Carvings visible on a moss covered rocky outcrop. Handwritten annotation in pencil on verso reads: “Rock carvings. Copper Mountain, Al”.
Indian agency boat the “Naskeena” off Kitkatla B.C. W.E. Collison, Indian Agent standing at the stern.
Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “‘Naskeena’ Gov. patrol boat off Kitkatla BC. W.E. Collison on stern.”
Display of the tools of the Medicine Man: rattles, statues, hats (crowns), masks, spoons apron and body ornamentation.
Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “A medicine man’s outfit. Crowns of bear’s claws, aprons of skins adorned with carved charms of bone and ivory, also rattles. Would illustrate Chapt. XIII for no. 2”
Photograph depicts close-up of unidentified skeletal remains situated on the ground. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “skeleton fallen from burial box at Masset QCIs. Remains were buried near original site”.
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.”
Model totem pole standing upright on a chair against the backdrop of a sheet. 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: “46-4”
Frontal perspective of a model totem pole standing upright on a sheet covered table against the backdrop of an additional sheet. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “47-2”
Profile perspective of a model totem pole standing upright on a sheet covered table against the backdrop of an additional sheet. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “47-3”
Two carved wooden staffs, both inlaid with abalone shell, leaning against a wall side by side, a white sheet serving as a 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: “50-6”
Conical woven hat with a flat top and circular brim. Shells sewn to hat.
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: “50-2”
Pump drill consisting of a length of wood with a heavy wooden whorl fixed toward the bottom end and a crossbar-like pump arm attached to the upper end; pump arm is free to move up and down the main length of wood through a hole in the arm's center. The notched ends of the pump arm are attached to the top of the pump by twisted gut cord. The central length of wood is rounded and handle-like at the base, tapering towards the top. 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: “48-6”
Large ladles used during potlaches to serve guests food from the feast dish; Carved wooden harpoon heads used for hunting large sea mammals and one unidentified item with a triangular shape and flat top. 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: “50-1”
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”
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”
Two cylindrical wooden columns stand parallel, connected at the top by a horizontal wooden panel featuring the carved head and front paws of a wolf. Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “W.E. Collison.” Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources,
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”.
Carved portrait mask featuring real fur eyebrow (one is missing) and mustache. Stamped annotation on verso reads: “Department of Mines and Resources, Photographic Section. Oct. 6, 1939”. Numeric annotation on verso: “45-4”
Large crowd is gathered around main building in a harbor. Many boats visible in foreground. Smoke from tugboat partially obscures the scene. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert BC. Photo by MCrae Bros."
Slightly overhead shot of a large crowd gathered by general store and railroad. Annotation on recto reads: "Overseas contingent leaving Prince Rupert BC Feb 26th 1915. McRae Bros."
Photograph of residents in motion on Centre Street in Prince Rupert. Buildings are visible on either side of the street and a railway track runs down the length of the road. Annotation on recto reads: "Centre Street, Prince Rupert, BC. 1664."
Photograph of a large crowd in formal wear gathered on a slope. Some spectators can be seen perched atop extremely high poles. Annotation on recto reads: "The Crowd at Prince Rupert's Dominion Day Celebration 1909. Allen Photo 1-7-09."
Photograph shows a large explosion surrounded by clearcut brush. Some machinery is visible in the foreground. Annotation on recto reads: "Big Blast at Prince Rupert BC Aug 17/08 Allen Photo."
Photograph of ocean liner SS Arna docked in a harbour. Foreground shows two individuals on a dock in the lower right corner and a large pile of lumber in the lower left corner. Annotation on recto reads: "S.S. Arna arrived in Prince Rupert B.C March 30th 1914"
Photograph of the Prince Rupert wharf. Many vessels are docked next to small buildings along the water. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert BC."
Photograph of the SS Camosun arriving in a harbour in Prince Rupert. A blurry man is in the lower right corner of the foreground. Another large vessel can be seen behind the Camosun. Annotation on recto reads: "SS 'Camosun' at Prince Rupert Allen Photo May 23[?]09."
Photograph of a small vessel on the ocean with a dock and harbour buildings in the foreground. Tents and piles of lumber can be seen among the buildings. Annotation on recto reads: "The Wharf, Prince Rupert, BC. 1657." Printed annotation on verso reads "The Wharf, Prince Rupert, BC J. Howard A. Chapman, Victoria. BC. 1657."
Wide angle photograph of many buildings scattered in a clear cut area. Foreground shows several businesses, including "Kelly Carruther's Supply" and "Prince Rupert Hardware and Supply Co." Some remaining forest is visible in the background. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert, BC 1659."
View of the road descending to the waterfront. Buildings and forested area are visible on either side of street. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert BC. '07."
Photograph of several buildings down the street in Prince Rupert, including the church. Lumber pallets are littered around the buildings. Annotation on recto reads: "Prince Rupert, BC. 20.10.07."
Photograph of large crowd spanning the frame of the photograph. A large marching band is visible along the edges of a small clearing in the centre. Annotation on recto reads: "May 24th Prince Rupert BC."
Large crowd gathered on the street in downtown Prince Rupert. Decorations are hung around and town, and a lavishly decorated arch in the background reads "Come One Let 'Em All Come Come All. Welcome to Prince Rupert."
Photo of the Prince Rupert harbour. Many buildings are visible along the shoreline. Annotation on recto reads: "Harbour, Prince Rupert, BC. 1658."
Hand coloured photograph of a cemetery in Gitxsan territory. Annotation on recto reads: "Indian Cemetery, Hazelton, BC."
Annotation on recto reads: "SS Inlander in Canyon Skeena River, BC." Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "The Islander going through canyon on the Skeena River."
Photograph of a mountain on the waterfront. Annotation on recto reads: "Portland & Stewart. New Twin Cities. Portland Canal. June 17th 1910. Button Photo. Prince Rupert, BC."
Photograph of a long bridge spanning two rock faces. Below is a smaller, half demolished wooden bridge. A small settlement is visible on the lower right. Annotation on recto reads: "Haquelqet Bridge." Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Old & New. Old Indian built bridge & later one at Hazelton, 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.
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.
File contains obituaries for Collison as well as for his son Henry Alexander (H.A.) and granddaughter Katherine Clarke (nee Collison); various articles re: Collison’s many accomplishments; a letter of condolence from Councillors of the Haida Nation on the occasion of his death, a program from Collison’s memorial service at Metlakatla, and a typed biography.
File contains an article identified as having been written by W.E. Collison on the topic of the development of First Nations peoples along the North Pacific Coast.
File consists of newspaper clippings collected by W.E. Collison, eldest son of W.H. Collison.
Haida Grammar. Reverend C. Harrison. From the Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada. Volume I, Section II: 1895.
A monthly journal published by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) featuring the work of CMS missionaries around the world. Note: pages 315-320 are missing.
"North Pacific Mission" chapter from an unidentified book. (pages 219 – 224)
"The Kitselas of British Columbia." George T. Emmons. Reprint from the American Anthropologist (N.S.) Vol. XIV, No. 3, July-September, 1912. Signed by author.
S. Barnabas’ Hove Parish Magazine. March 1902.
American Anthropologist, Vol. 31, No. 1. January-March 1929. Menasha, Wis.: American Anthropological Association, 1929.
Totem Lore. W. Nicholson. (souvenir pamphlet, ca. 1950)
Journal of The Royal Society of Arts, Vol. LXXXIII, No. 4320, 6 September 1935. London: G. Bell & Sons, 1935.