Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Deer Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91707

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1994-1996

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 55 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: File consists of scenic photographs of Deer Lake and Deer Lake Park, including closeup photographs of the lake and landscape photographs with the lake in the foreground and mountains and skyline visible in the distance. The photographs capture Deer Lake in the fall, winter, and spring. Also inclu…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1994-1996

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Physical Description: 55 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 618-025

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2015-15

Scope and Content: File consists of scenic photographs of Deer Lake and Deer Lake Park, including closeup photographs of the lake and landscape photographs with the lake in the foreground and mountains and skyline visible in the distance. The photographs capture Deer Lake in the fall, winter, and spring. Also included in the file are four photographs of Deer Lake Park signs.

Subjects: Natural Phenomena - Snow; Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Plants - Trees; Geographic Features - Mountains; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Burnaby Art Gallery

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lawson, Doreen A.

Notes: Title based on contents of photographs

Geographic Access: Deer Lake

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Oakalla Area

Images

Interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19608

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on …

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:02:03 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph credit: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on where they were born and grew up (in Burnaby), names of their parents and provide details on their family history. They describe how their grandparents and other relatives continued to live in Punjab after their father and mother immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s, recall the reasons their parents decided to immigrate and details of their lives before and after arriving in Canada. 00:05:27 – 00:06:46 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe some of their experiences travelling through Vancouver airport and compare their experiences with their mother’s own experiences. Gurvinder and Harvinder describe the layout of the airport and how customs and immigration has changed over time. 00:06:47 – 00:09:21 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide details about their mother, Parveen Sihra. They share information regarding her education in India and how she was unable to get work related to her degree in biology after immigrating to Canada. They convey how she worked in the Burnaby City Hall cafeteria in the 1990’s and how she worked part time in order to take care of her children. They share how their parents were proud Canadians participating in events inside and outside the South Asian community and were both fluent in English but often spoke Punjabi at home. 00:09:22 – 00:16:06 Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their childhood experiences growing up in Burnaby. They talk about the sports that they were involved with including hockey and Taekwondo, family vacations spent travelling to India and their experiences attending Marlborough Elementary School and Moscrop Secondary School.They describe how they first became interested in watching wrestling and trying it out on their own in their family home. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their own experiences of discrimination while growing up and playing sports. 00:16:07 – 00:27:37 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect and recall events that lead them to their dream of becoming professional wrestlers. They talk about pivotal events including attending their first live wresting event at GM Place with their father in 1996, beginning their training in Calgary in 2004, travelling across the country to participate in minor wrestling events, wrestling in Rogers Arena in 2017 and 2020 and getting their first call to join WWE. They talk about the support that they’ve had along the way to getting them where they are today and comment on why they want to be wrestlers in the WWE. 00:27:38 – 00:29:25 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide background information on their various wrestling personas and names in the world of professional wrestling including the Singh Brothers and the Bollywood Boyz. 00:29:26 – 00:38:43 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their experiences wrestling in India and the support and expectations of family members in becoming successful. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall and reflect on the experience of being fired from the WWE when cutbacks were made during the COVID pandemic. 00:38:44 – 00:42:53 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe what a day in their lives looks like now. They talk about how they’re still very passionate and focused on their wrestling careers and describe their experiences of having support and enthusiasm from fans and their parents. They talk about travelling across the country to particpate in different wrestling events. 00:42:54 – 00:47:18 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their training regimen including exercise and diet and describe areas in Burnaby where they like to train in gyms and the outdoors. 00:47:19 – 00:49:49 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about neighbourhoods in Burnaby including Metrotown and Deer Lake and how they’ve seen them change over the years. 00:49:50 – 00:54:27 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their highest and lowest points in their wrestling careers, highlighting specific events. They talk about the physical stamina it takes for wrestling and compare their sport with the sport of Kabaddi (a contact team sport between two teams originating in India). 00:54:28 – 00:59:01 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect on what toughness means to them, and what keeps them motivated to do what they do. 00:59:02 – 01:01:31 Gurvinder and Harvinder impart their words of wisdom to younger kids in chasing their passions and dreams and talk about their favourite Bollywood films and actors.

