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Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19610
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Kate Petrusa and James Binks Interviewees: Rajinder and Raj Pandher Location of Interview: Love farmhouse, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 4 Total Length of all Tracks: (3:06:01 min) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto four separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview begins on January 10. Rajinder Pander provides information on where he was born and where he grew up and shares details regarding his family and his childhood including; his elementary and high school education and experiences and his involvement and interest in the sport of field hockey. 08:53 – 23:24 Raj Pander provides information on where she was born and shares details regarding her family and education. Raj recalls details of her family life in India including her family farm, her father’s service in the Indian National Army and other ancestor’s involvement in the military. Rajinder assists with the details regarding Raj’s father’s military service and explains how he was highly decelerated for his heroic actions. Rajinder conveys further information in reference to the Sikh Empire. 23:25 – 35:53 Rajinder and Raj share information on their formal education. Raj explains how she learned English and talks about the other spoken languages that her family used while she was growing up. Rajinder and Raj recall how they first met which lead them to marry in 1971. Rajinder provides information about his older brothers who left India before him. He explains how his elder brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1970 and provides details on his other brother who lived in Malaysia and England before coming to Canada in 1975. Rajinder conveys how after his brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher arrived in Canada, he lived in Campbell River and worked at the saw mill there. 35:54 – 1:01:38 Rajinder and Raj share their immigration stories including details of; what lead them to immigrate, their immigration route, what they brought with them and where they lived and worked. Rajinder and Raj tell of how they both faced discrimination in finding work that they were qualified for and describe some of the jobs that they worked at before obtaining their Real Estate licences. 1:01:39 – 1:13:09 Rajinder and Raj share information on where they’ve purchase traditional food supplies in Burnaby and Rajinder provides further details on his employment and recalls how they were able to purchase their first home in Burnaby. 1:13:10 - 1:19:33 Rajinder describes how he began writing for the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”. Rajinder shares how he first started printing small pamphlets of Sikh Cultural history in 1975 and how he’s been volunteering with the National Democratic Party (NDP) since 1973. 1:19:34 - 1:38:24 Second part of interview continues on January 24, 2023. Rajinder provides further information about the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”, provides an historical summary of the Sikh Empire and the Sikh religion and describes a book that’s he’s written about his culture and the village he lived in India. 1:38:25 - 1:52:24 Raj describes some of the traditional textiles that she’s created including a dury, embroidered cloth (pakha and pakhi) and clothing. Raj shares a story of a train derailment in India in which her father survived. 1:52:25 - 2:14:53 Raj Pandher talks about her father’s letters and diaries, Rajinder talks about receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service and they both talk about their daughter Amanjit’s education and career accomplishments. Raj describes her involvement in the community council of her children’s school and both Raj and Rajinder describe their involvement in multicultural education and events that they were involved with in Burnaby and New Westminster. Interviewer lists Rajinder Pandher’s many volunteer awards and accomplishments. 2:14:54 - 2:39:53 Raj and Rajinder describe some of their family photographs as well as personal items from India including decorative arts and textiles. They talk about celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary and the origin of their Sikh names. Rajinder describes a visit to Paldi in 1977 when the whole family was baptized at the Sikh temple and provides informaton about Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Sikh child born in Canada. Rajinder discusses what he thinks a cookhouse looked like, his friendship with former Mayor William J. Copeland and wages of South Asians working in sawmills. 2:39:54 - 3:06:01 Raj and Rajinder talk about food including where they’ve purchased traditional South Asian foods and what they grow in their home garden. Rajinder provides details about the Burnaby Multicultural Society, talks about South Asian work ethics and housing and shares some of the cultural and religious traditions of Sikhs and celebrations that take place in Vancouver and Burnaby.
- History
- Interviewees biographies: Rajinder Pandher was born five years prior to the Partition of India in the Village of Jhamat, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Raj Pandher was born in 1948 in the Village of Chapar, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Rajinder played field hockey while living in India and is passionate about the sport. Both Rajinder and Raj Pahndher attended college in India and were married in India in 1971. Rajinder Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1972 and his wife, Raj Pandher joined him in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Rajinder Pandher started working at a sawmill in Campbell River but didn't like the work and moved to Vancouver to find better employment opportunties. In 1976, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented until they could buy a home a year later. They raised two children who attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School in Burnaby. Rajinder and Raj Pandher were both very involved with multicultural efforts at their childlren's schools including turban tying and sari demonstrations and Rajinder was a founding member of the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Interviewers biographies: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013. James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Housing
- Employment
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Persons - Volunteers
- Religions - Sikhism
- Migration
- Organizations
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Social Issues - Racism
- Social Issues
- Celebrations
- Sports - Field Hockey
- Names
- Pandher, Raj
- Pandher, Rajinder
- Copeland, William J.
