LITERARY/VISUAL REFERENCES:
[Details within in the Literary/Visual References collections]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------PIONEER POSTCARDS
The most salient aspects of communicating through postcards is to not only to promote tourism but also shape the way people “formulate ideas about travel and sightseeing in the present age of mass spectacle.” Postcards are precious and delicate pieces of memories that tourists’ collect to remember their travel experiences. An array of carefully chosen pioneer postcards shown in this collection depicts British Columbia’s landscape (specifically Vancouver) at its most natural state. The representation of the landscape is centered around the pristine natural environment and wilderness that British Columbia offers.
Order of Images Placed: Arrowhead, B.C., from C.P.R. Steamer; C.P.R. Banff Spring Hotel and Bow Valley. Banff. Canadian Rockies; Roadway, Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C.; Brockton Pt., Stanley Park
OLDEST SURVIVING POSTCARDS
Postcards from Vancouver Postcard Club
Vancouver Postcard Club site has a small collection of the oldest surviving picture postcards of British Columbia.
"BRITISH COLUMBIA: ITS HISTORY, PEOPLE, COMMERCE, INDUSTRIES, AND RESOURCES" (1912)
This book by Henry J. Boam documents the history of British Columbia, from the natural landscape to the economic growth, up to 1912. The book covers every region in British Columbia. For the scope of this exhibition, the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby are the main focus. What is interesting is how the land was described from a settler's perspective. For instance, a description of Burrard Inlet was described in this way: "Here, under the shelter of the high mountains of the Coast Range, the largest steamers can lie in safety...". Similarly, a description of the city of Burnaby states that small communities are starting to form in the thick forested region and how "building is being industrially proceeded with." These descriptions encompasses the relationship that European settlers had with the land. They saw what would benefit them economically without any consideration of the consequences of their actions.
"VOYAGES AROUND THE WORLD; BUT MORE PARTICULARLY TO THE NORTH-WEST COAST OF AMERICA" (1789)
This book is an account by George George Dixon of his many expeditions to various places around the world. A quote by Dixon captures the attitude of that time: “Through a knowledge of this circumftance is of the utmoft importance to all perfons who are engaged in a feafaring life, and therefore can never be made too public…”. The romantic era of Great Britain saw the rise of exploration to various locations across the globe. Although gaining new information about the world was part of the reason of these expeditions, the main goal was to expand the reach of Great Britain in many places. The arrival on these “new” lands resulted in the exploitation of the natural resources and the deaths of many Indigenous people. In British Columbia, we are still currently in the process of reconciling with the land and the Indigenous people for the effects of colonization. Dixon’s quote serves as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge does not have to come with exploiting the land and the people who live on it.
INDIGENOUS LAND CLAIM LETTERS
In these letters from 1909 and 1910, leaders of indigenous groups in the Skeena River area actively respond to the Canadian government's efforts to create a reserve in the region and firmly assert their sovereignty over the territory.Please go to:LITERARY/VISUAL REFERENCE to access this collection.