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Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19604

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their p…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah Location of Interview: Nalliah family home Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 68 min., 6 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Ruth (Angela) Nalliah with husband Samuel Nalliah WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this interview (00:40:58 – 00:57:31) regarding the Tamil genocide may be upsetting to some people.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their parentage, place of birth (Sri Lanka), spoken language and education. Sam Nalliah shares details on his education while living in Sri Lanka, his later education in Wales where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and his migration to Halifax in 1978 after obtaining a job at Dalhousie University as a systems analyst. Sam conveys how he decided to relocate from Halifax to Vancouver in 1986 and started his employment with BC Tel. Angela Nalliah shares details on her education and employment after immigrating to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1986. Angela conveys how she first lived in Ottawa, moved to Toronto in 1989 where she began working for TD bank and moved to Vancouver in 1999. 00:13:31 – 00:20:03 Sam Nalliah talks about how he and his wife Angela first met and married in 1999 and moved to Vancouver. Sam shares information on where his other family members immigrated to and why he decided to immigrate to Canada. Angela shares information on other members of her family who immigrated to Canada before her and how her uncle sponsored them all to come. 00:20:04 – 00:29:30 Sam provides further details regarding his family make up including; his first wife, his daughters (born in 1983 and 1985), his step daughter (born in 1991) and his youngest daughter (born in 2000). Sam tells how he worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Sam provides locations of homes that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver. Sam and Angela describe what they liked about living in Burnaby, where their daughter attended school and where they did their shopping. 00:29:31 – 00:32:11 Angela talks about working for Prospera Credit Union from 2003 after TD bank downsized. Sam describes how they rented out their house in Vancouver and lived in a rental home in Burnaby that was owned by the City of Burnaby. Sam and Angela recollect the time period that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver before deciding to move to Surrey in 2015. 00:32:12 – 00:35:59 Sam and Angela provide details regarding their daughter’s post-secondary education and careers. Angela talks about her social activities, volunteer work and involvement with the Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia, the Women’s Network as well as the Westminster Bible Chapel Church in Burnaby and the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church in Surrey. 00:36:00 – 00:40:57 Sam recalls hearing Prime Minster Pierre Elliott Trudeau speak about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at Dalhousie University and the effect that his speech made on him. Sam talks about joining the National Democratic Party when Peter Julian was elected as a Member of Parliament for Burnaby. 00:40:58 – 00:57:31 (WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this portion of the interview may be upsetting to some people) Sam and Angela speak about their involvement with the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC). Angela describes the brutal violence that she witnessed while living in Sri Lanka during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide in the 1980’s. Sam and Angela recollect and discuss their views and actions pertaining to the MV Sun Sea incident where a Thai cargo ship carrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to British Columbia were identified as terrorists by the Canadian Government and held in detention facilities. 00:57:32 – 01:08:07 Sam reflects on what he likes about Burnaby. Angela and Sam talk about Hindu temples attended by many Tamil and Sri Lankan people living in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Angela talks about the many cultural events and celebrations that are celebrated within the Tamil and Sri Lankan community including the Pongal Festival. Angela and Sam reflect on how grateful they are to be residents of Canada.

History: Interviewees biographies: Samuel (Sam) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1949. Sam immigrated to Halifax in 1977 after obtaining a position as a systems analyst at Dalhousie University. In 1986, Sam sponsored his parents to come to Canada. In 1986, after being introduced to the milder weather in Victoria, Sam decided to move to British Columbia. He moved to Burnaby in 1990 and began working for BC Tel in Burnaby. Following his job at BC Tel, Sam worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Ruth (Angela) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1964 and immigrated to Canada in 1986. As a Tamil living in Sri Lanka in the 1980’s Angela witnessed first hand the brutal violence during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide. In 1986 Angela was relieved to be able to immigrate to Canada after being sponsored by her uncle. Angela first lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto before marrying Samuel Nalliah in Ottawa in 1999 and the couple moved to Burnaby. Angela worked for TD bank in both Toronto and Vancouver until it downsized in 2003 and she began working for Prospero Credit Union. While living in Burnaby, Angela attended the Westminster Bible Chapel and after moving to Surrey she became a member of the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church. Sam and Angela Nalliah have four daughters and since moving to British Columbia they’ve lived in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. Both Sam and Angela are involved with the Tamil Cultural Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) as well as participates in Sri Lankan and Tamil community cultural events. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Events - Festivals; Government; Government - Federal Government; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Political Parties; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions; Religions - Christianity; Religions - Hinduism; Rights; Rights - Human Rights; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues - Discrimination

