More like 'Children's Mini-Fest at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre'

100 records – page 1 of 5.

Arrow Neon Sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark861
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Commercial building.
Associated Dates
1961
Other Names
Lost in the 50's Drive-in
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Other Names
Lost in the 50's Drive-in
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Associated Dates
1961
Description
Commercial building.
Heritage Value
The Arrow Neon Sign was built in 1961 by the Neonette Sign Company of New Westminster when this property was opened as the Tomahawk Drive-in Restaurant. The restaurant was later known as Lindy's Burger and in 1990, the business was renamed Lost in the 50's Drive-in. It stands 20-foot tall and is composed of a large double-sided hollow steel panel serpentine arrow mounted on a pole supporting a lexan sign panel measuring approximately 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall. The sign was designed with three illuminated features: a round lamp at the top of the pole, a double-sided rectangular fluorescent sign panel box, and two double-sided rows of orange neon arrows that follow the large serpentine arrow. The Arrow Neon Sign remains as a rare surviving example of neon sign art in the city and is the only historic neon sign in South Burnaby. The sign has gained prominence over the years as it has been associated with this small iconic drive-in which has also been utilized as a set for film production. Additionally, the drive-in has played a prominent role in the Edmonds community as a popular setting for recent "Show and Shine" participants to park their classic cars.
Locality
Edmonds
Historic Neighbourhood
East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lakeview-Mayfield Area
Builder
Neonette Sign Company
Community
Burnaby
Contributing Resource
Structure
Ownership
Public (local)
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Street Address
7741 Edmonds Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Carousel at Burnaby Village Museum

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98055
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified child riding the carousel at Burnaby Village Museum.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3135
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified child riding the carousel at Burnaby Village Museum.
Subjects
Recreational Devices - Carousels
Persons - Children
Buildings - Civic - Museums
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on original file name
Collected by editorial for use in a March 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Avenue
Street Address
4900 Deer Lake Avenue
6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
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Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory470
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:34
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:34
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Archives
Buildings - Civic - Museums
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
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.
Audio Tracks
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Art camp

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98251
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified child painting a structure at an art camp.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3318
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified child painting a structure at an art camp.
Subjects
Persons - Children
Crafts
Arts
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on original file name
Collected by editorial for use in a September 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
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Children doing Easter crafts

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98064
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
4 photographs (tiff) : b&w and col.
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of unidentified children taking part in Easter-related crafts, like dyeing eggs.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
4 photographs (tiff) : b&w and col.
Description Level
File
Record No.
535-3144
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of unidentified children taking part in Easter-related crafts, like dyeing eggs.
Subjects
Persons - Children
Holidays - Easter
Crafts
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Collected by editorial for use in an April 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
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Burnaby Village Museum Fall Fair

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98315
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
3 photographs (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of the Fall Fair at the Burnaby Village Museum. Photographs depict square dancers performing in front of the Museum's church; Amanda King in period costume and seated beneath a parasol; and a young child viewing two chicks in the petting zoo.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
3 photographs (tiff) : col.
Description Level
File
Record No.
535-3339
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of the Fall Fair at the Burnaby Village Museum. Photographs depict square dancers performing in front of the Museum's church; Amanda King in period costume and seated beneath a parasol; and a young child viewing two chicks in the petting zoo.
Subjects
Events - Festivals
Exhibitions - Fairs
Exhibitions - Burnaby Village Museum
Buildings - Civic - Museums
Performances
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on caption
Collected by editorial for use in a September 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata for 535-3339-1: "Square Dancers perform on main street at Bby Village Museum's Fall Fair on the weekend"
Caption from metadata for 535-3339-2: "Bby Village Volunteer Amanda King watches over the petting zoo in the afternoon sun."
Caption from metadata for 535-3339-3: "Talia Tvergyak gets up close and personal with some baby chicks at the petting zoo in Burnaby Village Museum."
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Avenue
Street Address
6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
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Carousel Opening

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91712
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 27, 1993
Collection/Fonds
Doreen Lawson fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
17 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
File consists of photographs of the Burnaby Centennial Park Carousel grand opening on March 27, 1993 at the Burnaby Village Museum. Individuals depicted riding the carousel include City Councillor Derek Corrigan, City Manager Bob Moncur, and City staff member Denis Nokony.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 27, 1993
Collection/Fonds
Doreen Lawson fonds
Physical Description
17 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
618-030
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2015-15
Scope and Content
File consists of photographs of the Burnaby Centennial Park Carousel grand opening on March 27, 1993 at the Burnaby Village Museum. Individuals depicted riding the carousel include City Councillor Derek Corrigan, City Manager Bob Moncur, and City staff member Denis Nokony.
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Museums
Recreational Devices - Carousels
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Lawson, Doreen A.
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from label on slide sleeve
Street Address
6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
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Model of Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98108
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
Photograph of two unidentified people inspecting an architectural model of the new Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3187
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of two unidentified people inspecting an architectural model of the new Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Museums
Names
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Collected by editorial for use in a May 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
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Victoria Day at Burnaby Village Museum

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98118
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
3 photographs (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of Victoria Day celebrations at Burnaby Village Museum. Photographs depict staff serving a Union Jack cake; children dancing with a maypole; and a Morris dancing performance.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
3 photographs (tiff) : col.
Description Level
File
Record No.
535-3197
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of Victoria Day celebrations at Burnaby Village Museum. Photographs depict staff serving a Union Jack cake; children dancing with a maypole; and a Morris dancing performance.
Subjects
Holidays
Events
Buildings - Civic - Museums
Performances
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Collected by editorial for use in a May 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Avenue
Street Address
6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Less detail

