Collection illustrates the gathering of information and writing of the book “Paddling to Where I Stand : Agnes Alfred, Qwiqwasutinuxw Noblewoman.” Includes interviews to Agnes Alfred conducted by Martine J. Reid and Daisy Sewid-Smith between 1979 and 1985. Interviews are documented as audio and video recordings and their written transcriptions, and other materials gathered by Martine J. Reid and Daisy Sewid-Smith for the edition and publication of the book. Collection also contains the manuscripts and draft for the book; correspondence between Martine J. Reid, Daisy Sewid-Smith and other people; eulogies and funeral pamphlets; Agnes Alfred’s family information; historical notes; and miscellanea. Collection includes photographic materials with photographs included in the book and additional photographs gathered by Martine J. Reid and Daisy Sewid-Smith during their research, and portraits of Agnes Alfred’s parents.

Image of the entrance to a cave with two people standing past the entrance.
Handwritten annotation on back "This is when I went to see the Cave, the Nawalakwaeiy in 1994."
Item was originally numbered by creator with number 107.

Image of five women standing with funeral wreaths.
Handwritten annotation on back "Margaret Alfred funeral (Moses Alfred's mother Qacugow). (L) Emma Mrs Ben, Kitty Daisy, Axuw, Beans Alfred (Nuladiy), Beand Roberts."
Item was originally numbered by creator with number 108.

Image of six people standing around a table with records on it. One of them is holding a microphone. More people on the background.
Handwritten annotation on back "Bella Coola Treaty 1987"
Item was originally numbered by creator with number 110.

Image is a close up photograph of four people standing around a table. One of them is holding a microphone. More people on the background.
Handwritten annotation on back "Bella Coola Treaty with Qwiqwasutinuxca. (L) Bella Coola: Laurance Maru, Puglas Hall. James Sewid, Al Speck, Alvin Alfred, George Speck"
Item was originally numbered by creator with number 111.

Image of one person signing a paper. More people on the background.
Handwritten annotation on back "Signing the Bella Coola Treaty Jun. 1987"
Item was originally numbered by creator with number 114.

Image of two young men. One sitting down and one standing. Photograph taken in a professional studio.
Handwritten annotation on back "James Sewid (R) Artur Alfred (L)"
Item was originally numbered by creator with number 117.

Image of nine people along a table. One of them, Agnes Alfred, is blowing the candles from her birthday cake. There is a part of a poster in the back that reads "Granny Axu."
Handwritten annotation on back "(L) Alvin, Axuw, Libby, Lina, Phillip"
Item was originally numbered by creator with number 120.

Image of two people dancing. More people on the background.
Handwritten annotations on back "Lorne & Dasiy" and "Flora and James Sewid"
Item was originally numbered by creator with number 121.

File consists of slides labeled "Andy," "Mr and Mrs Williams, Friendly Cove, Nootka," "Anthony Island Queen Charlotte Island 1967," "Minn Sketching at Yan QCI, Haida," "Kitwancool 1969," "Kasper," "Mary Ann 1967 Squamish," and "Kingcome."

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.

In 1976, a group of students from the Kyuquot Elementary, a First Nations elementary school on the West coast of Vancouver Island, decided to make a filmstrip that documented their lives in the fishing village. The children’s intention behind making these photographs was to raise money for a summer field trip to Victoria, Vancouver, and the Okanagan. As part of the fundraiser, the children made a visual map depicting their daily travel to school by boat and a hand-written order form for the film. Collection consists of documents created by the Kyuquot Elementary School and Mr. Moore, a former Assistant Professor of Anthropology in the 1970s. The collection consists of one correspondence letter written by Mr. Moore requesting a copy of their filmstrip, four pages of typewritten filmstrip descriptions, one handwritten map and flyer created by the Kyuquot Elementary School and one 70 frame color filmstrip that was digitized in 2017. [At the time of processing, it was unknown if the fundraiser was successful.]