Collection illustrates the gathering of information and writing of the book “Paddling to Where I Stand : Agnes Alfred, Qwiqwasutinuxw Noblewoman.” Includes interviews to Agnes Alfred conducted by Martine J. Reid and Daisy Sewid-Smith between 1979 and 1985. Interviews are documented as audio and video recordings and their written transcriptions, and other materials gathered by Martine J. Reid and Daisy Sewid-Smith for the edition and publication of the book. Collection also contains the manuscripts and draft for the book; correspondence between Martine J. Reid, Daisy Sewid-Smith and other people; eulogies and funeral pamphlets; Agnes Alfred’s family information; historical notes; and miscellanea. Collection includes photographic materials with photographs included in the book and additional photographs gathered by Martine J. Reid and Daisy Sewid-Smith during their research, and portraits of Agnes Alfred’s parents.
File consists of slides labeled "Andy," "Mr and Mrs Williams, Friendly Cove, Nootka," "Anthony Island Queen Charlotte Island 1967," "Minn Sketching at Yan QCI, Haida," "Kitwancool 1969," "Kasper," "Mary Ann 1967 Squamish," and "Kingcome."
In 1976, a group of students from the Kyuquot Elementary, a First Nations elementary school on the West coast of Vancouver Island, decided to make a filmstrip that documented their lives in the fishing village. The children’s intention behind making these photographs was to raise money for a summer field trip to Victoria, Vancouver, and the Okanagan. As part of the fundraiser, the children made a visual map depicting their daily travel to school by boat and a hand-written order form for the film. Collection consists of documents created by the Kyuquot Elementary School and Mr. Moore, a former Assistant Professor of Anthropology in the 1970s. The collection consists of one correspondence letter written by Mr. Moore requesting a copy of their filmstrip, four pages of typewritten filmstrip descriptions, one handwritten map and flyer created by the Kyuquot Elementary School and one 70 frame color filmstrip that was digitized in 2017. [At the time of processing, it was unknown if the fundraiser was successful.]
An image showing a sea map of Walters Island, a small blue circle at the top center indicates the approximate location of the Kyuquot village. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "Kyuquot as shown on chart (A chart is a sea-map used by fishermen and boaters.) Compare the chart and the map."
An image showing various houses near the water with people in the distance, the house on the right is built on wooden beams. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "The white building on pilings is the store and Post Office. Can you see the last dugout canoe made in Kyuquot?"
An image showing people standing on a dock next a to a sea plane with a boat nearby. Another plane in taking off in the background. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "Waiting for the afternoon scheduled flight of a "Beaver" float plane. Float planes come in twice a day (weather permitting) and bring passengers, freight, and mail."
An image showing women and children getting on a motor boat while other people stand on the dock. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "These girls have taken the Vincent's speed boat from the Reserve wharf to the fuel wharf. They are going to shop at the store and pick up their mail. There are no roads or cars in Kyuquot, so to be able to get around every family must have at least one boat. Many families have a row boat, a motor boat, and a fish boat. Which boat would you take to the store?"
A close-up image of a sea urchin on a spear, a boat engine in the background. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "Tuut-suup, or sea urchins, are a common food in Kyuquot, available year round. Some people eat them every day. They are different colors and sizes and are easily speared at low tide."
An image from a boat's control room looking out the window. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "Victor Hansen goes between two rocks on his way out of Kyuquot to fish for Spring Salmon. He goes up Kyuquot Sound."
An image of a child standing on a log in water, surrounded by rocks. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "Gina Sutherland balances on a log at outside beach."
An image of a woman holding a basket and a bundle of dried grass. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "In the Fall Mrs. Oscar gathers and dries grass from Rugged Point to use in making her grass and cedar baskets."
An image of two fishing boat docked in the harbor, woods and mountains in the background. According to the documentation included with the filmstrip, the description of the image states "Fish boats in the Fall, after a day of gill netting."
Item is a hand-tinted glass lantern slide of five children in playing attitude with the sea in the background. Based on the original order of the collection, photograph might have been taken in Alert Bay and the children might have been students at St. Michael's Residential School. The Anglican Church established a day school at its mission in Alert Bay, British Columbia in 1878. It opened a small boarding school there in 1882 and an industrial school in 1894. In 1929, a new building was constructed. The school was known for the arts and crafts produced by the students and the two large totem poles in front of the school building. In 1947, two-dozen children ran away from the school. The subsequent investigation into conditions at the school led to the resignation of both the principal and the vice-principal. By 1969, when the federal government assumed administration of the school, all residents were attending local schools. The residence closed in 1974. (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation)
Item is a hand-tinted glass lantern slide of a totem in a burial ground. Based on the original order of the collection, photograph might have been taken in Alert Bay.
