GR-0494
British Columbia
Provincial Secretary
Indian Reserve Commission records
Originals 1876-1878 637 pp
Microfilm (neg.) 1876-1878 675 exp [B11011(1)]
The records in this series consist of correspondence and reports inward from the Indian Reserve Commission (Alexander Caulfield Anderson, Dominion Commissioner, Archibald McKinlay, Provincial Commissioner, and Gilbert Malcolm Sproat, Joint Commissioner) which was agreed to in principle by the governments of British Columbia and Canada in November, 1875, and officially established by federal order-in-council Nos. 444 and 779 of 1876. Copies of correspondence inward to the Lieutenant Governor from the Commissioners and certain correspondence with Dominion Officials is included in the record. The records are as originally filed. In most cases, the original Provincial Secretary's file number may be seen on the first document in a file, eg., for file 3 the number is 664/76.
Researchers interested in the activities of the Commission should also consult Canada. Department of Indian Affairs. Central Registry. (Black Series Western) available at the B.C. Archives on microfilm (reels B00271-B00361), in particular file 3576 (reel B00279) and GR-0495, which contains records relating to the Commission's activities for which provenance is unknown. Sproat's reports to the Minister of the Interior are also available at the B.C. Archives on microfiche Bf-3.
box / file / pages / description1 / 1 / 1-5 / Memorandum of instructions to Archibald McKinlay, B. C. Commissioner on the Indian Reserve Commission, 23 Oct 1876, from Deputy Prov. Secretary
1 / 2 / 6-12 / Charles Good, Dept. Prov. Sec., to Honourable Alexander Mackenzie, [Prime Minister of Canada], 25 Oct 1876, regarding instructions to Indian Reserve Commission
1 / 3 / 13 / Archibald McKinlay to A. C. Elliott, Provincial Secretary, Camp Opposite New Castle Island, Nanaimo, 15 Dec 1876, re itinerary
1 / 4 / 14-15 / Alexander C. Anderson, McKinlay and G. M. Sproat to Elliott, Camp at mouth of Skwanmish River, Howe Sound, 27 Nov 1876
1 / 4 / 16-22 / Minutes of decision (Muskweam and Skwawmish Indians)
1 / 4 / 23 / Tabulation re Muskweam reserves, Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound
1 / 5 / 24-57 / Sproat to Elliott, In Camp, Skwawmish River, Howe Sound, 27 Nov 1876, giving observations on Musqueam and Squamish Indians and their reserves
1 / 6 / 58-77 / Sproat to Elliott, Camp, Thunder Bay, Jervis Inlet, 7 Dec 1876, giving observations on the Sechelt Indians and their reserves
1 / 7 / 78-79 / Sproat to Elliott, Thunder Bay, Jervis Inlet, 7 Dec 1876
1 / 7 / 80-83 / Minute of decision (Sechelt Indians)
1 / 7 / 84 / Tabulation of reserves, Jervis Inlet
1 / 8 / 85-98 / Sproat to Elliott, Comox Vancouver Island, 12 Dec 1876, giving observations on Comox Indians and their reserves
1 / 9 / 99 / McKinlay to Elliott, Nanaimo, 17 Dec 1876, re dispute between Mr. Boyd and Musqueam Indians
1 / 9 / 100-102 / Copy of letter from W. G. Ferris, J.P., to the Commissioners on Indian Reserves
1 / 9 / 103-104 / Extract from Journal of the Indian Reserve Commission - re Musqueam reserve
1 / 10 / 105 / McKinlay to Elliott, Nanaimo, 20 Dec 1876, containing census of Muskweam, Skwamish and Se Shell Indians
1 / 11 / 106 / Anderson, McKinlay and Sproat to Elliott, Camp, Chemainus, 21 Dec 1876, enclosing letter from Dominion Government
1 / 11 / 107-108 / E. H. Meredith, Deputy of the Minister of the Interior (Ottawa) to A. C. Anderson
