The series consists primarily of material accumulated and/or created by Gillian Darling Kovanic during her travels abroad, both as a student of anthropology and a filmmaker. This series includes field research conducted by Kovanic with the Kalash in Pakistan, the Kom/Kati tribes in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Orissa in India, the Haida on the Queen Charlotte Islands [Haida Gwaii], British Columbia and the Kwakwaka’wakw in Alert Bay, British Columbia. Much of her fieldwork is made up of a study of the languages and cultural practices of the people being studied.

Included in the series are eleven field notebooks, a handwritten Kalash’a dictionary, a notebook containing information on the ethnographic materials collected by Darling, which now reside with the Royal Ontario Museum, and approximately 4502 photographs, including slides, negatives, prints and digital photos. Also included are a number of academic and popular articles collected by Kovanic, which compliment her field research, including a unique, handwritten article by Wazir Ali Shah, secretary to the last ruler of Chital, Mehtar, in 1977, which was written after the original manuscript was lost. The series also contains published material, comprised of a teaching kit titled “Kalash Bread-making: From Field to Feast” and the Wakhi Language Book by Haqiqat Ali.

File consists of slides depicting totems and views labeled as in Kispiox, Kitwancool, Ketchikan, Haida, Kitseguckla, Skedans, and Kingcome. File also consists of slides documenting two of Minn Sjolseth's paintings entitled "En av de Siste" (sp?) and "Peace."

Item is an audio recording of an interview with Percy Brown, a Haida Elder and well-known singer, about birds, animals, fish, whaling and trapping terminology on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. He is interviewed by two unidentified women. In the first half of the recording, he is asked questions about local birds, for example, partridges, puffins and sea gull, in order to determine Haida names for the birds and to determine if the birds are native to Haida Gwaii. He is asked similar questions about various types of vegetation, for example, plant roots. He also provides information about historic uses of trading and trapping in Haida Gwaii. Percy Brown is featured in the 1979 LP Songs from Masset, referenced in the publication Northern Haida Songs by John Enrico and Wendy Bross Stuart which is available in the MOA Reading Room, call number 12.7c HAI ENR.

Item is an audio recording of women and men singing Haida songs with drum accompaniment. There is no speaking in between songs.

Item is an audio recording of women and men singing Haida songs with drum accompaniment. There is no speaking in between songs.

Item is a sound recording of singing in Haida along to drum accompaniment. There is also some speaking in between songs using the Haida language.

Item is an audio recording of women and men singing Haida songs with drum accompaniment. There is no speaking in between songs.

Item is an audio recording of women and men singing Haida songs with drum accompaniment. There is no speaking in between songs.

Item is an audio recording of women and men singing Haida songs with drum and rattle accompaniment. There is no speaking in between songs.

Item is an audio recording of Mrs. Susan Williams and Mr. Henry Young singing Haida songs, with drum accompaniment. An unidentified speaker introduces each song in English. The recording took place in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia.

Item is an audio recording of women and men singing Haida songs with drum accompaniment. There is no speaking in between songs.

Item is an audio recording of Mrs. Susan Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Jones and Mr. Henry Young singing Haida songs, with drum accompaniment. The recording took place in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia.

[rr_0024t1a] Item is a sound recording of Chief William Matthews of Masset, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia discussing Haida history. Topics include: the history of Haida villages, particularly the village of Masset; carver Robert Davidson who lived in Masset during his infancy; and traditional forms of fishing and agriculture.

[rr_0024t2a] Item is a sound recording of William Matthews discussing Haida history. Topics include: stories about fishing and hunting expeditions as a child; how he became involved in Council work in Masset; impact of the work done by Council on the village and improvements made; specific individuals involved in Council; differences in the approach between Council now and during his tenure; observations about life in Masset now and then.