This fonds consists of 1,207 photographs, including 852 predominantly black and white negatives and prints, and 355 colour slides.
The majority of the images were taken by Erik Watt between 1950 and 1995. These images fall into two broad groups: those that Erik Watt took during his career as a journalist in the 1950s and 1960s, and those Erik took primarily in the 1980s and 1990s while he was employed in various capacities. The majority of the 1950s-1960s photographs are black and white and show locations within the Northwest Territories, however, images from northern Alberta, northern Manitoba, and northern Quebec complement the overriding theme of Canada's north. A wide range of subject matter is represented in these photographs, including: DEW line operations; educational activities; views of northern communities and people from both the eastern and western arctic; Aboriginal reserves; mining operations; church work in the north; road construction; and special functions such as the official opening of public buildings. The 1980s-1990s photographs are colour slides and primarily document mine sites and infrastructure.
The remainder of the photographs were taken by Erik's father, Frederick Watt, and date between 1929-1933. These images include the first air mail flight to Aklavik, images of floatplanes and pilots, prospecting and staking activities and the establishment of the Cameron Bay settlement and mine. Some of these images were used in Frederick Watt's book "Great Bear: A Journey Remembered".
Watt, Erik