Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--Skeena Region

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  • Based on work done by the Manitoba Archival Information Network

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Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--Skeena Region

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Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--Skeena Region

  • UF Indians--British Columbia--Skeena Region

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Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--Skeena Region

6 Archival description results for Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--Skeena Region

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Constance Cox interview

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 1 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox (nee Hankin) begins this tape with a story about her uncle Charlie Hankin (partner of Billy Barker) and his promise to Josephine, the dance hall hostess at Barkerville, about her burial. A story is told about Isaac, a Babine Indian, who was awarded medals from the Humane Society and the Catholic Church. She talks about the background to the "Skeena River Rebellion" of the 18;80's. TRACK 2: This tape continues with the "Skeena River Rebellion", a childhood story about measles, Constance Cox's childhood at Hazelton, her family, the Manson Creek gold rush -- 1870, Indian women packers into Manson Creek, Cataline, Erza Evans and mining on Manson Creek.;

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 2 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox relates the following legends: the legend of the Sunbeam which is depicted on a Chilkat Blanket from Kitwanga and the adoption of the fireweed as the clan symbol at Kispiox; the; Frog legend depicted on a totem pole at Kitwancool and a Haida legend depicted on a totem pole about cruelty to animals. Indian foods and cooking methods are discussed. TRACK 2: Constance Cox continues with her discussion about Indian foods, collecting sap from evergreens, berries, wild vegetables, medicinal preparations, an incident while nursing for Dr. Wrinch at Hazelton concerning a women with cancer and another nursing story.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 3 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox relates a story about an Indian woman called "Emma". She continues with a story about Captain Fitzgerald (Gold Commissioner) who was taken prisoner at Kitseguecla (Skeena Crossing) and the subsequent trial (1871). She speaks about the first Reserve Commissioner Peter O'Reilly, the reaction to reserves in Kispiox, A.W. Vowell, the next Reserve Commissioner, and the Kitwancool Indians. TRACK 2: Constance Cox continues speaking about A.W. Vowell and the Reserve Commission at Kitwancool, the Kitwancool Indians, "Kitwancool Jim" and the Kitwancool totem pole histories. She speaks about the Collins and Yukon Telegraph lines, building the lines, the operators and linesmen and the visit of a "globe-trotting" woman -- Thea Francis (1920?).

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 4 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox relates her childhood memories of a canoe trip up the Skeena River (ca.1900). She speaks about Bishop Ridley, the Diocese of Caledonia, Metlakatla, Haida canoes, incidents along; the canoe journey, towing canoes upriver, dangers along the Skeena, villages, the "Mount Royal" paddlewheeler and Haida children learning canoe skills. TRACK 2: This tape begins with a description of a totem pole raising ceremony at Kitwancool, tragedies of the "Trail of '98", Rev. Harold Alfred Sheldon (c.1884), the Inverness Cannery and her father's business interests, Father Morice and his work with the Carrier Indians and the visit of the Catholic Bishop (Bishop Dontonwell?).

