March 19, 2004 Nipissing helps with quest for preservation of local history

A major addition has been added to the preserving our past in the area.  Museums, clubs, associations, committees and individuals have done a good job but there is always room for more and different work to be done.  Nipissing University’s History Department has established an Institute for Community Studies and Oral History(ICSOH) .

The Institute still in the early stages of its development is committed to “the promotion of research on the history of communities in the Near North and becoming a centre of excellence in community studies and oral history.” 

The Institute will increase exchanges between university researchers and anyone else doing related research.  Members of the academic community whose research falls under the mandate of the Institute are encouraged to become research associates and use OSCOH services and add their work to the Institute archives.  The Institute will also collect documents, oral histories, and research tools for the study of the area, and make them available to researchers.  An archive and research centre will be established to serve the needs of area researchers.  The History Department will provide courses in Oral History and in Community Studies to give students the skills necessary to carry out quality work. 

The new Institute (ICSOH) will be governed by a Director and an advisory board.  All full-time members of the History Department and up to 5 others will act as the Board.  The first Director is Françoise Noël the Head of the History Department who has taught at Nipissing since 1988.

Dr. Noël is a well known author having written an in-depth study of the Christie Seigneuries in Quebec and a recent book on family life in Upper and Lower Canada from 1780-1870.  She will teach the course on Community Studies in the 2004-5 academic year. 

An exciting new 4^th year course on oral history is offered this year and every alternate year and is primarily geared to Honours History students.  Under the direction of Dr. Stephen High 18 students are currently learning and practicing oral history collection.  Once certified each student interviews and transcribes video taped interviews of significant individuals. 

At the end of the year the 18 students broke into 5 groups and carried out studies of approved topics.  Each student wrote a term paper on their topic.  With the permission of the interviewees the video tapes will be put on file for future use.  For further information on the Institute visit the Nipissing University website at www.nipissingu.ca and click on Research Institutes on the Home Page. 

Another outcome from the Oral History course is the public presentation of the work of the 5 groups mentioned above.  The presentations are open to the public.  I attended one on Tuesday evening March 1^st in the Fideli Business Centre at Nipissing.  The topic was The Circle Unbroken: The Native Community in North Bay.  Students Greg Ault, Amy Brandon and Corey Kalsi outlined what they learned.  They used computer technology to present the key points of their talk, including quotations and videos on a wide screen.  Questions were taken from the floor and a couple of articulate native people from the group present added some important points.  The students prepared a brochure on the evening and refreshments were served. 

A second presentation took place on March 9^th at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23 in North Bay – the only presentation off campus.  The topic was “From the Homefront to the Warfront: Reflections from North Bay’s WWII Veterans. 

Nipissing University Student Michelle Pye chats with pilot Stan Nichols, one of the veterans interviewed for the project.

Three students, Peter Naylor, Michelle Pye and Shannon McNeely who will be graduating this year and going on to become teachers made a seamless, structured and entertaining presentation to a large group of veterans and their families, students and staff from Nipissing University and others.  The presentation featured numerous full screen photographs and quotations from interviews with 7 veterans.  A memorabilia table added to the event.  A brochure provided details on the program. 

The remaining 3 presentations begin today March 19, at 1:00PM in the Fideli Room (F210) with “Over the Lake and Through the Woods: A comprehensive History of Nipissing University.” 

On Tuesday March 23^rd at 7pm the presentation will be “The Wonder Years: Memories of Schooling in North Bay”.  It will be held in Room #105.  On Tuesday March 30^th at 7pm. the presentation will be “Demarco’s: More Than Just a Store”. (Room #105). Guests are welcome at all three presentations. 

The Institute will also collect materials related to the area and beyond.  Textural records, photographs, maps, plans, tapes, books, microfilm, electronically stored data etc. will be considered.  All items must be donated and appropriate records and donor recognition are assured.  Tax receipts where relevant can be provided.  For further information contact Dr. Noël at 705-474-3461 ext. 4490 or frann@nipissingu.ca