- Pandher, Harman
- Pandher, Amanjit
- Burnaby Multicultural Society
- The Western Sikh Samachar
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Binks, James
- Accession Code
- BV023.1.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcripts available upon request
Audio Tracks
Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0002_003.mp3Lee children
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19075
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1969
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Lee children, identified from left to right: Darlene, Eleanor, Vivian, Angela, Ken, John, Vera, Wayne. The children are seated side by side on a sofa.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Lee children, identified from left to right: Darlene, Eleanor, Vivian, Angela, Ken, John, Vera, Wayne. The children are seated side by side on a sofa.
- Accession Code
- BV022.19.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1969
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Lee family
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19074
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1967
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Lee family standing together inside the Dragon Inn restaurant. Kathy Lee is holding baby Angela Lee and standing next to husband, Larry Lee. Other Lee children are standing in front and identified from left to right: Darlene, Wayne, Vivian, John, Ken, Vera.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Lee family standing together inside the Dragon Inn restaurant. Kathy Lee is holding baby Angela Lee and standing next to husband, Larry Lee. Other Lee children are standing in front and identified from left to right: Darlene, Wayne, Vivian, John, Ken, Vera.
- Names
- Lee, Git Nung "Kathy"
- Lee, Larry
- Lee, Wayne
- Lee, Angela
- Lee, John
- Lee, Vivian
- Lee, Ken
- Dragon Inn
- Accession Code
- BV022.19.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1967
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Woman with two boys
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9547
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [ca. 1950]
- Collection/Fonds
- Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 cm x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentifed woman of Chinese descent standing with two unidentified young boys of Asian descent. The woman, in her late thirties or early forties, is dressed in a dark-coloured, long-sleeved, pant suit with black flat shoes and a black hand bag on her right hand. She has light col…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 cm x 9.5 cm
- Material Details
- On the back side of the photograph is the number "197" and Chinese characters "[…]" written in pencil, vertically.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentifed woman of Chinese descent standing with two unidentified young boys of Asian descent. The woman, in her late thirties or early forties, is dressed in a dark-coloured, long-sleeved, pant suit with black flat shoes and a black hand bag on her right hand. She has light coloured turtleneck shirt underneath. The older, taller boy, on her right, has a dark pin-striped, double breasted suit with dark long pants and black, laced shoes. The younger boy has a lighter pin-striped, double breasted suit with dark long pants and black, laced shoes. The background shows a paneled divider on the left and an opening with heavy, dark drapes on the right.
- Accession Code
- BV017.7.357
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [ca. 1950]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 17-Apr-2018
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Alfred's Fountain Pen
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9684
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- The video depicts the challenges of film maker Alfred Woo’s physical, social, and cultural transformation to a foreign country. Sentimentally prior to departing Hong Kong in 1954, Alfred was presented a fountain pen by some of his grade two classmates, a souvenir that he has cherished all these yea…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- The video depicts the challenges of film maker Alfred Woo’s physical, social, and cultural transformation to a foreign country. Sentimentally prior to departing Hong Kong in 1954, Alfred was presented a fountain pen by some of his grade two classmates, a souvenir that he has cherished all these years despite losing contact with them long ago. In his seniority, he muses poignantly about the symbolism of this writing instrument and shares his wonderment about the destiny of these childhood benefactors.
- History
- Immigrating from Hong Kong to Canada as a child, Alfred Woo easily assimilated into the Canadian way of life at an early age and has enjoyed the best of both worlds. A law graduate, his professional career included service as a Crown Counsel, securities administrator, corporate executive, and as private practitioner. He also served in the Canadian Army (Reserve Force) as a legal officer and an artillery officer before being honorably discharged at the rank of Major. A Burnaby resident for over 30 years, and now retired, he continues to volunteer helping seniors, a community service club, and a veterans group.
- Creator
- Woo, Alfred
- Other Title Information
- title supplied by film maker
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Names
- Woo, Alfred
- Accession Code
- BV016.37.15
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 2016
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Transcribed title
Images
Video
Alfred's Fountain Pen, 2016
Alfred's Fountain Pen, 2016
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0015_001.mp4Banquet hall inside Dragon Inn
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19077
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [196-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the banquet hall of the Dragon Inn. People are seated at long tables covered in white table cloths.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the banquet hall of the Dragon Inn. People are seated at long tables covered in white table cloths.
- Names
- Dragon Inn
- Accession Code
- BV022.19.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [196-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued to Quon Lip Lee
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16718
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 6 Oct. 1966
- Collection/Fonds
- Quon Lip Lee fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued to Quon Lip Lee on October 6, 1966. The back of the certificate includes vitial information including date of birth, marital status and date of issue.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Quon Lip Lee fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued to Quon Lip Lee on October 6, 1966. The back of the certificate includes vitial information including date of birth, marital status and date of issue.
