Narrow Results By
Inkwells to Internet: A History of Burnaby Schools
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7551
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Publication Date
- 2020
- Call Number
- 371 CAR
Victoria Day, a drought so
severe that Niagara Falls dried up, Ottawa and
Hull levelled by fire, the Canadian government
closing its borders to paupers and criminals,
the Great Montreal Fire, gold discovered in the
Yukon, Alberta and Saskatchewan becoming
provinces, the Toronto Fire, Canada’s first train
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 978-0-9781979-2-6
- Call Number
- 371 CAR
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- 2020
- Physical Description
- vii, 35 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
- Subjects
- Education
- Notes
- "Includes index"
- A history of the Burnaby school district and individual school buildings in Burnaby, BC, between 1893 and 2013.
- The “First Nations cemetery” described on page 109 in Mary Johnson’s recollections was originally written as “Indian” and may refer to the Khalsa Diwan Society’s Sikh cremations at the Vancouver Cemetery.
Images
Digital Books
Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory541
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1913-1990
- Length
- 00:01:47
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s parent’s origins in France and immigration to Canada, a somewhat confusing explanation of Sev Morin’s parentage, and his work with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh FN.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s parent’s origins in France and immigration to Canada, a somewhat confusing explanation of Sev Morin’s parentage, and his work with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh FN.
- Date Range
- 1913-1990
- Photo Info
- Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
- Length
- 00:01:47
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- April 4, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
- Total Tracks
- 10
- Total Length
- 00:56:44
- Interviewee Name
- Morin, Severin "Sev"
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track five of interview with Sev Morin
Track five of interview with Sev Morin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%205.mp3
Rooted : Chinese Canadian stories in Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7646
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Digital Resource
- ISBN
- 978-0-9689849-2-5
- Call Number
- 971.133 ROO
- Contributor
- Fong, Denise
- Lemke, Jane
- Codd, Lisa
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- 2023
- Printer
- Metropolitan Fine Printers
- Physical Description
- 203 p. : ill. ; 30.5 cm
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Chinese Canadians--British Columbia--Burnaby--History
- Race discrimination -- Canada
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Agriculture
- Agriculture - Farms
- Persons - Families
- Rights
- Rights - Human Rights
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Notes
- There are two versions of the book: English and Simplified Chinese (left, below) and the other in English and Traditional Chinese (right, below).
- From the late 1800s to the present day, Chinese Canadians have made Burnaby into a more vibrant and livable city. Rooted: Chinese Canadian Stories in Burnaby brings together a collection of diverse stories and photographs from the community, celebrating the legacy and contributions of Burnaby’s Chinese Canadian community spanning over a century. This coffee-table book features oral histories and interviews with descendants of multigenerational family farms, green grocers, corner stores, restaurants, and places of worship. Also included are archival research and community perspectives on anti-Asian racism, community activism, courage, and resilience.
- The publication has been timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Chinese Exclusion Act by the Government of Canada in 1923. This federal legislation followed decades of discriminatory legislation by Canada’s federal, provincial and municipal governments that targeted Chinese Canadians by limiting opportunities to live, work and raise families in Canada. The Chinese Exclusion Act banned almost all migration from China and remained in place until 1947. Publishing this book in 2023 is an effort by the City of Burnaby to recognize the impact of discriminatory legislation on Chinese Canadians in our community, including discriminatory bylaws and practices implemented by Burnaby’s early municipal government.
- Edited by Denise Fong (Lead Researcher), Jane Lemke (Burnaby Village Museum Curator) and Lisa Codd (City of Burnaby Heritage Planner).
Images
Digital Books
![Children on doorstep of schoolhouse, [192-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0032_0336_001.jpg?width=280)
Children on doorstep of schoolhouse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19914
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [192-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of children standing on the doorstep of a schoolhouse in Alberta. Two small buildings are either side of schoolhouse are visible in the background.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of children standing on the doorstep of a schoolhouse in Alberta. Two small buildings are either side of schoolhouse are visible in the background.
- Names
- Sommers Family
- Accession Code
- BV022.32.336
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [192-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-06-09
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)
Images
![Children on doorstep of schoolhouse, [192-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0032_0336_001.jpg)
![Farm with snow, [1927 or 1928] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0032_0335_001.jpg?width=280)
Farm with snow
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19913
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1927 or 1928]
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of farm house, farm buildings and windmill. The ground is covered with deep snow. The farm is located in Alberta.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of farm house, farm buildings and windmill. The ground is covered with deep snow. The farm is located in Alberta.
