Item consists of a letter written by John McCormick to a person named James; it is not made clear if James is a friend or relative. In both his letter to James, John McCormick makes several references to Victoria. His familiarity with Victoria suggests that he may have travelled from Victoria to Barkerville to mine for gold. In his letters to James, John McCormick describes having no money and living under poor conditions. He mentions the great fire that swept through Barkerville and that he lost nothing due to its distance from his house. McCormick also mentions that the Indians are dying quickly of Small Pox in Victoria.
Photograph depicts community buildings on shoreline, water in foreground.
Handwritten annotation on image reads: "Wrangle, Alaska."; on verso: "Fort Wrangle, Alaska Territory. visited by W.H.Collison, C.M.S. 1877. Prior to the establishment of any mission, [...? illegible] 1875 - 1876. Presbyterian. Insert this illustration of Wrangle on Page 77 as marked."
Young boy stands among bushes in snow, totel pole in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: “WE Collison Totem on QCIsl."
Handwritten annotations read: "At rest, after a rough passage of two days and a night from Massett, Queen Charlotte's Islands by canoe - W.H. Collison and Mrs. Collison with Indians from Masset"; "Archdeacon Collison Indian Canoe & Crew. Return from Queen Charlotte's Islands, Haida & Tsimshian Crew [...?]" Archdeacon and Mrs. Collison sit in centre of canoe.
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.
Photograph consists of Jean Caux and several men loading supplies onto a horse and mule pack train. Annotation along bottom recto of photograph reads: "Jean Caux's Pack Train, loading at Harvey Baileys for Babine Lake - 1897."
Photograph depicts an unidentified individual leaning against a large overturned dugout canoe; barrel, bucket, and wood planks in foreground. Houses and other buildings can be seen on shore above beach, and two unidentified individuals stand in distance on far right.
Handwritten annotations on verso read: “Haida canoe on beach at Masset / ? 1898”; “No. 4 Page 5. Haida Canoe ready for steaming to [widen?] out and finish.”
An original negative of this photograph is held by the Canadian Museum of Civilization, no. 26664.
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".
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 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."
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: “skidegate village Queen Charlotte Islands as it appeared forty years ago"; "Rev W.E. Collison Prince Rupert"; "Hughes"; "1".
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."
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 a mortuary pole situated against a snowy landscape.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: “Chapter XVIII, Nom. 1 Chief Gwaksho’s totem pole. The Great Hunter.”
Photograph depicts an unidentified man walking on path in front of Bishop Ridley's home. Several children can be seen in fenced yard in midground.
Handwritten annotation below image reads: "Ridley Home and Mission house Metlakahtla."; on verso: "Chapter XXVII / Heading for Chapter / Ridley Home Metlakahtla".
Group of eight men wearing suits and ties pose with Reverend Collison (oldest son of Marion & Archdeacon W.H. Collison).
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: “Rev. W. E. Collison & his Lay Readers at Massett, Q.C.Is.”
Mark Sutton, in Christian Army uniform, is seated while his wife stands next to him. A drum is visible in the background.
Handwritten annotation in pen on recto reads: “Saved to serve. Mark Sutton & wife. Mark Sutton Indian name ‘Chean’ (?) & wife.” Handwritten annotation in pen on verso reads: “Chapter VI. No. 1. Mark Sutton & wife. Only survivor of crew of canoe shot by war party. Twice doomed but “Saved to Serve.”
Photograph features a portrait of an elder taken from the neck up. Handwritten annotation on recto, along bottom of photo reads: “Chief Stlaituk”(?)
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.
Totem pole stands alone against a mountainous background.
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".
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 fenced area in front of church building with turret. Other community buildings can be seen in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Metlakatla Church. Replacement for larger church lost in village fire 1903?" See also item 2009.7.1.55 for similar image depicting new church building at Metlakatla, B.C.
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.
Photograph depicts several houses and headstones built on a rocky shoreline with water in the foreground. Annotation on verso of photograph states: "Canada, B.C. Bella Bella - Indian Missions. Indian Grave houses and monuments"
Photograph depicts a crowd gathered near the shore of a body of water around a flag pole, with a band to the left. Annotation on verso of photograph states: "Myself accepting the flag pole etc., - Namu crowd in fore-ground - School children around the pole, + Band to the left."
Photograph depicts a group of First Nations girls posed for a photo with two women on what appears to be a boat. Possibly a Mission School class photo.
Photograph depicts two buildings behind fence, sheds visible in background. Unidentified men can be seen walking in foreground. Small structures believed to be teepees can be seen behind fence.
Hand coloured photograph of the surrounding lands and many residential buildings encompassing the Tsimshian village of Lax Kw'alaams (previously called Port Simpson). Printed annotation on recto reads: "Indian Village, Port Simpson, B.C."
Photograph depicts rows of grave markers in foreground, fence and buildings in background.
Handwritten annotation on verso “Indian cemetery, Reserve #1 South Fort George".
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."
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".
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 First Nations boys with a minister posed for a photo on what appears to be a boat. Possibly a Mission School class photo.
Photograph depicts a First Nations family with two older girls both holding young children, two young boys and one older boy all posed for the camera on a porch.
Full on photograph of a totem pole in a fenced area. Printed annotation on recto reads: "Indian Totem Poles, Kitwanga, B.C."
Photograph of the dirt road leading to Hagwilget Village. Residential buildings and a church are visible in the background. Printed annotation on recto reads: "W.W.W. Hagwilget Village."
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."
Rev. W.E. Collison sits to left of totem pole, smoking a pipe (oldest son of Marion and Archdeacon W.H. Collison). Log fence can be seen in front of forest in right background.
Handwritten annotations on verso read: “W.E. Collison at Massett, QCIs."; "Dad beside totem pole".
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."
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 depicts an unidentified Indigenous (Gitksan?) man standing on a porch behind a stone petroglyph found at Kispiox village along the Upper Skeena River. Annotation on recto of photograph states: "Indian stone relic unearthed at Kispaiyeks Indian Village, B.C., Upper Skeena River".
Photograph depicts an elderly Bella Bella First Nations man seated with a pipe. Annotation on verso of photograph states: "Old Bella Bella indian"
Photograph depicts two First Nations boys standing on either side of a First Nations girl on a wooden walkway.
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".
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 men can be seen on deck of small boat. Rocky shore in foreground, forest and hills on opposite shore in background.
Handwritten annotations on verso read: "Dad - en route up Nass River on official business. (hence the flag & business suit!)"; "Going up the Nass. Dad (Indian Agent) Cap Barry (Inspect. of Schools) travelling up the Nass River to Aiyansh".