- Creator
- Government of Canada
- Names
- Lee, Quon Lip
- Accession Code
- BV021.18.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 6 Oct. 1966
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- April 8, 2021
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
Christmas at Dragon Inn
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19078
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [196-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of the Lee family gathered together during Christmas at the Dragon Inn. People are identified from left to right: Pat Lee, Kathy Lee, Larry Lee, Jack Leung, Marilyn Leung. The group is gathered around a table, there is a rack of coats behind them.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of the Lee family gathered together during Christmas at the Dragon Inn. People are identified from left to right: Pat Lee, Kathy Lee, Larry Lee, Jack Leung, Marilyn Leung. The group is gathered around a table, there is a rack of coats behind them.
- Accession Code
- BV022.19.7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [196-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Community Hero: Recalling a Strathcona Story
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9681
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (7 min., 9 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- The digital video tells the story of Gee Lam’s childhood experience of growing up in the Vancouver’s East End neighbourhood known as Strathcona. His story revolved around his father’s friend Harry Con who was a community activist in the Strathcona neighbourhood, as well as a volunteer “spy” for the…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (7 min., 9 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- The digital video tells the story of Gee Lam’s childhood experience of growing up in the Vancouver’s East End neighbourhood known as Strathcona. His story revolved around his father’s friend Harry Con who was a community activist in the Strathcona neighbourhood, as well as a volunteer “spy” for the Canadian Armed forces in World War 2. Gee shares his personal life lessons learned from “uncle Harry” regarding the importance of standing up and fighting for what is right. Harry’s community contribution had embodied Martin Luther King’s social activist principles: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” In the eyes of Gee, Harry Con was an exemplary who modeled an old Chinese proverb: “Each generation will reap what the former generation has sown. To enjoy the benefits of the hard work of one’s predecessors.” Harry’s life of selfless contributions in shaping the Vancouver Chinese community will impact generations to come. This is a story that needs to be told to the next generation to encourage them to respect and remember that the benefits of a thriving community is derived from both past and present continuous collaborations for paving long term beneficial outcomes for everyone.
- History
- Gee Lam immigrated from Hong Kong and grew up in the Strathcona neighbourhood that was adjacent to Vancouver’s Chinatown. He is a long-time resident of Burnaby. He has lived in North Burnaby with his wife since 1985. He attended Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Burnaby campus and graduated in 1983. He obtained his M.Ed. in 2013 from SFU. He worked as a research assistant and workshop facilitator on the Elders’ Digital Storytelling project. He currently works at SFU’s Teaching and Learning Centre on top of Burnaby Mountain.
- Creator
- Lam, Gee Chung
- Other Title Information
- title supplied by film maker
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Names
- Lam, Gee Chung
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Accession Code
- BV016.37.12
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 2016
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Transcribed title
Images
Video
Community Hero: Recalling a Strathcona Story, 2016
Community Hero: Recalling a Strathcona Story, 2016
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0012_001.mp4Div 1 Gilmore Avenue School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription22
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 17 Mar. 1920
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 11.1 x 16.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Division One class at Gilmore Avenue School (this information is written on a blackboard at the rear of the classroom). A male teacher is standing beside the blackboard and the class is seated at their desks (each desk is attached to the back of the chair in the front). There are …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 11.1 x 16.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Division One class at Gilmore Avenue School (this information is written on a blackboard at the rear of the classroom). A male teacher is standing beside the blackboard and the class is seated at their desks (each desk is attached to the back of the chair in the front). There are 21 girls and 14 boys. The boys are dressed in sweaters or rough sports jackets, baggy trousers, and open-necked shirts. Their hair is generally moppish, or parted. The girls are generally wearing sweaters and wide skirts, with several wearing necklaces. Most have long hair, pulled back and tied, or parted and hanging. Identified: (3rd row of desks, 5th from left) Mary Warren; (1st row of desks, 4th from left) Lena Horne (later Lena McManus). Mary Warren was the daughter of John H. Warren and Mary W. Warren (nee Slaven) who settled in Burnaby and built a house on Union Street in 1912. Mary Warren later became Mary Anthony when she married Bill Anthony. The teacher may be Stanley Griffiths. A blackboard on the left of the picture has math problems written on it. Above, a row of prints hang, among the ones identifiable are Shakespeare and the Fathers of Confederation. The room is lit by dangling electric bulbs. Inscribed on the negative, lower left of the print: "272." An annotation in pencil on the back of the photograph reads, "Mr. Tom Browning." In 1912 Gilmore Ave. School was only a tent as blasting and clearing was being carried out. Later that year, a four-room building was completed and pupils moved in. By 1914, another four rooms were added to meet increased enrolment. Four rooms were added again in 1922, and four rooms and an auditorium were added in 1929. The school was renovated in 1954 and 1955. A library was added in 1964 and six more rooms were built in 1967. The school was named after Hugh B. Gilmour, but an error by a municipal clerk in 1912 changed the spelling to Gilmore.
