TARR Archive Mandate and Collections Policy

The Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research (TARR) Archives' mandate is to collect, preserve, display and provide access to archival materials resulting from the Specific Claims process as well as the historical and cultural records of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association's member Nations. The TARR Archives works cooperatively with T8TA's member Nations to preserve documents and records related to their cultural heritage.

The Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research Department was expanded to a professionally run claims research unit in 1992 to fulfill the Treaty 8 Tribal Association's mission of upholding the rights and freedoms guaranteed by Treaty.

The main function of TARR is to support the research and preparation of both specific and comprehensive claims regarding disputes over Treaty and Aboriginal rights between TARR member First Nations and the government of Canada. These claims are submitted by TARR on behalf of TARR members to the Specific Claims Branch, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), for resolution as an alternative to litigation.



The secondary function of TARR is to house and preserve the historical records of TARR members, which includes both oral and written records and to preserve the cultural heritage of TARR members.

The Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research (TARR) Archives exist to:

1. Collect and preserve archival materials resulting from the Specific Claims process, as well as the historical and cultural records of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association's member Nations.
   
   
2. Arrange and describe materials according to archival principles and make them accessible to T8TA member Nations as requested, unless access is restricted by legal requirements or written agreements with the donor or lender.
   
   
3. Provide adequate and appropriate conditions for the storage, protection, and preservation of archival material.
   
   
4. Provide educational outreach programming whenever possible to increase community awareness and appreciation of the history, cultural heritage, and development of Indigenous communities within the northeastern region of British Columbia.