- Accession Code
- BV022.32.335
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1927 or 1928]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-06-09
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)
- Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "1927-28"
Images
![Farm with snow, [1927 or 1928] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0032_0335_001.jpg)
![Frank, Don, Joyce and Myrna with pony, [192-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0032_0340_001.jpg?width=280)
Frank, Don, Joyce and Myrna with pony
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19918
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [192-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 6.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of four children with pony (or minature horse). Frank Stanley and Don are standing next to the pony and Joyce Stanley and Myrna are seated on the back of the pony on a farm in Alberta.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 6.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of four children with pony (or minature horse). Frank Stanley and Don are standing next to the pony and Joyce Stanley and Myrna are seated on the back of the pony on a farm in Alberta.
- Subjects
- Persons - Children
- Animals - Horses
- Accession Code
- BV022.32.340
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [192-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-06-09
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)
- Note in white ink on album page reads: "Frank_Don_Joyce_Myrna"
Images
![Frank, Don, Joyce and Myrna with pony, [192-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0032_0340_001.jpg)
![Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) holding cat, next to her sister who has a rooster in her arms, [1937]. Item no. 337-003. thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/316/337-003.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Aili Topalian by Eric Damer October 11, 2012 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory419
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1920-1945
- Length
- 0:10:12
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains mainly to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's parents. Aili tells the story of her parents meeting, getting married and eventually setting in Crabtown with their two children. She explains what it was like to live in Crabtown during the depression years; the homes were…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains mainly to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's parents. Aili tells the story of her parents meeting, getting married and eventually setting in Crabtown with their two children. She explains what it was like to live in Crabtown during the depression years; the homes were built on decks which were on top of pilings, that were sunk deep into the sand.
- Date Range
- 1920-1945
- Photo Info
- Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) holding cat, next to her sister who has a rooster in her arms, [1937]. Item no. 337-003.
- Length
- 0:10:12
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 11, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Aili (Rintanen) Topalian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 11, 2012. Major theme discussed: growing up in Crabtown.
- Biographical Notes
- Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) came to British Columbia in 1936 from a homestead near Burnt Lake, Alberta. After a few months in Vancouver and then a Burnaby apartment, the Rintanens moved to a house on the Burrard Inlet. The family lived over the water, in a house built on a deck, secured to the top of pilings that were sunk deep into the sand. Aili's mother Aune Rintanen found work at a fish and chip shop in downtown Vancouver and her father Gus Rintanen worked in a nearby mill. Aili and her sister Trudi (later Tuomi), attended school in Burnaby. For nine years the Rintanens created a home for themselves in an area now called Crabtown, although no one living there called it that.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:39:00
- Interviewee Name
- Topalian, Aili Rintanen
- Interview Location
- Interviewee's residence
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
![Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) holding cat, next to her sister who has a rooster in her arms, [1937]. Item no. 337-003. thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/316/337-003.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Track one of recording of interview with Aili Topalian
Track one of recording of interview with Aili Topalian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-028/MSS171-028_Track_1.mp3
Interview with Aili Topalian by Eric Damer October 11, 2012 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory420
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1920-1945
- Length
- 0:07:49
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's collection of photographs. Aili describes each photograph and tells stories of her childhood along the waterfront at Burrard Inlet; the homes of Crabtown were built on decks which were on top of pilings, that were sunk deep into t…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's collection of photographs. Aili describes each photograph and tells stories of her childhood along the waterfront at Burrard Inlet; the homes of Crabtown were built on decks which were on top of pilings, that were sunk deep into the sand.
- Date Range
- 1920-1945
- Photo Info
- Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) holding cat, next to her sister who has a rooster in her arms, [1937]. Item no. 337-003.
- Length
- 0:07:49
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 11, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Aili (Rintanen) Topalian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 11, 2012. Major theme discussed: growing up in Crabtown.