1 / 12 / 109-123 / Sproat to Elliott, Nanaimo, 20 Dec 1876 giving observations on Qualicum and Nanoose Indians and their reserves
1 / 13 / 124-126 / Anderson, McKinlay and Sproat to Elliott, Horse Shoe Bay, Chemainus, 4 Jan 1877 re Comox and Nanaimo reserves
1 / 13 / 127-128 / Minute of decision (Nanaimo Indians)
1 / 13 / 129 / Schedule of Reserves at Comox and Nanaimo, East Coast of Vancouver Island
1 / 13 / 130-131 / Minute of decision (Comox Indians)
1 / 14 / 132-133 / McKinlay to Elliott, Horse Shoe Bay, Chemainus, 4 Jan 1877, enclosing abstract of census
1 / 14 / 134 / Abstract of census (Muskweams, Skwawmish, She shelt, Comox, Qualicum, Nanoose, Nanaimo)
1 / 15 / 135-169 / Sproat to Elliott, Nanaimo, 20 Dec 1876, giving observations on Nanaimo Indians and their reserves
1 / 16 / 170-173 / Anderson, McKinlay and Sproat to Elliott, Horse Shoe Bay, Chemainus, 7 Jan 1877, re the Pen-a-lak-Kut tribe on Kuper Island and enclosing extracts from Commissioner's journal
1 / 16 / 174-177 / Extract from Journal
1 / 16 / 178-180 / Draft of letter (see pp. 170 - 173) by G. M. Sproat
1 / 16 / 181 / Census 1876 - Chemainus Tribe, signed Geo. Blenkinsop, Census Taker
1 / 17 / 182 / McKinlay and Sproat to Elliott, Horse Shoe Bay, Chemainus, 10 Jan 1877, re two sections of land in Quamichan district owned by Mr. Munro, but occupied by Indians
1 / 17 / 183-184 / Copy of letter from Alex. Munro to the Commissioners, Victoria, 7 Jan. 1877
1 / 18 / 185-199 / Sproat to Elliott, Horse Shoe Bay, Chemainus, 8 Jan 1877, giving observations on the Chemainus Indians and reserves for the Lyacksun of Valdez Island
1 / 19 / 200-203 / Sproat to Elliott, Horse Shoe Bay, Chemainus, 8 Jan 1877, giving observations on the Halalts and their reserve
1 / 20 / 204-211 / McKinlay and Sproat to the Attorney General of British Columbia, Victoria, B.C., 27 Apr 1877, re Victoria Reserve
1 / 21 / 212-214 / McKinlay and Sproat to Elliott, Cowichan, 7 Feb 1877, enclosing correspondence between Mr. Fawcett, Government Agent, Nanaimo, and the Commissioners
1 / 21 / 215 / Extract from a letter from Fawcett, 2 Jan 1877
1 / 21 / 216 / Extract from a letter from Fawcett, 2 Jan 1877
1 / 21 / 217-218 / Copy of a letter from Fawcett, 18 Jan 1877
1 / 21 / 219 / Copy of a letter to Fawcett, 23 Jan 1877
1 / 22 / 220-261 / Report of the proceedings of the Joint Commission signed by Anderson, McKinlay and Sproat, (no date) Report for period 3 Nov 1876 to 11 Mar 1877
1 / 23 / 262-293 / Summarized Report of the Indian Reserve Commissioners acting for the Government of British Columbia, signed by McKinlay and Sproat, dated 27 Mar 1877
1 / 24 / 294 / James Lenihan, Indian Superintendant, to Elliott, New Westminster, 20 Jan 1877, inquiring as to difficulty between the Indians at Kamloops and the Indian Commissioners. (Notation verso)
1 / 25 / 295 / Abstract of Census and Inventory of Live Stock by George Blenkinsop, Census-Taker to the Indian Reserve Commission - between 3 Nov 1876 and 2 Mar 1877 (signed Blenkinsop, Anderson, McKinlay and Sproat)
1 / 26 / 296 / McKinlay and Sproat to Prov. Sec., 26 Apr 1877, enclosing Commisioner's memo and letter from J. Lenihan, Indian Superintendent, regarding future work of the Commission
1 / 26 / 297-298 / Memorandum, 19 Apr 1877
1 / 26 / 299-302 / Lenihan to the Commissioners, 23 Apr 1877
1 / 27 / 303-304 / Sproat to Prov. Sec., 14 May 1877, re Elliott's letter of 12 May on the subject of Sproat's position on the Commission