Names: Nalliah, Ruth "Angela"; Nalliah, Samuel "Sam"; Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC); Westminster Bible Chapel; Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia (TCSBC)

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0008_003.mp3

Interview with Shanaz Khan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20284

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1956-2023] (interview content), interviewed 24 Sep. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (65 min., 54 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (63 min., 54 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shanaz Khan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum registrar Rajdeep on September 24, 2023. 00:00:00- 00:09:59 Shanaz Khan shares information about herself, her family and life in Fiji before she immigrated to Vancouver in 1972 and her fi…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (65 min., 54 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (63 min., 54 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewee: Shanaz Khan Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: September 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:05:54 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shanaz Khan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum registrar Rajdeep on September 24, 2023. 00:00:00- 00:09:59 Shanaz Khan shares information about herself, her family and life in Fiji before she immigrated to Vancouver in 1972 and her first experiences after immigrating to Vancouver including where her family lived, her work as an accountant for major banks in Vancouver, training and working as a chef and living in Surrey and Vancouver. 00:10:00 - 00:14:59 Shanaz shares experiences in her career as an accountant working in Vancouver and Tumbler Ridge and her experiences of racism that she faced in her workplace. Shanaz talks about her life after retirement and her volunteer work. 00:015:00 - 00:22:53 Shanaz talks about her life in Burnaby for the last 19 years and what she likes about living here. Shanaz recollects locations of stores in Vancouver where her family shopped to find traditional foods and where her family lived after immigrating. Shanaz shares some of her favourite traditional foods. 00:22:54 - 00:37:41 Shanaz recollects some of her childhood experiences growing up in Fiji and her experiences of swimming in Fiji, Hawaii and in Vancouver. Shanaz talks about her fitness regime and places that she likes to exercise in Burnaby including trails and green spaces and reflects on the changes to Burnaby with increased development, the cost of housing and the crime rate. 00:37:42 - 00:52:41 Shanaz talks about the traditional clothing and western clothing that she’s worn and accessed while living in Burnaby and Vancouver. Shanaz describes some traditional Islamic religious practices including the nikah (marriage), funerals, prayers, Eid, Hajj and her own personal practices as well as locations of mosques and cemeteries available to Muslims in the lower mainland. 00:52:42 - 01:05:54 Shanaz talks about her parent’s religious and ancestral background, her religious upbringing and the demographics of Fiji.

History: Interviewee biography: Shanaz Khan was born and raised in Suva, Fiji in the 1950's. In the early 1970's, Shanaz immigrated to Vancouver with her parents and younger brother. Shanaz attended John Oliver High School and took one year of accounting courses at Langara College. Over the years Shanaz worked as an accountant in major banks and for a mining company in Tumbler Ridge. Shanaz also worked as a chef at various restaurants and bakeries after completing training at a Vancouver Culinary School. Shanaz has made her home in Burnaby for the past 19 years. Following her retirement, Shanaz has volunteered for different organizations including the YWCA. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Mosques; Cemeteries; Ceremonies - Funerals; Ceremonies - Weddings; Education; Housing; Migration; Occupations; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions - Islam; Religions - Christianity; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Sports - Swimming

Names: Khan, Shanaz

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Accession Code: BV023.16.18

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1956-2023] (interview content), interviewed 24 Sep. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0018_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Shanaz Khan, [1956-2023] (interview content), interviewed 24 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0018_002.mp3

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.

