Series MS-2784 - Personal and business records

The series consists of records created by Tommy Walker between 1926 and 1989 and documents the life and work of Tommy and Marion Walker in the Bella Coola Valley.

The records consist of diaries, notebooks, literary papers and manuscripts, guest books, business records, news clippings, motion picture films, maps, photographs, and a diversity of correspondence and subject files.

The diaries include a detailed record, with photographs, of the 1948 pack trip to Cold Fish Lake. The subject/correspondence files contain letters both inward and outward; most outgoing letters are typed carbon copies. Much of the correspondence listed under personal file names is with clients. These early exchanges usually deal with travel arrangements and overall costs of a hunt (or fishing trip). Later letters often reflect the developing friendships between the Walkers and their clients, many of whom were prominent United States businessmen. The general correspondence covers a wide variety of business and personal concerns, with one or two letters per correspondent.

The second largest component within the subject/correspondence files deals with the efforts to establish the park at Spatsizi, and with the Spatsizi Association for Biological Research. There are many exchanges of letters with university scientists such as Vladimir Krajina and Ian McTaggart-Cowan. These and other individuals are also represented in separate files under their own names.

Walker was a member of the Public Advisory Board of the Habitat Conservation Fund, and a large group of files relates to habitat enhancement proposals placed before the Board. Among the notable individuals amply represented in the correspondence are H.R. MacMillan and E.C.W. Lamarque. MacMillan was a hunting companion of Walker's. Lamarque reminisced extensively about his early days of travel in western Canada and some of these letters are illustrated with sketches and maps.

The "Annual letters" are a fine record of the Walkers' life and activities. These were sent each Christmas and are a blend of personal anecdotes, the state of their business, and Mr. Walker's strong views about northern development. He was involved in a number of environmental organizations watching over northern and north west industrial development. This is documented by correspondence, pamphlets, and newsletters such as Northern B.C. Development Newsletter. The literary papers and manuscripts relating to Spatsizi, Mr. Walker's only published work, consist primarily of various drafts and correspondence with publishers.

Also included is an unpublished manuscript, Heartland of the Cassiar. At the time of his death Mr. Walker was working on this history of the exploration and surveying of northern B.C., particularly the headwater areas of the Stikine, Finlay, Turnagain and Skeena Rivers. One of the three completed chapters is devoted to E.C.W. Lamarque.

Business records in this collection date from the early days of Stuie Lodge (account books, 1931-1945), through 1972. They are arranged partly under ledgers and account books and the rest gathered mainly in subject files under the names of his two principal business. The big game outfit at Cold Fish Lake operated under the name of Walker Frontier Services; relevant financial records here cover 1964-1971. The Tatogga Lake files contain mostly business and legal correspondence and documents relating to the lease, purchase, operation, and eventual sale of the land and buildings (store and sawmill).