The collection consists of interviews pertaining to Cowichan Indian knitting.

RECORDED: Duncan (B.C.), [1952-11 & 12] SUMMARY: Recordings related to "Tzinquaw", a musical dramatization or opera by Frank Morrison, based on the Cowichan Indian legend of a battle between the Thunderbird and the Killer Whale. The story tells how the Cowichan people were saved from starvation after Tzinquaw (the thunderbird) defeated Quannis (the killer whale), who had driven the fish away. T4156:0001 - 0003 and 0005 - 0009 are the recordings; related to "Tzinquaw". T4156:0004 is a recording of an impromptu gathering, probably at Frank Morrison's house near the Cowichan Reserve. T4156:0010 features a family [the Morrisons] on Christmas morning, talking about their presents.

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.

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).