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 5 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This tape provides a continuation of Constance Cox's recollection of the visit of the Catholic Bishop to the Carrier Indians at Babine, more details about Father Morice's work -- his book and; map, his relationship with the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort St. James, a description of the destruction of his printing press, Father Morice's penance and later years, incidents at Fort St. James and; the HBC factor at Fort Fraser, Mr. Sinclair. TRACK 2: Constance Cox continues with more recollections about Mr. Sinclair and his grave at Fort Fraser. She speaks about the destruction of Indian culture, the language of the Tsimshian, Gitksan and Carrier Indians, the white settlers who learned the native languages, her role as an interpreter, the Gitksan language, the "White Cross Society", native art, totem carving past and present, erection of a new totem pole and the legend of the Kispiox -- House of the Beaver.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 6 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: The legend of the Kispiox -- House of the Beaver is continued on this tape. Constance Cox provides additional information about the Gitksan language, her background in native languages, the Methodist missionary at Hazelton -- Mr. Matheson (1871), the Anglican missionaries (1880), the "Queek", the Gitksan as carvers and designers and the dispute over ownership of the Bulkley Canyon c.1900.; TRACK 2: This tape continues with a description of the dispute over the Bulkley Canyon, a Gitksan artist -- Gisemax (sp), other Hazelton incidents, and a story about the group of American miners and adventurers under Mr. Gryder that arrived in Hazelton under the false assumption that gold had been discovered.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0007 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 7 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox remembers her father, Thomas Hankin, his background, his coming to British Columbia (1857) as a Hudson's Bay Company factor and establishing the Hudson's Bay Post at the Skeena-Bulkley junction, his first encounters with the Indians, the song of the "iron kettles", his staking of the town site of Hazelton (1858), the 1870 Manson Creek Goldrush, story of a greenhorn and the naming of Frying Pan Mountain, William Manson and miners drowned in Kitselas Canyon. She continues with Thomas Hankin's business interests, his role in the Masonic order, Constance Cox's education, her step-father -- R.E. Loring, The Inverness Cannery, Thomas Hankin's death, his brothers -- Phillip and Charlie Hankin and the Hudson's Bay Company fur trade. TRACK 2: Constance Cox recounts childhood memories, Simon Gunanoot as a child, the Trail of '98 -- May to October 1898, Cox as nurse and doctor to Indians and 98'ers, stories and incidents, the story of the murder of Sir Arthur Curtis, Tom Hankin Jr. losing cattle on Poison Mountain and patients at the dispensary.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0008 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 8 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: The trail of '98 patients at the Hazelton dispensary and the rescue and nursing of Frank Farling is recalled by Constance Cox. She relates a personal anecdote about a "love letter" and Moosekin Johnny's Restaurant. [TRACK 2: blank.]

Irving Bell interview

CALL NUMBER: T3913:0001 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-11-18 / 1980-11-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Irving Bell discusses: his background -- birth and early history of parents; father's antique business; early schooling and living places; adventurous as a boy; taking the steamer to Skeena country. Describes scene from ship. Work as busy boy at Tern City Club (?). More about the journey on the boat. Speaks of Ole Hansen. Talks of industry in Skeena area. Three Hazeltons. TRACK 2: Irving Bell: 1936 flood at Hazelton; first impressions; first job at old H.B.C. store; Mrs. Newaski's boarding house. Describes H.B.C. store. Anderson bought building. Alan Benson and shoes anecdote. Discusses: Native people -- story of Simon Gunanoot; three main stores -- Dick Sargeant; problems of Indian agents; domination of Christian churches; settlers in area; parties; line cabins.

CALL NUMBER: T3913:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Missionaries in B.C. : Irving Wells Bell RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-11-18 / 1980-11-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Irving Bell discusses: story of linesman savings; how they spent money; how isolation affected them; reason for being fired from job. Mrs. Cox -- her history, Indians, weather prophet. Job at Kitwanga. Meeting with Natives -- boxing. Missionary at Kitwanga. His background and his wife's background. Missionary's priest taught children to sing. TRACK 2: Speaks of Coxes -- visiting him at Kitwanga, more on Coxes. Went into history -- followed what Natives wanted. Learnt Native language. Missionaries had done nothing in teaching. Kept curriculum. Few Natives spoke English; they were not interested in their children's education. No doctor. School inspector visit. Fixing up of totem poles. Mention of the United school. Kitsegukla. Bud left Kitwanga. Mention of school teachers. George Berns, Love family, school teacher at Love ranch. Mentions settlers in Kispiox. Mentions happenings in Kispiox and the Valley of Morn. Promises to England. George Berns gets a wife. How gold strikes originate with the Natives. Paints bridge. Water business. Changed boarding to room over store Myers and Smith. Old days in Kerrisdale: boarding house. Midwifery in kitchen. Worked on several jobs: range assistant. Learned about fur buying. Begins story of Manson Creek. Talks of dive boats. Use of canoes in floods. Use of river. Problem of ice.

