User guide for the film Diary for a Place in Time

Transcription

1 User guide for the film Diary for a Place in Time Events relating to a journey to the Queen Charlotte Islands off the North Pacific coast of Canada, during the summer of Studio de L'Atlantique Office national du film du Canada

2 Diary for a Place in Time Synopsis Directed, photographed, edited, written and narrated by JOHN BRETT Associate director JIM HANSON Produced by JOHN BRETT SHELAGH MACKENZIE Executive producer BARRY COWLING 16 mm Color Screening Time: 27:25 16mm: 106C Vidéocassette: 116C Produced by National Film Board of Canada Atlantic Studio Production Distributed by National Film Board of Canada National Fiim Board of Canada Printed in Canada Lush rain forests and abundant marine life in parts of the Queen Charlotte Islands create the illusion of a North American Eden. But this island chain off the northwest coast of British Columbia is no untouched wilderness. In the past two centuries, many people, different industries and competing interests have left their marks on this awesome but vulnerable landscape. In Diary for a Place in Time, a filmmaker supplements museum and archival research with a journey in a sailing-kayak along the southeast coast of the Queen Charlottes, stopping at quiet inlets and sites of past settlement. The camera records decaying Haida totem poles, open-pit mines and the silent rusting remains of a once-busy whaling station. The juxtaposing of archival photos and old film footage with scenes from the present provide both contrast and continuity. But this film does more than illustrate the history of a particular place. It also makes us aware of how we perceive history itself and in what ways it can be pertinent to our own lives. In addition, it tries to trace the relations between economic development, attitudes to the environment and cultural survival. Thought-provoking and visually compelling, Diary for a Place in Time lends itself to many different uses. It can be enjoyed equally by the armchair traveller or the avid outdoorsman. Film and photography buffs will enjoy the creative use of old newsreels and still photos. Héritage and naturalist groups will benefit from this look at an important historic and natural site. In the classroom, the film is particularly useful for Canadian regional and economic history, but is also suitable for native studies, geography, ecology, interpretations of history and language arts. I 2

3 Before screening Situate the film and its subject. Be sure the viewing audience knows the islands' location. Explain that the landscape shown in the film is in the southern part of the Queen Charlottes and is different from that in the north. In schools, teachers of older students may prefer to emphasize the historical aspect, current events or ecology when using this film. In lower grades, students may more readily grasp the images or the artistic forms than the historical content. Discussion questions might include: Canada is referred to as a country "from sea to sea". To what extent is Canada a "Pacific" nation? Can tradition co-exist with economic development? How? Give examples. How is history researched? What roles do photographs and films play in the making and interpretation of history? What makes an account authentic? Is a photographic image more truthful or objective than a written description? I i

