The item consists of one day book belonging to William Sinclair III, an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company and stationed at Bella Coola post. The day book itself is dated 1874, however Sinclair used it between 1878-1879 and re-wrote the dates for each entry. The day book is a private diary kept by Sinclair and not an HBC corporate record, however it documents the business activities of Bella Coola Post.

The final pages include a draft letter to I.W. Powell, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for British Columbia, on behalf of the local chief (not named). The draft letter expresses dissatisfaction on behalf of the local Indigenous people regarding broken promises. Also included among the final pages of the diary are recipes for pies and plum pudding, instructions for tanning hides, a list of British Navy vessels, and a rough translation dictionary of common words and phrases in English and an unidentified Indigenous language (possibly Nuxalk).

The diary accounts from Sinclair's nine day journey from Victoria to Bella Coola and his daily activities upon arriving at the post. There is a brief entry for each day, which sometimes consists only of an update on the weather whereas other days have more lengthy descriptions of activities. The diary includes descriptions of interactions with local Indigenous populations

Chief Clelamen memorial. Wood carving, coppers, and plaque "In memory of Chief Clelamen who died July 1893 aged 50 years ... In Dec 1892 he gave away, with the help of his sons Alexander & Johnny, property in blankets, canoes &c valued at 4000 dollars. This being his eighth large potlatch & feast that he had held."

The item is a microfiche copy of a thesis by Dana Sue Lepofsky titled "An integrated approach to studying settlement systems on the Northwest coast: the Nuxalk of Bella Coola, B.C. " xii, 216 p: figs., tables. Thesis (M.A.), University of British Columbia, 1985. Vita. Bibliography: pages 191-204.

Purchased from the National Library, 1987.

This series consists of cabinet and Treasury Board submission records from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and its predecessors from 1987-1999. Cabinet, also known as the Executive Council, sets priority issues for government, approves policies set by ministries and approves the regulations and orders-in-council that flesh out the generalized language of laws passed in the Legislative Assembly. These are records leading to the preparation of cabinet submissions by the ministry and document the development of information that goes before Cabinet or that is used in developing a Cabinet submission.

Files regard a variety of topics related to agriculture, food production, food distribution, and fisheries. Some topics include: loans and financial assistance for farmers and food producers; development of food industries, including wine; aquaculture and fisheries issues; agriculture policies; use of agricultural land reserves for golf courses; export, trade and treaty negotiations with the US for products such as salmon; Indigenous involvement in fisheries and Nisga’a fisheries negotiation; and environmental issues such as soil conservation and droughts. First Nations mentioned in these records include the Sto-lo Nation, Musquem, Tsawwassen First Nation, Nat’oot’en, Gitxsan, Wet’suwet’en, Gitanyow, Tsimshian, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Tk’emlúps (Kamloops Indian Band) and Nisga’a Lisims Government.

Cabinet records include cabinet submissions, correspondence, financial records, Treasury Board financial impact assessments, notes, reports, drafts, briefing notes, presentations, records of decision, order in councils, requests for legislation and background information providing context to submissions.

The Ministries responsible for these records over the years are:
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (1986-1991)
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1991-1998)
Ministry of Agriculture and Food (1998-2000)

These records are classified as ARCS number 201-40 and 1250-20.

The item is a copy of a thesis on microfilm, by Joy Florence Bell. It is called "Rock art of the Coast Salish Territory: an analysis of style, form and function". 238 p: figs., illus., maps, tables. Thesis (Ph.D.), University of Washington, 1982. Vita. Bibliography: p 231-238. University Microfilms, 1985.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Louis Miranda RECORDED: Mission (B.C.), 1972-04-11 SUMMARY: Louis (uncle Louie) Miranda discusses deluge (or the great flood), first contact with white man, chief's daughter and slave, Sechelt hunter, and Louie's advice on respect and promises.;

The item consists of an audio disc (sound disc) of Bella Coola songs recorded by Mildred Valley Thornton around 1953.
Disc summary: taken from Thornton's typed notes in accession file.
Side 1:

1. Bella Coola mourning song sung by Pat Schooner and chorus, had been their song for countless generations. It is the story of the raven.
2. Alex Pootlass mourning song, a story of long ago, sung for his father Chief Sam Pootlass when he passed away.
3. A Potlatch song, also a dance song for a chief.
4. This is Alex Pootlass song, used to belong to his father, Sam Pootlass, no words, just a tune.

