Library and Archives Canada

This National Indigenous History Month, we’re advancing our commitment to reconciliation as a guiding principle in all that we do.

We recently released the Strategic Pathways for Indigenous Heritages, which outlines our long term principles in relation to Indigenous heritage.

These pathways guide how we acquire, preserve, and provide access to materials while respecting Indigenous rights and Indigenous data sovereignty.

In the months ahead, we will share our first action plan, outlining clear and measurable steps to advance this work.

Explore these strategic pathways and selected materials from our collections that support the preservation of, and access to, Indigenous heritages: https://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/corporate/updates/2026/nihm-honouring-indigenous-stories-heritage.html


GCReconciliation

It was 75 years ago today that the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences (1949–1951)—also known as the Massey Commission—released its final report.

The report was dated May 1951 and tabled in the House of Commons on June 1, 1951.

The report argued in favour of federal support for the arts: “[I]t is in the national interest to give encouragement to institutions which express national feeling, promote common understanding and add to the variety and richness of Canadian life, rural as well as urban.”

It advocated for the creation of many GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) institutions in Canada, including the establishment of the National Library of Canada and a federal program to transfer the historical records of federal departments to the Public Archives of Canada.

You can browse the electronic report here:
https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/nlc-bnc/royal_commission_nat_devel-e/rpt/etable.htm

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Grab your coat and get your hat… head to the sunny side of the street… and start painting!

Discover beautiful street views in our Flickr album. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lac-bac/albums/72177720315008780/

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Big news! The call for applications for the Price McIntosh Bursary is now open!

We’re offering up to $5,000 to eligible students to help promote inclusion and diversity in the documentary heritage profession. Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities are encouraged to submit their application by September 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (PDT).

Don’t miss this opportunity, apply today!

https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/services/funding-programs/price-mcintosh/Pages/price-mcintosh.aspx

Everyone has the right to seek information, learn and exchange ideas without barriers. This is a core principle at the heart of our mandate—and it is precisely what our Intellectual Freedom Statement reaffirms.

By preserving a diverse documentary heritage and making it accessible, LAC contributes to the cultural, social and economic development of Canada.

In a global context where access to information and the diversity of viewpoints are being challenged, this Statement recalls the importance of our role in defending and promoting intellectual freedom.

See the Statement to learn how LAC concretely supports intellectual freedom:

http://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/corporate/about-us/strategies-initiatives/intellectual-freedom-statement.html

Recently, we shared about garden beds and Canadensium Platarum—the first botanical book on Canadian plants.

While gardening is a great hobby… caring for the soil, planting a beautiful array of flowers… it also comes with those inevitable weeds! 🌱

The thought of spending hours pulling pesky weeds like the ones in these photos from our collection sounds downright tiring!

Thankfully, because the art of gardening has been so carefully documented over the years, there are plenty of helpful maintenance tips to keep your greens thriving. Head on over to Aurora and see for yourself! https://bac-lac.on.worldcat.org/discovery?lang=en

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Our Passenger Lists database tells the stories of sea journeys to Canada for millions of people between 1865 and 1935: https://ow.ly/RSsT50Z2FLZ

If you are looking to follow a path that passed through Kolkata, Manila, Singapore, or one of the many other ports across Asia, you may have much to discover here.


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The summer season is closing in and the end of the school year is near! That can only mean one thing…

ROAD TRIP!

So gas up or charge the car, pack your favourite road snacks, cue the perfect playlist, and hit the highway!

And what’s a great road trip without a stop at Library and Archives Canada?!

If you find yourself in Halifax, Winnipeg, Vancouver, or the National Capital Region, you can book an appointment to meet with our specialists and explore our services.

In the meantime, visit our website to learn about our events, exhibitions and tours!

https://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/services/public/visit.html

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Out of all our photographs of historic Canadian sawmills, these are the ones that made the final cut: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lac-bac/albums/72177720332748270/ 🪚🪵

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