File consists of images of scenery and people of the Nootka Sound area on the west coast of Vancouver Island, BC.

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, and include:

1. Quileute
2. Chinook Jargon
3. Kwak’wala (U’Mista)
4. Gitxsan
5. Nuu-chah-nulth
6. Salishan
7. Shuswap
8. Haisla
9. Tait
10. Northwest Coast artists
11. Northwest Coast groups
12. UBC totems/events
13. Publications

Subseries consists of material related to the production of Stewart's book The Adventures and Sufferings of John R. Jewitt: Captive of Maquinna, first published in 1995. This book contains the previously published narrative written by Jewitt (published in 1816), with annotations and illustrations by Stewart.

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.

Item is the second of three sound recordings made by Dr. Ida Halpern that feature Mr. and Ms. 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. This recording was possibly made by Dr. Ida Halpern.

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.

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."

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.

File consists of slides depicting First Nations chiefs and elders, Carter's wife Minn Sjolseth with August Jacks, Johnny Seaweed, miscellaneous images from Mount Currie/Lil'wat First Nation, and a photograph labeled "Potlatch Masset 60s".