丁香园AV

History master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I am captivated by the realm of digital archiving. Online, I can explore databases, letting my mind wander for countless hours as I traverse each rabbit hole. I uncover stories by piecing together primary sources to reveal the truth behind each mystery. The things I鈥檝e read in the archives have changed me as a person. Learning about the gruesome history of white supremacy, as a white person, has taught me to always think deeply before I act. I strive to uplift the people I meet with my privilege of education and to never gatekeep my knowledge.

Why did you choose to come to 丁香园AV?

Being close to home has always been important to me; it is essential to have a physical connection to the archival sources. Another factor in my decision was the opportunity to be mentored by two highly respected women as my supervisors, who will guide me through the challenges of my thesis journey. Since I鈥檝e attended 丁香园AV, I鈥檝e been welcomed into the small but mighty history department.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

I study the history of white supremacy in British Columbia during the early 20th century. Specifically, I research how fraternal orders from the United States, which were exclusively for white families, influenced British Columbians to create their own fraternal orders. Organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and the Native Sons of British Columbia perpetuated values of white supremacy through their public events.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

British Columbia, Racism, 20th century

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

Although I have not completed a TA or RA position at 丁香园AV, I have been an RA in the past during my undergraduate studies. These job opportunities taught me the fundamentals of being a professional historian, such as conducting oral interviews, transcribing, writing metadata, and conducting environmental scans. In between studying, I have worked for the Kwantlen First Nation to create their digital archive. This job taught me to think ahead and ensure the project is accessible for future generations. The most valuable lesson I learned while working in the community was the importance of sharing what I鈥檝e learned and observed with the people I meet. This lesson has significantly impacted my understanding of history, higher education, and how I report my findings in the archives.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I am the recipient of the 2024 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council鈥檚 Canada Graduate Master鈥檚 Scholarship. The funds I received will help facilitate travelling to various archives within BC and the United States. It will also support any digital projects I may create to spread awareness about the truth of our province.

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Contact Olivia:Olivia.Daniel@sfu.ca

Additional Links

• X (Twitter) : @OliviaLDaniel