1 / 28 / 305 / Provincial Commissioners (McKinlay and Sproat) to Provincial Secretary, 16 May 1877, enclosing a letter from Anderson
1 / 28 / 306 / Anderson to McKinlay and Sproat, 16 May 1877, re intelligence about state of Indian feeling in the Interior
1 / 29 / 307 / McKinlay and Sproat to Prov. Sec., 9 Jun 1877, announcing departure for Kamloops
1 / 30 / 308-310 / Sproat to Prov. Sec., Kamloops, 30 Jun 1877, discussing state of Indian feelina in Okanagan
1 / 31 / 311 / McKinlay and Sproat, Kamloops, 2 Jul 1877, re cost of pack train
1 / 32 / 312-314 / McKinlay and Sproat to Prov. Sec., Kamloops,16 Jul 1877, enclosing copy of letter from Messrs. Mara and Tait re state of Indian affairs
1 / 32 / 315-316 / (Copy) Mara and Tait to Commissioners, 13 Jul 1877
1 / 32 / 317-319 / Commissioners to Lieutenant Governor, Kamloops, 16 Jul 1877, re telegram to Ottawa about state of Indian feelings
1 / 33 / 320-321 / McKinlay and Sproat to Prov. Sec., Kamloops, 21 Jul 1877, re attitude of Kamloops chief and of Shuswap Indians
1 / 34 / 322-324 / McKinlay and Sproat to Prov. Sec., Kamloops, 27 Jul 1877, enclosing extract from letter of Commissioners to Sec. of State, Ottawa, dated 27 Jul 1877, re state of Indian feelings
1 / 35 / 325 / McKinlay and Sproat to Prov. Sec., Kamloops, 4 Aug 1877, re progress since last writing
1 / 36 / 326-328 / McKinlay and Sproat to Prov. Sec., Spellumcheen, 22 Aug 1877, re reserves of Shuswap chiefs: Andre - North Thompson; Louis - Kamloops; Ceciasket - Deadman River; Nescanilth - South Thompson; Adrienne - Adams Lake; Louis - Shuswap Lake
1 / 37 / 329-331 / McKinlay and Sproat to Elliott, In camp, Head of Okanagan Lake, 31 Aug 1877, enclosing letters relative to affairs in the district.
1 / 37 / 332-339 / (Copy) David Mills, Minister of the Interior, to Sproat, 3 Aug 1877
1 / 37 / 340-341 / (Copy) J. M. McGuckin, O.M.I., to James Lenihan, Stanley, Lightning Creek, 25 Aug 1877, re arrangements for a rising of Indians at Soda Creek and Williams Lake
1 / 37 / 342 / (Copy) B. H. Fesh to Sproat, Lillooet, 18 Aug 1877, re Indian squatters
1 / 37 / 343-344 / Sproat to Prov. Sec., Head of Okanagan Lake, 31 Aug 1877, re Mills letter of 3 Aug 1877
1 / 38 / 345-348 / McKinlay and Sproat to Elliott, Foot of Okanagan Lake, 24 Oct 1877, re Penticton Indians
1 / 39 / 349-351 / McKinlay and Sproat to Elliott, 28 Sep 1877, re Chilcotin and Nicola Indians
1 / 40 / 352-355 / Sproat to Elliott, Head of Okanagan Lake, 5 Oct 1877, re work of the Commission in the interior of the province
1 / 40 / 356 / McKinlay to Elliot, Head of Okanagan Lake, 5 Oct 1877
1 / 41 / 357 / McKinlay to Elliott, Kamloops, 14 Jul 1877, enclosing letter from McGuckin
1 / 41 / 358 / McGuckin to McKinlay, 9 Jul 1877, re arrival of Commission
1 / 42 / 359-361 / Sproat to Prov. Sec., Cache Creek, 10 Dec 1877, re affairs at Osoyoos, Keremeos and intelligence received during travels
1 / 42 / 362-363 / John Clapperton to Sproat, Nicola, 5 Dec 1877, re Commission's visit to Nicola
1 / 43 / 364-368 / (Copy) Mills to A. N. Richards, Lieutenant Governor, 20 Dec 1877, re method to complete work of the Commission
1 / 44 / 369-371 / Sproat to Lt. Gov., 12 Jan. 1878, re delays in work of commission
1 / 45 / 372-398 / Sproat to Lt. Gov., Victoria, 12 Jan 1878, giving his views on cost of one-man commission, enclosing a memorandum with itemized estimate of costs