- Biographical Notes
- Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) came to British Columbia in 1936 from a homestead near Burnt Lake, Alberta. After a few months in Vancouver and then a Burnaby apartment, the Rintanens moved to a house on the Burrard Inlet. The family lived over the water, in a house built on a deck, secured to the top of pilings that were sunk deep into the sand. Aili's mother Aune Rintanen found work at a fish and chip shop in downtown Vancouver and her father Gus Rintanen worked in a nearby mill. Aili and her sister Trudi (later Tuomi), attended school in Burnaby. For nine years the Rintanens created a home for themselves in an area now called Crabtown, although no one living there called it that.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:39:00
- Interviewee Name
- Topalian, Aili Rintanen
- Interview Location
- Interviewee's residence
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of recording of interview with Aili Topalian
Track two of recording of interview with Aili Topalian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-028/MSS171-028_Track_2.mp3![Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel, [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0011_002.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19607
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 32 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 30 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kanwal Singh Neel conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The interview was conducted and recorded on the Zoom platform. 00:00 – 00:06:47 Kanwal shares some of the mentors that influenced him in his life, education and …
- 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 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 32 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 30 fps
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewee: Kanwal Singh Neel Interview Date: July 5, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 50 min., 32 sec. Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kanwal Singh Neel conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The interview was conducted and recorded on the Zoom platform. 00:00 – 00:06:47 Kanwal shares some of the mentors that influenced him in his life, education and career, how his three-year grandson has been an inspiration and how important it is to educate yourself in different ways. 00:06:48 - 00:19:02 Kanwal talks about the diversity in the schools that he’s encountered over the years as a student and as an educator and shares his experiences getting hired as an educator on public television and being known as "the math guy". 00:19:03 - 00:46:39 Kanwal talks about the “Friends of Simon” tutoring out-reach program and his involvement. 00:26:40 - 00:30:24 Kanwal shares his experiences officiating the Canada Summer Games, the Harry Jerome Track Classic, the Commonwealth Games and other world class sporting events. 00:30:25 - 00:38:58 Kanwal describes a typical day while working at Simon Fraser University as Associate Director of Professional Programs, as a sports official and his involvement with Friends of Simon. Kanwal speaks about the importance of finding a balance between staying connected, finding your purpose and carrying on the passions that you enjoy. Kanwal talks about some of his favourite places in Burnaby including Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake and Central Park. 00:38:59 - 00:43:31 Kanwal talks about the changes that he’s seen in the lower mainland over his life time including; diminishing agricultural land, the fishing industry, public transportation, housing and retail infrastructure and homelessness. 00:43:32 - 00:50:32 Kanwal talks about his involvement with the Punjabi Cultural Association, the introduction of Punjabi language courses in public schools and his involvement in a Bhangra event. Kanwal imparts a final message to youth of today emphasizing the importance of, building relationships, giving back to your community, learning through education and being respectful of your own journey and others.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Kanwal Singh Neel was born in Mombasa, Kenya in 1953 and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1969. For the first few weeks after immigrating the family stayed at the Sikh Temple on Second Avenue before moving into a house which they rented. Kanwal attended Kitsilano Secondary School and later transferred to Steveston High School when his family moved to Richmond. In 1972, Kanwal and friends formed a bhangra group "Punjab Cultural Association" and in 1974 they performed at the World Exposition in Spokane, Washington. The group performed at various venues including the Pacific National Exhibition and other cities in the Province. In 1973, Kanwal was an officiate during the Canada Summer Games at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. Kanwal obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from University of British Columbia in computer science and mathematics and got his first teaching job in 1977. In 1978, he was an officiate of the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the next ten years he devoted himself to becoming an educator and during this time he became more involved with the B.C. Math Teachers Association. Kanwal and his wife Nancy married in 1982 and have two daughters. In the early 1990's, Kanwal joined Simon Fraser University as a faculty associate to work, train and mentor student teachers. Kanwal became President of the B.C. Math Teachers Association and travelled throughout the province to help solve issues being faced by students. In 1993, he co-hosted a TV show "Math Shop" on The Knowledge Network and he later co-authored a textbook series titled "Math Makes Sense". Kanwal continued to advance his knowledge in the field of mathematics obtaining a Doctorate from Simon Fraser University in 2008. Kanwal developed his doctoral work in Haida Gwaii, studying the mathematics that the Haida peoples used in day to day life, applying the applications and integrating the mathematics concepts with their cultural knowledge. Kanwal also worked with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation and the Stó:lō Nation in helping to develop resources for them. Kanwal has been recognized with various awards and honours including being awarded an honorary doctorate by Kwantlen Polytechnic University and in 2017 as an inductee in the Sports Wall of Fame in Richmond for his outstanding contribution to amateur sport as an International Athletics Official. Since retirement, Kanwal continues to be involved in a project at Simon Fraser University "Friends of Simon" where university students go out and mentor and tutor immigrant and refugee children from South Asia and Africa and other countries. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Education
