First Nations Baskets at salishan Place by the River

Catalogue Number
958.92.01

Inventory number
246

Object Name
Tray with Gnats & Stars

Basketmaker
Mrs. Louis, North Shore First Nation, Squamish Peoples 1

Design Description

Gnats & Stars: design could be one or combination of three; gnats or stars are the individual five-stitch, which make up a larger design which could be a butterfly or star

Shape and Use

Tray, Rectangular with Handles

Weave

Coiled Slats, Imbricated, with Handles

Materials

Split cedar root & slats; bark of the chokecherry, natural red, treated dyed black; bear grass, sun-bleached white

Culture

Coast Salish (stated by donor), Mrs. Louis, North Shore FN (Squamish Peoples); see below for possible connection to Secwepmc peoples of Adams Lake

History

Donor: Mrs. J.L. Kingswood

Catalogue Number
958.92.02

Inventory number
247

Object Name
Mountain Treeline Storage Basket

Basketmaker
Mrs. Louis, North Shore First Nation, Squamish Peoples 1

Design Description

Perhaps a Mountain Treeline; Red Triangles on bases of Black and White

Shape and Use

Storage or berry, rectangular, flared top

Weave

Coiled Slats, imbricated

Materials

Split cedar root; inner bark of the chokecherry, natural red, treated dyed black, bear grass, sun-bleached white

Culture

Coast Salish (stated by donor), Mrs. Louis, North Shore FN (Squamish Peoples); see below for possible connection to Secwepmc peoples of Adams Lake

History

Donor: Mrs. J.L. Kingswood

Catalogue Number
958.92.03

Inventory number
248

Object Name
Stepped Ladder Bowl

Basketmaker
Mrs. Louis, North Shore First Nation, Squamish Peoples 1

Design Description

Stepped Ladder, red & white, black & white; similar to LCM Basket 993.21.31, and one in UBC-MOA

Shape and Use

Large bowl, round, flared to top; one handle remains at top

Weave

Coiled Slats, Imbricated with Handles, one handle missing

Materials

Split cedar root & slats; bark of the chokecherry, natural red, treated dyed black; bear grass, sun-bleached white

Culture

Coast Salish (stated by donor), Mrs. Louis, North Shore FN (Squamish Peoples); see below for possible connection to Secwepmc peoples of Adams Lake

History

Donor: Mrs. J.L. Kingswood

Notes

I cannot find any record of a J.L. Kingswood; however, I did find one for Irene Lillian H. (nee Andrews) Kingswood, wife of Walter Henry Kingswood. They were married in 1930 and they donated these baskets to the Native Sons in 1946. Nothing else is known of the Kingwoods, except that the donor lived in Langley. My research on the Kingswood families of BC shows, of very few Kingswoods, that there was a John and Millie from Chase, BC. Millie (nee Proteau) was a member of the Adams Lake Band around Chase, and a possible relationship with Mrs. Louis of North Vancouver could be the source of this basket. The aboriginal peoples of the Chase area are the Secwepemc, more commonly known as Shuswap. I know nothing of their basketry, except that they did make coiled cedar root baskets so, if Mrs. Louis did have Shuswap connections, this could be a design from either Secwepmc or Squamish. Millie was a Poteau1 or Proteau, of which there are many members in the Adams Lake/Chase area. I speculate that these baskets may have come from her as gifts or trades with relatives or friends. Millie Poteau Kingswood was born Aug 15, 1894 in Chase, BC. She was a member of the Adams Lake Reserve near Chase, and must have been previously married, as she had at least one daughter, Cecile Sampolio, also from Adams Lake. It is not known when she married John Kingswood, but they probably lived in Chase until he had to go into extended care in Kamloops, and he died there in 1986. Despite some years of heart trouble, Millie moved back to Adams Lake Reserve, probably with her daughter, until about a week before her death, when she passed away on Christmas Eve, 1987, at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. She was 93. Her daughter Cecile had her interred at the Adams Lake Cemetery on Dec. 31st, 1987. John Kingswood was born Feb 23, 1902 in Norway, and emigrated at an unknown date to Canada, to eventually go to work in Kamloops for the City Water Works. He may have been married previously to wedding Millie Poteau, but the name of his first wife is unknown. John and Millie resided at 117 Hillside Avenue in Chase, until he had to enter the Overlander Extended Care Hospital in Kamloops. John suffered from severe heart disease, and after contracting pneumonia, he passed away at age 84 on March 22, 1986. His stepdaughter Cecile Sampolio signed his death certificate, and John’s remains were cremated in Kamloops. There are still Sampolios living in Chase, so it is hopeful that we can learn more of John and Millie, and whether they were related to the donor of these baskets. There is also a G.L. Kingswood in Coquitlam, BC, so there may be information from that person. Please refer to the Kingswoods for a complete biography. Original LCM Website information: Code 248 Catalogue Number 958.92.3 Year Acquired 1958 Description Round basket. Base is 12.25" x 12.25" General Comments One handle is missing History Comments Made by Mrs. Louis of the North Shore First Nations. Was originally part of the Fort Langley collection compiled by the Native Sons, and was transferred to the LCM on May 29, 1958. Originally donated in 1946, month unknown.