- Names
- Gilmore Avenue School
- Geographic Access
- Gilmore Avenue
- Street Address
- 50 Gilmore Avenue
- Accession Code
- HV971.23.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 17 Mar. 1920
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-03-21
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Farmer Boy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9678
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (6 min., 6 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- This film is created by Lester Gierarch. Part of the Gierach heritage his father instilled in him was the work ethic of “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” This film shares Lester’s happy memories of working on the Y.Y. Sim farm, in Cloverdale, B.C., when he was 1…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (6 min., 6 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- This film is created by Lester Gierarch. Part of the Gierach heritage his father instilled in him was the work ethic of “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” This film shares Lester’s happy memories of working on the Y.Y. Sim farm, in Cloverdale, B.C., when he was 15 years old. He worked hard alongside Chinese men and women who were new immigrants to Canada as he helped to harvest lettuce and celery for 80 cents an hour. Through this experience Lester grew comfortable working with people of another culture who also knew the importance of working hard.
- History
- Lester Gierach has lived in Burnaby for the past 22 years.
- Creator
- Gierach, Lester
- Other Title Information
- title supplied by film maker
- Names
- Gierach, Lester
- Accession Code
- BV016.37.9
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 2016
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- The film was produced in 2016 as part of the Elders Digital Storytelling project. Digital storytelling is a form of narrative that creates short movies using relatively simple media technology. The project began in 2014 funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC) and AGE-WELL NCE grants. In partnership with the City of Burnaby, digital storytelling workshops were offered in Burnaby. The workshops helped older adults create short autobiographical films that tell a special story in their lives, complete with music, photos and narration. This film was produced at one of those workshops.
Images
Video
Farmer Boy, 2016
Gary Hong and Chan Kow Hong harvesting celery at Hop-On Farms
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4253
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1969] (date of original), copied 2017
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Gary Hong and Chan Kow Hong harvesting celery on the family farm, Hop-On Farms on Marine Drive. Trees and farm land evident in background; crate on right side of photograph.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Gary Hong and Chan Kow Hong harvesting celery on the family farm, Hop-On Farms on Marine Drive. Trees and farm land evident in background; crate on right side of photograph.
- History
- Josephine Hong was born to Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong. The Hong Family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene. The family runs Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including Josephine Hong's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. Her great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Geographic Access
- Byrne Road
- Accession Code
- BV017.36.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [1969] (date of original), copied 2017
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Related Material
- See Oral History Interview-BV020.6.1
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 12/3/2017
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph.
Images
Group of young men
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1256
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [192-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm, mounted on card 30.5 x 35 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of seventeen unidentified young men seated and standing in three rows outside at an unidentified location. These men are believed to be Chinese Freemasons of British Columbia (previously named the Chee Kung Tong).
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm, mounted on card 30.5 x 35 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of seventeen unidentified young men seated and standing in three rows outside at an unidentified location. These men are believed to be Chinese Freemasons of British Columbia (previously named the Chee Kung Tong).
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Accession Code
- BV985.5331.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [192-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 1/7/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Notes on verso of photograph read: "[illegible] Chinese Freemason" and "Dr. Lam / [illegible] in San Diego" and "[not equal to] 1914"
Images
Harry Royale presenting Bowling awards
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2957
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1960 and 1961]
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Royle fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm (sight) in matt 27.5 x 30.5 cm mounted in frame 31 x 34 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Henry "Harry" Royle presenting bowling trophies to five men at the Rose Bowl bowling alley which was owned and operated by Harry. The names of the five men receiving the trophies are identified from left to right as; Larry Jang, Spike Lee, Tom Eng, Bob Mah and Herman Wong.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Royle fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm (sight) in matt 27.5 x 30.5 cm mounted in frame 31 x 34 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Henry "Harry" Royle presenting bowling trophies to five men at the Rose Bowl bowling alley which was owned and operated by Harry. The names of the five men receiving the trophies are identified from left to right as; Larry Jang, Spike Lee, Tom Eng, Bob Mah and Herman Wong.
- Accession Code
- BV006.39.16
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1960 and 1961]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Date
- 2024-01-08
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Khandwritten names on bottom of matt beneath photograph read: "Larry Jang / Spike Lee / Tom Eng / Bob Mah / Herman Wong".
