Archival collections shape our collective memory but have historically privileged the records ofgovernments, institutions, and powerful individuals. This practice leads to archival silences thatexcludes communities outside the mainstream. Building more representative collections requires notonly intentional collecting but also rebuilding trust with communities that have been historicallyunderserved by archival institutions. This paper presents a case study from the University of CalgaryArchives and Special Collections, examining how a significant queer archival collection was acquiredthrough a process of "borrowed trust". In this case an established relationship between a communityhistorian and a university faculty member created the foundation for a new
Archival collections shape our collective memory but have historically privileged the records of
governments, institutions, and powerful individuals. This practice leads to archival silences that
excludes communities outside the mainstream. Building more representative collections requires not
only intentional collecting but also rebuilding trust with communities that have been historically
underserved by archival institutions. This paper presents a case study from the University of Calgary
Archives and Special Collections, examining how a significant queer archival collection was acquired
through a process of "borrowed trust". In this case an established relationship between a community
historian and a university faculty member created the foundation for a new