The fonds consists of records Telfer created or received during the time that she spent as a teacher at residential schools. The materials donated by Telfer include correspondence, essays, schedules, programmes, ephemera notes and a significant number of photographs. These records are primarily related to the the Morley Residential School, the Coqualeetza Residential School and the Port Alberni Residential School, as well as the Nakoda (Stoney) Nation.
Image of two young Musqueam boys kneeling down at the edge of the Fraser River. The boys are facing away from the camera. A different image of the same scene is printed on page 59 of Carter's book "Abundant Rivers."
Item is a hand-tinted glass lantern slide of nine children in costumes in front of a building. Based on the original order of the collection, photograph might have been taken in Alert Bay.
Item is a hand-tinted glass lantern slide of twenty children and one adult holding house pennants with the names "Robins" and "Ravens" and shields in front of a building. Item is a duplicated of item no. S7-60, fonds 008 Missionary Society of the Church of England in Canada (MSCC) fonds, from the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod Archives. According to description from the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod Archives, Ravens (senior girls) and Robins (junior girls) pose with the shields won in intramural competition. 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 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)
Image is a posed portrait of a seated older girl and younger boy standing on a footstool holding hands. The girl and boy are dressed formally. It appears to be an albumen print on a carte de visite. Photographer information printed on verso with the inscription "S. A. Spencer, FORT STREET, Victoria, B. C." A handwritten inscription reads "[illegible] Reid + boy"
Image is a head and shoulders portrait of a girl. Printed on verso is photographer information which reads "S. A. Spencer, Photographer, FORT STREET, Victoria, B. C." An additional inscription in pencil reads "Martha".