Images
Head tax certificate issued to Dung Way How
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15546
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1922-1934 (date of original), copied 2021
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Document collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 certificate (tiff) : col. ; 600 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a head tax certificate issued by the Dominion of Canada - Immigration Branch - Department of the Interior to Dung Way How (Dong Howe). The certificate was first issued on March 18, 1922 and includes certification stamps on the front along with a photograph of Dung Way How. Certifi…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Document collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 certificate (tiff) : col. ; 600 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a head tax certificate issued by the Dominion of Canada - Immigration Branch - Department of the Interior to Dung Way How (Dong Howe). The certificate was first issued on March 18, 1922 and includes certification stamps on the front along with a photograph of Dung Way How. Certification stamps on the verso of the certificate were issued by Chinese Immigration authorities between 1922 and 1934. Information on the front of the certificate reads "...This Certifies That / Dung Way How whose photograph is attached / hereto arrived or landed at Vancouver B.C. / on the 23rd day of January 1922 / ex "Empress of Asia" / and upon representations made has been / admitted as exempt from head tax under the / provisions of the Chinese Immigration Act. / The above mentioned party claims / to be a native of Bark Choon Jong in the District of Pon Yue of the age of 20 years. The declaration in this case is C.I.4. No. 3715 Date at Vancouver on March 18, 1922" signed by "Controller of Chinese Immigration". Printed text on verso of certificate reads "IMPORTANT / IT IS NECESSARY THAT THIS / CERTIFICATE BE CAREFULLY / PRESERVED AS IT IS OF VALUE / AS A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION".
- History
- Dung Way How (Dong Howe) arrived from Bak Chun (North Village), Guangdong in 1922 as a paper son. He had two sons during his first marriage, but the sons remained in China and one died at a young age. He married his second wife Chow Goon Pang through an arranged marriage. She was married twice previously and had a son from each marriage, but neither of them survived. Chow was from Nam Chun (South Village) and arrived in Canada as a paper daughter around the late 1930s or early 1940s. Both Dong and Chow spoke a Poon Yue dialect. The couple raised one daughter Vivian Dong (Dong Jing Yu) in Canada. The Dong family leased and operated the New Fountain hotel in Vancouver located at Abbott Street and Cordova Street. The family later went on to purchase farmland in Burnaby in 1957. The Dong family moved to Burnaby and operated a three acre market garden located at 6220 14th Avenue until 1972. They grew European staples including celery, radishes, green onions, beets, lettuces, endives, as well as Chinese vegetables such as gai lan (Chinese broccoli). There were two Chinese families in the area, including the Wong family who operated the Wong Chew market gardens 6325 14th Avenue. Dong Howe passed away in 1978. Chow Goon Pang passed away in 2000. Their daughter Vivian grew up in Burnaby and attended Riverside Elementary, McPherson Junior High School and Burnaby South Secondary School.
- Creator
- Government of Canada
- Names
- Howe, Dong
- Accession Code
- BV021.13.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1922-1934 (date of original), copied 2021
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- March 25, 2021
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Head tax certificate issued to Lee Quon Lep [Quan Lip Lee]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16717
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1921-1949 (date of original), copied 2021
- Collection/Fonds
- Quon Lip Lee fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a head tax certificate issued by the Dominion of Canada - Immigration Branch - Department of the (Interior) issued to Lee Quon Lep [sic] [Quon Lip Lee]. The certificate was first issued on December 12, 1921 and includes certification stamps on the front along with a photograph of Q…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Quon Lip Lee fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a head tax certificate issued by the Dominion of Canada - Immigration Branch - Department of the (Interior) issued to Lee Quon Lep [sic] [Quon Lip Lee]. The certificate was first issued on December 12, 1921 and includes certification stamps on the front along with a photograph of Quan Lip Lee. Certification stamps on the verso of the certificate were issued by Canadian and Chinese Immigration authorities between 1924 and 1949. Information on the front of the certificate reads "DOMINION OF CANADA / IMMIGRATION BRANCH - DEPARTMENT.../ RECEIVED FRO.../ Lee Quon Lep whose photograph is attached / hereto on the date and at the place hereunder mentioned the sum / of five Hundred Dollars being the head tax due under the / provisions of the Chinese Immigration Act. / The above mentioned party claims / to be a native of Gong Doey Lee / in the district of Sun Way / of the age of 12 years arrived or landed / at Vancouver on the 28th day of / November 1921 ex Empress [sic] of Asia / The declaration in this case is C.I.4 No. 3716 / Dated at Vancouver on Dec 12, 1921_19_/ (signature) / CONTROLLER OF CHINESE IMMIGRATION". Printed text on verso of certificate reads "IMPORTANT / IT IS NECESSARY THAT THIS / CERTIFICATE BE CAREFULLY / PRESERVED AS IT IS OF VALUE / AS A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION" along with Chinese language characters printed vertically below.
