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Transformation Mask of the Kwakwaka’wakw people
The object is a Transformation Mask from the Kwakwaka’wakw people. These masks were worn by dancers during ceremonies, they pull strings to open and move the mask, animating it. The mask can be opened and closed to reveal a mythical being or an…
British Columbia Tribune
This newspaper article assesses the governmental mismanagement of British Columbia and Vancouver Island’s structure as colonies. The article saliently concludes that foreign trade for New Westminster and Victoria will be diminished, and Vancouver…
James Douglas death certificate
The source is the death certificate of James Douglas, who came to Canada as a fur trader in 1819 for the North West Company and became the Governor of the British Columbia colony in 1858. The certificate shows that James Douglas lived until the age…
The Kwaktiutl village of Xumtaspi-Nawittl
The source is a photograph of the village in Vancouver Island called Xwamdasbe, translated as ‘Place where there is otter’. The photograph includes fishery housing with the house on the right featuring three painted family crests. There are also…
The Daily British Colonist (1860-09-25)
This is a page from the newspaper, The Daily British Colonist on 25/09/1860. The newspaper is based in Victoria, Vancouver Island, including a variety of sections, such as, ‘Advertisements’, ‘Miscellaneous’, ‘Notices’, ‘Removals’, ‘Auction’, ‘Dry &…
Public Offices document, letter from Colvile to Pakington
This is a letter addressed to Sir John Pakington, secretary for war and the colonies of Lord Derby’s administration in 1852, from A. Colvile, the deputy governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company – at the time of the letter in 1852, one of the most…
Extract of a Letter from James Douglas Esquire to Archibald Barclay Esquire Secretary of the Hudson’s Bay Company
This is a letter addressed to Archibald Barclay Esquire - Secretary to the Governor and Committee, the London board of directors of Hudson’s Bay Company – from James Douglas Esquire – deputy to the chief factor of the Columbia Fur District of HBC.…
"Vancouver's Island, the Hudson's Bay Company's establishment"; published in the Illustrated London News
This illustration of Hudson’s Bay Company’s establishment on Vancouver Island was published in The Illustrated London News in 1848. It shows Fort Victoria, accessible through Victoria Harbour and is useful in providing us with an insight into the…
Vancouver’s Island
This British Foreign Office document, dated from March 1849, on Vancouver’s Island is an eight paged confidential document on the settlement and colonization of Vancouver’s Island. It includes the discussion of trade license laws, the North-West…
Newspaper advert for Vancouver Island
An advertisement in the Daily Colonist newspaper for Vancouver Island in 1941, with illustrations of a cargo train hauling lumber along with cargo steamships. The advertisement was published in the leading newspaper for British Columbia, with a vast…