Catalogue Number
959.12.01

Inventory number
142

Object Name
Thunderbird or Eagle Basket

Basketmaker
Christina James or Mary Ann James Graham (most likely Christina James)

Design Description

Thunderbirds, eagles, or birds, wings folded down, alternating red and black, two lines per bird outline; on length sides: two rows of four birds, one row above the other. On width sides: two rows of two birds, one above the other. Each bird head is looking in the opposite direction of the ones adjoining and beside them.

Length

Approximately 12 inches or 30.28 cm

Width

Approximately 6 inches or 15 cm

Height

Approximately 12 inches or 30.28 cm

Shape and Use

General storage; rectangular and deep, flared from bottom to top. Not an apparent "burden" or "berry basket," as it has no handles, handle holes, or tumpline attachments. Good condition; no apparent use or disuse

Weave

Coiled bundled; imbricated

Materials

Split cedar root; inner bark of the chokecherry, natural red and dyed Black

Culture

N'laka'pamux, specifically North Bend

History

This basket is not part of the Pearson Collection, it was examined in the first phase of this project because it appears in the James basket photos.

It was donated on June 15, 1959, by Ms. Eileen H. Beaumont. The description provided by the donor was as follows:

"This basket, about whose origin I know nothing, was used as an exhibit in a murder trial at Merritt over thirty years ago. When the office was moved a number of articles were burned and this was rescued by a bystander who recognized its value."

John Haugen feels that this may have been the Sterling murder trial, but more research must be done to confirm this. In any case, this basket is definitely a James basket, as it is featured in all of the James basket photos of 1938.

Notes

This basket was brought to my attention during my analysis of the Pearson Collection. It had been identified as one of the baskets in the James photos. There are five known James basket photos.

John Haugen is the lands coordinator for Lytton First Nations; he also works with community elders in recording history; and has a special interest in Fraser Canyon basketry.

Catalogue Number
960.05.01

Inventory number
379

Object Name
Snake Tracks Storage Bowl

Basketmaker
Mary (or Mari) of North Vancouver First Nation (Squamish Peoples)

Design Description

Fully imbricated with Snake Tracks facing each other; Black, White, Red, White, Black; also bottom is imbricated with necklace or line design

Shape and Use

Storage or berry, oblong, flared top with broken handles

Weave

Coiled bundled, fully imbricated

Materials

Split cedar root; bark of the chokecherry, natural red, treated dyed black, bear grass, sun-bleached white

