The Archdeacon W.H. Collison fonds consists of textual materials, maps, published materials and photographs all documenting Collison’s life and work with North Coastal First Nations communities in British Columbia. Types of records found within this fonds include manuscripts, sermon notes, correspondence, oral history summaries, monographs, cartographic items, photographs and postcards. The Collison fonds also includes some records created by his children and grandchildren as well as a family tree created in 1986. The Collison fonds has been divided into four series.
Collison, W.H. (Archdeacon)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 [...]"
Intricately carved argillite dish featuring human faces at either end of its rectangular shape. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “22-2”
Intricately carved argillite dish inlaid with abalone shell. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “51-4”
Intricately carved argillite dish featuring inlaid triangular pieces of stone or shell material around its perimeter and a series of seven faces within its centre. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “51-6”
Intricately carved argillite dish inlaid with abalone shell. Imagery suggests a killer whale and man motif. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “51-2”
Intricately carved argillite dish featuring inlaid triangular pieces of stone or shell material around its perimeter and a series of seven faces within its centre. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “49-1”
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".
Clah or T'amks [Tsimshian name] stands on wood platform in front of shovel and pickaxe leaning against building. Clah was a hereditary chief and Hudson Bay Company employee who helped missionary William Duncan learn the Tsimshian language.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: " 'Clah' or the pioneer missionary's [...?]"
Carved wooden bark shredder inlaid with abalone shell, used to soften and break up fibres of cedar bark. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “48-4”
A bentwood box sitting on a pedestal in front of a bookcase in the office of W.E. Collison. Handwritten annotation in pencil on verso reads: “Carved ‘hope chest’ sent to New York. The box was carved by -- Luke Watson Skidegate. The photo was taken in the office – not bad for a --”
Two carved wooden bentwood boxes. Box on the left containing three carved wooden spoons, box on the right containing one carved wooden spoon; between the two lies one large spoon resting against a box. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “49-6”
Two carved wooden bentwood boxes; one containing seven carved wooden spoons. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “49-5”
The pair sits on ground beside large totem pole, Bertha on left (wife of W.E. Collison). Log fence can be seen in front of forest in right background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: “Mother & Josie Edenshaw at Massett".
Canoes sit on shore in foreground beside village buildings. A dock is visible above water in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Alert Bay Indian Ranch No. 14 Alert Bay. To be shown on page 69 or 70, re Alert Bay Mission."
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".
Carvings sit among bushes in front of what appears to be a totem pole.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Eagle & whale Monument Tanu".
Carved stone figure on left features a hole at one end through which a rope is strung; while the figure on the right is a soapstone figure carving of a face with two ears to the sides and split ‘u’ ones at the top of the head. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “51-5”
Carved wooden sculpture of a seated male figure - his hands on his chest wearing a headdress and a neck ring. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “46-3”.
An unidentified carved wooden tool or utensil with twine attached, leans against a sheet covered wall behind a carved wooden platter. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “50-3”
Photograph features an arranged collection of Chief’s ceremonial regalia: Chikat robe and Amalayt (headdress), two carved wooden rattles and two leggings.
Handwritten annotation in pen on recto reads: “Qush ahlied (?) or Chilcat [sic] Robe worn by Chiefs when entertaining. Also 'Ahm Ahlied'(?) or Head Ornament Indian Coronet and leggings." Verso also has additional handwritten annotations which have been crossed out.
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".
Two carved poles stand in foreground, a third smaller pole visible by wood structure in background.
The pole at left is the Chief Skedans mortuary pole, which was raised in the Haida village of Skidegate about 1870. It honours the Raven Chief of Skedans and depicts the chief's hereditary crests. The two tiny figures in the bear's ears are the chief's daughter and son-in-law who erected the pole and gave a potlach for the chief's memorial. The rectangle board at the top of the original pole covered a cavity that held the chief's remains.
The pole at left may be a whale pole.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "For heading of Page 12. Fin Back Whale Crest. [?] Totems, S.E. Alaska". This original annotation is believed to be incorrect.
Ermine-tail headdress with wooden frontlets carved with mythic animal and inlaid with abalone. Sea lion whiskers extending upwards from top of frontlet. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “45-6”
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."
Seven young boys enjoying a game of tug-a-war alongside a wooden track. Track runs along a picket fence through a village. A small girl watches the fun from the sidelines and older woman carries a basket in the background. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “Native children at play”.
Several unidentified individuals can be seen on front steps of church and a group of small children in white stand in line below steps. Other community buildings are visible in background, white fence crosses foreground. 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: "Church (of England) at Metlakahtla - British Columbia. Built by the people of the village - largest church then on the pacific coast."
Several unidentified individuals can be seen on front steps of church and a group of small children in white stand in line below steps. Other community buildings are visible in background, white fence crosses foreground. 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: "Old church at Metlakatla Before fire. Built by Fr. Duncan & the village people".
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.”
Photograph depicts large church in fenced area, mission house visible behind trees in background.
Printed on image: "The Church. Old Massett. Q.C.I. / J.D. Allen. Photo. C."
Forest and hills on opposite shore in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "poling canoe up Nass River".
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".
Totem poles (crest poles?) stand in front of a line of houses. Blanketed canoes sit on beach in right foreground; forest in background.
Handwritten annotations on verso read: “Haida Encampment [crossed through with line]"; "Skidegate Queen Charlottes Islands / To illustrate Introduction / Introduction Trophies from a Song [Trail?] Page 1 Heading."
Wooden club carved in the image of a fish. Handle has a hole through which is strung some sort of twine. Metal knife with tapered blades at either end with a leather strip wound around its flat center grip; one blade longer than the other. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “50-4”
Photograph depicts a group of children dressed in white walking in a line, and adults and other children watching from behind. Group of six man stand in line on left, one holding a flag, another a drum. Jail tower and large building stand behind fence in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Old Mission House & jail at Metlakatla Before the fire."
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".
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]".
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.
Three unidentified men stand by poles in foreground, wood houses and crest poles visible in background.
Printed below image: "Totem Poles, Massett, Q.C. Island, B.C. "; "T.N. Hibbon & Co., Victoria, B.C. [crossed through with ink]"; handwritten below: "The old style giving way to the new."
Photograph depicts many crest poles in front of wooden homes. An unidentified family can be seen sitting by house in centre. Wood pile and path in foreground.
Handwritten annotation on image reads: "Masset Queen Charlotte's Islands, Crest Poles / Masset with Totems."; on verso: "Chap. XIII. No. 1 This photo to be copied as an illustration on 1st page or I Chapt. 'Section of Massett, Haida Encampment showing Totems. Queen Charlotte's Islands.' For heading of page 2 of Trophies."
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Travelling thru' canyon on Nass River 'Engine & poles'".
Hill on opposite shore in background.
Double-ended, double-edged metal dagger with leather (?) strips covering the grip. Both blades are triangular-shaped with a double ridge running across the middle in line with the handle in between. One blade is longer than the other. Intricately beaded pouch appears to be made of felt and was constructed to sheath both heads of the dagger. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “50-5”
Totem pole stands alone against a mountainous background.
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."
Forest and hills on opposite shore in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "A very old Tsimpsion women - said to be over 110 yrs old."
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 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."