Side 2:

4. Alex Pootlass song (continued).
5. This is the song that Mrs. Dick Snow danced to at the Mask dance. Had to do with people guessing what she is thinking about.
6. This is not a Chief's song but similar to it and of a lower class.
7. A Chief's song.
   The last two songs belonged to the Susack Society.

SUMMARY: This program deals with the Indian people of the Bella Coola region: their art, culture, and community life; prophecies of the coming of the white man; relations with Alexander MacKenzie and the Norwegian settlers. Voices heard include: Margaret Siwallace, Andy Schooner, Paul Kopas, Elliot Weisgarber, Ted Levelton, and Milo Fougner.

The item is a microfiche copy of a thesis by James Winston Ellis Baker. It is called "A linguistic and ethnohistoric approach to Bella Coola prehistory". 1973. viii, 97 leaves: maps. Thesis (M.A.), Simon Fraser University, 1973. Bibliography: leaves 80-97. Canadian theses on microfiche, 19235.

SUMMARY: "Between Ourselves" was a weekly series of hour-long radio programs that presented Canada to Canadians. It featured aspects of Canadian life in docudramas, plays, music, and interviews, originating fr;om different regions of Canada. The series ran from 1966 to 1979. "The Great West Road", which comprises two episodes, presents the story of two journeys from the Fraser River to the Pacific Ocean: th;e first by Alexander Mackenzie in 1793, and the second by a party of scientists following Mackenzies's route in 1975. Dr. Roy Carlson, Dr. Rudi Haering, and Dr. Earl Nelson describe their own adventu;res en route, while Mackenzie's story is told in excerpts from his journal.;

CALL NUMBER: T3149:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The obsidian trail : [tape 1] RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Dr. Rudi Haering tells how he became involved in exploring the trade route along Alexander Mackenzie's trail through BC, and looking for the source of a form of obsidian used in trade among native people; X-ray techniques in archaeology; trade routes; how the three scholars (i.e., Haering, Carlson, and Nelson) got together to find the source of the mysterious obsidian; findings; problems along the trail. TRACK 2: Finding the trail from Mackenzie Pass to the Bella Coola Valley; trip from the Blackwater Ranch to Mackenzie Pass through Kluskus and Ulkatcho; Burnt Bridge Creek; canoeing down the Bella Coola River with natives; Indian story about Mackenzie.

CALL NUMBER: T3149:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The obsidian trail : [tape 2] RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Retracing Mackenzie's route from Blackwater Ranch on horseback and wagon; campsites; wildlife; artifacts; local ranches; more on campsites; Kluskoil Lake. TRACK 2: Pan Phillips' ranch; looking for obsidian in Ulkatcho mountains; more about Kluskus; other travellers; trail from Eliguk Lake to Ulkatcho; Mackenzie's accomplishment; visit to Mackenzie's rock; Saugstad house at Hagensborg.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Annie Engebretson : Bella Coola colony and Anahim Lake PERIOD COVERED: 1894-1934 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966-08-23 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Annie Engebretson (nee Lunos or Lunaas) discusses her father Jacob J. Lunaas' arrival in Bella Coola from Minnesota to the Saugstad colony in 1895. She then discusses their first three years in the colony, leaving for Victoria in 1900, moving to Anahim Lake for health reasons (1903-1916), the four different trails to Anahim Lake from Bella Coola, sellers and Indians and families at Anahim; Lake, and stories about Ben Franklin and Capoose. TRACK 2: Engebretson continues with more on settlers and inhabitants at Anahim Lake (1898-1913), Father Thomas, and the possible origin of the different physical appearance of Bella Coola Indians.

