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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

Vishva Hindu Parishad Temple

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95724

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sharadchandra Pandit, the priest at Burnaby's Vishva Hindu Parishad Temple, praying before an altar.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1582

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sharadchandra Pandit, the priest at Burnaby's Vishva Hindu Parishad Temple, praying before an altar.

Subjects: Persons - South Asian Canadians; Buildings - Religious - Temples

Names: Vishva Hindu Parishad Temple

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a January 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Sharadchandra Pandit, the priest at Burnaby's Vishva Hindu Parishad Temple, prays for peace for victims of the Indian earthquake. Most of his family still lives in one of the devastated cities, but escaped harm."

Geographic Access: Marine Drive

Street Address: 5420 Marine Drive

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Clinton-Glenwood Area

Images

Vishva Hindu Parishad Temple, [2001] thumbnail

Alpha Secondary School theatrical production

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97738

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of the cast of Alpha Secondary School's production of Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lantern, including J-ann Capila and Jonah Fernandez, posing in costume.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3012

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of the cast of Alpha Secondary School's production of Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lantern, including J-ann Capila and Jonah Fernandez, posing in costume.

Subjects: Persons - Students; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Recreational Activities - Theatre

Names: Alpha Secondary School

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a November 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: ""Princess Jasmine" (J-ann Capila) and Aladdin (Jonah Fernandez) express their love for each other, in a scene from Alpha Secondary School's presentation of Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lantern. The play runs December 4-7."

Geographic Access: Parker Street

Street Address: 4600 Parker Street

Planning Study Area: Brentwood Area

Images

Alpha Secondary School theatrical production, [2002] thumbnail

Children's play at Deer Lake Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97054

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Anthony Johnson performing in the play "The Princess Who Never Laughed" outdoors in Deer Lake Park, in front of an audience of unidentified children seated on the grass.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2582

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Anthony Johnson performing in the play "The Princess Who Never Laughed" outdoors in Deer Lake Park, in front of an audience of unidentified children seated on the grass.

Subjects: Performances - Dramatic Performances; Recreational Activities - Theatre; Persons - Children

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a July 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: """Waldo Wienerhead," played by Anthony Johnston, and his pet pig, "Stinky," plot a way to make Princess George laugh, in an outdoor performance of "The Princess Who Never Laughed" at Deer Lake Park."

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Children's play at Deer Lake Park, [2001] thumbnail

SFU Theatre Program production of "Gross Indecency"

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98002

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of actors from the Simon Fraser University Theatre Program in costume and acting in scenes from "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde." Photographs depict Tyler McClendon, Derek Whiddon, and Billy Marchenski in scenes as promotion for the production.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3106

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of actors from the Simon Fraser University Theatre Program in costume and acting in scenes from "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde." Photographs depict Tyler McClendon, Derek Whiddon, and Billy Marchenski in scenes as promotion for the production.

Subjects: Performances - Dramatic Performances; Recreational Activities - Theatre; Occupations - Actors; Persons - Students

Names: Simon Fraser University

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a February 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-3106-1: "The Marquis of Queensbury (Tyler McClendon) consoles Oscar Wilde (Billy Marchenski), after Wilde learns he is being charged with gross indecency."; Caption from metadata for 535-3106-2: "Lord Alfred Douglas (Derek Whiddon), left, confronts his father, the Marquis of Queensbury (Tyler McClendon), after being accused of improper behaviour with Oscar Wilde (Billy Marchenski) in the SFU Theatre Program production of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde. See story, page 11."

Images

SFU Theatre Program production of thumbnail

Karen and Blair Laramee with a puppet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97949

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Karen and Blair Laramee, of Cliff Productions, repairing a 12-foot-tall puppet ahead of a presentation for "Weedless Wednesday," at Seaforth Elementary School.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3075

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Karen and Blair Laramee, of Cliff Productions, repairing a 12-foot-tall puppet ahead of a presentation for "Weedless Wednesday," at Seaforth Elementary School.

Subjects: Performances; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Recreational Activities - Theatre; Occupations - Actors

Names: Seaforth School

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a January 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Karen and Blair Laramee, of Cliff Productions, do some emergency repairs to one of their 12-foot tall rapping puppets before presenting a no-smoking message to students at Seaforth Elementary on Weedless Wednesday. One of the troupe's puppets was damaged when its head rolled out of their pickup truck onto the highway en route to the school."

Geographic Access: Government Road

Street Address: 7881 Government Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Government Road Area

Images

Karen and Blair Laramee with a puppet, [2000] thumbnail

Mortal Coil Performance Society performers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97512

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bessie Wapp, Sharon Bayley, Carrie Nimmo, and Denise Galay in costume as a promotion for the Mortal Coil Performance Society's production of "The Treemendous Journey" at the Shadbolt Centre.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2851

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bessie Wapp, Sharon Bayley, Carrie Nimmo, and Denise Galay in costume as a promotion for the Mortal Coil Performance Society's production of "The Treemendous Journey" at the Shadbolt Centre.

