To the Charlottes: George M. Dawson's 1878 Survey of the Queen Charlotte Islands (The Pioneers of British Columbia, Vol 10)

Haida Gwai, the Queen Charlotte Islands, occupy a special place in the natural and human history of the northwest coast of North America. Separated from the mainland by many kilometres of water, they retain a distinctness that reflects millennia of isolation. The area was still relatively untouched by European exploration when, in the summer of 1878, the young geologist George M. Dawson arrived there on behalf of the Geological Survey of Canada. One of the field scientists of his time, Dawson drew maps, collected fossils, plant and insect specimens, and investigated the ethnology of the native people. His personal interest in native culture makes his reports and private journals interesting. Ironically, Dawson's belief that it was in the interest of the natives to give up their way of life in order to become integrated into Canadian society made him realize the importance of preserving a record of their cultures. He collected artifacts and took photographs which have become widely known for their early depictions of Haida villages and architecture.