Public affairs. Jack Webster's popular weekday morning talk show. Guests and topics for this episode are: Steve Wyatt reports from a helicopter over Pemberton, looking at the flood damage from the Pemberton River. Jack shows a film clip of Bill Vander Zalm from the previous week, wherein Bill accuses members of the Vancouver city council of being Communists. Jack then speaks with Alderman Harry Rankin (COPE), and Alderman Bruce Eriksen about Vander Zalm’s “red-baiting” and various peace initiatives undertaken by the council. Mr. Rankin calls Vander Zalm’s views “Christian fascism”. Jack speaks with Joe Mathias, Chief of the Squamish Band, and David Jacobs, Chairman, Squamish Band Council, about the band’s refusal to allow non-Indigenous fishing on a portion of the Capilano River. They also discuss the use of Ambleside Park, and land in Stanley Park.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Louis Miranda RECORDED: Mission (B.C.), 1972-03 SUMMARY: Louis Miranda: Mission reserve, Squamish Indian, respected elder. Discusses childhood, family history, Chief Squamish Jim, religious views, naming ceremony, Indian-power, siwash rocks, 2-headed serpent, flood. This interview was conducted over 3 visits during which there were other people present which accounts for the other voices heard.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Rose Charlie : the Indian Homemakers' Association RECORDED: Harrison Mills (B.C.), 1973-04-10 SUMMARY: Rose Charlie was born ca.1931 and discusses Chehalis Reserve (Salish); early childhood on the reserve; life in the U.S.A.; return to the reserve; marriage; involvement with women's group for improving the conditions of the reserve. Joining the Indian Homemakers' Association. History of the Homemakers' Association.

RECORDED: Duncan (B.C.), 1980-03-24 & 31 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: In an interview with Jim Griffin, Mrs. Beatrice Day discusses: family background; parents' arrival in Canada and in Cowichan Bay; mill at Genoa Bay, store in Quamichan, grist mill; her siblin;gs; school and later activities; marriage, 1906; trip to Dawson City; Buena Vista Hotel; trip to England; Robert Service. TRACK 2: Trip to Dawson; husband's trip from Dawson on the "Princess Sophia"; husband's work; his retirement and death; Cowichan Indians; Chinook song; potlatches; gambling; family details. (End of interview)

CALL NUMBER: T3800:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Akerman : Indians and family PERIOD COVERED: 1800-[no date] RECORDED: Ganges (B.C.), 1977 SUMMARY: Robert Akerman was born on January 7, 1912 at Fulford Harbour, Saltspring Island. He is the nephew of Mrs. Mary (Gyves) Brenton. His parents are Ellen and George Akerman. Background of Gyves and Akerman families. Stories told by his grandmother, the daughter of an Indian chief of the Cowichan tribe.

CALL NUMBER: T3800:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Akerman : sports on Saltspring Island RECORDED: Ganges (B.C.), 1977 SUMMARY: Robert Akerman discusses Fulford Hall, boxing and soccer.

RECORDED: Bella Coola (B.C.), 1981-09 SUMMARY: Mrs. Brekke tells the story of her father, P. Jacobsen, who was partly responsible for the settlement of the Bella Coola Valley. He also took some Bella Coola Indians to Germany. The Brekke's have been pioneers in the valley themselves, trapping, fishing and logging.

The series is a microfilm copy of a ship's journal maintained by Lieutenant George Palmer, RN, while serving aboard HMS Amphitrite, 1855; HMS Monarch, 1855-1858; and HMS Edinburgh, 1858-1861. The Monarch entries describe Palmer's visit to Esquimalt, 1856 and his involvement in the Trincomalee expedition against the Cowichan People. The journal also includes a section describing Palmer's crossing of the Andes and visit to the Jan Fernancez Islands, 1858. In addition to a photograph of Palmer, there is a typescript of a letter he sent to his parents, 1854, describing a Crimean War battle in which he was involved. There is also an annotated manuscript map of the battle area (Petropavlovski).

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-06 SUMMARY: [No content documentation available for this interview.]