NWT Archives launches Bishop Sovereign collection of early 20th century photographs

January 8, 2025

A new collection of 133 rare Northern photographs depicting early airplanes, sternwheelers, and people and places throughout the Northwest Territories (NWT), Yukon, and northern Alberta from the 1900’s to 1950’s is now publicly available.

The photographs are from the Bishop Arthur Henry Sovereign fonds, which were transferred to NWT Archives from the Museum and Archives of Vernon. They were created and collected by the Anglican Bishop Sovereign through his term as Bishop of Athabasca.

Bishop Arthur Henry Sovereign was originally from Ontario. In 1932, he was appointed the Anglican Bishop of Athabasca and moved to Peace River, Alberta serving the Athabascan region which covered 600,000 square miles consisting of the Northwest Territories and northern Alberta. Bishop Sovereign travelled throughout the region supervising and developing churches, parish halls, and mission cottages until his retirement in 1950 in Vernon, British Columbia.

Bringing Northern archival material back to the NWT is part of archives’ efforts for “best fit” – ensuring collections are held in repositories that are most appropriate. The NWT Archives has digitized, described, and made these rare photographs available online in their database. For the next two months, selections from the Bishop Sovereign fonds will be shared on the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and NWT Archives Facebook page.

Quote

“I am pleased to see that this Northern collection has come back to the Northwest Territories. Through the NWT Archives database, Northerners can access them no matter where they live. I appreciate the work of the Museum and Archives of Vernon and NWT Archives to make Northern archival material accessible to residents.”

– Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick Facts

• The NWT Archives has over 115,000 images available online.
• The NWT Archives regularly posts archival photos online on Facebook, in many cases looking for identifications of unidentified people. If you recognize anyone or anything in a photo, you can contact nwtarchives@gov.nt.ca
• The NWT Archives collects, preserves, and provides access to records that document the history of the Northwest Territories regardless of format. Archives include both records of the Government of the Northwest Territories and those created by private individuals and organizations.

Related Links

• Bishop Arthur Henry Sovereign fonds
• Find photos and other records in the NWT Archives
• Museum and Archives of Vernon
• Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and NWT Archives Facebook page

For media requests, please contact:
Briony Grabke
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
briony_grabke@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9352  Ext. 71073

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