CALL NUMBER: T3913:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Missionaries in B.C. : Irving Wells Bell RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-11-18 / 1980-11-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Irving Bell discusses: river; road conditions- frost boils; hotels; Bud Dawson and Omineca Hotel. Loss of beer parlour to fire. Fire protection -- bucket brigade. Feud between Pete Cowigan and Bud Dawson. Mentions inhabitants. Talks about a white man who lived on a Native reserve. Throwing of furniture on to road. Three old-timers in front of hotel. Mentions settlers. Chinese cafes. Describes Chinese. No apparent racism. Hunting incident -- shoots loon. Scotty McCrae -- hotel owner. Other pioneers. Native graves spoiled. Natives did not accept Christianity. Most Natives could not speak English. TRACK 2: Irving Bell: Gitniquluk (?) village people; central heating; all influence by religion -- open to anything that provided enjoyment; Manson Creek journey; Luke Fauler (weather prophet); journey to Babine (Fort Babine); problem with toboggan; difficulties of journey; built fire on logs but dark anyways; old Native trades at Fort (Beas Lake Charlie?). Set out for Takla Lake. Native gives birth on trail. Crossing of Takla Lake. Working with Luke to establish a claim. McConkells' farm. Arrived at Billy Steale cabin. Billy Steale anecdote. Describes cabin. Blankets in bed. Went to claim.

CALL NUMBER: T3913:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Missionaries in B.C. : Irving Wells Bell RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-11-18 / 1980-11-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Irving Bell discusses: doing some panning; working 'gentleman's agreement' claim; working for job with McConkells because of lack of food; getting job going for equipment; 'grizzly' encounters; working for McConkells for three weeks. Sent for provisions from Fort St. James. Skookum Davies. Got some gold. Returned via Vanderhoof because a road was now in area. Cabin on Bumblebee Creek "smallest in the world". Bear walks. Giles' growth story. Camped until road was done. Road the rails back to Hazelton. Met railroaders -- the 'system'. Mentions the Depression. Getting married. (End of interview)

Living memory : Chief Gail's calipeen

SUMMARY: "Chief Gail's Calipeen" is the seventh episode in the series. Sperry Cline recalls some aspect of Indian life in the Skeena Country, including stories about telepathic powers and bear hunting, as well as Chief Abraham Gail of the village of Kispiox and his "calipeen" (flintlock rifle).

Margaret Booth interview

CALL NUMBER: T3866:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Missionaries in B.C. : Margaret Booth RECORDED: [location unknown], 1980-12-06 SUMMARY: About Victor Harold Sansum.

TRACK 1: Margaret Booth discusses her father's background: born in Glasgow, went to America at age 14 to stay with some relatives, then up to Toronto; decided to go west to follow a Sunday school teacher he admired; went to theological college in New Westminster; fought in WW I, married an English girl; returned to Canada and was ordained as a minister with the Methodist church; parish in Hazelton, then Kispiox, where he began his work with Natives; enjoyed the challenge of working with Natives; lived a primitive lifestyle in northern B.C., difficult for her mother; relationship her father had; with the Natives at Kispiox -- his house was focal point of community activities; prevalence of T.B. in the Native community; father also went to a Norwegian community, Four Mile, while he was in Kispiox; anecdote about her father tutoring a boy who could not get to a high school; Indian graveyard at Kispiox; potlatches made her father's job more difficult; story about her father taking over one day for an Anglican service.

TRACK 2: Margaret Booth discusses her life as the daughter of a Methodist missionary: she had little contact with the Natives as a child; left Kispiox in 1926 because there were no white schools there; other white families in the north; in Vancouver for three years, father at a United Church; father got his M.A. at this time; back to the north, this time to Port Simpson; lived on a reserve; other whites in area were Anglican, odd situation; Captain Scott's library on the mission boat, the 'Thomas Crosby'; her school experiences in Port Simpson; church burnt down in 1931.;

CALL NUMBER: T3866:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Missionaries in B.C. : Margaret Booth RECORDED: [location unknown], 1980-12-06 SUMMARY:

TRACK 1: Margaret Booth talks about her father's life as a missionary: differences between the Natives at Kispiox and Port Simpson; father's objection to potlatches; father learned to speak the language in Port Simpson and this helped his relations with the Natives. (End of interview);

