The fonds consists of photographs documenting the welcome ceremony that occurred in February 1987 for the canoe project by Nisga’a carver Norman Tait. The Museum of Anthropology appears in the background of multiple pictures in which spectators can be seen gathered for the 1st cut ceremony of the canoe log. Norman The event included speeches as well as ceremonies and performances by Norman Tait and his close relatives. Joe David, Reva Robinson, and Bill Reid are among the other notable individuals that appear in these images.
Image features a profile view of Bill Reid using a traditional, well-sharpened tool, called adze to cut away the outer the sap wood of a log. The blurred profile view of a second person appears on the far right hand side of the photograph.
Image features a profile view of Bill Reid using a traditional, well-sharpened tool, called adze to cut away the outer the sap wood of a log. The adze appears blurred as he is about to strike the log.
Image is of welcome ceremony crowd including children and spectators holding umbrellas. Norman and Sadie Tait stand at right side of image while part of museum exterior can be seen in the background on the left side of image.
Norman Tait stands at the center with Rob't Tait behind him, Mercy holding an umbrella on one side and Sadie Tait on the other side. Unidentified guests appear at the left side of image.
Image is of two Tait family members holding drums as they chant with their backs to the camera. Further away Norman appears blurred as he performs his squirrel dance on top of the canoe log.
Image is of Norman performing his squirrel dance on top of the canoe log while two family members hold and beat skin drums. All three have their back to the camera.
