Introduction           The Provincial Museum of Alberta through the Folklife programme under David J. Goa have launched a research and documentation series on the experience of Oblate brothers and fathers who have served in Western and Northern Canada over the last 150 years. Based on a field research and documentation project the series will explore various aspects of Oblate experience, cultural memory and living tradition drawing on the primary source materials in the Folklife Collections of the Provincial Museum of Alberta. These materials include field notes, ethnographic and historical photographs, and audio recordings of conversations with Oblates on various themes. The research work is being conducted in the Oblate community from 1997 through 1999 and will provide a documentary glimpse into the life experience and self-understanding of the Missionary Oblates, their relationship and contribution to local community, church, and Canadian society. The cultural memory of the community and its foundation in family, community and church will form the second focus of the work. The third aspect of our work will focus on the living tradition of the Oblates, their formation, vocation and the understanding of evangelization that has flowed from this formation.           This project is concerned with the self-understanding of Oblates in light of the Gospel, their charism, formation and vocation for the life of the world, and their life experience in the communities they have served.           The project is planned and directed by David J. Goa, Curator of Folklife, Provincial Museum of Alberta. The Missionary Oblate consultant for the project is Father Andy Boyer. The Research Associates for the project are Henriette Kelker, David Ridley, Benjamin Berger and Maire Anderson-McLean           This series is published on this website, in pamphlet form, and will be brought together in a book in 1999.