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Sports
- Events - Competitions
- Housing
- Performances
- Names
- Neel, Kanwal Singh
- Simon Fraser University
- Friends of Simon
- Canada Summer Games
- Swangard Stadium
- Punjabi Cultural Association
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Central Park
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.11
- Date
- [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
![Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel, [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0011_002.jpg)
Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19600
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 mi…
- 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) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: Lachman Singh Gill and family members - Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence Interview Date: June 12, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:124 min., 8 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 Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 min.) was conducted in English with family members, Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill. 00:00:00 - 00:05:35 This interview starts abruptly, and the interviewer was unable to introduce the interviewees and themself. There were also technical difficulties in the beginning, which led to the recording starting mid-sentence. Discussion begins with Lachman Singh Gill providing details on his spiritual practices and background. 00:05:35 - 00:13:38 Discussion continues with Lachman providing details on his birthplace in Punjab, his family home, family names and languages spoken while living in India (Punjabi and Urdu). Family members chime in to help with details. 00:13:39 - 00:18:00 Lachman Gill imparts information on his migration story from England to British Columbia and his experiences when he first came to England from India. Lachman shares his employment history in Vancouver and India. 00:18:01 - 00:23:34 Lachman talks about his marriage to Surjit Kaur (Ark) Gill in India in 1943 and shares the names of their seven children, including his youngest daughter Sarbjit who died tragically at a young age. Lachman shares the details of his daily routine at the age of 95 years old. 00:23:35 - 00:25:48 Lachman shares information on the Gurdwaras that he visits for prayers, weddings and events. 00:25:49 - 00:35:49 Lachman recalls his experience living in India at the time of Partition in 1947 including details on his family’s experiences of how they helped protect a Muslim family. 00:35:50 - 00:39:49 Lachman comments on his experiences of living in Burnaby from when he first arrived here. Lachman, Santokh, Prem and the interviewer recount the names and locations of gurdwaras in the lower mainland and how they’ve changed over time. 00:39:50 - 00:43:15 Lachman shares his employment history working in a foundry and driving a taxi. Santokh, Mohinder and Prem Gill provide information about Lachman’s wife Surjeet Kaur Gill. The group describes their family home in Burnaby which they've lived in since 1973 and their first home on Georgia Street in Burnaby. 00:43:16 - 00:49:19 Lachman, Mohinder and Santokh recall their experiences obtaining citizenship as British subjects and how they were able to buy a home in a year. Santokh Gill recalls how he and his brother took over his father’s taxi after he retired and later sold it for a profit. 00:49:20 - 01:04:19 Lachman describes in detail his daily routine as a 95 year old. The group shares some of their favourite types of roti and Lachman talks about using his hearing aid. The interviewer and group convey to Lachman how the information will be used. Lachman describes how his wife made oatmeal. 01:04:20 - 01:15:54 In this portion of the interview, Santokh and Prem Gill show the interviewer a book by Henry Bromley titled “Fire in the Blood: A History of British Columbia and Alberta Foundries”. The book was given to the Santokh when he was working at the foundry and contains photographs of Lachman Gill and the foundries they worked at. Santokh describes photographs within the book and the metal casting processes.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Lachman Singh Gill was born in 1928 in the village of Ferozepur near Lakhpur, Punjab. In 1943, Lachman married his wife Surjit Kaur Ark who was from the village of Malpur. Sometime after Partition in 1947, Lachman and his wife Surjeet immigrated to England. Lachman and Surjit had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Around 1973, Lachman's son, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill sponsored his father and mother and they immigrated to Canada joining him and his family in Burnaby, British Columbia. After arriving in British Columbia, Lachman worked as a steel worker at a foundry and drove his own taxi. Lachman retired in his ffities and continues to live with his son and family in Burnaby. 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 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. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Migration
- Foods
- Industries
- Persons - Seniors
- Religions - Sikhism
- Transportation - Taxicabs
- Names
- Gill, Lachman Singh
- Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh
- Gill, Prem Kaur
- Gill, Mohinder Kaur
- Gill, Surjit Kaur Ark
- Gill, Sarbjit Kaur
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.4
- Date
- 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript for master recordings available upon request - Contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks
Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0004_003.m4a![Irene and the pigs, [1927 or 1928] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0032_0337_001.jpg?width=280)
Irene and the pigs
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19915
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1927 or 1928]
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 6.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of young girl identified as Irene (Sommers) Cool standing with a passel of pigs. The ground is covered with snow. Wooden fences and farm buildings are visible in the background. Farm is located in Alberta.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 6.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of young girl identified as Irene (Sommers) Cool standing with a passel of pigs. The ground is covered with snow. Wooden fences and farm buildings are visible in the background. Farm is located in Alberta.
