Item is an interview with Gisdewe Alfred Joseph regarding Witsuwit'en use of oral history. The interviewer is Leif Jorgensen and the questions were by Misty Jorgensen.
Item is an interview with Gisdewe Alfred Joseph regarding Witsuwit'en use of oral history. The interviewer is Leif Jorgensen and the questions were by Misty Jorgensen.
The fonds contains two copies of The Wet’suwet’en Voice, a monthly newsletter published by the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, from April 2000 and December 2001.
The Office of the Wet’suwet’en serves as the central office for the Wet’suwet’en Nation, in whose traditional territory (yin tah) Smithers and the Bulkley Valley are located. It is not a band council or a traditional governing body, but a political non-profit organization directed by the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs. It was established in 1994 after the splitting of the Gitxsan-Wet’suwet’en Tribal Council, which had represented the two Nations during Delgamuukw vs. British Columbia.
Based out of Smithers, the Office covers the communities of Hagwilget, Witset (Moricetown), Browman Lake, Skin Tyee, and Nee Tahi Buhn. It offers services relating to Lands and Resources, Fisheries and Wildlife, Human and Social Services, and Governance. Its vision statement reads: “We are proud, progressive Wet’suwet’en dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our culture, traditions, and territories; working as one for the betterment of all.”
Custodial History
The items in this fonds were originally kept in the museum’s reference files and have no donor information. In August 2020 they were removed by museum staff members and officially accessioned. The fonds was created on August 31, 2020.
Scope and Content
The fonds contains two copies of The Wet’suwet’en Voice, a monthly newsletter published by the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, from April 2000 and December 2001.
Item is a book entitled "Proud Past: A History of the Wet'suwet'en of Moricetown, B.C." The book contains an introduction title "The Origin of Tribes", four chapters title "In the Old Days", "A Time of Change", "The Old Ways Pass", "Hard Times", and a conclusion titled "The Future Calls".
(from back of book) Maureen Cassidy taught local history for Northwest Community College and worked as a land claims researcher for the Gitksan-Carrier Tribal Council. Frank Cassidy was coordinator of the Hazelton campus of Northwest Community College.
Scope and Content
Item is a book entitled "Proud Past: A History of the Wet'suwet'en of Moricetown, B.C." The book contains an introduction title "The Origin of Tribes", four chapters title "In the Old Days", "A Time of Change", "The Old Ways Pass", "Hard Times", and a conclusion titled "The Future Calls".
Copyright belongs to the publisher, the Moricetown Band. Copyright for photos included in the publication may belong to other museums, archives, or individuals.
The artifact is a metre long cylindrical cage made of spruce roots and/or willow branches. At one end the cage, the cylinder is tied closed and the other end has a funnel shaped entrance leading into the cage. The funnel entrance is designed so that fish can enter the cage but are unable to exit.
The artifact is a metre long cylindrical cage made of spruce roots and/or willow branches. At one end the cage, the cylinder is tied closed and the other end has a funnel shaped entrance leading into the cage. The funnel entrance is designed so that fish can enter the cage but are unable to exit.
Publications
Fish traps are discussed in Niwhts’ide’nï Hibi’it’ën: The Ways of Our Ancestors – Second Edition. Melanie Morin and School District #54. Information for this photo record as well as the June 2018 "From the Back Room" article about this fish trap sourced from this publication.
History Of Use
Trap believed to have been used on the Skeena River. Fishing traps like this one have been used by the Wituswit'en and Gitxsaan peoples for thousands of years. Fish traps were made in a variety of designs. This, like many fish traps, was to be used in tandem with a weir, known as a k’ondze in Witsuwit’en. Weirs are fences built across sections of a river that have a gap in them, forcing fish into a particular area in order to pass through the obstruction. When a person wanted to catch fish, they would lower the trap with the funnel end facing the gap. Fish would enter through the funnel shaped entrance and become trapped, unable to swim back the way they came. While it is uncertain how many fish this particular trap could hold, other fish traps in sizes of up to 2 meters long have been known to hold close to a hundred salmon.
Series consists of research notes and sources for Canyon Creek (written on note cards) and a draft copy of “Lot 1196: Canyon Creek: The Wet’suwet’en and the Bulkley Valley Settlers.”
Sheila Peters is an author, journalist, artist, radio show host and activist who lived in Smithers from 1976 to 2018.
Custodial History
Items were donated by Sheila Peters on March 10th 2019.
Scope and Content
Series consists of research notes and sources for Canyon Creek (written on note cards) and a draft copy of “Lot 1196: Canyon Creek: The Wet’suwet’en and the Bulkley Valley Settlers.”
Believed to be the 1938 Smithers Silver Jubilee parade. Back row (l-r): [?] Christine Nemox, Mary George, George Naziel, Madeline Alfred, Jack Joseph, Father Liard, Mooseskin Johnny [or Jimmy Michell?], [Thomas George], Connie Tiljoe, Madeline Dennis.
Front row (l-r): [Peter Michell], Peter Alfred, [Peter Alec], [Julian Holland], [Alec or Alex?] Tiljoe, Louie Tommy, David Dennis.
Believed to be the 1938 Smithers Silver Jubilee parade. Identified are Peter Alfred, [?] and [Alec or Alex?] Tiljoe. The truck belonged to Peter Alfred. Photo is a modern reprint and laminated. Physical copy of photograph was not kept.
Believed to be the 1938 Smithers Silver Jubilee parade. Back row (l-r): Christine Nemox, Mary George, George Naziel, Madeline Alfred, Jack Joseph, Father Liard, Mooseskin Johnny, [Thomas George], Connie Tiljoe, Madeline Dennis.
Front row (l-r): Peter Alfred, [?], [?], [Alec or Alex?] Tiljoe, Louie Tommy, David Dennis.
Photograph is a modern reprint and laminated. Physical photograph was not kept.
Believed to be the 1938 Smithers Silver Jubilee parade. Written on back: "June 7, 2017 Wit'suwit'en Dinize' & Elder's dressed up for Fall Fair Parade Charlotte Euverman"
Back row (l-r):[?], [?] Christine Nemox [sic], Mary George, George Naziel, Medline [sic] Alfred, Jack Joseph, Father Liard, Mooseskin Johnny, [Thomas George], Connie Tiljoe, Madeline Dennis. Front row (l-r): [?], Peter Alfred, [?], [?], [Alec or Alex?] Tiljoe, Louie Tommy.
Photo is a modern reprint.
Identifed are:
Back row (l-r): [?], Louie Morris, Father Nicholas Coccola, [?], [?], Frank Bazil
Front row (l-r): [?], Agnes Bazil, Mary Louise Bazil, [?], Damien Bazil, [?]
Item scanned is a modern reprint.
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