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.

Series is made up of records related to the creation of a Nuu-chah-nulth (otherwise referred to as T’aat’aaqsapa, West Coast language, or Nootka) dictionary.

Powell was first contacted to do a Nuu-chah-nulth language project in 1989 by Andrew Callicum, a Nuu-chah-nulth Elder and acquaintance. Originally they planned to create curriculum materials, but after John Thomas, a main informant, left the project, it was decided that they would create a dictionary instead.

Series comprises five sub-series:
A. Field notes
B. Dictionary/publications
C. Research materials
D. Morphological lexicon
E. Audio recordings

File contains images of canoes from various Northwest Coast First Nations communities including Tsimshian, Haida, Nuxalk, Kwakwaka'wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth.

File contains a project report on the conservation and restoration project of a Nuu-chah-nulth canoe at the UBC Museum of Anthropology.

File contains text for object label, biographical information on Tim Paul, photocopies of newspaper clippings, and correspondence regarding Paul's event in Sweden.

File contains images of various First Nations Cultural groups from the Pacific Northwest. The images include negatives and slides of Northwest Coast villages, totem poles, longhouses, and First Nations peoples dressed in regalia.

File contains historical images of Nuu-chah-nulth villages and peoples. There is a focus on totem poles and canoes. There are also photographs of a pole raising ceremony to commemorate the visit of Governor General Willingdon who came to Tofino/Ucluelet in the 1920s. There are images of James Rush, Chief Miste Laabats Hamtsiid, and Chief Joseph John, dressed in Nuu-chah-nulth regalia.

Item is a sound recording made by Dr. Ida Halpern of Nuu-chah-nulth songs with drum accompaniment. The performers, who are primarily women, provide information about each song to two or three interviewers (their voices are often unintelligible). MOA's records indicate that these songs are possibly from Port Alberni.

Item is the first of three sound recordings made by Dr. Ida Halpern that feature Mr. and Mrs. Fred Louis of Kitimat, British Columbia singing Nuu-chah-nulth songs, along with drum accompaniment. Fred Louis introduces each song. There is some use of the Haisla language in the content descriptions written on the reel container.

Item is third of three sound recordings made by Dr. Ida Halpern that feature Mr. and Ms. Fred Louis of Kitimat, British Columbia singing what are possibly Nuu-chah-nulth songs, along with drum accompaniment. Mr. Louis introduces each song. He states in the recording that most songs are written by his cousin Simon Peter of Iqaluit.

The collection consists of eight photographs likely taken in the Nuu-chah-nulth community in the 1920's. Some of the photographs may have been taken by Catherine, the daughter of an early Indian Agent named Augustus Cox. They include a number of images that appear to be a Samiilth or Saatlsaach ceremony, with K'aanaatla mimicking wolves. Some of these images are taken near a seaside village, which shows various types of structures and canoes. Other images taken on a beach show canoe runs, as well as two images of individuals in robes and headdresses. Another image shows a detailed view of two headdresses. There are also images of what seem to be preparations for a parade, with individuals dressed in costumes and decorated motorcars nearby.

File consists of slides depicting a plaque, and various portraits, poles, and landscapes.

File consists of slides depicting people, landscapes, and totem poles.