2 records – page 1 of 1.

Interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19603
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (93 min., 7 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (92 min., 57 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, founders of Vancouver Sath conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview is taking place at the Burnaby Village Museum's exhibit "Truths not Often Told: Being South Asian in…
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) (93 min., 7 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (92 min., 57 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:1:33:07 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together into one track and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, founders of Vancouver Sath conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview is taking place at the Burnaby Village Museum's exhibit "Truths not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby". The interview focuses on the history of "Vancouver Sath" as well as literary works created by Hundal and Binning and the Punjabi literary magazine "Watno Dur" and "Watan". 00:00 - 13:30 Interview opens with brief introductions and information on Sadhu Binning, Sukhwant Hundal and Vancouver Sath provided by the interviewer, James Binks. Interviewees Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal describe how they met and what they were focused on prior to the formation of the organization Vancouver Sath. Binning briefly describes how he became involved as a writer in the literary world and recalls how he published his first poem in an Indian literary magazine in 1972. Hundal describes how he immigrated to Canada from Punjab in 1975, the various industries that he worked in as a new immigrant and his interest in literature with a focus on social issues. Hundel describes how he developed a relationship with Sadhu Binning after his short story was published in "Watno Dur" literary magazine which in turn lead to his involvement with the Punjabi Literary Association and becoming co-editor of "Watnu Dur". 13:31 – 27:44 Hundal provides more background on his life as a South Asian immigrant, working in sawmills and completing a diploma in Power and Process Engineering and how he first became interested in literature while living in India. Binning and Hundal both share their insights into the formation of Vancouver Sath and provide details on their involvement with the Punjabi literary publication “Watnu Dur”. Binning describes how the inspiration for the formation of the Vancouver Sath organization came from India and that Binning, Hundal and some other members of the Punjabi Literary Association decided to form their own group where they could have more informal discussions around social, political and literary issues. 27:45 – 43:31 Binning describes how the political issues that were happening in Punjab between 1978 and 1983 influenced discussions in the South Asian community whereas prior to 1978 there was more focus on local issues that new immigrants were facing. Binning conveys how their work with Vancouver Sath endeavored to focus more on local issues and Hundal conveys how they made the decision to begin producing theatrical works rather than just written works to reach a wider audience. Hundal and Binning share names of the people that were involved with Vancouver Sath and describe some of the early plays that they performed. Binning describes the foundations of the organization where they worked together as a collective making decisions in producing and performing the works with Binning and Hundal taking on the responsibility for the written work. They talk about their first paid experience being invited to perform a few of their plays at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. 43:32 – 55:17 Hundal and Binning describe how they continued to support themselves financially since they weren’t making money from Vancouver Sath. Binning and Hundal provide further details on how their collective worked with the process of writing the plays and presenting and discussing details with the Vancouver Sath community before performing to an audience. Hundal talks about the transition that the magazine “Watno Dur” took in 1986 which lead to renaming it “Watan”. Hundal and Binning discuss how in 1992 and 1993 they decided to try to get more young people involved and began publishing a magazine in English called “Ankur”. They describe the content and list some of the authors who contributed to the magazine. 55:18 – 1:20:12 Hundal and Binning provide background details on the author of “Maluka”, Sadhu Singh Dhami and describe the details that lead them to translating the book into Punjabi, touring with the author and adapting the novel into a play which Vancouver Sath performed. Binning and Hundal describe and discuss other plays that Vancouver Sath performed including some plays that were recorded and broadcast over local radio stations. 1:20:13 – 1:32:57 Binning and Hundal reflect on what lead Vancouver Sath to discontinue theatrical performances in the mid 1990’s. Binning and Hundal state how they are both still very involved in publishing literary works but no longer perform theatrical works. Binning and Hundal describe some of their literary works and projects that they’ve been involved in and also reflect on and describe the current theatre scene in the South Asian community. Hundal conveys that even though they no longer call themselves “Vancouver Sath” they continue to enjoy working as a collective discussing literary works and ideas.