- Creator
- Government of Canada
- Names
- Lee, Quon Lip
- Accession Code
- BV021.18.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1921-1949 (date of original), copied 2021
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- April 8, 2021
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
Hong family harvesting radishes at Hop-On Farm
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4256
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [August 1963] (date of original), copied 2017
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Hong family members bent over plants, harvesting radishes at Hop-On Farm, August 1963. Woman holding baby in background with wooden crates.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Hong family members bent over plants, harvesting radishes at Hop-On Farm, August 1963. Woman holding baby in background with wooden crates.
- History
- Josephine Hong was born to Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong. The Hong Family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene. The family runs Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including Josephine Hong's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. Her great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Names
- Hop On Farms
- Geographic Access
- Byrne Road
- Accession Code
- BV017.36.7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [August 1963] (date of original), copied 2017
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Related Material
- See Oral History Interview-BV020.6.1
- Scan Resolution
- 800
- Scan Date
- 12/3/2017
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph.
Images
Interview with Bill Gruenthal
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19636
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business,…
- 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) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Bill Gruenthal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 31, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business, his knowledge and interest in Judaism, places that he and his wife lived before moving to Burnaby, family life in Burnaby and his political involvement in running for the Burnaby school board. 00:27:02 – 00:42:50 Bill Gruenthal talks about the Burquest Jewish Community Association, it’s background and his involvement, experiences of discrimination in his career, a brief history of the Jewish people and some cultural traditions. 00:42:51 – 00:56:04 Bill Gruenthal mentions some of the charities that he supports including Burnaby Hospital, his volunteer work within the community and community organizations including the Nikkei Place Foundation and shares more details on his insurance career. 00:56:05 – 01:14:37 Bill Gruenthal shares information about his Burnaby neighbourhood and Jewish funeral customs and provides his impressions of new development at Brentwood, Burnaby Council and other development projects in Burnaby.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Bill Gruenthal was born in the British Mandate of Palestine, now Israel, in 1935 after his parents had fled Germany in advance of the then worsening political situation. Bill’s father died in 1942; some years later his mother remarried to an Irish-born senior civil servant in that government. He had a difficult and somewhat dangerous job. Soon after marriage, the family, including Bill’s older brother, Martin, immigrated to Canada in January 1947 on the strength of his step-father’s British Passport. They traveled via New York, where Bill’s uncle and his family resided and who put up the family. Later that month, the parents travelled by CP rail from Montreal to Vancouver, followed by Bill and his brother in March 1947 who travelled from New York to White Rock on an American railroad. While passing through the Fraser Valley Bill’s parents took an interest in Silverdale, a small hamlet west of Mission where the four eventually settled. Bill finished High School in Mission and soon joined the insurance industry. Bill connected with the Jewish Community in Vancouver where he met his soon-to-be wife. Upon marriage they were transferred to Calgary; after five years suffering its cold weather they were transferred back to Vancouver. They settled in Burnaby in 1966 as an affordable neighbourhood with easy access to his office downtown Vancouver. Outside work, Bill helped raise his family of three daughters who all graduated Burnaby High School (Alpha). They joined Temple Sholom in Vancouver, and he volunteered and still volunteers for a number of non-profits, including The Jewish Museum and Archives and Nikkei Place Foundation (Burnaby). He was an early long-term supporter and a past president of Burquest Jewish Community Association, mostly involving persons from Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Tri-Cities area (hence the name). He ran for political office in Burnaby in 1976 but was not elected. He delivers food in Burnaby for the Food Bank and is a donor to many worthy causes including Burnaby General Hospital. 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
- Migration
- Persons - Jewish Canadians
- Transportation
- Transportation - Rail
- Religions - Judaism
- Cemeteries
- Organizations
- Elections
- Names
- Gruenthal, Bill
- Gruenthal, Noemi Yadlow
- O'Connor, Herta Ingrid Gruenthal
- O'Connor, John
- Burquest
- Jacobson, Max Alec
- Temple Shalom
- Brentwood Shopping Centre
- Brentwood Park School
- Alpha Secondary School
- Burnaby School Board
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.14
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Planning Study Area
- Brentwood Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Bill Gruenthal, [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023
Interview with Bill Gruenthal, [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0014_003.mp3Interview with David Skulski
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19606
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, at…