4 After screening Schools can benefit from this film! Related NFB productions Discussion questions might include: How have the geography and the natural resources of the southern Queen Charlottes influenced their historical development? Relate this to industrial and agricultural growth in other parts of Canada. Discuss the long-term results of industrial development in the Queen Charlottes and compare that experience with the experience of other areas in Canada. Why do some industries stay put and grow while others decline or move on? Discuss "primary", "secondary" and "tertiary" industries, using examples from the film where appropriate. Discuss the terms "ecology", "environment" and "ecosystem". Consider the Islands as an ecosystem. What has man's effect been on the ecosystem? Have our attitudes towards the environment changed over time? How would histories of the Islands be different if written by an Indian, a whaler, a logging company official or a representative of the government? (A possible classroom activity might be to ask students to write a local history from such different points of view.) History, archaeology, ethnology West Coast Indian culture impact of Europeans on native cultures Chinese and Japanese settlers fur trade, Northwest Passage use of old films, archival photos written documents, museum artifacts Geography, economics and ecology hunting and fishing economies old industries and their decline maps, land titles, Indian land claims winds and currents animals and marine life logging and conservation islands of Canada Creative writing, language arts record keeping, journals, logs different interpretations of history writing history Art art symbols in masks, sculpture artistic use of photos use of art for identification (totems, heraldry, logos, trademarks, etc.) Films Last of the Beothuks A poet and an amateur archaeologist explore the history of a vanished people from different viewpoints. To be released Offshore Oil: Are We Ready? This look at offshore oil's impact on Norway. Scotland and Canada is useful In any study of large resource Industries, particularly in coastal regions minutes 2 seconds, 106C A Visit from Captain Cook Life among the Nootka Indians of Canada's west coast was recorded by an artist who accompanied Captain Cook. A richly illustrated film. 1980, 15 minutes 22seconds. 106C Fixed in Time: A Victorian Album The photos of Oliver Massie Hill, of the prestigious Notman Photographic Studio, documented Halifax of the nineteenth century. The film records some of his tricks of the trade. 1980, 19 minutes 45seconds. 106C Salmon People Old tales of the Raven and Salmon Spirit have a modern counterpart in the story of how man can jeopardize his living from the sea minutes 43 seconds. 106C Paul Kane Goes West In the mid-1800's. artist Paul Kane travelled overland to the Pacific. On his canvas the western Indian tribes come to life. 1972, 14 minutes 28 seconds, 106C The Other Side of the Ledger: An Indian View of the Hudson's Bay Company The Hudson's Bay Company's 300th anniversary was no occasion for joy among Canadian Indians. A hard-hitting film offering a different historical perspective. Two versions: minutes 17seconds, 106C and minutes 22 second s, 106C Available from media centres or the NFB.

5 For further reading NFB offices in Canada Filmstrips History of Canada In Maps 525C C (set of 50 slides and notes) Pacific Canada Series 525C C (set of 80 slides and notes) Includes Captain Cook at Nootka. Indians of Canada 709C C (Multi-media kit, slides, filmstrips, booklets, charts) Includes People of the North Pacific Coast.) Available from your library or from: Maclntyre Educational Media 30 Kelfield St. Rexdale. Ontario M9W 5A2 For ordering call COLLECT: (416) Books Carr. E.H. What Is History?, Penguin (London), This is a good introductory source. See especially Chapter I which explains the connection between facts and interpretation. Howley. James. The Beothuks or Red Indians. (Reprint of original 1915 edition) Coles Publishing Co. (Toronto), The story of the extinction of the Newfoundland Indians and an interesting contrast to the native history of the west coast. Smyly, John and Carolyn. Those Bom at Koona, General Publishing (Toronto), A short overview of Haida Indian culture which includes a detailed reconstruction of the village of Skedans as it was a hundred years ago. Woodstock, George. The Canadians. Harvard University Press (Cambridge) Periodicals The British Colonist The major newspaper in Victoria, British Columbia during the colonial period. It graphically describes the effects of smallpox on the tribes of the northwest coast and reflects the colonial attitude towards the land and its resources. Photographs Curtis. E.S. Portraits from North American Indian Life. Outerbridge and Lazard (New York), One photographer's vision of Indian life before the coming of the European. Head Office Ottawa, Ontario Operational Headquarters Montréal, Québec Telephone: (514) Mailing Address P.O. Box 6100 Montréal, Québec H3C 3H5 Street and Shipping Address 3155 Côte de Liesse Road Saint-Laurent, Québec H4N 2N4 Cable Address Cannatfilm. Montréal, Canada Pacific Région Régional Office 1161 West Georgia Street Vancouver, B.C. V6E 3G4 Telephone: (604) Québec Street Prince George, B.C. V2L 1W6 Telephone: (604) Wharf Street Victoria. B.C. V8W 1T2 Telephone: (604) Prairie Région Régional Office 245 Main Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1A7 Telephones: (204) (office) (204) (film library) P.O. Box 2959 Station M Calgary, Alberta T2P3C3 Telephones: (403) (office) (403) (film library) Centennial Building rd Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5J OG9 Telephone: (403) (403)

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