History
Interviewees' biographies: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur" (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Suhkwant Hundal is a founding member in the group known as Vancouver Sath and has spent a lot of time in Burnaby rehearsing and writing plays. Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal co-wrote the Vancouver Sath's first play, "Picket-Line" and many others. This play was staged in November 1984. He's authored and edited pieces for the various newsletters and magazines including "Watno Dur" and "Watan". Through the 1980's and early 1990's Hundal has been active in South Asian advocacy in Burnaby and the Lower Mainland. In his retirement years, Hundal has been a lecturer on Punjabi language at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Asian Studies. 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
Occupations - Writers
Organizations
Organizations - Unions
Migration
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Performances - Dramatic Performances
Social Issues
Social Issues - Discrimination
Social Issues - Racism
Names
Vancouver Sath
Binning, Dr. Sadhu
Hundal, Sukhwant
Dhami, Sadhu Singh
Pritam, Amrita
Rampuri, Gurcharan
Tut, Mukhan
Thobani, Sunera
Hoss Mushroom Farm
Deol, Jeevan
Dulai, Phinder
Dhillon, Sital
Bhangoo, Bhavna
Rai, Gurmail
Punjabi Lekhak Manch
Di Awaz, Samay
Johal, Balinder
Sara, Amanpal
United Farm Workers Union
Canadian Farmworkers Union
Responsibility
Binks, James
Accession Code
BV023.16.7
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on request
Audio Tracks

Interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, 1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, 1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0007_003.mp3
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Ups and Downs of Conserving the C.W. Parker Carousel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18878
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
27 Sep. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 video recording (mp4) (100 min., 27 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
Scope and Content
Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Community Engagement Coordinator Christina Froschauer. The webinar is titled "Ups and Downs of Conserving the C.W. Parker Carousel". The webinar is the fifth in a series of six webinars presented in partnersh…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Burnaby Neighbourhood Speaker Series series
Subseries
Neighbourhood Speaker Series - Fall 2022 subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 video recording (mp4) (100 min., 27 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
Material Details
Host: Christina Froschauer
Presenters: Museum Conservator Elizabeth Czerwinski; Carousel Operator and Display Technician and Grounds Attendant Michael DesMazes; Artist and Burnaby Village Museum Exhibit Preparator Carly Bouwman
Videographer: Peter Rogier
Editor of video content footage: Peter Rogier
Date of Presentation: Tuesday, September 27, 2022. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Total Number of tracks: 1
Total Length of all tracks: 100 min., 27 sec.
Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
Original recording of 91 min., 5 sec.was edited to 92 min., 52 sec. for viewing on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Community Engagement Coordinator Christina Froschauer. The webinar is titled "Ups and Downs of Conserving the C.W. Parker Carousel". The webinar is the fifth in a series of six webinars presented in partnership by Burnaby Village Museum and Burnaby Public Library. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions during the interactive online sessions. With thousands of people riding the Carousel every year, it is a wonder this 110-year-old fairground favourite keeps on turning. In the off-season, many dedicated hours go into the careful repair and maintenance of the Carousel. From cogs and gears to paints and jewels, this session covers the ups and downs of Carousel conservation. The first speaker is BVM conservator “Liz” Czerwinski. Liz’s presentation is titled “119 Parker Carousel at the Burnaby Village Museum”. Liz speaks about her role and responsibility at BVM as the conservator and her many responsibilities including the carousel. Liz provides an overview of how BVM preserves the carousel as a museum artifact and how it needs to meet current safety standards as a mechanical amusement ride. Liz provides historical background regarding the C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel and the establishment of the Lower Mainland Association of the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel “The Friends of the Carousel” to save the carousel in the 1990s and the installation of the carousel at Burnaby Village Museum. She describes the intense maintenance and mechanics of the carousel to keep it in operation and the preservation and ongoing conservation of the hand carved and painted horses and wooden carousel flooring. The second speaker is Carly Bouwman. Carly works in the area of artistic conservation as an exhibit preparator at Burnaby Village Museum and works with the Conservation Department team to restore the carousel bi annually. Carly’s talk is supported with a slide show detailing the process and many aspects of conservation work that is done on the hand carved and painted carousel horses. Conservation painting techniques are based on a manual created by volunteer Dorothy Seton Clarke. The third speaker is Michael DesMazes. Michael supports his talk with film footage documenting the mechanics and maintenance of the C.W. Parker no. 119 Carousel. Michael provides a commentary explaining some of the regular weekly, monthly and yearly mechanical maintenance and inspection that is done to the maintain the carousel. Film footage provides a detailed view of the working components of the carousel. Following the presentations Elizabeth Czerwinski, Michael DeMazes and Carly Bouwman answer questions from the attendees and comment further on the information. Some of the subjects covered include: significance of design details on the carousel horses, how the Wurtlitzer band organ works, painting and stripping techniques, running speed of the carousel, favourite carousel horses, significance of the rotational direction of the carousel, publication “A Carousel is Magic: the Saving of Parker #119 by the Friends of the Carousel ", accessibility design components on the carousel, safety specifications and guidelines, naming of the carousel horses and what the future holds for the next 50 years of operation of the carousel.
