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These resources document Indigenous history and culture in general, and the evolution of UBC’s relationships with Indigenous Peoples in particular. They include archival materials in all media (textual, photographic, audiovisual, and digital), websites, and Internet-based collections and related resources.
This list is not intended to be fully comprehensive, but will serve as an introduction for researchers. The focus is on materials held in the University Archives. Researchers are advised to consult with staff in other Library branches such as Rare Books and Special Collections and Xwi7xwa Library, as well as the UBC Museum of Anthropology, regarding archival materials in their collections.
Researchers are encouraged to refer to the First Nations Information Governance Centre’s First Nations Principles of OCAP when conducting research with Indigenous Peoples or on Indigenous historical or cultural issues.
See also Xwi7xwa Library’s research guide Musqueam: Land Beneath Our Feet. Another excellent resource is Rare Books and Special Collections’ Indigenous Peoples History and Archives.
For help with proper pronunciation of Indigenous words and names, see this guide issued by the B.C. provincial government, and other similar publications. As examples, Xwi7xwa is pronounced “Way’Wah”, and c̓əsnaʔəm is pronounced “Tsus-na’um” (the single apostrophe [‘] indicates a glottal stop, as in “Hawai’i”).
Patrons researching specific individuals, groups, or events may find information in other collections and resources maintained by the UBC Archives but not listed here. Archives staff are available to provide assistance.
Thanks to Ann Doyle and her colleagues at Xwi7xwa Library for their guidance in compiling the original version of this list.
Thanks to Kai Geddes, Work Learn student assistant, for his 2020 review of both this page and the Archives’ website, and his recommendations for improving them for Indigenous researchers and other users.
Note: The word “Indian” is now outdated and is considered by many Indigenous Peoples to be offensive. However, it is retained here in cases where it is part of an historical organizational name or publication title.
Similar outdated, confrontational, and/or upsetting terms may also be found in some historical documents – the presence of these terms reflects their usage at the time of the documents’ creation.
Further guidance can be found on the Indigenous Foundations’ Terminology page. |
Textual Records
Listed alphabetically – links are to on-line inventories.
- David Aberle fonds
- Aberle was a long-time faculty member in UBC’s Department of Anthropology and Sociology. His academic research specialty, documented in these records, was on the Navaho and other Native American peoples of the American Southwest.
- Philip and Helen Akrigg fonds
- The Akriggs were well-known for their studies of British Columbia history, in particular the origins of B.C. place names. Their papers include many references to Indigenous history and languages.
- Michael Ames fonds
- Ames was Director of the Museum of Anthropology (1974-97), and also initiated several Indigenous educational and advisory programmes through UBC and the Museum, in particular “Musqueam 101” and the Squamish Language Programme, all extensively documented in his records.
- Cyril Belshaw fonds
- Former head of UBC Department of Anthropology and Sociology. Some of Belshaw’s correspondence and research materials are of interest to researchers of Indigenous issues. For example, the Research and Academic Work – British Columbia Focus sub-series includes records which address the use of film in relation to Indigenous Peoples cultures.
- Charles E. Borden fonds
- Personal and research papers of the “grandfather of British Columbia archaeology”. Borden studied the Great Fraser Midden (Musqueam Nation: c̓əsnaʔəm) and many other archaeological sites throughout B.C., and developed methods of examining and classifying sites that are now standard in modern archaeology – these are documented in correspondence, field notes, reports, and other records.
- Campus and Community Planning fonds
- Includes extensive documentation of the design and and development of the Museum of Anthropology and the First nations Longhouse.
These are institutional records – access requests are subject to review under FOIPOP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy) guidelines.
- Centre for Continuing Education fonds
- Records include files on leadership workshops (1962-68) organized by UBC Continuing Education.
These are institutional records – access requests are subject to review under FOIPOP guidelines.
See also the Marjorie V. Smith fonds regarding Continuing Education’s Indigenous Peoples education and leadership programmes.
- Wilson Duff fonds
- Research and administrative papers from UBC professor Wilson Duff, UBC professor of anthropology. He made significant contributions to the study of Indigenous cultures, acted as an unofficial advisor to several Indigenous organizations, and conducted extensive research on the histories and territories of Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia.
- Faculty of Education fonds
- Faculty records include documentation of the Native Indian Teacher Education Program (NITEP – now known as the Indigenous Teacher Education Programme).
These are institutional records – access requests are subject to review under FOIPOP guidelines.