- Subjects
- Animals - Pigs
- Agriculture - Farms
- Accession Code
- BV022.32.337
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1927 or 1928]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-06-09
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)
- Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "1928-27 / Last winter / Irene & the pigs"
Images
![Irene and the pigs, [1927 or 1928] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0032_0337_001.jpg)
Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15664
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 29 Apr. 2021
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (87 min., 17 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum curator, Jane Lemke. The webinar is titled "Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements" and is presented by Fancy Poitras, Indigenous Relations Manager for the City of Bu…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (87 min., 17 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Material Details
- Presenters: Fancy Poitras and Rebekah Mahaffey
- Host: Jane Lemke
- Date of Presentation: Thursday, April 29, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Total Number of tracks: 1
- Total Length of all tracks: 87 min., 17 sec.
- Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Recording Note: Film was edited from it's original recorded version (95 min., 34 sec.) to edited version (87 min., 17 sec.) for public viewing on Heritage Burnaby. This live recording experienced technical difficulties with the viewer window during the first few minutes of the presentation. This is resolved at 15:36.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum curator, Jane Lemke. The webinar is titled "Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements" and is presented by Fancy Poitras, Indigenous Relations Manager for the City of Burnaby and Rebekah Mahaffey, Social Planner for the City of Burnaby. The Zoom webinar is the second in a series of six "Neighbourhood Speaker series" webinars exploring a range of topics shared by Indigenous speakers and knowledge keepers that were presented and made available to the public between April 27 and May 12, 2021. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions during the interactive online sessions. The webinar opens with host, Jane Lemke providing a Land Acknowlegement "The land on which Burnaby now sits is the ancestral and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples". Jane explains that providing a land acknowledgement is part of the City of Burnaby's official policy and that the land is on the shared territory of many Nations including the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), Kway-quit-lum, Kwantlen, ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Understanding the definitions of language groups, Nations, shared territory and many of the importance words form a basis of the subject matter for this webinar. Fancy Poitras and Rebekah Mahaffey enter a discussion exploring this topic while posing thought provoking questions to each other. As Burnaby's Indigenous Relations Manager, Fancy Poitras conveys her own experiences and knowledge while providing historical references and recommendations for further educational resources around territorial land acknowledgment. Following their discussion, Fancy and Rebekah take questions from the audience that are moderated by the host, Jane Lemke.
- History
- Fancy Poitras was hired as the City of Burnaby's first Indigenous Relations Manager in 2021. Prior to her role, she worked for the First Nations Health Authority for more than five years, first as a Senior Policy Analyst, then as the Manager and Acting Director of Strategic Policy; throughout her time with FNHA, she worked on an extensive portfolio of health and wellness, and service design and delivery issues, including primary care, cancer, seniors and elders. Fancy has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Social Policy Issues from Simon Fraser University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Alberta. Fancy is a member of Mikisew Cree First Nation, Treaty 8 territory, and she grew up primarily in the Northwest Territories. Rebekah Mahaffey (she, her, hers) is a Social Policy Planner at the City of Burnaby. She is a settler on these lands, and is of mixed French-Scottish-Irish ancestry. She grew up in Indonesia, Libya and England and has called the west coast home for almost 15 years. Rebekah has degrees in International Development, Art History and Urban Planning. In her work she focuses on inter-culturalism, access and inclusion, anti-racism, and working with Burnaby’s 2SLGBTQQIA community. When not at work, she enjoys hiking, reading, and listening to podcasts. She lives in Vancouver with her young child.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Government relations
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Languages
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - , Treatment of
- Responsibility
- Lemke, Jane
- Accession Code
- BV021.17.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 29 Apr. 2021
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of video recording The following links wereshared at the end of the presentation:
- My Conversations with Canadians by Lee Maracle: https://bookhugpress.ca/shop/ebooks/essays-ebooks/conversations-with-canadians-by-lee-maracle/
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph: https://www.ictinc.ca/books/21-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-indian-act
- CBC documentary series 8th Fire: https://www.cbc.ca/firsthand/blog/8th-fire-wabs-walk-through-history ‘Whose Land’ App: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/whose-land/id1350310353
- “Unreserved” Podcast, Episode: January 20, 2019, ‘Hayden King’: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/redrawing-the-lines-1.4973363/i-regret-it-hayden-king-on-writing-ryerson-university-s-territorial-acknowledgement-1.4973371
- Guidelines for Indigenous Territory Acknowledgement http://www.burnaby.ca/Assets/Burnaby+Interagency/Guidelines+for+Indigenous+Territory+Acknowledgement.pdf
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action: http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Calls_for_Justice.pdf
Images
Video
Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements, 29 Apr. 2021
Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements, 29 Apr. 2021
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2021_0017_0002_002.mp4