Chief Cooper, standing (centre).

This series consists of records of the Aboriginal Healthy Living group and related records created from 1993-2010. Records include committee files, executive records, treaty negotiation records related to health issues, and aboriginal health education and research files.

Committee files include correspondence, presentations, terms of reference, records of decision, and other records. Committee files relate to the Provincial Aboriginal Social-Economic Strategy, Aboriginal Health Transition Fund Adaption Committee, Aboriginal Health Leads Committee, Aboriginal Health Network, Aboriginal Health Transition Fund Workshop Subcommittee, and Aboriginal Reference Group Meetings.

Executive records include briefing notes, referral replies and issues records.

Treaty negotiation case files relate to the negotiation of health related agreements with First Nations outside of the B.C. Treaty Commission process and the negotiation of formal pre and post treaty agreements. Records may relate to the identification and negotiation of the Ministry's responsibilities for the delivery and provision of certain health programs and services, the definition of new authorities for First Nations over the design and delivery of health programs and services, and the establishment of inter-ministerial and/or inter-governmental agreements. Files relate to Nisga’a pre-treaty agreements related to MSP and treaty negotiations, as well as the ʔaq̓am (St. Mary’s Indian Band) Community Care Home interim agreement and Maa-Nulth First Nations Treaty Society negotiation.

There are also Aboriginal health research project files on: First Nations Chief Health Committee Terms of Reference, the Special Cabinet Meeting on August 17, 2002 with First Nations Summit, and Status Indian Health Utilization database.

Ministries responsible for the creation of this series, and their dates of the responsibility, are:
Ministry of Health (1976-2001)
Ministry of Health Services (2001-2005)
Ministry of Health (2005-2008)
Ministry of Health Services (2008-2011)

Records in this series are covered by ARCS 200-20, 280-20 and 280-30, and ORCS 70150-20, 70180-30, 70180-40, 70020-30, 70120-00 and 70120-50 of the Aboriginal Health Program ORCS (schedule 128755). Records have been selected for full retention.

This series consists of Aboriginal liaison and First Nations consultation case files, primarily for the Cariboo region, from 1985-2008. These records document the Ministry of Environment and its successors' resource management involvement with First Nations groups and consultation with respect to resource management plans. Each file documents consultation and communication with a particular First Nation, Tribal Council or other Indigenous group regarding a variety of issues and practices related to resource management and use. File may be related to land claims, land use planning, the creation of sustainable resource management plans (SRMPs) and sub-regional area plans, or specific resource management and land management issues, including forestry, water rights, wildlife management and hunting, mining, protection of parks and cultural sites, and the creation of roads.

The files in this series were titled and organized in most instances as case files, based on the name of the First Nation involved in the consultation process. Many files document the creation and finalization of various kinds of agreements between the Ministry and First Nations groups. Files also include the planning and execution of joint projects, workshops and meetings to consult First Nations about the creation of resource management plans or to address specific resource management issues.

Files may include correspondence, reports, memorandums of understanding, agreements, financial records, business records of the relevant indigenous group, consultation protocols, maps, and newspaper articles and government responses to them.

Most files regard a particular indigenous group, mostly from the Cariboo and surrounding region, including: 'Esdilagh (Alexandria Band), Alexis Creek, Tl'etinqox Government (Anaham), Llenlleney'ten (High Bar), Bonaparte, Tsq’escen (Canim Lake), Stswecem’c/Xgat’tem (Canoe Creek), Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council, Carrier Chilcotin Tribal Council, Cariboo Tribal Council, Northern Secwēpemc te Qelmūcw (NStQ or Northern Shuswap Tribal Council), Esketemc (Alkali Lake), Hamatla Treaty Society, Homalco, Lhoosk’uz Dene (Kluskus), Lheidli-Tenneh, Nazko, Nuxalk Nation Government, Lhtako Dene (Red Bluff), Saik’uz, Skeetchestn, Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, Xat’sūll (Soda Creek), Simpcw (North Thompson Indian Band), Yunesit'in Government (Stone Indian Band), Tsilhqot’in National Government, Tl'esqox (Toosey First Nation), St'át'imc, Ts'kw'aylaxw, Ulkatcho Nation, Whispering Pines/Clinton, T'exelc (Williams Lake Indian Band), and Xeni Gwet’in First Nations. Other Indigenous groups may be mentioned within files.