- First Nations Communities Research Collection
- Materials collected by Drs. Frank Tester and Glenn Drover from the UBC School of Social Work, largely related to Canada and Canadian Indigenous issues, but also including news from around the world. The collection documents Indigenous environmental and political concerns, Indigenous child and family welfare issues, and media coverage of these and other issues. Also included are copies of British Columbia provincial statutes and regulations dealing primarily with Indigenous issues, and reports and other materials documenting the history of Indigenous communities in British Columbia and throughout Canada.
- Aboriginal Forestry Collection
- Materials collected by Dr. J. Harry G. Smith of the UBC Faculty of Forestry. The collection consists of materials related to Indigenous land claims and forestry practices in British Columbia, including correspondence, press clippings, publications, and reports.
- Harry Hawthorn fonds
- Research and personal papers of the first head of the UBC Department of Anthropology. Hawthorn and his wife Audrey also played significant roles in the development of the Museum of Anthropology. He was commissioned by the Canadian government to carry out two comprehensive research projects: the Department of Citizenship and Immigration’s study of B.C. Indians (1954-1956), and the Survey of Contemporary Indians of Canada (1964-1967). The records include extensive correspondence, survey data, research notes, and reports. These projects influenced the development of both the Canadian government’s policies towards Indigenous peoples and Canadian anthropology.
- Indian Education Resource Centre fonds
- This groundbreaking programme for supporting Indigenous Peoples education in British Columbia (1970-78) was a precursor to Xwi7xwa Library. Based in Brock Hall, it was funded by government grants and private donations.
These are institutional records – access requests are subject to review under FOIPOP guidelines.
- Verna Kirkness fonds
- First director of the First Nations House of Learning, Kirkness was also Education Director for the Manitoba and National Indian Brotherhoods, and is a leader in the development of Indigenous education across Canada. Her records document her work as a seminal Indigenous educator and administrator.
See also her memorial tribute to Thomas Berger.
- Faculty of Law fonds
- Records in the Dean’s General Administrative series include documentation of the origins of the Native Law Programme (now known as the Indigenous Legal Studies Programme).
These are institutional records – access requests are subject to review under FOIPOP guidelines.
- Lewis Family fonds
- Records focus on Hunter Lewis, UBC graduate and later professor in the Department of English. He chaired the Committee on Indian Citizenship, and was instrumental in bringing some of the first totem poles to campus.
- Library fonds
- Includes records documenting the establishment and early administrative history of the First Nations House of Learning Xwi7xwa Library, in particular the process of formally establishing it as a branch of UBC Library. Records from the Data Library include files on the B.C. Indian Population Study of the 1960s, and B.C. Indigenous language and mythology studies from the 1970s.
These are institutional records – access requests are subject to review under FOIPOP guidelines.
- Pacific Educational Press
- Includes records relating to Indigenous publication projects – e.g. Legends and Teachings of Xeel’s the Creator, B.C. First Nations Studies, and Sima7.
- President’s Office fonds
- Inventory not publicly available – consult with University Archives staff.
Records of the office of the University President. Subject files and correspondence files include references to Indigenous groups and issues.
These are institutional records – access requests are subject to review under FOIPOP guidelines.
- William (Robin) Ridington fonds
- William Ridington joined the Department of Anthropology at UBC in 1969. His papers include field notes and transcripts of interviews with members of the Beaver Indian people (Dane-zaa), compiled for a research project.
- Alan R. Sawyer fonds
- Alan Sawyer was an art historian, collector, curator, and professor whose area of specialization was pre-Columbian Indigenous art from North and South America. His papers include correspondence, notes, photographs, and other materials pertaining to his academic research, writing, curatorial and appraisal work.
- UBC Subject File Collection
- Includes subject files (newspaper clippings, miscellaneous documents) on totem poles, Museum of Anthropology, etc.
- Doreen Walker fonds
- Newspaper clippings and other collected materials documenting contemporary Indigenous artists.
- Archives that include references to Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in resource industries, in particular forestry and the salmon fishery:
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Publications
- Indian Education Newsletter
- Published by the Indian Education Resource Centre (1970-77), the Newsletter regularly included resource materials from the Centre, reports, grant information, recommendations for children’s literature, curriculum ideas, and other news relevant to Indigenous Peoples education.
- Other UBC Publications
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These publications are also available in their original paper form.
Note: When searching pre-1970s publications, use search terms like “Indian” or “Native” or names of specific Indigenous Peoples using old spellings such as “Nootka” or “Kwakiutl”. For post-1970s searches, currently-accepted terms like “Indigenous Peoples” or “First Nations”, and current spellings such as “Nuu-chah-nulth” or “Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw”, can also be used.