Richard Carroll interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1961-07-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Richard Carroll, known as Dick, describes arriving into the [Nechako?] area from Vancouver in 1908 on his way to Alaska; he stopped to work on the Grand Trunk Railway at the head of navigation on the Skeena River. He describes people he met at the time, such as prospector Eli Carpenter, who was on his way to a gold rush; his eventual arrival in Burns Lake via the Telegraph Trail in 1909 on his way to Fort George, which he describes as the most remote part of BC at the time. Mr. Carrol outlines the land he staked; working on the railroad; his work as a mail carrier from Telkwa to Williams Lake, including using pack horses for transportation in summer and sleighs in the winter; prices of various goods in Burns Lake at the time; various farmers and goods they sold in the area; the telegraph office in Burns Lake as means of communicating with the Yukon during the gold rush; Mrs. Bessie Wallace as the first white woman to come to Burns Lake in 1909; produce which came from Ashcroft through Quesnel; more on telegraph posts; a story about Barney Mulvaney's wedding and a description of his character; and a description of an Indian raid at Kispiox. TRACK 2: Mr. Carroll describes an encounter with Chinese people; more on George and Bessie Wallace; ranching; and a trip with an explorer to Fort McLeod.

Robert Tomlinson : interview and speeches

CALL NUMBER: T1238:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Tomlinson : Christian missionary life among the Skeena and Nass River Indians PERIOD COVERED: 1867-1950s RECORDED: Ketchikan (Alaska), 1950s SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Tomlinson recorded her husband's stories -- Robert Tomlinson Jr. (Rev. Robert Tomlinson) during the 1950's. He was 89 when he died in 1959. This tape begins with religious music possibly recorded from the radio. Robert Tomlinson Jr. provides translations (Nisga'a?) and vocal renditions of Christian hymns: "Abide With Me", "Home At Last", "I Will Arise and Go to My Father". He continues with recollections and stories including: Indigenous dissatisfaction at Kitseguecla; William Duncan and the gift of a "thunderbolt"; and frontier justice with Robert Tomlinson Sr. This tape concludes with recordings at the Argenta School (1965) located at the north end of Kootenay Lake. Bob Orchard and a group of students have an impromptu discussion about the school, location, description, students, curriculum and equipment. [Note: the beginning portion of this tape can also be heard on T2173:0001 track 1]. TRACK 2: Robert Tomlinson Jr. speaks about the story of 2 hungry men on the trail to Kispiox, the water system at New Metlakatla (1908/09), William Duncan's fair treatment of the Indians, the missions at Old Metlakatla and New Metlakatla, the co-operatives, finances at Duncan's missions, conditions at New Metlakatla following Duncan's death, the New Metlakatla "guest house", missionary methods and effects and some thoughts about Father William Duncan and Bishop Ridley.;

CALL NUMBER: T1238:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Tomlinson : Christian missionary work on the Pacific Northwest coast PERIOD COVERED: 1867-1887 RECORDED: Ketchikan (Alaska), 1955 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This tape begins with folksongs, guitars, duet singing and solos and continues with Mrs. Walter T. Stewart introducing Robert Tomlinson Jr. at Ketchikan, Alaska (1955). Robert Tomlinson Jr. recounts his father's coming to the Skeena and Nass River area, his work with William Duncan and his move to Kincolith. TRACK 2: Robert Tomlinson Jr. continues the story of his father's move to Kincolith, his mother's arrival, the Kincolith mission, the story about his father's adoption into the Raven clan, his mother's adoption into the Eagle clan, and the mission at Kispiox. He speaks about his father's resignation from the Church Missionary Society, William Duncan's resignation from the Church Missionary Society, the Tomlinson family joining Duncan at Metlakatla, B.C., incidents in the church dispute, Dr. Bluet-Duncan, the selection of New Metlakatla (Alaska) for the new mission, reaction by the Canadian government, logistics of the move of the mission to New Metlakatla and a description of the new settlement at New Metlakatla (Port Chester).

