More like 'Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 6'
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Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 12771
- Enactment Date
- 19/04/2010
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Heritage Value
- While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Community
- Burnaby
- Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear
- Street Address
- 4142 Hastings Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
The Benedictines of Westminster Priory
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38167
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1951 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.3 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an original photographic postcard of the Benedictines of Westminster Priory at Ceperley House which was funded by the Catholic Diocese beginning in 1939. There is a postmark from Merritt, British Columbia, at the top right corner.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1951 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.3 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-754
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an original photographic postcard of the Benedictines of Westminster Priory at Ceperley House which was funded by the Catholic Diocese beginning in 1939. There is a postmark from Merritt, British Columbia, at the top right corner.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious
- Buildings - Heritage
- Occupations - Clergy
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Names
- Westminster Priory
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Negative has a pink cast
- Annotation at bottom of photograph reads, "The Benedictines of Westminster Priory, Vancouver, BC"
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Chapel at Fairacres
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1629
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1954] (date of original), copied 1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.2 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the chapel of the Order of St. Benedict at the Ceperley Mansion when they purchased and occupied the mansion from 1939 to 1954. They converted the drawing room into a chapel, placing the altar in front of the fireplace. A platform with a cross on a table. The letters "LOCUS ISTE SANCT…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.2 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the chapel of the Order of St. Benedict at the Ceperley Mansion when they purchased and occupied the mansion from 1939 to 1954. They converted the drawing room into a chapel, placing the altar in front of the fireplace. A platform with a cross on a table. The letters "LOCUS ISTE SANCTUS EST" are inscribed on the wall above the cross. There is a picture of baby Jesus held by the Virgin Mary on one side of the platform, and a Saint holding a baby on the other.
- Names
- Westminster Priory
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Accession Code
- HV979.34.2
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1954] (date of original), copied 1979
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-09-12
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Chapel at Fairacres
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36251
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1954]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w copy negative ; 3 x 4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the chapel of the Order of St. Benedict at the Ceperley Mansion when they purchased and occupied the mansion from 1939 to 1954. They converted the drawing room into a chapel, placing the altar in front of the fireplace. A platform with a cross on a table. The letters "LOCUS ISTE SANCT…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1954]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w copy negative ; 3 x 4 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 242-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1990-05
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the chapel of the Order of St. Benedict at the Ceperley Mansion when they purchased and occupied the mansion from 1939 to 1954. They converted the drawing room into a chapel, placing the altar in front of the fireplace. A platform with a cross on a table. The letters "LOCUS ISTE SANCTUS EST" are inscribed on the wall above the cross. There is a picture of baby Jesus held by the Virgin Mary on one side of the platform, and a Saint holding a baby on the other.
- Names
- Westminster Priory
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph 1 b&w copy print accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Greensted Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64655
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ernest Winch fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 8.5 x 13.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of Greensted Church, in the small village of Greensted, near Chipping Ongar in Essex, England, the oldest wooden church in the world (thought to be the oldest wooden building in Europe still standing).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ernest Winch fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 8.5 x 13.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 514-004
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2010-06
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of Greensted Church, in the small village of Greensted, near Chipping Ongar in Essex, England, the oldest wooden church in the world (thought to be the oldest wooden building in Europe still standing).
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Burquitlam parsonage
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88379
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1958
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Church of Nazarene parsonage located at 577 Clarke Road Burquitlam. The building was being raised to create a basement for Reverend Garfield Ferris and his family who lived here. Reverend Garfield James Ferris served as minister of the Church of Nazarene from 1955 to 1959.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1958
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 575-003
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2014-41
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Church of Nazarene parsonage located at 577 Clarke Road Burquitlam. The building was being raised to create a basement for Reverend Garfield Ferris and his family who lived here. Reverend Garfield James Ferris served as minister of the Church of Nazarene from 1955 to 1959.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in pen on verso of photograph reads: "Burquitlam Parsonage"
- Street Address
- 577 Clarke Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Church and Parsonage
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription84880
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Church of Nazarene, church and parsonage buildings located at 577 Clarke Road in Burquitlam. Reverend Garfield James Ferris served as minister of the Church of Nazarene and he lived in the parsonage with his family from 1955 to 1959.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 575-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2014-41
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Church of Nazarene, church and parsonage buildings located at 577 Clarke Road in Burquitlam. Reverend Garfield James Ferris served as minister of the Church of Nazarene and he lived in the parsonage with his family from 1955 to 1959.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Church & Parsonage/ Burquitlam/ New Westminster/ B.C./ 1955"
- Street Address
- 577 Clarke Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Church of Christ in South Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription158
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1950]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a large log cabin-style building with a prominent sign above its door that reads, "The Church of Christ / Meets Here." The lot around the building is vacant, and vague outline of a mountain or a hill can be seen in the background. The inscription and the accession register identify …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a large log cabin-style building with a prominent sign above its door that reads, "The Church of Christ / Meets Here." The lot around the building is vacant, and vague outline of a mountain or a hill can be seen in the background. The inscription and the accession register identify the photograph as Church of Christ in South Burnaby. The annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Church of Christ / South Burnaby / c. 1950."
