Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Burnaby creek conservationists

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96276

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 4 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of volunteer conservationists with the Eagle Creek Streamkeepers, Byrne Creek Streamkeepers, and Sapperton Fish & Game Club at work in the Lake City area by Eagle Creek and the Brunette River. Photographs depict Nick Kvenich, of the Eagle Creek Streamkeepers, in a creek; m…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 4 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-1959

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of volunteer conservationists with the Eagle Creek Streamkeepers, Byrne Creek Streamkeepers, and Sapperton Fish & Game Club at work in the Lake City area by Eagle Creek and the Brunette River. Photographs depict Nick Kvenich, of the Eagle Creek Streamkeepers, in a creek; members of the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers observing a storm drain; and Elmer Rudolf feeding fish at a Sapperton Fish & Game Club hatchery.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Creeks; Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Ravines; Geographic Features - Streams

Names: Sapperton Fish & Game Club

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a March 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-1959-1: "Nick Kvenich is one of the founding members of the Eagle Creek Streamkeepers, which is looking to preserve the habitat of the creek that runs down from Squint Lake into a ravine below the Lake City industrial area."; Caption from metadata for 535-1959-2: "Joan Carne (r) and Louise Towell, of the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers, examine a storm drain in an industrial area above the creek. The habitat faces constant pressure from businesses and homeowners who pour solvents, soaps and substances into the drains without thought to the consequences."; Caption from metadata for 535-1959-3: "Nick Kvenich, one of the founding members of the Eagle Creek Streamkeepers, climbs through a fallen tree that is blocking a trail that runs alongside the creek, in a ravine below the Lake City industrial area. Although the tree will eventually be cleared by the GVRD, Kvenich says he prefers if such obstacles be left alone, as they would discourage people who might abuse the habitat."; Caption from metadata for 535-1959-4: "Elmer Rudolf feeds a new batch of coho fry at the Sapperton Fish & Game Club's hatchery, near the Brunette River. The fry are normally fed by a timed conveyor belt, but that is supplemented by hand feedings to give the weaker fish a chance."

Geographic Access: Brunette River; Eagle Creek

Planning Study Area: Lake City Area

Images

Burnaby creek conservationists, [2002] thumbnail

Makúk : a new history of Aboriginal-white relations

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1426

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Lutz, John S. (John Sutton), 1959-

Publication Date: c2008

Call Number: 970.1004 LUT

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 9780774811408; 9780774811392; 0774811390

Call Number: 970.1004 LUT

Author: Lutz, John S. (John Sutton), 1959-

Place of Publication: Vancouver

Publisher: UBC Press

Publication Date: c2008

Physical Description: xii, 431 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 27 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Whites--Relations with Indians; Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--Economic conditions; Indigenous peoples--Employment--British Columbia; Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--History; Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--Government Relations; Indigenous peoples--Canada--Government relations; British Columbia--Ethnic relations

Subjects: Indigenous peoples; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia

Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [380]-401) and index.

Snow Owl / Burnaby Lake Snow Pictures

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91702

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1970 and 2001]

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: File consists photographs of a snow-covered Burnaby Lake and a snowy owl perched on a large tree stump.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1970 and 2001]

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Physical Description: 25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 618-020

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2015-15

Scope and Content: File consists photographs of a snow-covered Burnaby Lake and a snowy owl perched on a large tree stump.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Animals - Birds; Plants - Trees; Natural Phenomena - Snow

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lawson, Doreen A.

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from negative envelope

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Snow Owl / Burnaby Lake Snow Pictures, [between 1970 and 2001] thumbnail

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4480

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:07:55 min)

Scope and Content: Track 5: This portion of the recording continues with the topic of recreation. The next questions pertain to restrictions on children at the time, cultural diversity, living arrangements, and toys. Cice is asked to describe her best and worst memories. She mentions that there were few restrictions …

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:07:55 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Cice Brown Date of Interview: May 13, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 7 Total length of all Tracks: 0:40:19

Scope and Content: Track 5: This portion of the recording continues with the topic of recreation. The next questions pertain to restrictions on children at the time, cultural diversity, living arrangements, and toys. Cice is asked to describe her best and worst memories. She mentions that there were few restrictions on children, and discusses the nature of community at the time. She comments on the cultural and religious backgrounds of the people she knew. Cice describes her family’s home and living arrangements, and how they reflected her family’s situation. She recalls a favourite toy.

