Photograph of St. Michael's Indian Residential School, which stood in Alert Bay, BC until its demolition in 2015. This image shows the exterior and two thunderbird poles that stood at the entrance.
Image depicts a totem pole erected in a farming area. It stands behind a rail fence and in front of a wooden barn. Read's notes state: "The Owl, or Grave-of-Gurhsan, form representation of the mythic owl. The pole dates from about 1913, was carved by Arthur Wilson, of Larksail phratry."
Image depicts a close up of a totem pole, depicting the face of a human-like figure at its base. Read's note indicates this is the Pole of Mawlarhen at Gitsegyukla. "Raven at top; half pole uncarved; then large eagle, with folded wings; sitting frog; frog hanging with head down; bottom, the Man of the Comb whose hands, raised with palms forward are like native combs. Pole c1925, was about 40 years old. Erected to commemorate Mawlarhen and his sister Poking Bullhead. Carver local artist, Jimmy Good of the Fireweed phratry." See also item a034838 for another view of this pole.
Commercial postcard printed with a photograph of a store in Alert Bay, BC, with a totem pole and cannon in front of the store. A handwritten annotation on the verso identifies this building as a store.
Photograph of former Canadian Governor General Roland Michener and two unidentified individuals, standing near two totem poles. The poles may be in the Namgis Burial Grounds.
Photograph of former Canadian Governor General Roland Michener and his wife at what appears to be the Namgis Burial Grounds in Alert Bay, BC. The poles were possibly made by Charlie James.
View of the Kwakiutl totem poles that stand outside St. Michael's Indian Residential School at Alert Bay, British Columbia. Photo taken by Eric J. Cooke photo productions, Sidney B. C.
View of the Kwakiutl totem poles standing in a cemetery. The two poles stand adjacent to graves marked with crosses, which are identified Chief J .Aul Sewid and Mrs. Lucy Sewid. The presence of flowers at this gravesite suggest that this photo may have been taken in 1988 when Chief Sewid died. Photo is attributed to Eric J. Cooke, Photo Productions, Sidney, B. C.
View of a Kwakiutl totem pole on Alert Bay, Cormorant Island, British Columbia. Pole appears to be standing in a cemetery. A cross marked Charles Smith is visible. This pole features a bird (possibly a raven) atop several other animals.
View of two Memorial poles. The taller pole depicts an eagle and a grizzly bear; the shorter pole depicts a human form holding copper. Photo is attributed to Eric J. Cooke Photo Productions, Sidney, B. C.
Image of two totem poles at Alert Bay. In the foreground is a memorial pole for Chief Wakas. It was raised in 1924 and carved by Arthur Shaughnessy. In the background is a memorial pole for Amos Dawson's uncle. Carved by Charlie James.
Image of a memorial pole at Alert Bay. Inscription at the bottom held by the figure reads "In loving memory of Tlaowa Latle of the Qiowasudinuk (Kwakwaka'wakw: Kwikwasut'inuxw) Tribe. Died Nov. 9 [rest of inscription illegible].
Image of two totem poles at Alert Bay. In the foreground is a memorial pole for Chief Wakas. It was raised in 1924 and carved by Arthur Shaughnessy. In the background is a memorial pole for Amos Dawson's uncle. Carved by Charlie James.
Item is a hand-tinted glass lantern slide of a totem with a building in the background and a boat in the foreground with low tide. Based on the original order of the collection, photograph might have been taken in Alert Bay.
Fonds consists of negative images of petroglyphs largely from the Pacific west coast of North America. Most of the images are from sites located in British Columbia, but there are also images from sites in Washington State, New Mexico, and other areas of the United States and Mexico. There are also images of artifacts, masks, totem poles, wood carvings, and graveyards. Images of family travels, landscapes, wild animals, and house cats are interspersed within the collection.
File contains historical images of Nuu-chah-nulth villages and peoples. There is a focus on totem poles and canoes. There are also photographs of a pole raising ceremony to commemorate the visit of Governor General Willingdon who came to Tofino/Ucluelet in the 1920s. There are images of James Rush, Chief Miste Laabats Hamtsiid, and Chief Joseph John, dressed in Nuu-chah-nulth regalia.