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Names
- Church of Christ
- Accession Code
- BV985.6.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1950]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-05
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Church of the Nazarene
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88378
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Church of Nazarene located at 577 Clarke Road, Burquitlam. Reverend Garfield James Ferris served as minister of the Church of Nazarene from 1955 to 1959.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 14.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 575-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2014-41
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Church of Nazarene located at 577 Clarke Road, Burquitlam. Reverend Garfield James Ferris served as minister of the Church of Nazarene from 1955 to 1959.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in pencil and pen on verso of photograph reads: "Burquitlam church/ 577 Clarke Rd./ BR.7-3969/ duplicate"
- Street Address
- 577 Clarke Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Church of the Nazarene
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88386
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 1958
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the sign in front of the Church of the Nazarene listing the church services.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 1958
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 9.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 575-010
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2014-41
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the sign in front of the Church of the Nazarene listing the church services.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is out of focus
- Stamp on verso of photograph reads: 808
- Street Address
- 577 Clarke Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Gordon Presbyterian Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35115
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-] (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church, at 7457 Edmonds Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-] (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.5 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 193-016
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1987-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church, at 7457 Edmonds Street.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Edmonds Street
- Street Address
- 7457 Edmonds Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Richmond Park Area
Images
Gordon Presbyterian Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35116
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-] (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.7 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church. The alter, pulpits and pews can be seen. Written on the altar: "In remembrance of me."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-] (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.7 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 193-017
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1987-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church. The alter, pulpits and pews can be seen. Written on the altar: "In remembrance of me."
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Edmonds Street
- Street Address
- 7457 Edmonds Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Richmond Park Area
Images
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married his wife, Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. Interviewers' biographies: 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”. 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
- Clothing
- Foods
- Indigenous peoples
- Buildings - Religious - Temples
- Food Processing Tools and Equipment
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Migration
- Occupations
- Organizations - Unions
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
- Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)
Audio Tracks
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3Interview 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…
- 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
Audio Tracks
Interview with Shanaz Khan, [1956-2023] (interview content), interviewed 24 Sep. 2023
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.mp3Moving St. Helen's Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58379
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a truck moving the St. Helen's Church building. The Church was replaced in 1956 with a new building.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 495-003
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a truck moving the St. Helen's Church building. The Church was replaced in 1956 with a new building.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Triumph Street
- Street Address
- 3894 Triumph Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Reverend Garfield Ferris and family
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88380
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 1958
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9.5 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Reverend Garfield James Ferris, Tabea Ferris, Faye Ferris and Sharron Ferris (their brother, Lorne Garfield Ferris was at school at Red Deer College during the time this photograph was taken) standing in front of the Church of the Nazarene parsonage located at 577 Clarke Road in Burqu…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 1958
- Collection/Fonds
- Church of Nazarene fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9.5 x 7 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 575-004
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2014-41
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Reverend Garfield James Ferris, Tabea Ferris, Faye Ferris and Sharron Ferris (their brother, Lorne Garfield Ferris was at school at Red Deer College during the time this photograph was taken) standing in front of the Church of the Nazarene parsonage located at 577 Clarke Road in Burquitlam. Reverend Garfield James Ferris served as minister of the Church of Nazarene from 1955 to 1959.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Street Address
- 577 Clarke Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
St. Helen's Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58377
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a fire at the manse next to St. Helen's Church. Two children with bicycles can be seen standing near the street corner.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 495-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a fire at the manse next to St. Helen's Church. Two children with bicycles can be seen standing near the street corner.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Triumph Street
- Street Address
- 3894 Triumph Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
Images
St. Helen's Church Steeple
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58378
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the steeple of St. Helen's Church after it was torn down. The Church was replaced in 1956 when a new building was constructed. Siting inside the steeple are three children: the girl on the right has been identified as Sheila Minni, the boy seated up in the middle of the steeple is B…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1955-1956]
- Collection/Fonds
- Sheila Minni fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 4.5 x 7 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 495-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the steeple of St. Helen's Church after it was torn down. The Church was replaced in 1956 when a new building was constructed. Siting inside the steeple are three children: the girl on the right has been identified as Sheila Minni, the boy seated up in the middle of the steeple is Bobby Priest and the other girl is known only as Katherine.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Triumph Street
- Street Address
- 3894 Triumph Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Willingdon Heights United Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37703
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1952 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.4 x 4.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of Willingdon Heights United Church at 4304 Parker Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1952 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.4 x 4.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-291
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of Willingdon Heights United Church at 4304 Parker Street.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Parker Street
- Street Address
- 4304 Parker Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
Images
Willingdon Heights United Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37704
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1957 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.4 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of Willingdon Heights United Church at 4304 Parker Street, with an addition on the side.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1957 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.4 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-292
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of Willingdon Heights United Church at 4304 Parker Street, with an addition on the side.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Parker Street
- Street Address
- 4304 Parker Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area