History: Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills; Clothing; Crafts; Employment; Migration; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Occupations - Labourers; Occupations - Millworkers; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Names: Parmar, Surjeet Kaur; Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"; Manhas, Ghania Singh; Singh, Mayo; Manhas, Kashmir Singh; Manhas, Sher Singh; Manhas, Budhan Kaur; Manhas, Lashman Singh

Accession Code: BV022.29.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Related Material: See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep; Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby; Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate

Documents

2022_0029_0005_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3

Interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19608

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on …

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:02:03 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph credit: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on where they were born and grew up (in Burnaby), names of their parents and provide details on their family history. They describe how their grandparents and other relatives continued to live in Punjab after their father and mother immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s, recall the reasons their parents decided to immigrate and details of their lives before and after arriving in Canada. 00:05:27 – 00:06:46 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe some of their experiences travelling through Vancouver airport and compare their experiences with their mother’s own experiences. Gurvinder and Harvinder describe the layout of the airport and how customs and immigration has changed over time. 00:06:47 – 00:09:21 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide details about their mother, Parveen Sihra. They share information regarding her education in India and how she was unable to get work related to her degree in biology after immigrating to Canada. They convey how she worked in the Burnaby City Hall cafeteria in the 1990’s and how she worked part time in order to take care of her children. They share how their parents were proud Canadians participating in events inside and outside the South Asian community and were both fluent in English but often spoke Punjabi at home. 00:09:22 – 00:16:06 Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their childhood experiences growing up in Burnaby. They talk about the sports that they were involved with including hockey and Taekwondo, family vacations spent travelling to India and their experiences attending Marlborough Elementary School and Moscrop Secondary School.They describe how they first became interested in watching wrestling and trying it out on their own in their family home. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their own experiences of discrimination while growing up and playing sports. 00:16:07 – 00:27:37 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect and recall events that lead them to their dream of becoming professional wrestlers. They talk about pivotal events including attending their first live wresting event at GM Place with their father in 1996, beginning their training in Calgary in 2004, travelling across the country to participate in minor wrestling events, wrestling in Rogers Arena in 2017 and 2020 and getting their first call to join WWE. They talk about the support that they’ve had along the way to getting them where they are today and comment on why they want to be wrestlers in the WWE. 00:27:38 – 00:29:25 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide background information on their various wrestling personas and names in the world of professional wrestling including the Singh Brothers and the Bollywood Boyz. 00:29:26 – 00:38:43 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their experiences wrestling in India and the support and expectations of family members in becoming successful. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall and reflect on the experience of being fired from the WWE when cutbacks were made during the COVID pandemic. 00:38:44 – 00:42:53 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe what a day in their lives looks like now. They talk about how they’re still very passionate and focused on their wrestling careers and describe their experiences of having support and enthusiasm from fans and their parents. They talk about travelling across the country to particpate in different wrestling events. 00:42:54 – 00:47:18 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their training regimen including exercise and diet and describe areas in Burnaby where they like to train in gyms and the outdoors. 00:47:19 – 00:49:49 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about neighbourhoods in Burnaby including Metrotown and Deer Lake and how they’ve seen them change over the years. 00:49:50 – 00:54:27 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their highest and lowest points in their wrestling careers, highlighting specific events. They talk about the physical stamina it takes for wrestling and compare their sport with the sport of Kabaddi (a contact team sport between two teams originating in India). 00:54:28 – 00:59:01 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect on what toughness means to them, and what keeps them motivated to do what they do. 00:59:02 – 01:01:31 Gurvinder and Harvinder impart their words of wisdom to younger kids in chasing their passions and dreams and talk about their favourite Bollywood films and actors.

History: Interviewees' biographies: The Bollywood Boyz are a Canadian professional wrestling tag team composed of brothers Gurvinder "Gurv" Sihra (born in 1984) and Harvinder "Harv" Sihra (born in 1987). The pair are best known for their time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where Gurvinder and Harvinder performed under the ring names Sunil Singh and Samir Singh. They were both born and raised in Burnaby by their parents Harjeet and Parveen Sihra and attended Moscrop Secondary School. Gurvinder graduated from Douglas College where he studied criminology and has worked in loss prevention and has a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. Harvinder attended Douglas College with studies in history and has worked as a model and an actor. Both Gurvinder and Harvinder Sihra are Sikhs. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Migration; Pandemics - COVID-19; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions - Sikhism; Social Issues; Social Issues - Discrimination; Social Issues - Racism; Sports; Sports - Martial Arts; Sports - Wrestling; Sports - Ice Hockey; Travel

