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UW Library gets anthropologist's books and papers

From the December 13, 1995 UW Gazette

The UW library has announced that "the archives and working library" of Dr. Sally Weaver, a UW anthropology professor who died in 1993, are being added to its collections.

Weaver, who came to UW in 1966, had been described as one of Canada's leading anthropologists. She served for several years as the anthropology department's chair. During her career at UW, she was the recipient of several awards and grants, and author of numerous books, articles, and research papers.

Shortly before her death, the Weaver-Tremblay Award in Canadian Applied Anthropology was announced in honour of her work and that of Marc-Adélard Tremblay of Université Laval. The award will be given to recognize distinguished work by both academically-based and practising anthropologists.

Working with the assistance and support of her husband, Dr. David Weaver, and the anthro department's Dr. Tom Abler, library staff have completed the initial processing and listing of more than 1,000 books and 70 cubic feet of archival material which make up the first part of the donation.

Says a library announcement: "The collection was certified as Canadian Cultural Property in 1994, a testimony to the scholarly and historical value of the collection."

Weaver's voluminous professional archives reflect the range of her scholarly endeavours, beginning with her earliest monograph, Medicine and Politics among the Grand River Iroquois, in 1972. She went on to study indigenous populations in Australia and Norway. One of her other important works, compiled with the assistance of a grant held jointly with fellow faculty member Abler and D. E. Sanders, was A Canadian Indian Bibliography 1960-1970 (University of Toronto Press, 1974).

The archival portions of her papers include government publications, correspondence, theses, research papers, and journal articles, "all of which were read by Dr. Weaver with careful attention as is witnessed by the detailed annotations, comments, and questions filling the margins of these pages."

The books and published materials in her working library reflect a similar attention to detail. Many of the books are heavily annotated and interleaved with notes and, "when combined with her archives, reveal the mechanics and methodology of a superb researcher".

The library said that while many of Weaver's books will be added to the Library's general collection, a large number will be included in the collections in the Doris Lewis Rare Book Room.

There are also some books that UW does not need: "Library staff have followed Dr. Weaver's wishes and have forwarded over 3,000 items to the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford. Dr. Weaver's disposition has substantially enhanced the Centre's resources."

Included in all of the books will be a specially prepared bookplate designed by Woodland's Museum Director and native artist Tom Hill. The bookplate includes a photograph of a wampum belt, "Woman with a Heart," a reflection of Weaver's lifetime determination and dedication to promote justice and recognition for native people.

The Sally Weaver Scholarship Fund