Showing 160 results

Two model totem poles flank a bentwood box sitting on a pedestal in front of a bookcase in the office of W.E. Collison. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “Totem & carved chest in Dad’s office.”

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.

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 three Tsimshian mortuary poles. Two crossed logs rest atop the three poles. Annotation on recto reads: "Indian Mortuary Poles Nr Prince Rupert BC McRae Bros."

Hand coloured photograph of a cemetery in Gitxsan territory. Annotation on recto reads: "Indian Cemetery, Hazelton, BC."

Carvings sit among bushes in front of what appears to be a totem pole.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Eagle & whale Monument Tanu".

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."

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "For heading of page 15 of Introduction to 'Trophies from a Long Trail.' Nishka Chief in his robes and Head-dress."

Photograph depicts two men standing at base of totem pole in front of large elaborate lodge building with post reading "MINESQU". Smaller structure stands in background (elevated cache?).

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Chapter XXIV. No. 3. A chief's lodge and totem Nass River."

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".

Photograph depicts a totem pole standing on what appears to be a large wooden deck or boardwalk, view of the city in background.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Totem pole in park in Prince Rupert".

Photograph depicts a large totem pole next to groomed dirt paths. Power poles and river visible in background.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Edenshaw pole in park at Prince Rupert."

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."

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."

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".

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".

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".

Totem pole stands alone against a mountainous background.

Photograph features a steep cliff across still water.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Place of Scalps / Kincolith BC"

Photograph features a steep cliff across water, rocky shore in foreground.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Up the 'Big Creek' at Kincolith B.C. Rock face called 'the place of echoes' by the Indian people."

Three men can be seen carrying bundles across bridge above river, forest on shore in background.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Upper Nass River. Chapt. XXII. No. 4. An Indian Bridge on a canyon."

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Poling supplies up 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".

Photograph depicts a tomb elevated over grassy area.

Handwritten annotation on image reads: "26. Front of Indian tomb."; on verso: "Upper Nass River."

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 a group of 18 men wearing suits and ties, standing on front steps of large building with pillars.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Conference of Sand Question Committee at Kincolith on Sunday, June 3rd 1923. Mr. [O'Heara?] present. [illegible initials]".

The pair sits with books on bench in unknown room, Collison on right.

Handwritten annotations on verso read: "Archdeacon Collison giving of reading lesson at Kincolith BC"; "'line upon line' or teaching the way of God more perfect [...]"

Three women sit in foreground at a porch partially covered with foliage.

Handwritten annotations on verso read: "Elders at Mission House Kincolith Nass River BC".

Four women sit in foreground at a porch partially covered with foliage.

Handwritten annotations on verso read: "Honoured elders of porch of Mission House at Kincolith, Nass River"; "sun set or legend of the past".

Photograph depicts Noah standing in suit and holding a hat. Dog and unknown building visible in background.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: " 'Noah' Great Hunter & friend at Kincolith B.C."

Chief Gideon stands in suit and tie behind his wife who sits on the ground in front. Fence with chicken wire crosses midground, building visible in background.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Chief Gideon & his wife on upper Nass River".

Unidentified boy walks on a wood boardwalk, carrying large bundle. Forest in background.

Handwritten annotations on verso read: "Young boy carrying furs - Village of Kincolith"; "Little Indian boy carrying bear skin [?] at Gitlakdamix".

Handwritten annotations on verso read: "little infant slumbers [?] & light"; "Nisga infant in native 'papoose' carrier"; " 'Papoose' in native cradle".

Photograph depicts a totem pole supported by smaller poles, and a second totem pole standing straight in background. Beach in foreground, fence and hills in distance.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Falling greatness, Chapt. XXI No. 5, A Chief's Totem Pole inclined to fall. [Gitaix?] Encampment, Nass River. Five illustration for Chapt. XXI."

Photograph depicts totem poles (crest poles?) in front of lodge buildings on river shore. Canoes can be seen floating in foreground, hills in background.

Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Chapter XII. Number 1. Section of Indian Village on Nass River showing lodges and totems".

Newspaper consists of the recto and verso of 2 pages (p. 1-4). It was published in Aiyansh on the Nass River in British Columbia in April 1895 and presents a missionary's perspective of regional First Nations traditions and current affairs of the day.

Chief’s ceremonial Chilkat robe hung for portrait; associated headress is attached to wall above it. Woven headress features the inset face of a carved wooden bird.

Handwritten annotation in pen on verso: “Chief’s Dancing Robe surmounted by Dancing Headress for page 8.” Verso also has additional handwritten annotations which have been crossed out. Stamped photographers mark on recto: “Werner & Son; 39 Grafton St. Dublin.”

The couple walks arm in arm along dirt path in grass, buildings visible in background.

Handwritten annotation on verso of photograph reads: "Joshua [Moody?] & Wife / ? Masset B.C."

Photograph has been altered with drawings of people on shore fighting canoes approaching the town. Buildings stand behind fenced and walled areas in background.

Handwritten annotation below image reads: "Drawing by F.A., old Hudson B. [...?]"; on verso: "27. To head Chapter III. No. 2. Tsimshians and Haidas fighting on shore at Fort Simpson."