Names: The Bollywood Boyz; Sihra, Guvinder "Gurv"; Sihra, Harvinder "Harv"; Sihra, Harjeet; Sihra, Parveen; World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"; Moscrop Secondary School; Marlborough Elementary School; Metrotown

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.12

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Photographer: World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0012_003.mp3

Interview with Tony and Hazel Padula by Eric Damer November 27, 2012 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory378

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 2012

Length: 0:04:59

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains mainly to Tony Padula and Hazel (Bongea) Padula's opinions on restaurants in the Burnaby Heights area.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains mainly to Tony Padula and Hazel (Bongea) Padula's opinions on restaurants in the Burnaby Heights area.

Date Range: 2012

Photo Info: Hazel (Bongea) Padula standing on the steps of her home at High Lawn, [195-]. Item no. 549-052.

Length: 0:04:59

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: November 27, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Tony Padula and Hazel (Bongea) Padula conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, November 27, 2012. Major themes discussed are: neighbourhoods and family heritage.

Biographical Notes: Tony Padula’s family came to Vancouver from Italy in 1926, the year Tony was born. After graduating from school, Tony entered the shoe industry as a salesman. Hazel Bongea (later Padula) was born in 1931 in Saskatchewan and moved to Vancouver with her family when she was ten years old. After graduating from school, Hazel found work with Standard Oil in Vancouver. Tony Padula and Hazel (Bongea) Padula married in 1951. By 1953 they had bought property in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Burnaby where they built a home and began a family. The Padulas moved away in 1959 but returned five years later to a new home in central Burnaby, where they lived for twenty-two years before moving again, this time to North Vancouver. After six years in North Vancouver, Tony and Hazel retired to New Westminster.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 1:09:21

Interviewee Name: Padula, Hazel Bongea; Padula, Tony

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum

Interviewer Bio: Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Hazel (Bongea) Padula standing on the steps of her home at High Lawn, [195-]. Item no. 549-052. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track eight of recording of interview with Tony and Hazel Padula

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-020/MSS171-020_Track_8.mp3

Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory325

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1972-2012

Length: 0:11:59

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's involvement in the development of the Stream Preservation Bylaw in Burnaby. He discusses fish populations, air quality, and bird populations in Burnaby as well.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's involvement in the development of the Stream Preservation Bylaw in Burnaby. He discusses fish populations, air quality, and bird populations in Burnaby as well.

Date Range: 1972-2012

Photo Info: Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.

Length: 0:11:59

Subjects: Geographic Features - Streams; Animals - Birds

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 10, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.

Biographical Notes: Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:47:48

Interviewee Name: Fabian, Tony

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum

Interviewer Bio: Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Tony Fabian

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-009/MSS171-009_Track_4.mp3

Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory326

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1971-2012

Length: 0:09:30

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of the development of the Fraser River Foreshore and the Confederation Community Centre (previously named Confederation House).

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of the development of the Fraser River Foreshore and the Confederation Community Centre (previously named Confederation House).

Date Range: 1971-2012

Photo Info: Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.

Length: 0:09:30

Names: Confederation Community Centre

Subjects: Geographic Features - Rivers; Geographic Features - Parks

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 10, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.

Biographical Notes: Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:47:48

Interviewee Name: Fabian, Tony

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum

Interviewer Bio: Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Audio Tracks

Track five of recording of interview with Tony Fabian

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-009/MSS171-009_Track_5.mp3

It Took a While to Get There

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10097

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (4 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: Kathryn Small has lived in Burnaby almost her entire life. In this video she recounts the path she travelled before finding the 27 year career she settled on and from which she retired in 2008. Having faced discrimination (because she was a woman) which blocked her entering her first choice for a…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Elders Digital Storytelling project series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (4 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: Kathryn Small has lived in Burnaby almost her entire life. In this video she recounts the path she travelled before finding the 27 year career she settled on and from which she retired in 2008. Having faced discrimination (because she was a woman) which blocked her entering her first choice for a career, Kathryn found that her subsequent variety of education and experiences over the next decade well-fitted her for her “life’s work”. Kathryn is convinced that all and any education and experience can play a part in preparing one for one’s chosen career. She is also glad that today discrimination based on gender is finally illegal in Canada. That the title of this video is an intentional double-entendre is evident by the end of the video.

