Unknown to Alice Ravenhill (May.4, 1941)
An unknown representative of the Okanagan Society for the Revival of Indian Arts and Crafts (OSRIAC) expresses regret that Ravenhill will not be able to travel to the Okanagan to visit Inkameep. S/he informs her that the OSRIAC was formed to collaborate with the British Columbia Indian Arts and Crafts Welfare Society (BCIACWS), not to supersede it. The writer expresses regret that the BCIACWS will not continue to support the artistic development of Francis Batiste (Sis-hu-lk). Finally, s/he mentions fundraising efforts to send pupils from Inkameep on a trip to Victoria.
Alice Ravenhill
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/1/R19)
May.4, 1941
Anthony Walsh to Alice Ravenhill (May.6, 1941)
Walsh mentions the artistic progress of a former student named Johnny, whose work is being sold and solicited. He suggests a couple changes to “The Tale of the Nativity” and asks Ravenhill if she can get Major Bullock-Webster to arrange for moving pictures to be taken of the plays and photos of the boys in their costumes. He also mentions that the topic of the “Revival of Indian Arts and Crafts” came up recently in a meeting with the Summerland Board of Trade and that, as a result, his students at Inkameep have been invited to put on “an evening of Indian plays.”
Anthony Walsh
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
May.6, 1941
Anthony Walsh to Alice Ravenhill (April 20, 1941)
Anthony Walsh writes that he has attached pictures of artwork by Sis-hu-lk (Frances Baptiste) to this letter that he asks Alice Ravenhill to send on to the Vancouver Art Gallery once she has looked at them. He mentions a Swiss tapestry artist, Miss Kranstoever, who has visited the Inkameep school and produced a study of the Okanagan Indians and urges Ravenhill to invite this artist to exhibit her work at the Gallery. Walsh also refers to "the Indian Committee" [the Okanagan Society for the Revival of Indian Arts and Crafts], which he says is taking shape, and to "our coming play" ["An Indian Nativity Play"] which was performed the following Friday.
Anthony Walsh
Royal BC Museum, BC Archives (F/I/R19)
April 20, 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