History: Recording of an interview with Cice Brown, interviewed by Tom Gooden on May 13 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1930s and 40s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Persons - Children

Names: Brown, Cice Chandler

Accession Code: BV017.45.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 5, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0003_005.mp3

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4482

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:03:14 min)

Scope and Content: Track 7: This portion of the recording pertains to changes to Burnaby since Cice’s childhood. Cice discusses the rural nature of South Burnaby, and the sense of security of that time. She talks of the changes caused by the creation and growth of the Metrotown area. Cice describes how her husband’s …

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:03:14 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Cice Brown Date of Interview: May 13, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 7 Total length of all Tracks: 0:40:19

Scope and Content: Track 7: This portion of the recording pertains to changes to Burnaby since Cice’s childhood. Cice discusses the rural nature of South Burnaby, and the sense of security of that time. She talks of the changes caused by the creation and growth of the Metrotown area. Cice describes how her husband’s veteran status earned them a discount on a building lot from the City of Burnaby, allowing her to continue to live there.

History: Recording of an interview with Cice Brown, interviewed by Tom Gooden on May 13 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1930s and 40s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - Veterans; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Persons - Children

Names: Brown, Cice Chandler

Accession Code: BV017.45.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Audio Tracks

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 7, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0003_007.mp3

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…

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: 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

Names: Gill, Prem Kaur; Gill, Mohinder Kaur; Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh

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

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3

Interview with John Templeton, Alan James and Christine Leston by Kathy Bossort October 26, 2015 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory594

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1995-2015

Length: 0:15:39

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the Stoney Creek Environment Committee members’ discussion of the natural and community values of Stoney Creek. They talk about changes in fish population, the presence of other animals in the watershed, and how people benefit from natural areas.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the Stoney Creek Environment Committee members’ discussion of the natural and community values of Stoney Creek. They talk about changes in fish population, the presence of other animals in the watershed, and how people benefit from natural areas.

Date Range: 1995-2015

Length: 0:15:39

Names: Stoney Creek Environment Committee

Subjects: Geographic Features - Streams; Animals - Fish; Animals - Deer; Animals - Bears; Recreational Activities

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area; Stoney Creek

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: October 26, 2015

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with John Templeton, Alan James & Christine Leston, members of the Stoney Creek Environment Committee, conducted by Kathy Bossort. The three members of SCEC were among 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about the history and work of the stream keeper group Stoney Creek Environment Committee (SCEC) and the Stoney Creek Environmental Working Group, and about SCEC’s founder Jennifer Atkinson. The interview is made richer by the complementary views of the three interviewees, John Templeton (SCEC Chair), Alan James (Member-at-Large - Education), and Christine Leston (Treasurer).

Biographical Notes: The Stoney Creek Environment Committee is a streamkeeper group and registered non-profit society dedicated to protecting and restoring viable salmon-bearing streams within the Stoney Creek Watershed. (Stoney Creek originates on Burnaby Mountain and is part of the Brunette watershed which empties into the Fraser River.) The volunteer group, formed in 1995, was guided by the tireless efforts of Jennifer Atchison (1938-2010) after whom the Jennifer Atchison Environmental Centre in North Burnaby is named. The volunteer members of SCEC monitor water quality, generate inventories and reports on the biophysical assets and health of the watershed, provide educational opportunities, enhance stream and stream bank habitat, and speak on behalf of the Stoney Creek watershed. One of its key events is The Great Salmon Send-Off, the release of young salmon into Stoney Creek in May, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015. The Stoney Creek Environmental Working Group (1999-present), managed by the City of Burnaby, undertakes to coordinate the actions of all stakeholders in the Stoney Creek watershed. It is comprised of representatives from community groups, such as SCEC, governmental and institutional agencies, and industries who are committed to sustaining and improving the quality of the Stoney Creek watershed’s water, wildlife and environment. John Templeton, currently SCEC Chair, joined SCEC in 2004. He was born in Coleraine ,County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 1957, and after immigrating to Canada, came to live in Burnaby in 1992, first in Forest Grove (1992-2014) and then in Forest Hills. He works as a millwright. Alan James,Member-at-large - Education, joined SCEC in 2003 He was born in 1939 in Berkeley, California, and came to live in Burnaby in about 2000. He is a retired geophycisist and computer consultant. Christine Leston joined SCEC in 1997, serving first as Secretary and then as Treasurer. She was born in 1943 in Cheshire, England, and came to live in Burnaby in 1974, first in Greentree Village, then Simon Fraser Village (1974-2004) and now the Edmonds area. She is a retired technical writer.

