Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Denby Brothers Shoe Company trucks

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription554

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1921]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of two Johnston Storage Company trucks loaded with rolls and stacks of leather for Denby Brothers shoe company. Banner signs that read "for DENBY BROS & Co. Vancouver BC" hang on the sides of the trucks that are parked just outside of the Denby Brothers store. Beside the store is another…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of two Johnston Storage Company trucks loaded with rolls and stacks of leather for Denby Brothers shoe company. Banner signs that read "for DENBY BROS & Co. Vancouver BC" hang on the sides of the trucks that are parked just outside of the Denby Brothers store. Beside the store is another business with a sign that reads "A. Ramsay & Son Company." The street is brick laid, and to the right can be seen a large sign for The Vancouver Sun, advertised as publisher, printer, and bookbinder. Inscribed in the negative and printed on photograph, front lower right: "8160." An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "circa 1921." Stamped on the back of the photo is: "Leonard Frank / Photographic Artist / 553 Granville St. / Bay. 1029 Vancouver, B.C./ In re-ordering prints mention no. 8160."

Subjects: Transportation - Trucks; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Denby Brothers and Company; Johnston Storage Company Limited

Geographic Access: Vancouver

Accession Code: HV977.84.4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1921]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Photographer: Frank, Leonard

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Denby Brothers Shoe Company trucks, [1921] thumbnail

Entrance to Oasis Tourist Camp

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription594

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: Roy Bernard Raymer fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.6 x 15.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the entrance to Oasis Tourist Camp, which is marked by a large sign put up with two posts on either side of the sign . It reads, "Tea Gardens / The Oasis / 'Rest and Refresh' / Free Tourist Camp." Further along the driveway is a smaller sign that reads: "'Welcome.' Drive In." To the…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Roy Bernard Raymer fonds

Series: Ray Raymer photograph collection series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.6 x 15.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the entrance to Oasis Tourist Camp, which is marked by a large sign put up with two posts on either side of the sign . It reads, "Tea Gardens / The Oasis / 'Rest and Refresh' / Free Tourist Camp." Further along the driveway is a smaller sign that reads: "'Welcome.' Drive In." To the left of the entrance is a modified house building with a sign advertising for Fraser Valley ice cream placed outside the extended patio. The Oasis Tourist Camp was located at 2675 Kingsway (after 1959 address became 6105 Kingsway) in Burnaby and was owned and operated by the Raymer family.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Oasis

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 6105 Kingsway

Accession Code: HV977.121.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Planning Study Area: Windsor Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 23-Aug-06

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Entrance to Oasis Tourist Camp, [192-] thumbnail

Royal Oak Garage

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3174

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1925]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the front entrance to the Royal Oak Garage with three men standing by the doorway. The man standing in the middle is believed to be Stan Cullen, the owner and operator of the garage. Signs advertising "HAVOLINE OIL" and "Tires and Tubes [from] Selected Dealers" are posted at the entra…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the front entrance to the Royal Oak Garage with three men standing by the doorway. The man standing in the middle is believed to be Stan Cullen, the owner and operator of the garage. Signs advertising "HAVOLINE OIL" and "Tires and Tubes [from] Selected Dealers" are posted at the entrance. The Royal Oak Garage was located at 3439 Kingsway (later renumbered 5103 Kingsway).

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Cullen, Stan; Royal Oak Garage

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 5103 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV993.28.31

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1925]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-04-16

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying

Images

Royal Oak Garage

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3177

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [192-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Royal Oak Garage taken from a distance. Advertisements for "SHELL GASOLINE" are visible. The Royal Oak Garage was located at 3439 Kingsway (later renumbered 5103 Kingsway).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Royal Oak Garage taken from a distance. Advertisements for "SHELL GASOLINE" are visible. The Royal Oak Garage was located at 3439 Kingsway (later renumbered 5103 Kingsway).

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Royal Oak Garage

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 5103 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV993.28.34

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [192-]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-04-23

Photographer: Frank, Leonard

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Photographer identifies photograph as no. 11825; Embossed lettering on lower left of photograph reads: "LEONARD FRANK/ -PHOTOS-/ VANCOUVER, B.C."; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "LEONARD FRANK PHOTOS/ 553 GRANVILLE ST/ VANCOUVER. - - B. C."

Images

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 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 Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.