- 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) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: David Skulski Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 6 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 80 min., 38 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, attending school in New Westminster and Burnaby and Hebrew school in Vancouver. David recalls his early experiences in music, instruments that he played and describes some of his Jewish family traditions. 00:22:23 – 00:49:57 David talks about his experiences studying music at university and following his passion as a musician and oboist. He recalls his experiences of working with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the CBC Orchestra, Vancouver Society for Early Music, the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra, other musical ensembles and venues where he’s performed. 00:49:58 – 01:00:00 David talks about living in Burnaby in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. David describes some his experiences playing traditional music from different countries. 01:01:01 – 01:14:15 David comments on the changes that he’s seen in Burnaby over the years, some of his favourite places, activities, cultural amenities and development on the Fraser River. David talks about the Jewish community in Burnaby, his involvement with the Peretz Centre and examples of Jewish cuisine. 01:14:16 – 01:20:38 David talks about Yiddish being his first language, his language studies in Lithuania, the roots of the language and provides some examples of speaking Yiddish.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Murray "David" Skulski was born in 1942 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and moved to British Columbia with his parents in 1948. Skulski and his family settled in New Westminster before moving to Burnaby in the late 1950's. Skulski took piano lessons at an early age and began playing obo while attending junior high school in New Westminster. In 1960 at the age of 17 years, Skulski began performing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as solo English horn and is the youngest player to ever be employed with the VSO. In 1991, Skulski started playing with the Vancouver Folk Orchestra and was the conductor between 1997 and 2004. Skulski has been the principal oboe player in many orchestras. In 1968, Skulski founded the Hortulani Musicae; in 1970, he founded the Vancouver Society for Early Music and in 1983 he founded Harmonie, an ensemble concentrating in classical wind music. In 2003, Skulski became president of the Pertez Centre for Secular Jewish Culture. In 2005, Skulski became principal oboist of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra and between 2009 and 2019 he was the principal oboist for the Pilgrim Orchestra under Pilwon Suk. David has served as president of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture and since 2022, he’s served on the board of the Vancouver Chamber Music Society. Skulski has taught summer courses in Renaissance music in Austria (1972-1979), has been a music resident at Simon Fraser University (1973-1976), has lectured on the history of musical instruments at SFU and UBC and in 2008 began teaching at the Pacific Coast School of Music, Richmond School of Music and Oakridge Music Studios. 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
- Foods
- Music
- Musical Instruments
- Occupations - Musicians
- Performances - Concerts
- Persons - Jewish Canadians
- Religions - Judaism
- Names
- Burnaby Symphony Orchestra
- Burnaby South High School
- Burquest
- Skulski, Murray "David"
- Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
- Vancouver Society for Early Music
- Peretz Centre
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake
- Deer Lake Park
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.10
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/Hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0010_003.mp3Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19348
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Anushay Malik Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Dr. Sadhu Binning Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 25, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:15:57) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future exhibits and for researchers to learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby. During the interview, Dr. Binning shares his ancestral background along with his relatives' and his own personal experiences as a South Asian immigrant living and working in British Columbia and Burnaby. Dr. Binning conveys that he’s a Burnaby resident who’s lived in Burnaby since 1973 and that his children were born here. Binning shares his ancestral heritage beginning with his uncle Dhana Singh who emigrated from Punjab to British Columbia in 1931 and began working in the forest industry. He explains how Dhana Singh and another partner owned, operated and worked in small sawmills in the vicinity of Kamloops, Williams Lake and also on Vancouver Island. Binning conveys that in the beginning Dhana Singh and many other South Asian immigrants were not legal residents until 1938. In 1938, about 350 South Asian immigrants (mainly Punjabi) gathered resources to hire a lawyer to obtain permanent residency. Binning mentions that one of the notable South Asians in the group who was also a close friend of his uncle, was Darshan Singh Sangha, a trade unionist who was a founding member of the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union and an active member of the Communist Party of Canada. Binning conveys how Darshan Singh Sangha returned to India in 1947 to be a part of the revolution, how he was very active in the communist movement in India. While in India, Darshan Singh Sangha, was known as Canadian and thereby adopted “Canadian” as his surname, becoming “Darshan Singh Canadian”. Binning further explains that his uncle Dhana Singh Sangha returned to India in 1951, married and came back to B.C. in 1957 bringing with him, his wife and children. In 1960, with the support of his uncle, Binning’s father, Jit Singh Binning immigrated to British Columbia and began working in sawmills in the lower mainland, Kamloops, Quesnel and on Vancouver Island. Binning clarifies that his uncle, Dhana Singh was able to immigrate to Canada with the support of his cousins from the Tarker Singh Bains family. Binning further describes Darshan Singh Sangha’s involvement with the Communist party and the IWA and how the majority of the members were from the forest industry. As an active and prominent member of the labour movement, Darshan Singh Sangha fought for the rights of South Asians and Chinese who working in the industry and