Total Tracks: 9

Total Length: 2:08:27

Interviewee Name: Templeton, John R.; James, Alan C.; Leston, Christine

Interview Location: Jennifer Atchison Environmental Centre, Burnaby

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track eight of interview with John Templeton, Alan James & Christine Leston

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-006/MSS196-006_Track_8.mp3

Byrne Creek Streamkeepers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96572

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains members of the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers during their work to protect the waterways and salmon in the area. Photographs depict Bob Fuller checking a waterflow measuring gauge and Joan Carne standing in the overflow channel at the salmon rearing ponds below Marine Drive.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2194

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains members of the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers during their work to protect the waterways and salmon in the area. Photographs depict Bob Fuller checking a waterflow measuring gauge and Joan Carne standing in the overflow channel at the salmon rearing ponds below Marine Drive.

Subjects: Persons - Volunteers; Geographic Features - Creeks; Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Streams

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a March 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-2194-1: "Bob Fuller, of the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers, checks the guage that measures the flow of water which is released from the holding pond below Marine Drive to the salmon spawning beds downstream."; Caption from metadata for 535-2194-2: "Joan Carne of the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers stands in the overflow channel at the salmon rearing ponds below Marine Drive. Although last week's chemical spill into Byrne Creek didn't reach the ponds, Carne says it's a constant battle to educate people to take care of the area's creeks and streams."

Geographic Access: Marine Drive; Byrne Creek

Planning Study Area: Stride Hill Area

Images

Byrne Creek Streamkeepers, [2001] thumbnail

Central Park snow

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95794

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of two people dressed in winter clothing in Central Park. They are walking down a snow-covered path by the pond; it is snowing and the trees and ground are covered in snow. Many ducks are visible in the pond.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1626

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of two people dressed in winter clothing in Central Park. They are walking down a snow-covered path by the pond; it is snowing and the trees and ground are covered in snow. Many ducks are visible in the pond.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Parks; Natural Phenomena - Snow

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a February 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Thursday's snowfall creates a winter wonderland around the duck pond in Burnaby's Central Park."

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Mayor Derek Corrigan and Stéphane Dion at Burnaby Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96537

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2005]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Mayor Derek Corrigan touring Burnaby Lake with federal Minister of the Environment Stéphane Dion. Photographs depict Corrigan and Dion on the end of the walkway of Piper Spit, as Corrigan gestures out at Burnaby Lake, and walking the Rotary Walkway with Bill Cunningham.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2005]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2159

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Mayor Derek Corrigan touring Burnaby Lake with federal Minister of the Environment Stéphane Dion. Photographs depict Corrigan and Dion on the end of the walkway of Piper Spit, as Corrigan gestures out at Burnaby Lake, and walking the Rotary Walkway with Bill Cunningham.

Subjects: Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Officials - Elected Officials; Geographic Features - Parks; Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds

Names: Corrigan, Derek

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a March 2005 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-2159-1: "Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan shows off Burnaby Lake to federal Minister of the Environment, Stephane Dion, during a tour a Piper Spit, part of the city of Burnaby's ongoing quest for funding to dredge the lake."; Caption from metadata for 535-2159-2: "Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan shows off Burnaby Lake to federal Minister of the Environment, Stephane Dion, and Bill Cunningham, during a tour along Piper Spit as part of the city of Burnaby's ongoing efforts to secure funding to dredge the lake."

