This unpublished manuscript, authored by W.H. Collison and handwritten by Joyce Collison, comprises 29 identifiable chapters. Content of this manuscript appears to be focused upon the retelling of First Nations stories. The donor identified that this manuscript was intended for publication but was never completed.
Series consists of journals, draft manuscripts, correspondence, CMS documents and orders, speeches, sermons all written by or to Archdeacon W. H. Collison. Series also contains correspondence to W.E. Collison and Joyce Collison, genealogical information on the Collison family, newspaper clippings and a school paper written by Archdeacon Collison's grandaughter Katy.
The Church Missionary Intelligencer. New Series. 1 September 1873
File predominantly consists of correspondence to Rev. W.H. Collison from the Church Missionary Society. However, some letters in this file are also from individual parishioners, fellow clergymen, Massett councillors, and the American Geographical Society.
This file contains handwritten and typed notes and drafts of First Nations legends, addresses and manuscripts. It is believed this material was authored by W.H. and W.E. Collison although none is signed or dated.
Notebook contains Collison's recollections of local history as he heard it, and of the events he encountered during some of his time in ministry.
Notebook contains two stories: "The Finding of the Crystals" and "Tit for Tat or The Porcupine and the Beaver". These stories are also found in the Collison manuscript.
Small booklet containing handwritten notes of what appears to be a speech prepared by W.H. Collison on the topic of traditions and events he had been witness to along the northwest coast of British Columbia.
File includes "In the Wake of the War Canoe" Chapter XX revisions and a note from donor Jean Whiffin on behalf of Joyce Collison regarding the revisions.
File contains linguistic notes prepared by W.H. Collison and sermons written by W.H. Collison in various First Nations languages.
Three Indigenous men stand in a canoe poling their craft along a shoreline while one man sits and steers. An unidentified village is visible along the opposite shore.
Photograph of a large crowd gathered in front of a Grand Trunk Pacific train. Residential buildings atop a hill are visible in the background. Annotation on recto reads: "First Train Leaving Prince Rupert June 14 1911"
Handwritten annotation on verso of photograph reads: "W.E. Collison Masset. Interior of Chief [Weah's?] house".
Caption under printed version of photo in W.H. Collison's book 'In the Wake of the War Canoe': "The house is about 40 feet square, forming one large room. The upper cubicles are on a level with the ground, which in front of them is excavated so that the fireplace in the centre is twelve feet below the surface. A ledge, for the use of slaves and dependents, is left half-way down."
Photograph depicts 8 men posing in suits and ties, and a young girl, Ruth Adams, holding trophy seated in foreground. The group is gathered in open field, large building and hills visible in distance. Man on far right stands in uniform.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Gitlakdamix Village Council 1923. [Charlie Morven] Chairman. / Geo. Manase. / John Davis. / Dennis Woods. / Andrew Nass. / James Adams. Secretary. / Frank Blackwing. Chief Constable. / Walter McMillan (Nass). Constable."
Three men stand in centre, each wearing a chief's dress and head-dress. Family members stand and sit on either side. Carved boxes and masks are positioned in foreground. The group poses in front of drapery hung against tall wooden wall.
Community members have stated that the people in this photo are from the Gitwilluyaxw clan from the wolf tribal house of Ksdiyaawak. The photo was taken at Gitlax̱t’aamiks along the Nass River.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Tsimpshian Chiefs & family. Goods [for or fr.] Potlatch".
Groups of men and women can be seen gathered on paths between two large totem poles.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Totem Park Pr Rupert park."
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "A very old Tsimpsion women - said to be over 110 yrs old."
River crosses midground, hills on distant shores can be seen in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "No. 32, First Beginning Prince Rupert, showing Church Hall, with cross. Insert Page 136".
Five unidentified men sit with dog in canoe. One man stands on dock in foreground.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Freighting by canoe on skeena river".
Canoe with mast floats close to shore in foreground, mountains visible across river in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Arch. W.H. Collison & wife with native friends en route up Skeena River."
Many rows of pews span foreground. Banners hanging in front of sanctuary read: "THE ANGEL SAID UNTO THEM, FEAR NOT, BEHOLD I BRING YOU GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY WHICH SHALL BE TO ALL PEOPLE".
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Port [?] Church Interior."
Church stands behind white fence, road and power lines in foreground.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "St. Andrew's Church, Sandwick, [?] Campbell River Rd (Maud Highway) The mother church in the '[?] District'."
Banner at front of sanctuary reads "Do this in remembrance of Me".
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Interior of old church. Built by natives themselves".
Unknown buildings can be seen in background.
Large group of women, men, and children pose on front steps of church. Some men standing in back hold brass instruments. Bishop Ridley (with long beard) sits in front centre between W.H. Collison (on right) and his son W.E. Collison. Photograph depicts the first church built in Metlakatla, which was burned in a fire in 1901, and replaced in 1903.
Handwritten annotation below image reads: "A gathering of Missionaries and Indians in front of Metlakahtla Church During Synod"; on verso: "[Ven?] Arch Collison & Mrs Collison".
Large church stands behind white fence, unidentified man visible on front steps. Photograph depicts the first church built in Metlakatla, which was burned in a fire in 1901, and replaced in 1903.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "With love, from your two old friends JH [& AM Keen?]".