History
Christina Froschauer has worked in various museums and art galleries across Canada over the past two decades and since January 2021, has worked as the Museum Community Engagement Coordinator at the Burnaby Village Museum. Her educational background includes a Masters in Art History and two Bachelor of Arts – one in Visual Arts and the other in Archaeology. Her research focus has been centered around artists whose work challenges and Indigenizes the Western Canons of Art History. In addition to her work at the museum, Christina is a sessional professor of Canadian Studies at Langara College. Elizabeth "Liz" Czerwinski is the Conservator for the Burnaby Village Museum. She has a Master of Art Conservation from Queens University, internship experience in the conservation of paintings and archaeological collections, and has been engaged with the smallest (hat pins) and largest (tram and carousel) preservation activities at the museum since 1992. Carly Bouwman is a freelance visual artist and designer, living in Southwestern British Columbia. Her professional projects include digital illustrations and graphics, residential interior design contracts, and 2-D and 3-D custom designed and fabricated works of art for private and public display. She also holds a position at the Burnaby Village Museum as an exhibit preparator and works with the conservation department to restore the carousel bi-annually. Michael DesMazes was born and raised in Abbotsford. Michael’s childhood home is a heritage landmark now called the Trethewey House Museum. His Mother was the past President of the Abbotsford Heritage society and Michael himself first volunteered for the Abbotsford Museum when he was 14. Michael has also worked at the Langley Centennial Museum and for three years headed up the Fraser Valley Military Museum and Archives, a by-product of his Museum studies at SFU in 1987. That same year Michael first joined the Burnaby Village as the Blacksmith for the museums first school programs. By 1990 Michael had become a relief interpreter covering every zone in the Village and was one of the researchers for Burnaby’s 100th anniversary project. Michael is the Official RCAF Historian for Boundary Bay and Abbotsford airports and has established and maintained Facebook pages on both for the last five years. He is a long-time member of the Organization of Military Museums of Canada (OMMC). Leaving the Burnaby Village Museum in January 1990, Michael enrolled in the Canadian Forces Primary reserves as a Medical Assistant with the 12th Vancouver Medical Company. It was during this time that Michael was also contracted to research and assembly a historical collection for Nabob’s 100th anniversary. In 1996 after leaving the Reserves, Michael returned to the Burnaby Village Museum as a new carousel operator. Today, 26 years later, Michael is still at the carousel as the senior operator responsible for general maintenance, minor repairs and training of new operators.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Recreational Devices - Carousels
Musical Instruments
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Froschauer , Christina
Czerwinski, Elisabeth
Desmazes, Michael
Lower Mainland Association of the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel
Bouwman, Carly
C.W. Parker no. 119 Carousel
Clarke, Dorothy Seton
Accession Code
BV022.27.5
Date
27 Sep. 2022
Media Type
Moving Images
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Video

Ups and Downs of Conserving the C.W. Parker Carousel, 27 Sep. 2022

Ups and Downs of Conserving the C.W. Parker Carousel, 27 Sep. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2022_0027_0005_002.mp4
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