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake; Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Mayor Derek Corrigan and Stéphane Dion at Burnaby Lake, [2005] thumbnail

MP Peter Julian at Burnaby Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96176

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2005]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Burnaby/New Westminster MP Peter Julian posing on a dock by Burnaby Lake and in the rowing pavilion during a press conference related to the federal government's denial of funding for a dredging project.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2005]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-1873

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Burnaby/New Westminster MP Peter Julian posing on a dock by Burnaby Lake and in the rowing pavilion during a press conference related to the federal government's denial of funding for a dredging project.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Parks; Officials - Elected Officials

Names: Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a January 2005 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-1873-1: "Burnaby/New Westminster MP Peter Julian says he can't understand why the federal government would deny funding for a dredging project in Burnaby Lake when it approved a similar project for a lake in Saskatchewan."; Caption from metadata for 535-1873-2: "Burnaby/New Westminster MP Peter Julian gestures towards Burnaby Lake during a news conference at the rowing pavillion to question the federal government's funding of a dredging project at a similar lake in Saskatchewan, while it won't assist a plan to save Burnaby Lake."

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake; Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

MP Peter Julian at Burnaby Lake, [2005] thumbnail

Peter Beynon on Rotary Walkway at Burnaby Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96253

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2005]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Peter Beynon, president of the Rotary Club of Burnaby, on the Rotary Walkway at Piper Spit on Burnaby Lake. The walkway extends behind him and the viewing deck at the end, Burnaby Lake, and the trees surrounding the lake are visible in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2005]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1936

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Peter Beynon, president of the Rotary Club of Burnaby, on the Rotary Walkway at Piper Spit on Burnaby Lake. The walkway extends behind him and the viewing deck at the end, Burnaby Lake, and the trees surrounding the lake are visible in the background.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Parks; Structures - Piers and Wharfs

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Medig, Kari

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a February 2005 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Rotary Club of Burnaby president Peter Beynon stands on the new Rotary Walkway at Piper Spit on Burnaby Lake on Wednesday afternoon. The new walkway, a joint venture of local Rotary Clubs, the GVRD, the Pacific Parklands Foundation and Terasen, will be officially unveiled February 23."

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake; Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Peter Beynon on Rotary Walkway at Burnaby Lake, [2005] thumbnail

Radio-controlled boating at Deer Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96817

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ray Cooper placing his radio-controlled trimaran boat into Deer Lake from a dock. Deer Lake Beach is visible in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2375

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ray Cooper placing his radio-controlled trimaran boat into Deer Lake from a dock. Deer Lake Beach is visible in the background.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Beaches; Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Recreational Activities - Boating

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in an April 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Ray Cooper struggles to launch his 6-foot tall radio-controlled trimiran from the dock at Deer Lake."

Geographic Access: Deer Lake; Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Radio-controlled boating at Deer Lake, [2000] thumbnail

Rower on Burnaby Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96049

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2004]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of a single rower on Burnaby Lake. The snow-covered North Shore mountains are visible in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2004]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1798

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of a single rower on Burnaby Lake. The snow-covered North Shore mountains are visible in the background.

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Boating; Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Mountains

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a February 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "A rower heading out into Burnaby Lake Saturday for a morning workout is dwarfed by the majestic North Shore mountains."

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park; Burnaby Lake

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Beaver Creek salmon release

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96942

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gail McGrath holding up a plastic bag containing water and Coho salmon fry were released into Beaver Creek during Environment Week celebrations at Deer Lake Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2497

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gail McGrath holding up a plastic bag containing water and Coho salmon fry were released into Beaver Creek during Environment Week celebrations at Deer Lake Park.

Subjects: Animals - Fish; Events; Geographic Features - Creeks

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a June 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Gail McGrath gets a close-up look at some of the 3,000 Coho fry that were released into Beaver Creek last Saturday as part of Burnaby's Environment Week celebrations at Deer Lake Park. The fry will leave the creek next May, as 20 gram smolts, heading to the Fraser River via Deer Lake, Burnaby Lake, and the Brunette River. Of the 3,000, one pair may return to the creek as spawning adults. "

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park; Deer Lake

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Oakalla Area

Images

Beaver Creek salmon release, [2001] thumbnail

Cariboo Dam fish weir

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97722

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Elmer Rudolph and Bob Henderson helping a salmon through the fish weir at the Cariboo Dam on the Brunette River.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2996

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Elmer Rudolph and Bob Henderson helping a salmon through the fish weir at the Cariboo Dam on the Brunette River.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Rivers; Structures - Dams; Animals - Fish

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a November 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Elmer Rudolph and Bob Henderson help a mature female salmon, weighing about nine pounds, up through the fish weir at the Cariboo dam. The week of heavy rain has finally made conditions favorable for fish to make their journey up the Brunette River from the Fraser, and then on to their spawning beds, and Rudolph is at the dam every day to help them along. On Saturday, in addition to the mature salmon, he also helped four immature males and two 14-inch Cutthroat."