History: Interviewees' biographies: The Bollywood Boyz are a Canadian professional wrestling tag team composed of brothers Gurvinder "Gurv" Sihra (born in 1984) and Harvinder "Harv" Sihra (born in 1987). The pair are best known for their time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where Gurvinder and Harvinder performed under the ring names Sunil Singh and Samir Singh. They were both born and raised in Burnaby by their parents Harjeet and Parveen Sihra and attended Moscrop Secondary School. Gurvinder graduated from Douglas College where he studied criminology and has worked in loss prevention and has a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. Harvinder attended Douglas College with studies in history and has worked as a model and an actor. Both Gurvinder and Harvinder Sihra are Sikhs. 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: Education; Migration; Pandemics - COVID-19; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions - Sikhism; Social Issues; Social Issues - Discrimination; Social Issues - Racism; Sports; Sports - Martial Arts; Sports - Wrestling; Sports - Ice Hockey; Travel

Names: The Bollywood Boyz; Sihra, Guvinder "Gurv"; Sihra, Harvinder "Harv"; Sihra, Harjeet; Sihra, Parveen; World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"; Moscrop Secondary School; Marlborough Elementary School; Metrotown

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.12

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Photographer: World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0012_003.mp3

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 10

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory546

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1950-1990

Length: 00:09:22

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s views about Burnaby’s identity and the irrelevance of municipal boundary lines for many functions; his identification of Burnaby’s heritage, ecological and educational “gems”; and musings about the next development phases for Burnaby

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s views about Burnaby’s identity and the irrelevance of municipal boundary lines for many functions; his identification of Burnaby’s heritage, ecological and educational “gems”; and musings about the next development phases for Burnaby

Date Range: 1950-1990

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: 00:09:22

Names: Lawson, Doreen A.; Emmott, Alan H; Swangard Stadium

Subjects: Public Services - Municipal Services; Planning; Industries; Geographic Features - Parks; Buildings - Recreational

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

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.

Images

Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track ten of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%2010.mp3

Second Street School banners

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98169

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 Brian Sarginson, of the City of Burnaby Engineering Department, installing banners depicting birds and a growing garden on a streetlight by Second Street School. The banners were painted by students and local artist Joanne Folks.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3247

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of an Brian Sarginson, of the City of Burnaby Engineering Department, installing banners depicting birds and a growing garden on a streetlight by Second Street School. The banners were painted by students and local artist Joanne Folks.

Subjects: Occupations - Civic Workers; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Second Street School

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a July 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Brian Sarginson, of Burnaby's Engineering Department, hangs some of the eight banners designed and painted by students at Second Ave. Community School, with a little guidance from local artist, Joanne Folks."

Geographic Access: 2nd Street

Street Address: 7502 2nd Street

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Second Street Area

Images

Second Street School banners, [1999] thumbnail

Aftermath of a snowfall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98045

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 4 photographs (tiff) : b&w

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the aftermath of a large snowfall. Photographs depict an unidentified person moving snow with a wheelbarrow; people shovelling out cars stuck on roads in the snow; and a crane and snow-covered park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 4 photographs (tiff) : b&w

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3125

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the aftermath of a large snowfall. Photographs depict an unidentified person moving snow with a wheelbarrow; people shovelling out cars stuck on roads in the snow; and a crane and snow-covered park.

