If a first nation uses oral history as a part of their doucmentation strategy then they are most certainly records.  But if a university or historical society conducts its own oral history program among such people than what is produced is more likely library reference material rather than record (unless there is an agreement that establishes ownership rights).  Afterall they are not created during or after an event occurred.

There is always the question in such situtaitons as to ownership and provenance. How reliable are such interviews? Have they been edited either by the interviewer or interviewee?  Was the interviewee provided the questions ahead of time?  Who is this person being interviewed and how does one know that she or he is not spinning a tall tale for people who come to collect such interviews and may be viewed as "outsiders".  I would think that if one wanted to use these in a legal proceeding you would need someone to authenticate - most likely the interviewer or interviewee, provided that they are available.

David B. Gaynon
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Huntington Beach CA, USA

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