Culture

Squamish, perhaps with Nlaka’pamux influence

History

Donor: Miss Jean Munro Davidson, (from collector Mrs. H. Davidson), Fort Langley

Notes

Design appears very similar to LCM 960.15.01, but there is only a remote possibility it is the same basket maker, as materials, weave, and donor are different. The Davidson family has a history in BC that goes back to the 1890’s, to the pioneering days of Langley, Richmond & Vancouver Jean is the daughter of Hugh & Margaret Davidson; related to the Riddells, granddaughter of Robert McRoberts McKee, and grand-niece of Hugh McRoberts and the McCleery brothers, some first pioneers & homesteaders of Vancouver & Richmond.. Miss Davidson’s family history also ties her to RP Rithet, - her middle name is for Rithet’s wife -, and encompasses much of BC’s pioneering industries, including homesteading, farming, fishing, and canneries as well as the grocery business and coal mining. Hugh Davidson and his friend & partner Robert Riddell came to BC from Ontario to homestead, build a general store, and work at various management jobs around BC and Alberta. The two men worked often for RP Rithet, a Scottish businessman who made his home in Victoria, but who had interests all over BC and the USA, especially in BC salmon and Hawaiian sugar. They started a general store in Langley which they later sold to two Ontario friends, Berry & Coulter, at Murray’s Corner. Davidson and Riddell became even closer when they married the McKee sisters, daughters of Langley Reeve & lumberman Robert McRoberts McKee and Esther McCleery. Hugh married Margaret, and Robert married Hester. Both families had three or four children, some of whom carried on their family traditional occupations. Davidson and Riddell worked for Rithet in Victoria for a time, but also worked as cannery and mine managers, perhaps through Rithet’s interests. They kept their Langley homesteads, and always went back there to farm for a living. Davidson’s son and daughter John and Jean provided their family information to the LCM during personal interviews and in the donor information. Jean was the one who donated the family baskets in 1959-60. Her donation of baskets is part of a true Langley heritage that shows the mobility of her father and the richness of their family interests in BC. The three baskets encompass very different native cultures, and all tell a story. Please refer to the Jean Davidson biography to experience the full story of their family. LCM Accession Info: Donor, Jean Davidson, (Mrs. H. Davidson), Fort Langley; see information above (959.5.2 & .3) Original LCM Website information: Code 379 Catalogue Number 960.5.1 Year Acquired 1960 Description Very fine First Nations basket in shades of rust black and tan on a yellow background. History Comments Acquired by Mrs. H. Davidson in 1920 from the North Vancouver First Nations Reserve. It was made by "Mari"

Catalogue Number
984.27.01

Inventory number
5399

Object Name
Mouth or Funeral Box Large Berry Basket

Basketmaker
Likely Rose Oppenheim or her mother Hannah Oppenheim

Design Description

Facing Mouths, or Funeral Box, typical of Nlaka’pamux; Red & Black lines

Shape and Use

Storage or Berry, Rectangular, Flared Top

Weave

Coiled Bundled, Imbricated

Materials

Split cedar root; bark of the chokecherry, natural red, treated dyed black, bear grass, sun-bleached white

Culture

Nlaka’pamux, most likely Spuzzum or Lower Fraser Canyon

History

Donors: Mr. & Mrs. John Davison Manley, Vancouver Collector: Probably J.D.’s mother, Margaret Ellen Senkler Manley, or possibly Mayor Charles Stanford Douglas, J.D.’s grandfather

