SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneering in the Nass River region, 1907-1930 PERIOD COVERED: 1905-1930 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966-02-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Arthur Priestley immigrated to Canada from England in 1905. He speaks about his experiences as an immigrant in Alberta and on the Nass River near Aiyansh (ca.1907), the family homestead near Aiyansh, planning and building the family house and the house fire. Mr. Priestley recalls his family's coming out to Aiyansh encouraged by Rev. J.B. McCullagh, impressions along the Nass River, Aiyansh and other Nass River settlements, the Indian way of life and the work of Rev. McCullagh, the Anglican missionary at Aiyansh. TRACK 2: Arthur Priestley recalls his homesteading efforts in Aiyansh, homesteading and settlement in the area, soil and climate, transportation, incidents along the Nass River, the telegraph line to Anyox, Indian legends about the lava flow, more about Rev. J.B. McCullagh and his time in Aiyansh, settlement 1912/13, operating the post office and store, local incidents, the Nisga'a, schooling and Timothy Derrick.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Nass River Valley, 1907-1930 PERIOD COVERED: 1905-1930 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Arthur F. Priestley was born in 1887 in England. Immigrated to Canada in 1905. Experiences as a recent immigrant to Canada, 1905-1907. Rural work in Alberta. Settled in the Nass River valley, near Aiyansh, in 1907. Description of Rev. J.B. McCullagh, Anglican missionary of Aiyansh. Homesteading experiences. Travelling by freight canoe on the Nass River. TRACK 2: More on Rev. J.B. McCullagh and his missionary work with the Nisga'a Indians. Description of house fire, 1909. Start of homesteading in 1912 and 1913. Priestley opens a store on the Nass River new Aiyansh. Problems of homesteading. Food supply. Mail. Early settlers in the Nass Valley. Most homesteaders defeated by about 1918. Marries McCullagh's daughter in 1910, and sells out in 1930.;

CALL NUMBER: T1239:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bert McKay : the Nisga'a Indians : part 1 PERIOD COVERED: 1882-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1972 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bert McKay, a New Aiyansh elementary school principal, speaks about education and the Nisga'a people. He discusses the problems with high school education and residential schools, recent improvements and innovations, attempts to integrate the Nisga'a culture and language into the curriculum, current (1972) plans, "traders English", the present curriculum, non-Indian teachers and current p;roblems with communication and teaching English as a second language (TEAL). Bert McKay speaks about a resurgence of Indian unity and a disruption of the native way of life by the post-war logging boo;m. TRACK 2: Bert McKay continues speaking about Aiyansh and the Nisga'a society, the cultural strength of the community, the importance of the family unit and Nisga'a culture and traditions remaining intact. Rev. McCullagh and the impact of the missionaries is discussed, including the new role of priests. He talks about modern day wedding procedures and ceremonies, traditions, rituals, philosophy, ceremonials, crests -- territorial rights, Nisga'a elders teaching the young men and the issue of the Nisga'a Land Rights Question, 1882-1971.

CALL NUMBER: T1239:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bert McKay : the Nisga'a Indians : part 1 PERIOD COVERED: 1882-1971 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1972 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bert McKay continues discussing the history and background to the Nisga'a Land Question -- the "Nishga Land Petition", further encroachments on native rights -- fish, game and timber permits,; Indian-white relations -- settlers, logging, the "Heart of the Nass" -- a rock 30 miles south of Aiyansh which is landmark for the Nisga'a, the richness of the Nass Valley, eulachon, the background to the destruction of the "Heart of the Nass" and the importance of a mountain in Nisga'a history -- the "great flood" myth.

CALL NUMBER: T1226:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Vera Basham : experiences as a teacher at Aiyansh, 1915-1916 : part 1 PERIOD COVERED: 1907-1916 RECORDED: Penticton (B.C.), 1965-11-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Vera Basham (nee Chasteney) speaks about her background, education and her teaching position at Aiyansh on the Nass River. She describes traveling to Aiyansh (1915) by boat, other teachers and nurses, her preparations, adventures along the way, stopping at Mill Bay, Greenville (Lapalzac), the village of Gwinneha, her arrival at Aiyansh and the one ton of supplies water soaked on journey. She speaks about learning the language of the Nisga'a people, the village of Gitlakdamix, stories about the raising of totem poles, the village of Aiyansh, the honor accorded to the teachers, Constable Phillipson, Mr. Charlie Gordon -- the Provincial Policeman and a description of the interior of an Indian house. TRACK 2: Vera Basham describes having moccasins made by a local woman. She speaks about her school, Chief Derek's home that became the first schoolroom, school supplies, her lack of pupils during the eulachon fishing season, the "Moon of Strawberries" time and bark gathering time. Vera Basham recalls her students, their interest in music, candy making, some trouble at the Gitlakdamix school, an incident with Chief Derek, teacher's duties, funerals, winter weather, spring celebrations, local vegetation, the May 24th games at Empire Park, her impressions of the Indian lifestyle and stories about Chief Derek.

CALL NUMBER: T1226:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Vera Basham : experiences as a teacher at Aiyansh, 1915-1916 : part 2 PERIOD COVERED: 1915-1916 RECORDED: Penticton (B.C.), 1965-11-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Vera Basham continues describing her experiences in Aiyansh (1915 & 1916), the destruction of her house, the kindness of Chief Derek, her departure from the village, gifts from the village and her journey down the Nass. She talks about the Nisga'a language, the Nisga'a people, their children, clothing, religious songs, Christmas festivities, New Year's recital and refreshments, Chief Mercer, pre-emptors and Rev. J.B. McCullagh's work at Aiyansh. [TRACK 2: blank.]