Group poses between two buildings, small dog visible behind. Wood piles and tree stumps can be seen on hill in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Metlakatla BC / Back row - W.E. Collison, Fr. Hogan, ?, ? Canon Keen / Front row - ?, ?, Bishop Du Vernet, Archdeacon Laycock". See also item 2009.7.1.32 for image featuring Father Hogan, and 2009.7.1.29 for image featuring Bishop Du Vernet.
Group of men, women, and children pose in front of large building. Rev. William Edwin Collison stands on far left (son of Archdeacon W.H. Collison).
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Early Church Workers at Metlakatla BC / Bishop & Mrs Ridley in centre / (Approx 1898 - 1899)".
Group of men, women, and children pose in front of large building.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Metlakatla BC / with Bishop Ridley - 4th from left - back row / Mrs Ridley - 4th from left - front row / [?] - [super?] of Ridley Home (beside the Bishop) / Father Hogan - behind the Bishop".
Group of men and women pose by large building. W.H. Collison sits second from left in front, W.E. Collison stands third from right in back.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Anglican Church Synod / Prince Rupert".
Group of men and women pose by large building. W.H. Collison sits second from left in second row, W.E. Collison stands third from right in back.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Early synod of the Anglican Church at Prince Rupert B.C."
Photograph depicts Archdeacon William Henry Collison to left of wife Marion, who stands bent over garden on right. Church steeple visible behind wood fence in background. Hills can be seen in distance.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Grandad & Grannie in garden at Kincolith".
Photograph depicts Marion and William Henry Collison standing on left with shovel, Bertha Collison on right, and young Muriel and Katherine Collison in centre with shovel (eldest daughters of W.E. Collison). Wood buildings cross midground, trees and hills visible in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Garden at Kincolith / Grandad, Grannie / Mimi, Katie / Mother".
Arthur Collison stands behind large fish hung from wood shelter, Noah seated in foreground. Arthur is the youngest son of Marion and Archdeacon W.H. Collison.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Arthur Collison with our friend 'Noah' with catch - at Kincolith Nass River".
Photographs depict groups of men gathered on ice. Herbert leans over behind two friends seated on ice sled (son of Marion and Archdeacon W.H. Collison). Pile of caught fish can be seen in foreground behind large whole in ice.
Handwritten annotations on verso read: "Oolichan Fishing Fishing Bay Nass River"; "Uncle Herbert with Indian friends fishing for oolichan through the ice."
Photograph depicts a group of men gathered around hole in ice. Two men in centre handle a net full of fish. Village can be seen on shore in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Oolichan Fishing Nass River".
Photograph depicts groups of men gathered on ice. One man sits on ice sled in foreground. Village can be seen on shore in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Chapt. II. No. 1. Fishing Bay. Olachan fishery on the ice."
Photograph depicts two men standing beside beds of fish laid out to dry. More oolichan fish hang on tall structures in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "'Food for winter' Oolichans drying at Fishing Bay, Nass River".
Photograph depicts two men standing beside beds of fish laid out to dry. More oolichan fish hang on tall structures in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Oolichan drying & [?] grease at Fishing Bay Nass River 'Winter food supply'".
Photograph depicts an empty canoe floating beside a canoe full of fish. Hills visible on opposite shore in distance.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Loaded with fish - Nass River".
Photograph depicts two men handling fishing net in canoe full of fish. Hills visible on opposite shore in distance.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Oolichan Fishing on Nass River".
Buildings visible on shore in distance.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Amidst drift ice on Fishing Bay Nass River. Insert at Page 38. Indian Fishing Encampment".
Greeting card reads: "Kincolith Church. Wishing you all a very happy Xmas. Your work shall be rewarded. II Chron. XV. 7. [illegible initials]".
Photograph depicts two unidentified men sitting on front steps of large church. Building materials are scattered in foreground, and scaffolding is visible on one tower.
Handwritten annotations above and below image read: "Dimensions of 73 Feet in length by 37 Feet in width exclusive of Porch and Buttresses. Destroyed by fire with 30 dwelling houses. The spire had been completed when burnt."; "Kincolith Church, Nth. W. Coast. British Columbia within 5 miles of the Alaskan Coast, was destroyed by fire"
Photograph depicts large church to left of a tower structure. Power lines cross foreground, and other buildings can be seen in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "New Church Kincolith Nass River BC".
Photograph depicts tall building, with long shorter section crossing midground in front. Path runs through garden in foreground.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Back of Mission House Kincolith".
Chief Allen sits in chair on raised wooden platform, with bear skin over his knee, and two more bear skins laid on wood blocks in front of him. House stands behind picket fence in background. Pot and pan sit to right of chair in foreground.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Albert Allen Kincolith (Nisga Chief)".
Photograph depicts large church building behind white fence. Other buildings visible in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "New Church Kincolith Nass River BC".
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Old church - Kincolith Nass River BC".
Chicken wire crosses foreground, hills visible in background.
Village can be seen in distance. Large church building stands in centre, hills in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "For heading of Page 18. Kincolith or 'The Rock of Scalps.' Section of Kincolith [...]"