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Archival description
Gitxsan With digital objects
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The Pacific Passage

Image depicts the exhibition The Pacific Passage installed at the Vancouver International Airport. The focal point of the photograph is Hetux, a large Thunderbird sculpture created by artist Connie Watts (Nuu-chah-nulth, Gitxsan and Kwakwaka'wakw).

David Gunanoot, Haselton, BC

Portrait of David Gunanoot, Chief of Gitxen. A similar portrait of him is printed on page 107 of Carter's book Abundant Rivers.

Anthony Carter

David Gunanoot, Gitsxan Chief

Portrait of David Gunanoot, Chief of Gitxen. A similar portrait of him is printed on page 107 of Carter's book Abundant Rivers.

Anthony Carter

David Gunanoot, Gitsxan Chief

Portrait of David Gunanoot, Chief of Gitxen. A similar portrait of him is printed on page 107 of Carter's book Abundant Rivers.

Anthony Carter

David Gunanoot, Gitsxan Chief

Portrait of David Gunanoot, Chief of Gitxen. A similar portrait of him is printed on page 107 of Carter's book Abundant Rivers.

Anthony Carter

House of Wiiseks/Wiigyet of Gitsegukla Totem Pole

Image of a totem pole in Gitsegukla owned by Gary Hill Sr. of the house of Wiiseks/Wiigyet. The pole was cut down and as of March 2019 there are plans to make another one.

Additional images of this pole are printed on page 122 of Carter's book Abundant Rivers.

Anthony Carter

Vickie Jensen and Jay Powell fonds

  • 3
  • Fonds
  • 1969-2008

Fonds consists of records relating to the numerous culture and language projects that Powell and Jensen worked on since 1976. The communities with which they worked include:
• The Quileute of La Push
• The Kwakwaka’wakw of Alert Bay
• The Gitxsan of Kispiox, Gitanyow, and surrounding villages
• The Nuu-chah-nulth of Vancouver Island
• The Musqueam of Vancouver
• The Seton Lake St'at'imc (Lillooet) of Shalalth
• The Shuswap of Alkali Lake, Soda Creek, Dog Creek, Canim Lake, and Sugar Cane
• The Haisla of Kitamaat
• The Nisga’a of Gingolx (Kincolith) and New Aiyansh

Most of the projects had an end goal to produce a book, language education materials, or teacher training materials. Often the education materials incorporated cultural lessons throughout. The records created in the production of the books are varied and reflect the intrinsic connection between language, culture, and daily activities in the communities. Powell and Jensen were co-editors for nearly all of the language books and materials produced. Although some of the projects reflected in the records were done primarily by Powell or primarily by Jensen, the vast majority of the work involves collaboration between the two in some aspect. As Jensen and Powell immersed themselves in the communities they worked for, often their personal photographs and records are interspersed with those relating to their work. This community involvement enhanced their relationships with the people with whom they were working and allowed them to experience and participate in cultural activities as part of those communities. This close relationship is reflected in and is integral to their work. Jensen and Powell have two sons: Nels, born in 1978, and Luke, born in 1981. Their sons travelled with them to the communities in which they worked and lived, and on their work trips and sabbaticals. Nels and Luke are also present in many of the photographic records.

The records contain a mixture of research, field notes, administrative records, and publications at various stages, in addition to audio and visual records. Field notes, for the most part handwritten, and archival research into language and culture groups was undertaken by Powell, whilst the majority of the photography, found in a variety of formats, was done by Jensen. Manuscripts and final publications were a combined effort and are included at various stages. Administrative records, including grant proposals, are found throughout.

Fonds consists of 13 series of records. Series are arranged according to community and/or project, and include:

  1. Quileute
  2. Chinook Jargon
  3. Kwak’wala (U’Mista)
  4. Gitxsan
  5. Nuu-chah-nulth
  6. Salishan
  7. Shuswap
  8. Haisla
  9. Tait
  10. Northwest Coast artists
  11. Northwest Coast groups
  12. UBC totems/events
  13. Publications

Vickie Jensen and Jay Powell

Two totem poles

Image depicts two poles standing in an open area. The front pole features a human-like creature on visible portion. The back pole also includes a human figure at the bottom with an owl on top. The figures on the bottom may be crest figures (Leading In or Halfway Out) or a Man of the Wild. Read's note suggests that one of these may be a Pole of Hrkyadet at Kispiox.

Three totem poles

Image depicts three totem poles, standing in an open area. Read's note under this photo indicates that the pole on the left may by a Snag-of-the-Sand-Bar pole from the House of Chief Skogum Laxhe. The pole on the right may be Chief Laxhe`s Hat-of-Tsagyem-hanak Pole. See also item a034837 for a closeup of the Snag-of-the-Sand-Bar pole.

Carving of Grizzly Bear of the Water

Image depicts a carving of a creature that resembles a bear--with fins. The carving sits on a wooden structure, possibly a carver's bench. Several buildings can be seen behind the carving platform.

Read Notes

Read's note cards detail information about three groups of totem poles and contain text and page references to Marius Barbeau's book, Totem Poles of the Gitksan, Upper Skeena River, British Columbia (published by the Canada Department of Mines and the National Museum of Canada, 1929).

Pole of Gurhsan, Gitsegyukla

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."

Pole of Mawlarhen, close up

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.

Poles of Ksrarom-Larhae

Image depicts two totem poles erected very close together. Read's notes indicate that these are the Poles of Ksrarom-Larhae, located in Gitsegyukl. "Snag-of-the-Sand-Bar pole. At the bottom the monster Hagwelaworh (?), a whale-like sea monster. "

Totem pole detail

Image depicts a close up showing the details of the lower figures on a totem pole, probably the Snag-of-the-Sand-Bar pole from the House of Chief Skogum Laxhe. The bottom figure is is the monster Hagwelawrh, who lives under the water and causes the Sand-Bar to raise with his back. See also image a034836 for another view of this pole.

Memorial pole

Image depicts a totem pole with an inscription indicating that it is in memorial to a Chief who died. The pole depicts two similarly carved creatures that may be owls. Several buildings are visible behind the pole and mountains can be seen in the distance.

Kitwanga totem poles

Image depicts several totem poles standing in a row. Read's pencil notes suggest that these are the Poles of Arteeh at Kitwanga .The pole second to the right is called the Pole of the Mountain Lion. See also items a034845 and a034846.

Mountains and river valley

Image depicts a range of mountains with a valley and river running through it. Based on Read's itinerary for this trip, this may be the Skeena River and valley.

Read Journal

Read's handwritten journal (July 8 - August 5, 1948) of his trip from Vancouver to the Skeena River Valley and back, details the weather, road conditions, people he met, and fish caught along the way.

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