History: Kathryn Small has a long connection to Burnaby, her grandparents having settled in the Douglas Road area in 1921 and her parents choosing to live in the same area. Kathryn attended Douglas Road Elementary School and graduated from Burnaby Central High School. After a variety of post-secondary education, work and travel experiences, she then worked for 27 years in Burnaby as a Public Health Inspector/Environmental Health Officer before retiring in 2008. Kathryn still lives in Burnaby.

Creator: Small, Kathryn

Other Title Information: title supplied by film maker

Names: Small, Kathryn

Geographic Access: Douglas Road

Accession Code: BV016.37.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2016

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title

Images

Video

It Took a While to Get There, 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0005_001.mp4

Janet's Story

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9671

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (4 min., 7 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: Film created by Janet Duxbury, who grew up in Burnaby, north of Imperial Street. Janet recounts her family's house that was built in 1940 and had no water or electricity during the early years. The family had chickens, vegetable gardens and used an outhouse until an addition was built a few years l…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Elders Digital Storytelling project series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (4 min., 7 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: Film created by Janet Duxbury, who grew up in Burnaby, north of Imperial Street. Janet recounts her family's house that was built in 1940 and had no water or electricity during the early years. The family had chickens, vegetable gardens and used an outhouse until an addition was built a few years later. Janet played in the woods by the house as a child. Janet recounts swimming at Deer Lake Lake and walking past Oakalla Prison on the way. Janet attended Windsor Street School. She recounts visiting the Carneige Library in Vancouver and the Burnaby Public Library with her cousin.

History: Janet Duxbury grew up in Burnaby, north of Imperial Street. She attended Windsor Street School in Burnaby.

Creator: Duxbury, Janet

Other Title Information: title supplied by film maker

Names: Duxbury, Janet

Geographic Access: Imperial Street; Deer Lake

Accession Code: BV016.37.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2016

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title; The film was produced in 2016 as part of the Elders Digital Storytelling project. Digital storytelling is a form of narrative that creates short movies using relatively simple media technology. The project began in 2014 funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC) and AGE-WELL NCE grants. In partnership with the City of Burnaby, digital storytelling workshops were offered in Burnaby. This film was produced at one of those workshops.

Images

Video

Janet's Story, 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0002_001.mp4

Jimmy Chow resume booklet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19278

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [2016]

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 booklet

Scope and Content: Item consists of a resume in booklet format entitled "Jimmy Chow, Property Master CHOW". Resume includes a full ciriculum vitae of Jimmy Chow's roles, credits and employment history while working in the film industry between 1973 and 2016.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 booklet

Material Details: 10 p. booklet with cardstock cover; covered with two tone textured brown paper on the outside; lined with red paper on the inside of cover; bound together with three grommeted holes and a black ribbon

Scope and Content: Item consists of a resume in booklet format entitled "Jimmy Chow, Property Master CHOW". Resume includes a full ciriculum vitae of Jimmy Chow's roles, credits and employment history while working in the film industry between 1973 and 2016.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Industries - Film

Names: Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"

Accession Code: BV023.11.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [2016]

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

Jimmy Chow resume booklet, [2016] thumbnail

Laying Down My Paddle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9677

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (5 min., 14 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: This film is created was Cindy Gierarch. The film shares happy memories of canoeing with her husband, Lester, on beautiful glacier fed Moraine Lake in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. This trip, in 2007, was a long dreamt of reward for paying off the mortgage on their Burnaby condo suite. While c…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Elders Digital Storytelling project series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (5 min., 14 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: This film is created was Cindy Gierarch. The film shares happy memories of canoeing with her husband, Lester, on beautiful glacier fed Moraine Lake in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. This trip, in 2007, was a long dreamt of reward for paying off the mortgage on their Burnaby condo suite. While canoeing on the lake, Cindy learned a valuable lesson that she would never forget - “life will glide along smoothly and joyfully as long as I keep my paddle on the bottom of our canoe.”

History: Cindy Gierach has lived in Burnaby for the past 22 years.