Note that some of these files were reviewed as part of the following litigation: Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government v. Her Majesty the Queen et al.

Ministries responsible for the creation of this series, and their dates of the responsibility, are:
Ministry of Environment (1988-1991)
British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (1991-2001)
British Columbia. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (2001-2005)
British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (2005-2010)

Records in this series are covered by ORCS 17020-20 and 17730-25 of the Resource Management ORCS (schedule 144100).

This series consists of Aboriginal policy development files, 1995-2003. Files document the development of the provincial government's aboriginal socio-economic policy, as well as socio-economic issues of concern to the Metis, off-reserve, and non-status indigenous political organizations addressed at tripartite policy tables. Records include reports, cabinet submissions, correspondence, reference materials, records of decision, conference and committee records, work plans, agendas, briefing notes, agreements, and memorandums of understandings. Files are arranged by file number and generally grouped by subject.

Records regard the Vancouver urban development agreement focusing on the Downtown Eastside, the creation of a National Aboriginal Youth Forum, best practices in creating a National Aboriginal Youth Strategy, Federal Provincial Territorial Aboriginal Forum and steering committee, Provincial Aboriginal Social-Economic Strategy, Tripartite Self-Governance Negotiations with the Metis Provincial Council and United Native Nations, and Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

Records in this series are covered by ORCS 32050-30 of the Aboriginal Programs and Services ORCS (schedule 143921).

The series contains copies of by-laws governing life on Cowichan Indian Reserve, including Husband's Liability By-Law, Public Nuisance, School By-Law and laws governing adultery and property; petitions by Cowichan Reserve residents calling for appointment of a police constable and release of imprisoned native; letter recommending appointment of W.W.H. Lomas as Indian Agent; attendance record of the Cowichan Indian School, November - December 1881; and subscription lists for hospital funds.

Interim report (not printed) to the Minister of the Interior and Superintendent General of Indian Affairs. (Henderson No. 162).

Purchased from Micro Media, Toronto.

These records are copies of records created by the Canadian Department of Indian Affairs. This series of files deals with almost all aspects of the administration of Indian Affairs in Western Canada, 1872-1959. Many of the early files were created by the Indian Commissioner for Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, while others are from the Manitoba Superintendency and the British Columbia Superintendency.

This series of records, often referred to as the Black (Western) Series to distinguish it from other series within the Central registry system operating in the Department of Indian Affairs from 1872 until changes were gradually made in the twentieth century, is accompanied by two separate finding aids or guides prepared by the Public Archives of Canada.

This series contains a central registry system file list and finding aid for central registry files, 1833-1956, RG 10, volumes 7740-7919. This list shows Public Archives of Canada microfilm reel numbers, but contains only a portion of Record Group 10, central registry files available on microfilm. These files relate to all aspects of the administration of Indian Affairs throughout Canada. Topics include leases, rights of way, mining rights, timber resources, surveys and surrenders.

See HP045429.

The series consists of Dr. Young's files as a member of the Commission including correspondence with Donald E. Jabour (Chair) and the other commissioners, reports, memos and financial statements.

The item is a microfiche copy of a thesis by Guy Lanoue titled "Continuity and change: the development of political self-definition among the Sekani of Northern British Columbia." vii, 404 p: figs., maps, tables. Thesis (Ph.D.), University of Toronto, 1983. Vita. Bibliography: p 394-404. Canadian theses on microfiche, 62099.

Series consists of private correspondence of Nathaniel White, Chairman, Royal Commission on Indian Affairs for the Province of British Columbia (1913-1916). Series is chiefly letters to his wife, arranged chronologically; includes some newspaper clippings.

Day book and diary, believed to be of W.H. Fitzgerald, while he was a member of W.G. Cox's Alexandria Expedition in pursuit of the perpetrators of the Bute Inlet massacre.

This series contains central registry files from the National Archives of Canada, RG 10, volumes 1020-1034, 6492-8870, and 10239-10351. Central Registry Files relate to all aspects of the administration of Indian Affairs throughout Canada. Only reels containing files which relate to B.C. are catalogued in this unit. For a full description of this series and its relationship to other RG 10 records, consult National Archives of Canada, General Inventory Series, "Records Relating to Indian Affairs (RG 10)," July 1991 (copy in Inventory no. 25).