Notes

Not a whole lot is known of John Davison Manley, but there is information on his family, as he donated some family papers to the Vancouver Archives in 1978. The Manleys have been around Vancouver since the beginning of the 20th century. John’s father was Lt. Davison Barrett Manley. DB and his brother Lt. John Fitzpayne Manley were the sons of Elizabeth Fisher & Frederick Manley of Ontario. Elizabeth was likely a widow when she married Charles Stanford Douglas, 13th Mayor of Vancouver in 1909. Aside from his mayorship, CS Douglas was a realtor, journalist, crematorium owner, and former mining broker. He was a widower who had his wife’s niece and nephew, named Fisher, living with him, and Elizabeth may have been a relative of CS’s late wife, as she had the maiden name Fisher. The Douglas family lived in a well-to-do area of Vancouver close to Stanley Park and employed three servants, a housemaid, chauffeur, and cook. Davison was working as an insurance accountant, John was attending law school, and Charles Fisher followed his uncle, employed as a real estate agent. This privileged lifestyle did not prevent tragedy from entering their lives, however. Lt. Davison Barrett Manley served in France with the 19th Battalion, the Canadian Highlanders, First Division between 1914 and 1917. Lt. John Fitzpayne Manley was a member of the 72nd Battalion, the Seaforth Highlanders, and in 1915, he signed up with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces for Overseas duty. He was killed on April 9, 1917, on the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Sadly, CS Douglas died six days after JF was killed. It must have been hard on the family to deal with two funerals at once. However, Elizabeth lived to see her remaining son’s wedding. Davison Manley married Margaret Ellen Senkler in 1920. It is not known whether they had any other children than John Davison, but if he was born shortly after the marriage, then JD Manley would have known his grandmother Elizabeth before her death in 1927. Margaret Senkler was the daughter of barrister John Harold Senkler, the granddaughter of Lt. Gov. Arthur Norton Richards, and grand-niece of Supreme Court Justice Sir William Buell Richards. The Senklers were also a privileged family in Vancouver, which employed three servants. One of these servants was their housemaid, Rose Oppenheim, the daughter of German Jewish immigrant Louis Oppenheim, and Hannah Nukwa Oppenheim, the daughter of Spuzzum chief Osamote. I believe that this basket originated with Rose, made either by her, her mother Hannah, or her Spuzzum relatives. The basket is of classic Nlaka’pamux weave and design, and I have found no other connection to the Fraser Canyon peoples aside from the one with Rose. For more information, please refer to the family biographies of Rose Oppenheim, and John Davison Manley. Rose Oppenheim There is a long family history for Rose. She was born about 1879, to a German Jewish gold seeker & merchant, and a Spuzzum chief’s daughter, who very likely came from Nlaka’pamux basketmakers. Rose was the second youngest daughter of Louis and Hannah Oppenheim, who had eight children in Yale, BC. Her elderly father died when she was ten, and her mother remarried a Nicola rancher six years later. Hannah had two children with Eli Martel. Rose and her sisters were fortunate to attend All Hallows School, and would have carried the lessons from there throughout their lives. By the time Rose was 21, all of her siblings were working away from home except the four youngest. Rose worked as a housemaid for the Senkler family, and it is likely during her employment for them that she may have given or sold this basket to them. The basket may have been made by Rose herself, by her mother, or her Spuzzum relatives. Rose was 23 when she married her first husband, John Mitchell. He passed away a year or so before her second marriage to Edward Christafferson in 1913. He died in 1939, but she lived on to be 95, passing away in Nanaimo, 1976. Rose had four children. Original LCM Website information: Code 5399 Catalogue Number 984.27.1 Year Acquired 1984 Description Coast Salish storage basket, with cherry bark imbrication. General Comments lid in storage, basket on exhibit 12/97. Aug. 2004 - The basket lid was found on 55-76 broken in 6 pieces. [Note: the lid referred to probably does not belong to this basket.]

Catalogue Number
993.21.14

Inventory number
4323

Object Name
Three-Flower Spray Basket

Basketmaker
Christina James or Mary Ann James Graham (most likely Christina James)

Design Description

Basket has three distinct James-style flowers. The top two are joined by tendrils to the bottom one. Each flower has eight petals, or four double petals. Each double petal has one tendril leading from its centremost point, plus each outermost (to the basket) has one tendril leading out from it. The top left flower is red and white, with five tendrils extending from it. Each tendril contains a white spot inside the bud point; all tendrils are red except the bottom tendril furthest left, which is black.

The top right flower is black and white with five tendrils extending from it. Each tendril contains a white spoit inside its bud point; all tendrils are black except the middle tendril on the bottom which is red. Each of the top two flowers has a bottom tendril which connects to a black and white flower with no tendrils at the bottom of the basket.

Each end of basket has two red and white flowers, one above the other; each bottom flower has two tendrils, one black (right), and one red (left). Tendrils at the ends of the basket have no white spoit inside their bud points

Length

35 cm

Width

50.5 cm

Height

32.5 cm

Shape and Use

General storage; rectangular and deep; flared from bottom to top; does not appear to a "burden" or "berry basket," as it has no handles, handle holes, or tumpline attachments

Weave

Coiled bundled; imbricated

Materials

Split cedar root; inner bark of the chokecherry, (naturally red; dyed black); bear grass (sun-bleached white)

Culture

N'laka'pamux, North Bend

History

Donor: Mrs. Aida Freeman; collected by her mother Mrs. Kathleen Edith Pearson Southwell

Notes

This is the basket which began the whole chain of events that led to this project. It is the one that former curator Lisa Codd first spotted in the Mary Ann James photo in 2004.