Creator: Gierach, Cindy

Other Title Information: title supplied by film maker

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Canoeing; Geographic Features - Mountains

Names: Gierach, Cindy; Gierach, Lester

Accession Code: BV016.37.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2016

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title

Images

Video

Laying Down My Paddle, 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0008_001.mp4

Lisa Codd, Betty Forbes, Barbara Copan, Don Copan and Daphne Carr at Museum 40th anniversary

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9571

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 11 June 2011

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 jpeg image

Scope and Content: Photograph taken by Museum staff photographer Leanne Scherp during an event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Burnaby Village Museum on June 11, 2011.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 jpeg image

Scope and Content: Photograph taken by Museum staff photographer Leanne Scherp during an event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Burnaby Village Museum on June 11, 2011.

History: BVM Curator Lisa Codd, Betty Forbes and Barbara Copan standing in back with Don Copan and Daphne Carr seated in front. They were among the guests at the Burnaby VIllage Museum's 40th anniversary celebrations.

Other Title Information: Title based on contents of photograph.

Subjects: Events - Anniversaries

Names: Copan, Donald Angus "Don"

Accession Code: BV018.14.18

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 11 June 2011

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 300

Scale: 96

Photographer: Scherp, Leanne

Notes: Transferred from museum records storage to collection on June 7, 2018.

Images

Lisa Codd, Betty Forbes, Barbara Copan, Don Copan and Daphne Carr at Museum 40th anniversary, 11 June 2011 thumbnail

Looking east along Dominion street to corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91876

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dominion Street, looking east. The houses are largely obscured by tall hedges and bushes. The photograph was taken from the north side of the street, opposite 5496 Dominion Street.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-057

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dominion Street, looking east. The houses are largely obscured by tall hedges and bushes. The photograph was taken from the north side of the street, opposite 5496 Dominion Street.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Plants - Trees

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P.19"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "2016 / Looking East along Dominion St to corner of Douglas Rd. and Dominion St."; Photograph 620-056 taken from the same vantage point

Geographic Access: Dominion Street

Street Address: 5538 Dominion Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Looking east along Dominion street to corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street, 2016 thumbnail

Looking east from 3131 Douglas Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91826

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 15 cm x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Roberts' front yard . A large oak tree stands in the centre of the photograph with a row of short shrubs on each side. The house located at 3090 Douglas Road is visible in the distance. The photograph is taken from 3131 Douglas Road, looking east.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 15 cm x 10 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-007

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Roberts' front yard . A large oak tree stands in the centre of the photograph with a row of short shrubs on each side. The house located at 3090 Douglas Road is visible in the distance. The photograph is taken from 3131 Douglas Road, looking east.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Plants - Trees

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; 5118 Douglas Road renumbered to 3131 Douglas Road in 1958 and to 5538 Dominion Street in 1970 or 1971; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Jan. 2016 / Looking East from Roberts' front yard"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P8"; Photograph 620-003 depicts the same house on 3090 Douglas Road.

Street Address: 3131 Douglas Road; 5118 Douglas Road; 5538 Dominion Street; 3090 Douglas Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Looking east from 3131 Douglas Road, January 2016 thumbnail

Looking east from north side of 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91821

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a two-storey house located at 3090 Douglas Road. The house was constructed in 1922 and is painted white with brown trim. The photograph was taken from the Roberts' property at 5538 Dominion Street.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of a two-storey house located at 3090 Douglas Road. The house was constructed in 1922 and is painted white with brown trim. The photograph was taken from the Roberts' property at 5538 Dominion Street.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; The same house is visible in the background of photograph 620-001; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Jan. 2016 / 3090 Douglas Rd. (N.E. Corner Douglas Road and Dominion St.); Note in blue ink on verson of photograph reads: "P3"; 5538 Dominion Street was previously numbered previously 5118 Douglas Road and 3131 Douglas Road

Street Address: 3090 Douglas Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Looking east from north side of 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House, 2016 thumbnail

Looking northwest along Dominion Street from near Douglas Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91846

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 2015

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dominion Street, looking northwest from near Douglas Road. The house at 3093 Douglas Road is just visible between the trees. In 2009 Dominion Street was repaved and sidewalks were installed following a local improvement request to the City.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 2015

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-027

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dominion Street, looking northwest from near Douglas Road. The house at 3093 Douglas Road is just visible between the trees. In 2009 Dominion Street was repaved and sidewalks were installed following a local improvement request to the City.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P.27"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "April 2015 / Looking Northwest along Dominion St. from near Douglas Rd."