The series consists of the records of the Office of the Indian Reserve Commissioner for British Columbia (1884-1898), the Office of the Indian Superintendent for British Columbia (1884-1894), plus records from the Office of the Indian Commissioner for British Columbia and its antecedent Office of the Chief Inspector of Indian Agencies (1910-1956). Also included are records of the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs for British Columbia [McBride-McKenna Commission] (1858-1930, but mainly from the period 1913-1916) along with field office records of the Nass, Skeena, and Queen Charlotte Indian agencies (1910-1968).

The records include correspondence inward, hearing transcripts, and exhibits. The following descriptions of the five series which comprise this unit have been adapted from the RG 10 Inventory, published by the Public Archives of Canada (PAC):
I. Office of the Indian Reserve Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia, 1884-1898 (RG 10 Volumes 11007-11015, microfilm reels B05631-B05633). Following a number of unsuccessful attempts to resolve the problem of Indian land in British Columbia, a three-man commission made up of dominion and provincial representatives and a joint commissioner was established in 1876. In 1878 the body was restructured and G.M. Sproat made sole Indian Reserve Commissioner. Upon his resignation in 1880, Peter O'Reilly was appointed to the position. The Indian Reserve Commissioner was given by order-in-council some discretionary power to act in allotting reserves although he was to follow suggestions of the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works (representing the provincial government) and the Indian Superintendent for British Columbia (representing the federal authority) concerning the locations to be visited and reserves established. His actions were to be subject to confirmation by these two officers and failing their agreement, questions at issue were to be put to the Lieutenant Governor for decision. O'Reilly served as Indian Reserve Commissioner until February 1898 when his duties were assumed by A.W. Vowell who also held the post of Indian Superintendent for British Columbia. Vowell served concurrently in both offices until his retirement in 1910 at which time the positions were abolished. The records in this series represent the incoming correspondence of the Office of the Indian Reserve Commissioner between February 1884 and November 1898. They are arranged chronologically and a number of maps and plans accompany the letters.

II. Office of the Indian Superintendent for British Columbia, 1886-1894 (RG 10 volume 11016, microfilm reel B 5633). The process of establishing a federal presence in the administration of Indian Affairs in British Columbia was a complicated one in the first years after that province entered Confederation. In 1872 a Superintendent of Indian Affairs was appointed, but in the following year it was decided that a Board of Indian Commissioners should, under the direction of the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, administer Indian matters in the province. Although commissioners were appointed, the Board was not a success and in 1875 British Columbia Indian administration was reorganized through the creation of two superintendencies (Victoria and Fraser). Four years later this system was replaced by one of several agents under the direction of a visiting Indian Superintendent until 1889 when he was succeeded by A.W. Vowell. The office was abolished in 1910. The records represent incoming correspondence to the Office of the Indian Superintendent for British Columbia between November 1886 and November 1894. They are arranged chronologically and were originally maintained in bound gummed stub files.

III. Office of the Chief Inspector of Indian Agencies/Indian Commissioners for British Columbia, 1910-1956 (RG 10 volumes 11001 – 11006, microfilm reels B5633-B5637). When the office of the Indian Superintendent for British Columbia was closed in 1910, agents were directed to conduct all business through headquarters in Ottawa. In the same year, an inspectorate system was inaugurated with the appointment of three Inspectors of Indian Agencies for the southeastern, southwestern, and northern agencies. In 1917 W.E. Ditchburn, who had held the position of Inspector for the Southwestern Inspectorate, was promoted to the post of Chief Inspector for British Columbia and his former position was abolished. In the following year the Northern Inspectorate was likewise dispensed with. In 1923 Ditchburn took up the new position of Indian Commissioner for British Columbia, but following his death in 1932 the office was left vacant. It was abolished in 1935, only to be resurrected the next year. Between 1929 and 1937 an Assistant Commissioner also served in the commissioner's office. In 1948 a major reorganization of Indian Affairs in British Columbia was effected. The office of Indian Commissioner was retained while that of the Inspector of Indian Agencies for the Southeast Inspectorate was reclassified Regional Supervisor of Indian Agencies. The records in this series consist of files of the office of the Indian Commissioner for British Columbia, its precursors (the Inspectorates and the office of the Chief Inspector of Indian Agencies), and the subordinate office of Indian Inspector for the Southeastern Inspectorate (after 1923). Files are grouped by responsibility centre for, while they are all records of, or which found their way into, the Commissioner's office, each refers to operations in individual agencies.