Evacuation drill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98135
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
3 photographs (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of an evacuation drill of an unidentified children's health centre. Photographs depict the nursing staff evacuating children from rooms on blankets and out of the building.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
3 photographs (tiff) : col.
Description Level
File
Record No.
535-3214
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of an evacuation drill of an unidentified children's health centre. Photographs depict the nursing staff evacuating children from rooms on blankets and out of the building.
Subjects
Occupations - Nurses
Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
Persons - Children
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on original file name
Collected by editorial for use in a June 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
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Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.
History
Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. 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
Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
Clothing
Crafts
Employment
Migration
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Occupations - Labourers
Occupations - Millworkers
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Names
Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
Manhas, Ghania Singh
Singh, Mayo
Manhas, Kashmir Singh
Manhas, Sher Singh
Manhas, Budhan Kaur
Manhas, Lashman Singh
Accession Code
BV022.29.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep
Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby
Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3
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Children jumping rope

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98060
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w
Scope and Content
Photograph of unidentified children jumping rope in a school gymnasium, with other students looking on.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3140
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of unidentified children jumping rope in a school gymnasium, with other students looking on.
Subjects
Persons - Children
Persons - Students
Recreational Activities
Buildings - Schools
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on caption
Collected by editorial for use in a March 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
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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.
Subjects
Persons - Children
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
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
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Children playing in a classroom

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription52966
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1957 and 1968]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a classroom full of kindergartners all making paper hats with the help of their teacher at the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1957 and 1968]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Tinkerbell Kindergarten subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
246-006
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1990-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of a classroom full of kindergartners all making paper hats with the help of their teacher at the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Crafts
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Ellesmere Avenue
Hastings Street
Street Address
300 Ellesmere Avenue North
Historic Neighbourhood
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Capitol Hill Area
Images
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Students working in clay

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription52962
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1957 and 1968]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two students working in clay at the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten. The two girls are wearing short-sleeved patterned dresses and have their hair in ringlets. They are both using rollers to flatten out their clay before they begin shaping it.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1957 and 1968]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Tinkerbell Kindergarten subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
246-002
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1990-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of two students working in clay at the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten. The two girls are wearing short-sleeved patterned dresses and have their hair in ringlets. They are both using rollers to flatten out their clay before they begin shaping it.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Crafts
Names
Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten
Ellesmere United Church
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Ellesmere Avenue
Hastings Street
Street Address
300 Ellesmere Avenue North
Historic Neighbourhood
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Capitol Hill Area
Images
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Burnaby Art Gallery

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98345
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Sarah Dobbs, of the Burnaby Art Gallery, seated in one of the galleries at the Burnaby Art Gallery's location in Ceperley House.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3355
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of Sarah Dobbs, of the Burnaby Art Gallery, seated in one of the galleries at the Burnaby Art Gallery's location in Ceperley House.
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Art Galleries
Buildings - Heritage
Occupations - Civic Workers
Names
Burnaby Art Gallery
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Collected by editorial for use in an October 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Avenue
Street Address
6344 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
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Children fundraising

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98270
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
Photograph of two unidentified children posing with rolls of coins in a box and in a bucket. Posters for the Terry Fox Run are posted on the classroom wall behind them.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3337
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of two unidentified children posing with rolls of coins in a box and in a bucket. Posters for the Terry Fox Run are posted on the classroom wall behind them.
Subjects
Persons - Children
Events - Fundraising
Buildings - Schools
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Collected by editorial for use in a September 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
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Looking west from back yard of 5486 Dominion Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91869
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1961
Collection/Fonds
Small family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 8 cm x 6.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Martin and Charles Shaw playing the backyard at 5486 Dominion Street. The house at 5466 Dominion Street, which likely predates the Roberts' house, is visible in the background. The photograph was taken from the backyard of 5486 Dominion Street, looking west.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1961
Collection/Fonds
Small family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 8 cm x 6.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
620-050
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2017-01
Scope and Content
Photograph of Martin and Charles Shaw playing the backyard at 5486 Dominion Street. The house at 5466 Dominion Street, which likely predates the Roberts' house, is visible in the background. The photograph was taken from the backyard of 5486 Dominion Street, looking west.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Persons - Children
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from donor's notes
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P12"
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Charles 7 / Martin 5"
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Between March and Jun 1961"
5486 Dominion Street later subdivided into two lots: 5480 and 5488 Dominion Street
5466 Dominion Street later subdivided into two lots: 5462 and 5468 Dominion Street
Street Address
5466 Dominion Street
5486 Dominion Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Ardingley-Sprott Area
Images
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Sears children's fashion show

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98133
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w
Scope and Content
Photograph of a child wearing a suit and walking down the aisle of a Sears during a fashion show. People are gathered along the sides of the aisle to watch.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : b&w
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3212
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of a child wearing a suit and walking down the aisle of a Sears during a fashion show. People are gathered along the sides of the aisle to watch.
Subjects
Persons - Children
Events
Buildings - Commercial - Department Stores
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on original file name
Collected by editorial for use in a June 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
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Snail race

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98117
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
2 photographs (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of children in a school gymnasium at Rosser Elementary. They are taking part in a "snail race" and watching snails move on tables. A TV crew is visible behind a child in one photograph.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
2 photographs (tiff) : col.
Description Level
File
Record No.
535-3196
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of children in a school gymnasium at Rosser Elementary. They are taking part in a "snail race" and watching snails move on tables. A TV crew is visible behind a child in one photograph.
Subjects
Persons - Children
Events
Buildings - Schools
Names
Rosser Avenue School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on original file name
Collected by editorial for use in a May 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Geographic Access
Pandora Street
Street Address
4375 Pandora Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Less detail

100 records – page 1 of 5.