Subjects: Natural Phenomena - Snow; Geographic Features - Parks; Geographic Features - Roads; Transportation - Automobiles

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of file; Collected by editorial for use in a February 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Aftermath of a snowfall, [1999] thumbnail

Discovery Guide '99

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98039

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 21 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs selected for the Burnaby NewsLeader's "Discovery Guide '99." Photographs depict: mostly unidentified people taking part in recreational activities like archery, boating, golf, fishing, hiking, and pottery at locations around Burnaby; musical and dance performances; a windo…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 21 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3119

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs selected for the Burnaby NewsLeader's "Discovery Guide '99." Photographs depict: mostly unidentified people taking part in recreational activities like archery, boating, golf, fishing, hiking, and pottery at locations around Burnaby; musical and dance performances; a window washer on a tower; and a duck swimming on a pond.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Parks; Recreational Activities - Golf; Recreational Activities - Boating; Arts; Recreational Activities; Sports; Performances

Names: Central Park; BC Society of Model Engineers (BCSME); Burnaby Village Museum

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on original file name; Collected by editorial for use an issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-3319-8: "Kurtis Tylor, of the BC Society of Model Engineers, gives Kyle Miller, 9, a close-up look at an M420 diesel engine. Kyle was part of a group of 200 kids visiting the miniature railway at Confederation Park as part of a summer program at Hastings Park."; Caption from metadata for 535-3319-14: "Tom Stevens, of Everett, Washington, makes sure everything is shipshape on his 1:16 scale model of a 40 ft. Alaskan trawler. He started building the model in 1962, with his dad, and he was putting it through its paces at the Burnaby Association of Marine Modellers annual regatta at the pond in Central Park."

Geographic Access: Central Park; Confederation Park; Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Images

Doreen Lawson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98098

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 Doreen Lawson posing on the shore of Burnaby Lake, around the time of her announcement of her intention to leave Council.

1 image

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.: 535-3178

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Doreen Lawson posing on the shore of Burnaby Lake, around the time of her announcement of her intention to leave Council.

Subjects: Officials - Aldermen and Councillors; Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Parks

Names: Lawson, Doreen A.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Collected by editorial for use in a May 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake; Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Family in foggy Central Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98038

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 an unidentified family in Central Park in the fog. The photographs depict sun coming through the trees and the fog and the family, in silhouette, by water with ducks.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3118

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of an unidentified family in Central Park in the fog. The photographs depict sun coming through the trees and the fog and the family, in silhouette, by water with ducks.

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

Names: Central Park

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a December 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "The dense fog that blanketed the Lower Mainland for more than a week creates an eerie beauty at Central Park."

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Family in foggy Central Park, [1999] thumbnail

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

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

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

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

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

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

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

1 image 1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

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

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.

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

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

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

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

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

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

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

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

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

Images

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

Documents

2023_0016_0006_004

Audio Tracks

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

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

Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory326

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1971-2012

Length: 0:09:30

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of the development of the Fraser River Foreshore and the Confederation Community Centre (previously named Confederation House).

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of the development of the Fraser River Foreshore and the Confederation Community Centre (previously named Confederation House).

Date Range: 1971-2012

Photo Info: Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.

Length: 0:09:30

Names: Confederation Community Centre

Subjects: Geographic Features - Rivers; Geographic Features - Parks

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 10, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.

Biographical Notes: Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:47:48

Interviewee Name: Fabian, Tony

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum

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

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track five of recording of interview with Tony Fabian

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-009/MSS171-009_Track_5.mp3

A woman sitting on a park bench

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78686

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: November, 1995

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 23.5 x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified woman sitting on a park bench with fallen leaves all around.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: November, 1995

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 23.5 x 15 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0047

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified woman sitting on a park bench with fallen leaves all around.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Ponne, Simone

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on recto of photograph reads: "2955 A TC Ponne / 56% pg. 5 PoCo NL"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

A woman sitting on a park bench, November, 1995 thumbnail

Bagpiper Rob MacNeil

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98354

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 Rob MacNeil, the manager of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. Photographs depict MacNeil in silhouette, playing bagpipes on top of Burnaby Mountain with the cityscape visible in the distance, and posing for a portrait.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3364

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Rob MacNeil, the manager of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. Photographs depict MacNeil in silhouette, playing bagpipes on top of Burnaby Mountain with the cityscape visible in the distance, and posing for a portrait.

