Subseries consists of materials related to Vickie Jensen's collaboration and research with the Tait family, with particular emphasis on biographical information for Norman Tait. Materials include interviews with Norman Tait on his art and personal history, Norman Tait's CV and autobiography, newspaper articles on Norman Tait's artwork, images of Norman Tait's artwork, biographical materials on Isaac Tait (Norman's son), related publications on totem poles and carving, and materials relating to Norman Tait's death.
Subseries consists of audio recordings and transcripts of interviews regarding totem poles, speakers include Norman Tait, Hope Allen Tait, Wayne Young, Robert "Chip" Tait, Howard Green, Isaac Tait, and Reva Robinson.
File consists of a live interview of Vickie Jensen on WestSide Profile, hosted by John Edwards and produced by Rogers Community 4 Vancouver, for the publication of her book about totem poles, Where the People Gather.
File consists of a T-shirt from the Peace Treating Signing Ceremony for the Haisla, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo, dated Sept. 23, 1999. Likely acquired during Powell's time working with the Haisla.
File consists of biographical information about Isaac Tait: publication on his exhibition by the Institute of American Arts Indian Museum ("Jewels of Our Tradition: A Measure of Transformation"), images of Isaac Tait working on a totem pole, biographical statements on Isaac Tait's work and exhibitions, funeral pamphlet, correspondence and notes on after his death.
File consists of notes and questions regarding totem poles and related knowledge and ceremonies. These were early ideas for Vickie's book, "Where the People Gather: Carving a Totem Pole."
File consists of commentary on Tait, Tait's CV and autobiography, newspaper articles on Tait's artwork and ancestral totem pole, images of Tait's artwork, a funeral pamphlet for Michelle Margaret Allen, and a final report regarding Canada Council Arts Grant given to Tait to travel to museums and study Northwest Coast art (with a focus on Nisga'a and Tsimshian) and a list of associated institutions.
File consists of a shirts and a vest. There is a red t-shirt from the 1985 raising of a pole at Native Education Centre (now College) in Vancouver, and a white vest from the funeral feast for Norman Tait which was given out to family members and to Vickie Jensen.
Item consists of interviews with Norman Tait. One also includes Lucinda Turner. Interview topics include: learning from family members and master carvers, learning other styles, signature parts of Norman's work, economy around totem poles, childhood and residential school experiences, reflections on career, Nisg?a’a names, and reflections on Norman's family, potlatches, and museums. For some of the interviews, Norman's son Micah did most of the talking due to Norman being sick.
Consists of audio recordings of the Learning Kwak’wala series of books. Made to accompany the language education materials. Also includes one video reel of Alert Bay.
Consists of Nuu-chah-nulth and Nitinat alphabet sheets; Our World-Our Ways: T’aat’aaqsapa Cultural Dictionary; The Nuu-chah-nulth Dictionary: Roots, Affixes & English Finder List (November 30, 1995); Nuu-chah-nulth Dictionary: Roots and Affix Files (May 1, 1995).
During their time living in Bella Bella, the Houstons took many photographs of the lives of the Heiltsuk First Nation community documenting the day-to-day lives of the Heiltsuk First Nation as well as ceremonial activities. The colour slides document the construction, painting, and launching of the Gi’wa, a Heiltsuk canoe which sailed with the Lootaas, the Haida canoe built by Bill Reid for Expo 86. Some of the slides document the welcome feast at Bella Bella in honour of the Haida crew of the Lootaas. The colour slides also document several potlatches and wedding feasts held in the community hall, and the local Sports Day parade. Slides also depict the role of the fishing in the community, such as smoking salmon and processing roe. Other photos document gravestones on a nearby cemetery island, derelict canneries, petroglyphs and pictographs, totem poles and house posts, all in or near Bella Bella.
