our possession.”

Over the years some of the Society’s historical materials have been destroyed by flood but thankfully, due to an earlier donation by the MTS to the Provincial Archives of Manitoba the earliest original records from the Manitoba Teachers’ Federation are safe.

The MTS facilities can’t hope to match the exacting standards of the Manitoba Archives, but the society did work with a professional archivist who evaluated the collection on hand in addition to providing technical expertise and training. As the archivist on staff, Theriault carries on the work of processing documents in addition to providing research support and outreach services to ensure access to those records. A public internet portal to the MTS archives will be available in the next few years. “We want people to learn what it was like to be a teacher in Manitoba through the years and to see the difference the MTS has made in our province. It will also be a lovely resource to possibly find some references to family members involved in the teaching profession.”

With nearly 300 boxes and as many more yet to be sorted and added to the database, you wouldn’t think she would care to keep looking for more but Theriault is adamant about filling in gaps of the collection that offer a historical context of the teaching profession. If you have questions about making a donation or what types of records are available for research so far, please contact Mireille Theriault, Digital Archive Assistant at 204-837-4666 ext 354 or email mtheriault@mbteach.org ¡