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake; Brunette River

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Fish release for BC Rivers Week

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97303

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the fish release kickoff event for BC Rivers Week. Photographs depict Morley Rempel, a fish culturist at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery, moving trout into a bucket with a net and Environment Minister Joan Sawicki and the chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Council of B…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2700

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the fish release kickoff event for BC Rivers Week. Photographs depict Morley Rempel, a fish culturist at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery, moving trout into a bucket with a net and Environment Minister Joan Sawicki and the chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, Mark Angelo, releasing the trout in Guichon Creek.

Subjects: Animals - Fish; Geographic Features - Creeks; Environmental Issues; Events

Names: Sawicki, Joan

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a September 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-2700-1: "Morley Rempel, a fish culturist at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery, prepares the first cutthroat trout fingerlings to be released into Guichon Creek, a kickoff for BC Rivers Week."; Caption from metadata for 535-2700-2: "Environment Minister Joan Sawicki and the chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, Mark Angelo, release the first trout fingerlings into Guichon Creek, to celebrate its rehabilitation, and to launch BC Rivers Week."

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Fish release for BC Rivers Week, [2000] thumbnail

Great Salmon Send Off

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96856

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Al Hunter and his child, Kyara, releasing Coho fingerlings into Stoney Creek at the Great Salmon Send Off.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2414

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Al Hunter and his child, Kyara, releasing Coho fingerlings into Stoney Creek at the Great Salmon Send Off.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Creeks; Animals - Fish; Events

Names: Sapperton Fish & Game Club

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a May 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Kyara Hunter, 4, gets a little help from her dad, Al, releasing Coho fingerlings into Stoney Creek, at the Great Salmon Send Off on Saturday. About 4,000 young Coho, raised by the Sapperton Fish and Game Club, were released into the stream."

Geographic Access: Stoney Creek

Historic Neighbourhood: Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lyndhurst Area

Images

Salmon Send Off

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96752

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the annual Salmon Send Off at Stoney Creek. Photographs depict a group of students (Cristina Leighton, Sara Ellis, Megan Lyons, Tommy Monkman, Alicia Yeung, and Ryan Tyson) who attended the first Salmon Send Off 12 years prior with salmon they are about to release, and …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2351

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the annual Salmon Send Off at Stoney Creek. Photographs depict a group of students (Cristina Leighton, Sara Ellis, Megan Lyons, Tommy Monkman, Alicia Yeung, and Ryan Tyson) who attended the first Salmon Send Off 12 years prior with salmon they are about to release, and Maurice Coulter-Boisvert, of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, scooping up salmon for release as a crowd looks on in the background.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Creeks; Persons - Students; Animals - Fish; Public Services

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a May 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Cristina Leighton, Sara Ellis, Megan Lyons, Tommy Monkman, Alicia Yeung and Ryan Tyson check out the 14-month old Coho smolts they're about to release into Burnaby's Stoney Creek, at the annual Salmon Send Off, on Saturday. The group were all kindergarten students at the first Salmon Send Off 12 years ago, and, like the little fish, they decided to return to do it again to celebrate their graduation from Grade 12 at Burnaby Mountain Secondary."; Caption from metadata for 535-2351-2: "Maurice Coulter-Boisvert, of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, scoops up 14 month-old Coho smolts to be released into Burnaby's Stoney Creek, at the annual Salmon Send Off on Saturday. The smolts, raised at the Kanaka Creek hatchery in Maple Ridge, will begin their journey to the ocean after about a week in the creek."

Geographic Access: Stoney Creek

Historic Neighbourhood: Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lyndhurst Area

Images

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…

1 image 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: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 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: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.

History: Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Environmental Issues; Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection; Geographic Features; Geographic Features - Parks; Housing; Occupations; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Writers; Persons - Volunteers; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Religions; Religions - Judaism

Names: Schwartz, William "Bill"; Schwartz, Ellen; City of Burnaby; Polestar Communications; British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby

Images

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0006_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3

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