Stefansson Arctic Collection-Glass plate negatives

This collection is comprised of 282 glass plate negatives from the Stefansson collection of Arctic photographs that document Arctic exploration and Inuit culture in the early 20th century. Many of the negatives relate to the Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913-1918). They include images of flora, fauna, earthen and snow covered landscapes, ice formations, indigenous housing, clothing, hunting and fishing practices, as well as many individual and group shots of scientists, Inuinnait individuals (referred to as "Copper Eskimos") and other Inuit. Within the collection are two sequential sets; the first, showing construction of a snow house (igloo), and the second converting a sledge to a sled boat. Images of native culture are contrasted with those of early to mid-20th century industry, including hydraulic mining, logging, reindeer herding, and agriculture. Additionally, there are images of mission settlements in Alaska and the North West Territories, aerial photography, archeology digs at Osterbygd, Greenland, and a few from Stefansson's 1923-24 trip to Australia.