Street Address: 3093 Douglas Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Looking northwest along Dominion Street from near Douglas Road, April 2015 thumbnail

Looking northwest from Douglas Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91835

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: October 2015

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a two-storey house located at 3131 Douglas Road. The house is white with brown trim and a brown shingle roof. The large oak tree in the front yard of the property is full of vibrant autum-coloured leaves. The photograph was taken from across Douglas Road, looking northwest.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: October 2015

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-016

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of a two-storey house located at 3131 Douglas Road. The house is white with brown trim and a brown shingle roof. The large oak tree in the front yard of the property is full of vibrant autum-coloured leaves. The photograph was taken from across Douglas Road, looking northwest.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Plants - Trees

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Oct. 2016 / 3131 Douglas Rd. - with Oak Tree - Fall Colours"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P.16"; 5118 Douglas Road renumbered to 3131 Douglas Road in 1958 and to 5538 Dominion Street in 1970 or 1971; The oak tree (centre) is the same tree as in photographs 620-007, 620-014, and 620-015

Street Address: 3131 Douglas Road; 5118 Douglas Road; 5538 Dominion Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Looking northwest from Douglas Road, October 2015 thumbnail

Looking southwest from corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91878

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 2015

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the houses and trees situated on the southwest corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street. The large oak, hemlock, and fir were planted as part of the original landscaping of the Roberts' property in the 1920s. The photograph was taken from the Douglas Road and Dominion Street inter…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 2015

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-059

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of the houses and trees situated on the southwest corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street. The large oak, hemlock, and fir were planted as part of the original landscaping of the Roberts' property in the 1920s. The photograph was taken from the Douglas Road and Dominion Street intersection.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Plants - Trees

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P.21"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Looking southwest from corner of Douglas Rd. and Dominion St. / Oak Tree Hemlock Tree Fir Tree / planted in late 1920's"; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "April 2015"; The oak tree is the same tree as in photographs 620-007, 620-014, 620-015, and 620-016

Geographic Access: Dominion Street; Douglas Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Looking southwest from corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street, April 2015 thumbnail

Looking west along Dominion Street from 5496 Dominion Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91873

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the houses along Dominion Street, looking west from 5496 Dominion Street. The two houses in the foreground, 5480 and 5488 Dominion Street, were constructed in 1994 on the lot previously numbered 5486 Dominion Street.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-054

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of the houses along Dominion Street, looking west from 5496 Dominion Street. The two houses in the foreground, 5480 and 5488 Dominion Street, were constructed in 1994 on the lot previously numbered 5486 Dominion Street.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P.16"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Houses at 5480 and 5488 Dominion St. / built in 1994"; Photo production stamp on verso of photograph reads: "07/03/2016"

Street Address: 5488 Dominion Street; 5480 Dominion Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Looking west along Dominion Street from 5496 Dominion Street, July 2016 thumbnail

Looking west along Dominion Street from across the street from 5496 Dominion Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91874

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the houses along the south side of Dominion Street with cars parked along the curb. In 2009 sidewalks were installed and the street was repaved under a neighbourhood local improvement request to the City. The photograph was taken from the north side of the street, opposite 5496 Dom…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 2016

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. copy print ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-055

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of the houses along the south side of Dominion Street with cars parked along the curb. In 2009 sidewalks were installed and the street was repaved under a neighbourhood local improvement request to the City. The photograph was taken from the north side of the street, opposite 5496 Dominion Street, looking west.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Transportation - Automobiles

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P.17"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Dominion St. infilled with houses on 33' lots / Photo July 2016"

Geographic Access: Dominion Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

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Looking east along Dominion street to corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street

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Looking east from 3131 Douglas Road

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Looking east from north side of 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House

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Looking northwest along Dominion Street from near Douglas Road

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Looking northwest from Douglas Road

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Looking southwest from corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street

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Looking west along Dominion Street from 5496 Dominion Street

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Looking west along Dominion Street from across the street from 5496 Dominion Street

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