Ethnographic film. Uses Kwakiutl music, carved masks, and images of totems to re-tell the legend of an old chief.

The series consists of miscellaneous correspondence inward and outward on diverse topics. Most of these records pertain to the 1920s and early 1930s. Included are files dealing with the exclusion of Orientals (1921), the preservation of Craigflower schoolhouse and other historic sites, acquisitions (of paintings and photographs) by the Archives department, removal of Indian totem poles, petitions protesting the dismissal of Judge Helen Gregory MacGill (1929), and the Bedaux Sub-Arctic Expedition (1934). Early files include a memorandum on the benefits of establishing a Treasury Board for the provincial government (1872) and a letter of introduction for John Blair, landscape architect (1896).
Also included is a schedule referred to in order-in-council no. 911, confirmation of reserves, reductions of cut-off's and new reserves, Ditchburn-Clark Commission.

The item is a b&w photograph of totem poles and camp at Tanu, Haida Gwaii.

The item is a b&w photograph of totem poles at Tanu, Haida Gwaii.

The item is a documentary narration track. Ecologist and nature photographer Bristol Foster, Ph.D., introduces the coastal area of British Columbia, including the Queen Charlotte Islands, where we see eagles, sea lions and a Peale's falcon, as well as evidence of the ancient culture of the Haida. The Kwakiutl raise a new totem pole for the first time in 30 years, a sign that the ancient skills have not been lost.

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.]

Amateur film. B&W: views of Arrow Lakes scenery from a sternwheeler; arrival; the "Minto" at dock. Two men travelling by packhorse in the Lardeau. The steam tug "Beaton". Sequence on gold mining in the Cariboo, with footage of a hydraulic mining operation. COLOUR: Vancouver; Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park approach; city skyline. Trip on the steamship S.S. "Catala": views at sea; approaching settlement; people meeting the boat; log boom and sawmill adjacent to the dock. Alert Bay: views of village, store, homes, etc.; Indian children at play; schoolgirls in red sweaters [from St. Michael's Indian Residential School]; steamboat arriving; many shots of totem poles, graveyard, etc. Fishing fleet in harbour, preparing nets, and heading out to sea. Fishboat crew hauling in net full of thrashing salmon, and brailing them onto boat. Other fishboats setting their nets, hauling in salmon. Fishboat crew unloading salmon onto conveyor; shots of cannery wharf, female cannery workers. Savary Island: family vacation scenes; lodge; children at play; adults playing golf on beach at low tide; departing on a boat trip.

Documentary. A portrait of the Queen Charlotte Islands and of some of the people who live there. Sequences focus on Neil and Betty Carey, who live and beachcomb on the secluded west coast of the islands; Haida artist Bob Davidson, who is carving the first new totem pole raised at Masset in many years; Victor Adams, a Haida crab fisherman; logging operations at Skidegate; open-pit mining at Tasu, and life in the mining town; T.L. Williams, who recalls settling on the islands during the land rush before World War I; abandoned settlements and industries; a funeral; teenagers at a dance; netting and hand-canning of sockeye salmon; the Sandspit Earwig Derby; and the ceremonial raising of Davidson's totem pole. The history of the Haida people is outlined. The program also includes excellent footage of the landscape and seascape, and of the region's wildlife.

The item is a composite print of a documentary film from 1957. It depicts the expedition of the BC Provincial Museum and the University of British Columbia to Anthony Island in the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) to salvage Haida totem poles and other relics. Scenes at the abandoned villages of Ninstints, Tanu and Skedans.