Alec Thomas
Encyclopedia
Alec Thomas was born around 1894 near Alberni, British Columbia
, Canada
. He was a fisherman, trapper, longshoreman, logger, interpreter, self-taught anthropologist, and Tseshaht
politician.
In 1910, anthropologist Edward Sapir
was collecting data on native people in the Port Alberni area. Following the example of Franz Boas
, a famous American anthropologist, Sapir was looking for translators who could interview people and write down their answers. Alec Thomas was just out of school, but was bilingual and could translate. He became interested in Sapir's work and collected anthropological and linguistic information for him for more than 20 years. He has been described as one of the most productive indigenous linguists in North America.
Wilfred Robinson stated, "Alec held one of the last traditional potlatches. It was at athlmaqtleis, Dodd Island and lasted several days. This was probably at the time he worked for Sapir…..He documented potlatch
es. His work was better documented than a lot of anthropologists.”
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was a fisherman, trapper, longshoreman, logger, interpreter, self-taught anthropologist, and Tseshaht
Tseshaht First Nation
Tseshaht First Nation is an amalgamation of many tribes up and down Alberni Inlet and in the Alberni Valley of central Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. They are a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council which includes all other Nuu-chah-nulth-aht peoples except...
politician.
In 1910, anthropologist Edward Sapir
Edward Sapir
Edward Sapir was an American anthropologist-linguist, widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the early development of the discipline of linguistics....
was collecting data on native people in the Port Alberni area. Following the example of Franz Boas
Franz Boas
Franz Boas was a German-American anthropologist and a pioneer of modern anthropology who has been called the "Father of American Anthropology" and "the Father of Modern Anthropology." Like many such pioneers, he trained in other disciplines; he received his doctorate in physics, and did...
, a famous American anthropologist, Sapir was looking for translators who could interview people and write down their answers. Alec Thomas was just out of school, but was bilingual and could translate. He became interested in Sapir's work and collected anthropological and linguistic information for him for more than 20 years. He has been described as one of the most productive indigenous linguists in North America.
Wilfred Robinson stated, "Alec held one of the last traditional potlatches. It was at athlmaqtleis, Dodd Island and lasted several days. This was probably at the time he worked for Sapir…..He documented potlatch
Potlatch
A potlatch is a gift-giving festival and primary economic system practiced by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada and United States. This includes Heiltsuk Nation, Haida, Nuxalk, Tlingit, Makah, Tsimshian, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka'wakw, and Coast Salish cultures...
es. His work was better documented than a lot of anthropologists.”