This series is made up primarily of research material gathered by Penny Petrone on Indigenous literature, culture, and history across North America, though primarily of those groups residing in Canada and the Northern United States. This research was used mainly for teaching material and for her books First People, First Voices (1983) and Native Literature in Canada (1990), but as Petrone maintained and rearranged these files throughout her life, this series also contains some more recent research on Indigenous peoples from after the publication of her books.
This series is organized alphabetically, for the most part, and begins with the research material. Expect to find in this series photocopies of historical documents from federal and provincial archives across Canada, for example of letters, petitions, and books written during the 18th and 19th centuries concerning relations between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in Canada. Also expect to find a large collection of newspaper articles, original and photocopied, as well as excerpts from books and journals that cover Indigenous history, culture, language and relations with settlers. Many of the files contain handwritten notes by Penny Petrone, and some contain essays written by her or by her students.
Near the end of the series, expect to find typewritten and galley copies of First People, First Voices and Native Literature in Canada, alongside original and photocopied correspondence between Petrone and people involved in the editing, publishing, reviewing, and marketing of her books. There is also an extensive collection of published reviews for her books and personal mementos from, for example, celebration dinners and ceremonies held in her honour.
Please note that while language relating to Indigenous peoples has been updated in the file titles and descriptions, the historical material itself contains terms that are considered outdated and insensitive. The Archives would be happy to receive input on the language used in file titles and descriptions.