Catalogue Number
993.21.07

Inventory number
4316

Object Name
Diagonal Lines Basket

Basketmaker
Unknown, but very similar to Emma Florence basket in Yale

Design Description

Bowl has diagonal lines from bottom to top, each consisting of one strip of red, white and black; foot has coils with black beads alternating with plain

Width

19 cm

Height

8.75 cm

Shape and Use

Small bowl with two-coil foot, and handles of one coil; good condition, no apparent use or disuse

Weave

Coiled bundled; imbricated. Foot is imbricated two coils

Materials

Split Cedar Root; Inner Bark of the Chokecherry - Natural Red, Treated Dyed Black. Bear Grass, sun-bleached white

Culture

N'laka'pamux, most likely Boston Bar if by Emma Florence; or North Bend or Lower Fraser Canyon

History

Donor: Mrs. Aida Freeman; collected by her mother Mrs. Kathleen Edith Pearson Southwell

Catalogue Number
993.21.20

Inventory number
4329

Object Name
Arrowhead Trivet

Basketmaker
Rosie Charlie

Design Description

Arrowheads pointing outwards, radiating from the centre of trivet; arrows alternate in red and black; six in total

Width

16.2 cm

Height

1 cm

Shape and Use

Trivet, used as a coaster or hot pot mat

Weave

Coiled bundled; imbricated

Materials

Split cedar root; inner bark of the chokecherry (naturally red, dyed black)

Culture

N'laka'pamux from Spuzzum, and later Yale

History

Donor: Mrs. Aida Freeman; collected by her mother Mrs. Kathleen Edith Pearson Southwell

Catalogue Number
996.02.01

Inventory number
6046

Object Name
Six-Star Tray

Basketmaker
Mrs. Susan, wife of Old Louis, Chehalis

Design Description

Six-Pointed Stars made of six checkered arrows each; in two rows of three, adjoining; two red stars on left, two black stars in centre, two red stars on right. Also includes an underlying herringbone pattern in white. This basket is of the usual composition of a tray, very well and sturdily made, and appears in pristine, unused condition. The design is relatively unique. I have only seen this star on one other basket, which is in a private collection in Yale. Though it appears very similar to the Jewish Star of David, it is unknown if there is any relationship to that symbol. Since this is one of the very few baskets where we know the name of the maker, it is unfortunate that we have been unable to find out any more about her at this time. However, we will continue to pursue the clues given about Mrs. Susan, and hope to fill out her profile later

Shape and Use

Tray, Rectangular, with Handles; Bottom & Sides of Cedar Slats

Weave

Coiled cedar slat bottom & sides, imbricated

Materials

Split cedar root; bark of the chokecherry, natural red, treated dyed black, bear grass, sun-bleached white

Culture

Nlaka’pamux, Chehalis BC, Salish (both Interior and Coast)

History

Donor: Mary Peters Collectors: Brenda Dingwall from Pearl Fennell, Deroche The provenance of this basket is recorded as being given as a gift to Brenda Dingwall by Pearl Fennell of Deroche, BC. From there it went to Mary Peters, who donated it to the LCM in 1996 and stated that it was made by Mrs. Susan, wife of Old Louis of Chehalis

Notes

The basket may have been originally collected by John and Elizabeth Fennell, or their son James Norris Fennell; as these were the only Fennells living near the Deroche area where the original recorded collector Pearl Fennell lived. It is not known how Pearl would have been related to them, as James may have been their only son. Though they likely had relatives, there were many other Fennells in BC concurrent with them. The only record found of Pearl Fennell is a mention in Daphne Sleigh’s book on Deroche, and nothing else is known of her at this time. Neither is anything known of Brenda Dingwall, Mary Peters, or Mrs. Susan. John and Bessie Fennell were born in England and Ireland respectively. They arrived in Canada at different times, and probably met and married in Ontario, where their son James Norris was born. James probably came to BC first, as he was working as a bridge man in Revelstoke in 1901. At some time before 1911 the family moved to a farm in Mission Junction. James was in his 40’s when he signed up for overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in 1916, and was assigned to the 131st Battalion. He must have arrived in BC by April 4th, 1917, because he was in the Vancouver Hospital for 10 days before he died on April 14th. He most likely sustained injuries in France and was sent home. His mother died a month before he did and his father passed away in 1920. From LCM Website: Code 6046 Catalogue Number 996.2.1 Year Acquired Description Basket work serving tray. History Comments This tray given to Brenda Dingwall by Pearl Fennell of Deroche, BC. Tray made by Mrs. Susan, wife of Old Louis, Chehalis Indians. Susan died in the 1950 or 60's