Subjects: Occupations - Musicians; Geographic Features - Parks; Musical Instruments - Bagpipes

Names: Simon Fraser University Pipe Band; Simon Fraser University

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in an October 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-3364-1: "Rob MacNeil, the manager of the SFU Pipe Band, plays a lonely lament for the loss of the band's practice field atop Burnaby Mountain, because of a complaint to the Parks Board."

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Belgravia at City in the Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79322

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 14, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Belgravia at City in the Park housing development project on former south Burnaby industrial land. Developers have re-created an old world setting, complete with stone walls and a private formal garden.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 14, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0350

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of Belgravia at City in the Park housing development project on former south Burnaby industrial land. Developers have re-created an old world setting, complete with stone walls and a private formal garden.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Langdeau, Brian

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "Bby pg 1. / B 1812 Brian Bby / 82%"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Belgravia at City in the Park, July 14, 1996 thumbnail

Bicycling

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription81109

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 15, 1998

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 23 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Josh Lees and Keith Lenning bicycling through Deer Lake Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 15, 1998

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 23 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1257

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of Josh Lees and Keith Lenning bicycling through Deer Lake Park.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles; Geographic Features - Parks

Names: Lees, Josh; Lenning, Keith

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Morstad, John

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "Bby 1487 John / in colour / Bby 3 / 75%"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped); Accompanying caption reads: "July 15, 1998 1487: / Josh Lees and Keith Lenning take their bikes through the paces at Deer Lake Park. / July 22, 1998 1547: / Image from the equestrian centre. Article "A little 'peace' of country"

Images

Bonnie Mason and Wendy Lum

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription81023

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 10, 1998

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 22.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bonnie Mason and Wendy Lum, coordinators of program for youths involved in crime, on the swings at Deer Lake Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 10, 1998

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 22.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1193

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bonnie Mason and Wendy Lum, coordinators of program for youths involved in crime, on the swings at Deer Lake Park.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks

Names: Mason, Bonnie; Lum, Wendy

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "1023 Bby Mario 51% Bby p. 4"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped); Accompanying caption reads: "May 10, 1998 1023: / Being close to Deer Lake Park allows Bonnie Mason and Wendy Lum to bring clients to a relaxing environment. The article is about their program for youths involved in crime."

Images

Bonnie Mason and Wendy Lum, May 10, 1998 thumbnail

Bulldog in a park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98224

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 a bulldog with its owner in a park at event; other people and dogs are visible in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3302

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of a bulldog with its owner in a park at event; other people and dogs are visible in the background.

Subjects: Animals - Dogs; Events; Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Collected by editorial for use in an August 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Burnaby Mountain Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription81322

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1995 and 1998]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 22.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified woman sitting on bench at Burnaby Mountain Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1995 and 1998]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 22.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1459

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified woman sitting on bench at Burnaby Mountain Park.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black and blue ink on recto of photograph reads: "Mario Bby 2891 / Bby - 5 - 45%"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Burnaby Mountain Park, [between 1995 and 1998] thumbnail

Cleaning the banner poles in Deer Lake Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98353

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 city worker in a boom lift using a power washer to clean a flag pole. The flag pole features banners for Deer Lake Park and a tree with autumn foliage is in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3363

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified city worker in a boom lift using a power washer to clean a flag pole. The flag pole features banners for Deer Lake Park and a tree with autumn foliage is in the background.

Subjects: Occupations - Civic Workers; Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in an October 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "With the leaves changing color, it's time for the light standards and banners around Deer Lake Park to get their annual cleaning, as city workers wash off the summer's accumulation of dirt and rust."

Geographic Access: Deer Lake; Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Cleaning the banner poles in Deer Lake Park, [1999] thumbnail

Dean Lamont

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78800

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 27, 1995

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dean Lamont, president of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society in the future home of Burnaby Mountain Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 27, 1995

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0117

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dean Lamont, president of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society in the future home of Burnaby Mountain Park.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks

Names: Lamont, Dean

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "Bby - 1 - 53% / Bby File Photos 2992"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)