Internet-based Resources
- UBC Archives Photographs
- On-line database of over 40,000 photographs held by the Archives documenting UBC’s growth and development, the evolution of student life, and campus events from its founding to the present day.
As with UBC Publications, both historic and contemporary terms (e.g. “Indian” vs. “Indigenous Peoples”), and the names of specific groups or individuals, can be used to search the collection.
- Senate Minutes
- The Senate oversees the academic governance of the University. The minutes document its deliberations at its monthly meetings, and will include references to proposed Indigenous academic programmes that Senate would review and approve.
Records in the Senate fonds also contain reports and other more extensive documentation of those programmes. These unpublished materials are institutional records – access requests are subject to review under FOIPOP guidelines.
- Recovering the University Fabric : Point Grey Pre-University (pre-1890)
- Part of a larger resource intended as a comprehensive research tool for examining the evolution of the built environment of the UBC-Vancouver campus. It identifies published and unpublished sources, both within and outside the Archives, while providing useful commentary and context. See the Overview for further explanation and context.
The “Pre-University” section is organized in four parts: “Coast Salish and Industry”, “Pre-University and UEL [University Endowment Lands] Time Line”, “Important Contacts for Pre-University Site”, and “Bibliography”. Other sections of the website also include references to Indigenous Peoples information sources.
- Mungo Martin and UBC’s Early Totem Pole Collection
- A UBC Archives “virtual display” commemorating Aboriginal Heritage Month (June 2013). It documents the history of the University’s collection and preservation of totem poles and other large-scale British Columbia First Nations carvings.
- History of the “Thunderbird” Nickname
- Two articles, originally published in UBC Recreation’s magazine The Point, documenting how UBC sports teams gained the “Thunderbird” name, including how it was sanctioned by the Kwicksutaineuk people, part of the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw First Nation.
- “Verna Kirkness: Thomas Berger was ‘key’ to making UBC more accessible to Indigenous peoples” (UBC Indigenous Portal)
- Memorial tribute by the founding director of the First Nations House of Learning, revealing how instrumental Berger was to establishing the FNHL.
- The University Mace
- The symbol of the authority of the Chancellor, the University Mace is displayed during Congregation and other ceremonial occasions. Both the UBC-Vancouver and UBC-Okanagan maces feature First Nations-inspired designs. The article cites the designers and their inspirations.
- First Nations Longhouse
- Summary description of the First Nations House of Learning Longhouse from the Archives’ Index of UBC Buildings, listing dates of construction, architects, cost, and prominent architectural features.
- Distinguished UBC Aboriginal Alumni (UBC Indigenous Portal)
- Since Frank Calder graduated from the UBC-affiliated Anglican Theological College in 1946 (after first enrolling in UBC Arts and Science in 1940), countless distinguished and influential Indigenous figures have graduated from UBC. Indigenous alumni include political leaders, artists, poets, authors, judges, and musicians who have gone on to profoundly influence Canadian politics and culture.
Indigitization Toolkit
The Indigitization Program is a collaborative initiative between B.C. Indigenous groups and academic partners from UBC and the University of Northern British Columbia to facilitate capacity building in Indigenous information management.
The Indigitization Toolkit is a collection of resources to support and guide digitization projects in Indigenous communities. The Indigitization Toolkit also fits into the broader goal of providing support to Indigenous Peoples in the management of their information. By supporting digitization projects and building capacity in Indigenous communities, the Toolkit is a stepping stone in safeguarding future generations’ access to valuable community information as well as ensuring the long-term preservation of these resources. This toolkit is invaluable for helping Indigenous Peoples learn how to archive and digitize their historical projects.
- Planning a Project
- Project planning should take a number of elements into consideration. The purpose or goal of the final collection should inform any decisions made during the planning phase. Questions about the purpose of digitized materials, such as short term use (access) or long term use (preservation), should be investigated and will ultimately impact the scope of a project.
- Legacy Media
- The Legacy Media tool helps Indigenous Peoples learn how to digitize audio cassettes, and also allow them access to an audio digitization system set-up manual.
- Text and Visual Records
- This tool helps with scanning methods of digitization which include textual documents and photographic negatives.
- Managing Digital Information
- Managing metadata can be quite daunting, but this tool helps with describing, explaining and locating information resources, including digital preservation; copyright, intellectual property, and access; and file management.
- Language Revitalization
- Indigenous language revitalization has been at the forefront of Indigenous education over the last few years. This tool provides a guide on how to use a Zoom H6 Handy Recorder (the latest in hand-help audio recorder from Japan); a template for a Community Documentation Form; a guide to multi-track recording and mix downs; and a document of inspired practices for audio recording.
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