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”
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”
Figure on the left is a club-shaped cylindrical figure with bulbous human face at one end; abalone shell is inlaid in the face for eyes. Figure on the right is a club carved in the shape of a whale with inlaid eyes and engraved markings on its sides. 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: “51-1”
Figure on the left is a club-shaped cylindrical figure with bulbous human face at one end; abalone shell is inlaid in the face for eyes. Figure on the right is a club carved in the shape of a whale with inlaid eyes and engraved markings on its sides. 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: “51-1”
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 mask of a mythic creature whose mouth is in the shape of an ‘o’. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “33-2”
Mask created from leather or metal, featuring eyeholes and a mouth hole as well as holes pierced around the perimeter of the mask itself. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “45-5”
Profile perspective of a model totem pole standing upright on the floor against a blank wall. 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: “35-2”
Frontal perspective of a model totem pole standing upright on the floor against a blank wall. 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: “35-3”
Three model totem poles carved out of argillite and of various heights standing as a trio against a white backdrop. 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: “43-5”
Carved wooden flute. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “33-6”
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”
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”
Wooden raven rattle composed of two complementary parts in the form of raven. Reclining figure on raven's back connected to a frog by protruding tongue. Carved wooden face, perhaps a frontlet for a headdress. 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: “47-5”
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”
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”
Pedestal bowl carved out of argillite into the shape of a bird next to a table top bowl featuring a seated human figure looking into 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: “49-4”
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: “49-1”
Carved wooden mask, perhaps a portrait mask. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “32-6”
Carved wooden portrait mask. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “45-3”
Carved wooden mask featuring inlaid teeth and a halo surrounding the face. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “44-5”
Maps within this series document the placer streams, islands and harbours of the Queen Charlotte Islands; as well as the mining properties located within the vicinity of Stewart, BC.
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.
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.
Handwritten annotation on verso of photograph reads: "No. 54. Old tombs & totems. / to Haida graves Massett".
Two tombs stand in foreground, each consisting of a horizontal box held by two hollow posts sunk in the ground.
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."
Totem poles (crest poles?) stand in front of forest trees, fallen logs on beach in foreground.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Indian Totems along beach on Q.C. Islands"
Totem poles (crest poles?) stand in front of remains of wood structures, forest visible in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "A deserted Village, Q.C. Islands [...]" (various notes crossed through on verso).
Totem poles (crest poles?) stand in front of remains of wood structures built along sandy shore. View from above, forest on hill in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "[? illegible] Deserted village West Coast QCIs."
Photograph depicts narrow valley between steep cliffs.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "on left Vertical side of old Indian fort at Nagas W. Coast Q.C.I".
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."
Carvings sit among bushes in front of what appears to be a totem pole.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Eagle & whale Monument Tanu".
Totem poles (crest poles?) stand in front of a line of houses. Sandy beach in foreground, forest on hill in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Kai sun W. Coast Q.C.I."
Rocky shoreline featuring a small dwelling, totem pole, net rack, canoes pulled up to shore, barrels and boxes and a tent.
Handwritten annotation in pencil on verso reads: “Kunhalas [sic] at entrance to C--- Harbour”.
File contains linguistic notes prepared by W.H. Collison and sermons written by W.H. Collison in various First Nations languages.
Totem poles (crest poles?) stand in front of wood building, hills visible in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Poles on QC Isl."
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.
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.
Photographs depict large building in fenced area, trees in yard and in background.
Handwritten annotations on verso read: "Mission House at Massett QCIs"; "Mission House at Massett - Mother & Dad lived there."
File consists of documents recording the founding, funding, explorations, and investments of the pioneering Queen Charlotte Islands General Development Company, Ltd. (London, England). Includes approximately 150 pages of manuscript and the following items of interest:
- "Memorandum and Articles of Association, London, 1911
- Notice of First General Meeting, 1912
- First and later minutes of meetings in Victoria, BC and elsewhere
- Extensive correspondence with their representatives in the Queen Charlotte Islands including mining surveyors
- Reports from Queen Charlotte Islands from their representatives at Cumshewa, Skidegate, and Alliford Bay
- Records regarding all aspects of financing the company
Most of the items date from 1912-1913, providing a very detailed account of the founding and aspirations of the company, and revealing the difficulties in doing business in the remote Queen Charlotte Islands. Also notably includes correspondence and reports from Henry Collison.
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."
Totem poles (crest poles?) stand in front of wooden houses on right. Hills on shoreline visible in background.
Handwritten annotations on verso read: "West Coast QCIs."; "[Old?] Kassan Alaska."
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.
Handwritten annotation on verso of photograph reads: "Tombs. ? Massett".
Caption under printed version of photo in W.H. Collison's book 'In the Wake of the War Canoe': "At Masset, Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C. The side-posts are solid and sunk in the ground. The horizontal piece is hollow, and contains the corpse. These tombs are now falling through decay." (see page 216).
Photograph depicts village buildings along shore.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "67 Section of Massett as it is".
Large bear carving sits on top of wide pole, erected in memory of a chief of the Bear crest. Lines of houses stand in background.
Printed below image: "Totem Pole. Old Massett. Q.C.I / J.D. Allen photo Co."; handwritten below: "Mortuary Pole Bear [Crest?]"; on verso: "For Chapt. XIX. The old style and the new. Mortuary Pole & modern houses. No. 3. W.H.C. Oct. [6/ ?] 13".
Photograph depicts village buildings along shore.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Massett in Winter dress."
Photograph depicts a snow covered cemetery with gravestones, tombstones, and monuments.
Photograph depicts a dock and building near the water. A few buildings are being constructed on some newly cleared land nearby.