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.