CALL NUMBER: T1238:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Tomlinson : Christian missionary work the two Metlakatlas, 1867-1950s PERIOD COVERED: 1867-1950s RECORDED: Ketchikan (Alaska), 1950s SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Walter T. Stewart introduces Robert Tomlinson Jr. and the history of the establishment of New Metlakatla, Alaska. Robert Tomlinson Jr. speaks about his father, the Kincolith mission, his father's adoption into the Raven clan, his mother's adoption into the Eagle clan, the mission at Kispiox, Tomlinson and Duncan resigning from the Church Missionary Society, the Tomlinsons join Duncan; at Metlakatla, incidents in the church dispute, Dr. Bluet-Duncan, selection of New Metlakatla (Alaska) and the move to the new mission at New Metlakatla. [This tape seems to be a duplicate of portions of T1238:0002 track 1and T1238:0002 track 2]. TRACK 2: Robert Tomlinson Jr. speaks about the plans for the settlement at New Metlakatla, a description of the townsite, the first mill, [this portion seems to be a duplicate of the final portion of T1238:0002 track 2], financial support for the townsite, self-sufficiency of the mission, education and medical services, community politics, the death of William Duncan (1918), William Duncan's leadership, industry and buildings, the water system (1908-09), [this segment seems to be a duplicate of a portion of T1238:0001track 2], William Duncan's fair treatment of the Indigenous peoples, the missions at New and Old Metlakatla, the co-operatives, finances at Duncan's missions, conditions at New Metlakatla following Duncan's death, the "guest house", missio;nary methods and effects and some thoughts about William Duncan and Bishop Ridley.

CALL NUMBER: T1238:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Tomlinson : Christian missionary work on the Nass and Skeena Rivers PERIOD COVERED: 1880s-1900 RECORDED: Ketchikan (Alaska), 1950s SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Robert Tomlinson remembers his family's move to Kispiox from the Kincolith mission, problems with their scow and livestock on the Nass River and incidents along the journey to Kispiox. Robert Tomlinson Jr. relates the story about Kitwancool Jim -- the measles epidemic and a murder (1888). He relates a story about a slave woman and a potlatch to "cleanse" her from the sins of slavery. TRACK 2: Robert Tomlinson Jr. speaks about the Indian who gave his hunting grounds for the Minskinisht mission, (sound distortion) baptismal rites, an incident at Kitsegas, Indigenous/white settler relations, relations between the Indigenous people and Robert Tomlinson Sr., the Gunanoot affair, performing an unexpected funeral service for Dave Stewart's wife, and the role of the early missionary.;

CALL NUMBER: T1238:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Tomlinson : William Duncan and the two Metlakatlas, 1887-1950s PERIOD COVERED: 1880s-1950s RECORDED: Ketchikan (Alaska), 1950s SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Robert Tomlinson Jr. remembers the dispute between William Duncan and the Church Missionary Society, the Indian reaction at Old Metlakatla, the relationship formed between Robert Tomlinson Sr;. and William Duncan, the disruption to Robert Tomlinson Jr.'s schooling in Victoria with Rev. P. Jenns, the family's journey from Victoria to Metlakatla on the "Barbara Bosphorus", the mission at Greenville, memories of Bishop Ridley, "lipmask" -- the Indian name for Duncan's party, and reminiscences. TRACK 2: Robert Tomlinson Jr. recalls Sam Marsden and trade at Old Metlakatla. A discussion is ;heard about U.S. politics in the 1950's, including views on alcoholism, prohibition and local conditions in Ketchikan. Robert Tomlinson Jr. recalls the move of the mission from Old Metlakatla to New Metlakatla, the B.C. injunction against the moving of lumber, events along the journey, Rod Murchison's mishap, and "Land Daughter disease".

CALL NUMBER: T1238:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Robert Tomlinson remembers his father Robert Tomlinson Sr. PERIOD COVERED: 1880s-1950s RECORDED: Ketchikan (Alaska), 1950s SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This tape begins with sermons on the topic of worrying and time by "The Upper Room", a radio program presented by the First Methodist Church of Ketchikan delivered by Rev. Skidmore (sp?). (long pause in the tape) Robert Tomlinson Jr. recalls a story about an incident with a bear that occurred near Kispiox. TRACK 2: Robert Tomlinson Jr. continues speaking about his father's medical treatment of a victim of a bear attack near Kispiox -- Jonah Jimrack. He recalls his father's adventures as a medical missionary, his relations with the Department of Indian Affairs and the measles epidemic in the Skeena district. This tape ends with Rev. Skidmore and his radio program presented by the First Methodist Church of Ketchikan, Alaska.