"An Indian Nativity Play"
A play written by Anthony Walsh that is based on a previously published Nativity Tale written by Aboriginal students at the Inkameep Indian Day School in the Okanagan Valley, B.C. in 1941.
Anthony Walsh
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
1941
"Meet Mr. Coyote"
A small booklet of ten Aboriginal legends/stories illustrated by Aboriginal students of Noel Stewart at St. George's Indian Residential School in Lytton, B.C. that was published by the British Columbia Indian Arts and Welfare Society in 1941. The legends are from the Thompson Tribe near Lytton, B.C. It is unknown who the storyteller and recorder were in the original transcription of these legends.
Noel Stewart
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/1/R19); an application for a non-exclusive copyright license has been submitted to the Copyright Board of Canada.
The British Columbia Indian Arts and Welfare Society; J. Parker Buckle Printing Co., Ltd.
1941
"Native Canadians: A Plan for the Rehabilitation of Indians"
A pamphlet prepared by The Okanagan Society for the Revival of Indian Arts and Crafts that analyzes the current (1941) state of Settler-Aboriginal relations and suggests a series of short- and long-term suggestions to improve those relations. The pamphlet was modeled on various successes achieved in the U.S. and was submitted to The Committee On Reconstruction and Re-Establishment, in Ottawa.
The Okanagan Society for the Revival of Indian Arts and Crafts
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
The Okanagan Society for the Revival of Indian Arts and Crafts
1941
A.O.M. Curry to Alice Ravenhill (Feb.11, 1941)
The Director of the National Gallery in Ottawa mentions to Alice Ravenhill the possibility of the gallery hosting a "small exhibition of work by Indian artists," including the work of Sis-hu-lk, a student at Inkameep Indian Day School.
A.O.M Curry
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
Feb.11, 1941
Alice Ravenhill to J.M Kennedy (Feb.6, 1941)
One of several form letters Alice Ravenhill sent out to the principals and teachers Indian Residential and Day schools across British Columbia to inquire about existing arts-based education initiatives and to invite these educators to join the BCIACWS in supporting and building on the initiatives began by Anthony Walsh and Noel Stewart. She explains that her intent with focusing on art in particular is to "bring about a more sympathetic relation between them and their white fello [sic] Canadians" and to replace the kitchy Aboriginal-themed souvenirs in tourist shops with actual artwork by Aboriginal students at Residential Schools, in the interest of showing them how to utilize their artistic talents to make a living.
Alice Ravenhill
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
Feb.6, 1941
Alice Ravenhill to John Laurie (Sept.15, 1941)
A useful overview of the goals of the British Columbia Indian Arts and Crafts Welfare Society (BCIACWS) and how it came to be. Ravenhill responds to Laurie’s request for information on how to start up a Committee similar to by touching on the BCIACWS’ history; she advises him on steps he can take to make contacts within the provincial and federal governments. Mentions repeatedly the apathetic and contemptuous attitudes of the majority in Victoria towards Aboriginal people, as well as the steps she and the Committee have taken to try and combat these conceptions. She also discusses how policies drafted and enacted by the United States around interacting with Aboriginal People can function as useful models for shaping Canadian policy.
Alice Ravenhill
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/!/R19)
Sept.15, 1941
Alice Ravenhill to Miss Aitken (Feb.6, 1941)
One of several form letters Alice Ravenhill sent out to the principals and teachers Indian Residential and Day schools across British Columbia to inquire about existing arts-based education initiatives and to invite these educators to join the BCIACWS in supporting and building on the initiatives began by Anthony Walsh and Noel Stewart. She explains that her intent with focusing on art in particular is to "bring about a more sympathetic relation between them and their white fello [sic] Canadians" and to replace the kitchy Aboriginal-themed souvenirs in tourist shops with actual artwork by Aboriginal students at Residential Schools, in the interest of showing them how to utilize their artistic talents to make a living.
Alice Ravenhill
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
Feb.6, 1941
Alice Ravenhill to Noel Stewart (Dec.18, 1940)
Art education; tribal-specific residential school materials
Alice Ravenhill describes to Noel Stewart her proposed project of preparing tribe-specific Charts for use in Residential schools, which would show students "the line of former achievements by their own Tribes." She also makes reference to a handbook of 160 illustrations that she is attempting to get published. She mentions "The Tale of Nativity" produced by students in Anthony Walsh's classroom at Inkameep Day School and expresses interest in publishing "a collection of tribal legends," urging Stewart to send her further details of his art-based educational practices at St. George's.
Alice Ravenhill
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
Dec.18, 1940
Alice Ravenhill to Noel Stewart (Feb.24, 1941)
Alice Ravenhill informs Noel Stewart on the progress of his and his students' book of Legends: she writes that the committee is hard at work deciding what the shape and format will be for "an attractive little booklet for the coming Tourist season." She also expresses appreciation for his continued efforts, lamenting the lack of response from the educators at the schools at Alert Bay and Hazleton, and inquires as to whether his students might be interested in producing larger artworks for a special show to be held at the National Gallery in Ottawa.
Alice Ravenhill
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
Feb.24, 1941
Alice Ravenhill to Noel Stewart (Jan.3, 1941)
Tourism; profits; publishing
Alice Ravenhill refers to a wooden carving made by Noel Stewart's students of "Mr. Coyote taking his Sunday Service" as a potential model for a type of Aboriginal souvenir that could be produced by the children in Residential schools and sold in shops in cities like Victoria. Further, she expresses explicit interest in building on the success of "The Tale of Nativity" by publishing a small booklet of Aboriginal tales, also to be prepared and illustrated by Mr. Stewart's students, which could be sold in a similar manner to her proposed figurines. The later pages of the letter are missing.
Alice Ravenhill
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
Jan.3, 1941