History: Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Migration; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Grocers; Organizations; Organizations - Business Associations; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores

Names: Toy, Christina; Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"; Babey, Beverley; Canada Way Food Market; Fraser Merchants' Association

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4694 Canada Way

Accession Code: BV023.16.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Related Material: See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0019_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3

Blacksmith shops

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1947

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [194-?] (date of originals), copied [1971]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w composite ; 26 x 30.5 cm, mounted on cardboard 32 x 39 cm

Scope and Content: Composite photograph of various aspects of unidentified blacksmith shops including interiors, equipment and exteriors.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w composite ; 26 x 30.5 cm, mounted on cardboard 32 x 39 cm

Material Details: Composite is comprised of ten photographs

Scope and Content: Composite photograph of various aspects of unidentified blacksmith shops including interiors, equipment and exteriors.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial; Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Blacksmiths

Names: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV000.18.8

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [194-?] (date of originals), copied [1971]

Media Type: Photograph

Arrangement: Record appears to be a part of the Burnaby Centennial Committee or the Century Park Museum Associaton. Jon Newby was a board member of either of these committees.

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/8/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Blacksmith shops, [194-?] (date of originals), copied [1971] thumbnail

Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1683

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: January 16, 1956

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the demonstration of Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance; a 1000 G.P.M. (gallons per minute) nozzle mounted on pumper truck. Fire Chief Menzies is standing on the running board, looking towards Deputy Chief G. Monk and Chief Training Officer Fred Blake who are on th…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the demonstration of Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance; a 1000 G.P.M. (gallons per minute) nozzle mounted on pumper truck. Fire Chief Menzies is standing on the running board, looking towards Deputy Chief G. Monk and Chief Training Officer Fred Blake who are on the fire truck, holding on to the machinery (Blake is on the right). Councillor Fred Philps is standing on the ground, smiling, with his hand resting on the truck's ladder.

Subjects: Occupations - Fire Fighters; Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Transportation - Fire Trucks; Tools and Equipment

Names: Burnaby Fire Department; Menzies, William "Bill"; Monk, Gordon; Blake, Frederick "Fred"

Accession Code: BV002.75.5

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: January 16, 1956

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2/12/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Typed note on verso of photograph reads: B.F.D. First heavy stream/ appliance, 1000 G.P.M./ nozzle mounted on pumper./ Can also be removed and/ used from the ground./ Jan. 16, 1956"; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "JAN. 16, 1956 / L to R. CHIEF MENZIES DEP. CHIEF G. MONK CHIEF TRAINING OFFICER FRED BLAKE COUNCILLOR FRED PHILPS"; Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Mr F. Blake 4165 Pandora Street Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5C 2B2"

Images

Burnaby Fire Department's first heavy stream appliance, January 16, 1956 thumbnail

Burnaby's first ladder fire truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1300

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1956 (date of original)

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, a LaFrance, 100 foot aerial ladder quintuplet. The ladder is fully extended with a firefighter standing at the very top, operating the hose.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, a LaFrance, 100 foot aerial ladder quintuplet. The ladder is fully extended with a firefighter standing at the very top, operating the hose.

Subjects: Occupations - Fire Fighters; Transportation - Fire Trucks; Tools and Equipment

Names: Burnaby Fire Department

Accession Code: BV998.31.15

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1956 (date of original)

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For another photograph of the same image, but cropped differently, see BV998.31.18

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Typed sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Burnaby's first ladder truck. La France 100 ft. aerial ladder quintuplet. 1956"; Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "MR & MRS F BLAKE 4165 PANDORA ST BURNABY BC V5C 2B2"

Images

Burnaby's first ladder fire truck, 1956 (date of original) thumbnail

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

Power Dam at Powell River

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3512

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1924

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Power Dam at Powell River under construction. Labourers are visible working with a pile driver and tractor pulley at the top of the dam.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Power Dam at Powell River under construction. Labourers are visible working with a pile driver and tractor pulley at the top of the dam.

Subjects: Structures - Dams; Construction Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Labourers

Accession Code: HV975.33.3ab

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: 1924

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2/2/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Image from personal photograph album of Tom "Tommy" Irvine (HV975.33.3)

Images

Power Dam at Powell River, 1924 thumbnail

Stave Lake Dam and powerhouse

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19301

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [c. 1915]

Collection/Fonds: Esther Love Stanley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Stave Lake, the Stave Lake Dam and powerhouse in Mission, British Columbia.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Esther Love Stanley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Stave Lake, the Stave Lake Dam and powerhouse in Mission, British Columbia.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Energy Production Tools and Equipment; Structures - Dams

Accession Code: BV022.32.18

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [c. 1915]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-04-04

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)

Images

Stave Lake Dam and powerhouse, [c. 1915] thumbnail

Water flowing from Stave Lake Dam

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19302

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [c. 1915]

Collection/Fonds: Esther Love Stanley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of water flowing from Stave Lake Dam into the Stave River in Mission, British Columbia. Shoreline with large rocks in the foreground and barren trees on the hillsides bordering the river.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Esther Love Stanley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of water flowing from Stave Lake Dam into the Stave River in Mission, British Columbia. Shoreline with large rocks in the foreground and barren trees on the hillsides bordering the river.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Rivers; Energy Production Tools and Equipment; Structures - Dams

Accession Code: BV022.32.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [c. 1915]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-04-04

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)

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