facing racism, unfair wages and discriminatory practices. Binning describes how Darshan Singh Sangha wrote a book in English in 1943, titled “Rise of the New Asia”. Binning conveys how immigrants of Chinese and South Asian decent didn’t have the right to vote in British Columbia and how Darshan Singh Sangha was instrumental in obtaining the right to vote in British Columbia, although he was never given the credit. Binning describes his uncle Dhana Singh as a likeable guy with many friends, first living in Kamloops before moving to Vancouver. Binning imparts how the sport of wrestling is a popular Punjabi sport along with Punjabi kabaddi. He conveys that his uncle became involved in wrestling while working in sawmills. South Asian immigrants had to do physical labour working in sawmills, the work could be tough and could often lead to physical fights. A number of South Asian immigrants working in the mills already had experience as wrestlers from back home. Dhana Singh later left the lumber industry to work in the agriculture sector. Binning explains how immigration rules changed in the 1960s which lead to larger numbers of South Asians immigrating to Canada. Many of these new immigrants were educated and politically conscious. All of these new immigrants faced racism but being politically conscious from an independent India and with the ability to speak English they organized themselves to fight for their rights. Binning imagines the items that his uncle and his father may have brought with them in their suitcase when immigrating to Canada. Binning describes three items, including a rajai (a blanket with cotton inside that is sewn together), a bistra (small attaché case or trunk) and a piece of cloth to lie on. Binning further describes the roles in Indian society as caste divisions and that it was usually women’s work in making the rajais. Binning recollects the locations that his father and his family lived after coming to Vancouver. Binning explains that a few years after living together in Vancouver, he and his family moved to Burnaby in 1973 to be closer to his Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish Binning’s family. Dr. Binning and family lived in a house in Burnaby located on Irmin Street near Royal Oak between 1973 and 1987. While living at this house their children attended McPherson Park Junior High School and later Burnaby South Secondary School. Binning reflects on some of the racism that he and his family have faced while living in Burnaby which led him to write a poem that he published in 1994 titled “No More Watno Dur”. Binning explains the meaning of the title “Watan” meaning “country and everybody” “a country far way from the motherland”. Binning explains the origins of the magazine “Watan” that was started by a friend in 1973. The magazine got its roots in Vancouver in 1973 from an organization called the “Punjabi Literary Association”. Binning became the editor of the magazine in 1976 and his friend joined him as assistant editor in 1978. Binning continued to work as editor until 1983 or 1984 when he returned to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. Binning describes the origins of the “Vancouver Sath” that was formed by a small group of South Asians around 1982. Binning was a founding member of the organization and held meetings and rehearsals at his house in Burnaby. Vancouver Sath first started out as an informal discussion forum by a group of politically conscious Punjabi writers and activists. Binning talks about issues and problems that Vancouver Sath addressed including; racism as well as domestic violence in the South Asian community. Binning explains how he and Sukhwant Hundal wrote articles on these issues and others that were happening in the South Asian community in Canada. Binning talks about how in 1983, the group was inspired to begin performing theatrical works after consulting with Gursharan Singh who was from a well known theatrical group from Punjab who were performing in Vancouver. In the beginning the Vancouver Sath’s plays were focused on the problems in Punjab but they soon decided to address social issues in their own South Asian community here in Canada. Binning summarizes and draws attention to, some of the plays that Vancouver Sath has written and performed including; “Picket Line”, about Punjabi women farmworkers’ rights; “Lattan de Bhoot”, about domestic abuse; “A Crop of Poison”; “Kihda Viah” (English translation- “Whose Marriage”) about arranged marriage and others about social issues in the South Asian community. The plays were performed in public schools and community centres in Vancouver and Richmond, Simon Fraser University and some were also performed in Toronto, Calgary and Williams Lake. Binning mentions some of the traditional foods that he likes to eat and where he and his family have shopped to find ingredients. He recalls how his mother, Gurmaje Kaur Binning did all of the cooking and was often cooking all day long. In the sixties, the Binning family address on 13th Avenue in Vancouver was also used as a postal address for many friends and family who’d recently immigrated. When these friends dropped by to pick up their mail, his mother often provided them with tea and food. After Binning and his wife, Jagdish moved to their own home in 1973, he shared in some of the shopping and cooking but his wife did the majority of the work due to his busy schedule. The interview closes with Binning providing an explanation of how “Watno Dur” magazine changed it’s name to “Watan” magazine. Binning reflects on how this came to be, when he made the decision to get an education in Canada and to stay here, not just as a “Canadian” but as a “Punjabi Canadian.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur’ (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife Jagdish purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Industries - Forestry
- Foods
- Migration
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Unions
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Performances
- Performances - Dramatic Performances
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Binning, Dr. Sadhu
- Binning, Gurmaje Kaur
- Binning, Jit Singh
- Binning, Jagdish
- Sangha, Darshan Singh
- Canadian Farmworkers Union
- Hundal, Sukhwant
- Sangra, Harjinder
- Singh, Dhana
- Vancouver Sath
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0003_004.mp3