IV. Royal Commission on Indian Affairs for the Province of British Columbia, 1858-1930 (RG 10 volumes 11019 – 11028, microfilm reels B 5637-B 5650). In order to resolve the long-standing federal-provincial dispute concerning Indian lands in British Columbia, an Agreement was reached in September 1912 between special commissioners J.A.J. McKenna and provincial premier Richard McBride. It was decided that a Royal Commission be established with power to investigate Indian land matters, to adjust reserve acreage by reducing the size where the Commissioners deemed that the Indians had more land than needed, to determine the area to be added in cases where bands had insufficient land, and to set aside reserves for bands that had not yet received any. After acceptance of the McKenna-McBride Agreement by both governments, the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs for the Province of British Columbia was established in April 1913. N.W. White and J.A.J. McKenna were appointed commissioners by the federal government while J.P. Shaw and D.H. Macdowall were selected by the province. The fifth commissioner, E.L. Wetmore, was appointed Chairman. Upon the latter's resignation the Commission was re-constituted in 1914 with the addition of S. Carmichael and the elevation of White to the position of Chairman. From 1913 to 1916 the Commission travelled the province compiling evidence. Five progress and over one hundred interim and special reports were produced during the course of work in addition to the final Commission findings presented in 1916. The Commissioners were also authorized by a separate federal order-in-council of June 1913 to gather information on issues which, although extraneous to the terms of the McKenna-McBride Agreement, were nevertheless considered to affect the rights and interests of the Indian population. Their findings were the basis of a general report also submitted in 1916. In order to be implemented, the recommendations of the Royal Commission had to be approved by both governments. Following the passage of enabling legislation in 1919 and 1920, the task of adjusting the Commission's recommendations was delegated to W.E. Ditchburn and J.W. Clark (Federal and provincial representatives, respectively) who altered a number of the 1916 Report's suggestions. The Royal Commission report with the Ditchburn-Clark amendments was approved by provincial order-in-council #911 of 26 July 1923 and by federal order-in-council PC 1265 of 1924. The records in this series consist of correspondence relating to the Royal Commission's activities and an almost complete set of exhibits. In addition to land issues the files deal with such topics as surveys, water rights, hunting and fishing privileges, timber, and organization and administration of the Commission's work. The main files are arranged by agency. The series also includes copies of the hearings for each agency. Maps and plans accompany many of the files. With a few exceptions, the records date to the period 1913-1916.

V. British Columbia Field Office Records: Nass, Skeena, and Queen Charlotte Agencies, 1910-1968 (RG 10 volumes 10874 – 10883, microfilm reels B05650-B05653). When the agency system was adopted for Indian administration in British Columbia, the northern portion of the province was not immediately included. An agent was not appointed to the Northwest Coast Agency until 1886. In 1909 this agency was split into three: Bella Coola, Queen Charlotte, and Nass. The Nass Agency underwent further organizational changes, being divided in 1919 into two parts, Nass and Skeena. In 1922 these two offices were reunited as the Skeena River Agency. In the 1960s the Queen Charlotte and Skeena superintendencies were brought together in the Skeena River District, later named the North Coast District. Later field office amalgamations placed the bands of the North Coast District under the administration of the Terrace, and finally the Northwest District. The records in this series relate, for the most part to land in the Nass, Skeena, and Queen Charlotte agencies. Other subjects include water, timber, elections, mining, schools, adult education, and returned soldiers. The series is comprised of shannon files, some of which have now been divided and their parts given the artificial letter designations A, B, C, etc.

Edited typescript of an interview of the Executive Council (Premier McBride, Hon. Dr. Young, Hon. Price Ellison, Hon. Thomas Taylor and Hon. A.E. McPhillips) with Indians, Chief B.P. Kelly from Hartley Bay, Chief John Chilheetsa of Douglas Lake and Sub-chief George Quakatston of the Cowichans representing all Indians of the province. The Indians make an appeal for justice regarding ownership of the land. McBride responds. J.A. Teit acts as interpreter. [From 1975-1998 this was called Add.MSS. 115.]

This series contains administrative and subject files relating to natural resource development and environmental policies. Includes correspondence, memoranda, reports, briefs, etc. The records were created by the Environment and Land Use Committee Secretariat, the administrative and support staff assigned to the Committee. The records were created from 1972-1980 and relate to all aspects of business conducted by the Committee, including land use decisions across the province.