1 / 46 / 399-425 / (Copy) Second condensed Report by the Joint Commissioner, 1 Dec 1877, signed G.M. Sproat
1 / 47 / 426-429 / Memorandum signed bv McKinlay and initialed by Sproat 16 Jan 1878, re Mr. Munro's letter on question of trespass (p. 430)
1 / 47 / 430 / Alex. Munro to Elliott, 27 Dec 1877
1 / 47 / 431 / Commissioners to Elliott, enclosing memo and letter (pp. 426 - 430)
1 / 48 / 432-460 / Memorandum on Cowichan Reserve, 20 Jan 1878, initialed by Sproat (includes 2 sketches of reserve before and after 1867 alteration)
1 / 49 / 461-476 / Memorandum and documents re dealings of Commission at Comox, 11 Jan 1878
1 / 50 / 477-478 / Sproat to Lieutenant Governor, 28 Jan 1878, re statement of expenditure of commission
1 / 51 / 479 / Sproat to Lt. Gov., 29 Jan 1878, re cost of commission
1 / 52 / 480 / Recommendation re the Commission
1 / 52 / 481 / Copy of a Report of the Committee of the Privy Council, 8 Mar 1878
1 / 52 / 482-487 / David Mills to the Indian Reserve Commission, 7 Mar 1878, re continuation of work of commission
2 / 53 / 488 / Commissioners to Prov. Sec., 6 Feb 1878, enclosing Report
2 / 53 / 489-549 / Second Condensed Report of the Commission Acting for the Province. 1 Jan 1878, signed McKinlay and Sproat
2 / 54 / 550-552 / McKinlay and Sproat to Prov. Sec., 8 Feb 1878, re survey of boundaries of reserves and water supply to reserves
2 / 55 / 553-557 / McKinlay to Elliott, 13 Feb 1878, remarking on his experience as commissioner and offering his observations on administration of Indian affairs
2 / 56 / 558 / Telegram (copy), Mills to Lt. Gov., 16 Feb 1878, re continuation of Commission
2 / 57 / 559-561 / Lenihan to Elliott, 21 Feb 1878, re visit of fifty chiefs to his office
2 / 58 / 562-565 / Sproat to Attorney General, 23 Feb 1878, re Mr. Marriner's case at Cowichan
2 / 59 / 566-577 / McKinlay to Elliott, 13 Mar 1878, offering further remarks on Indian reserves
2 / 60 / 578-600 / Copy of R. W. Scott, Sec. of State to Lt. Gov. A. N. Richards, 14 Mar. 1878, transmitting reports and orders re Indian Reserve Commission
2 / 61 / 601 / Telegram (copy) D. Mills to Lt. Gov., 15 Mar 1878
2 / 62 / 602-605 / Sproat to Lt. Gov., 16 Mar 1878, re cost of commission
2 / 63 / 606-608 / Sproat to Lt. Gov., 16 Mar. 1878, offering his services as sole commissioner
2 / 64 / 609-611 / Summary of an exchange of telegrams with Ottawa re continuation of work of commission under Sproat
2 / 65 / 612 / Telegram (copy) Mills to Lt. Gov., 4 Apr 1878
2 / 66 / 613 / Telegram (copy) Scott to Lt. Gov., 8 Apr 1878
2 / 67 / 614 / Telegram (copy) Scott to Lt. Gov., 24 Apr 1878
2 / 68 / 615-616 / Scott to Lt. Gov., 12 Jun 1878, re water for irrigation on reserves
2 / 69 / 617 / (Wording for a telegram to Ottawa re unsatisfactory workings of Commission)
2 / 70 / 618 / Sproat to Prov. Sec., 28 Jul 1878, in camp near Ashcroft, re irrigation of reserves (Notation verso)
2 / 71 / 619 / Expense sheet, no date
2 / 72 / 620-629 / Copies of correspondence re Cowichan lands, Jan - Apr 1878. (not Commission's correspondence)
2 / 73 / 630-634 / Memorandum, 10 May 1869, signed Joseph W. Trutch, re land claimed by the Indian Je-chaniult sold by the Government to David Lyall
2 / 73 / 635-637 / Memorandum, 14 May 1869, signed J. W. T (Trutch), re settlement of boundaries of Cowichan reserve by Mr. Pearse
GR-0494 Indian Reserve Commission records 1876-1878
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