Subjects: Occupations - Actors; Organizations - Art Societies; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Performances

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a September 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "As "Alicia" (Bessie Wapp) dreams, the rainforest (Sharon Bayley, Carrie Nimmo and Denise Galay) comes alive in The Treemendous Journey, being presented at the Shadbolt Centreby the Mortal Coil Performance Society."

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Street Address: 6450 Deer Lake Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Mortal Coil Performance Society performers, [2001] thumbnail

Footlight Theatre cast

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97644

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of actors Maurice Hudon, Kathleen Driscoll, and Donna Soares, acting in costume in a scene from Footlight Theatre's production of "Once Upon a Mattress."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2940

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of actors Maurice Hudon, Kathleen Driscoll, and Donna Soares, acting in costume in a scene from Footlight Theatre's production of "Once Upon a Mattress."

Subjects: Occupations - Actors; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Recreational Activities - Theatre

Names: Footlight Theatre Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a November 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "The philandering King, Maurice Hudon, is trying to catch the wench, Kathleen Driscoll, with a little help from the Jester, Donna Soares, in a scene from Footlight Theatre's production of "Once Upon a Mattress.""

Images

Footlight Theatre cast, [2001] thumbnail

Footlight Theatre's Anne of Green Gables

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97718

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of actors Kim Bunka, Trent Glukler, and Donna Walberg in costume and posing in character as promotion for Footlight Theatre's production of Anne of Green Gables at the James Cowan Theatre.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2992

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of actors Kim Bunka, Trent Glukler, and Donna Walberg in costume and posing in character as promotion for Footlight Theatre's production of Anne of Green Gables at the James Cowan Theatre.

Subjects: Occupations - Actors; Performances - Dramatic Performances

Names: Footlight Theatre Company; James Cowan Theatre

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a November 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-2992-1: "Anne (Kim Bunka) is upset, as Matthew (Trent Glukler) and Marilla (Donna Walberg) argue over whether to keep her, in a scene from Footlight Theatre's production of Anne of Green Gables, playing at the James Cowan Theatre until November 23."; Caption from metadata for 535-2992-2: "Matthew (Trent Glukler) and Marilla (Donna Walberg) try to decide Anne's fate (Kim Bunka), in Footlight Theatre's production of Anne of Green Gables, playing at Burnaby's James Cowan Theatre until November 23."

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue; Deer Lake Park

Street Address: 6450 Deer Lake Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Footlight Theatre's Anne of Green Gables, [2002] thumbnail

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night actors

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97521

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of John Burnside, Wanda Sturtevant, Sarah Brown, and Arlene Belcastro in costume and in character as promotion for a production of the play "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2860

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of John Burnside, Wanda Sturtevant, Sarah Brown, and Arlene Belcastro in costume and in character as promotion for a production of the play "It Was a Dark and Stormy Night."

Subjects: Occupations - Actors; Performances - Dramatic Performances

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Ponne, Simone

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in an October 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "L to R: John Burnside as Ebenezer Saltmarsh, Wanda Sturtevant as Arabella Saltmarsh, Sarah Brown as Olive, and Arlene Belcastro as Hepzibah."

Images

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night actors, [2001] thumbnail

Interview with Joanne Smith

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19601

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (24 min., 55 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (24 min., 55 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Joanne Smith conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 0:00 - 04:04 Joanne Smith provides a brief overview of her immigration story and how she and her husband Stanis came to emigrate from South Africa t…

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: 1 sound recording (wav) (24 min., 55 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (24 min., 55 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Joanne Smith Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 11, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 24:55 Photograph information: Joanne and Stanis Smith cycling on the Salt Flats, Argentina Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Joanne Smith conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 0:00 - 04:04 Joanne Smith provides a brief overview of her immigration story and how she and her husband Stanis came to emigrate from South Africa to Canada in 1986. Joanne explains that they decided to leave South Africa during the Apartheid era and applied to several countries with Canada being their top choice. Joanne relates that they were accepted to Canada based on her professional skills as an occupational therapist. Joanne talks about what she liked about living in South Africa and how she especially loved walking in the game reserves. 04:05 - 11:44 Joanne provides background on her ancestors migration, her life in South Africa and details on her profession. Joanne imparts that her ancestors immigrated to South Africa from Latvia at the turn of the century to avoid conscription and for increased opportunities. Joanne provides a brief overview of her life in South Africa, places that she lived and her education. Joanne provides details and background regarding her practice as an occupational therapist. Joanne explains how she specializes in hand therapy but also works with animals and other varied treatments. 11:45 - 19:29 Joanne talks about her life in Burnaby. Joanne recollects how her family ended up living in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood and provides a brief overview of her community involvement including the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Community Advisory Committee. Joanne shares some of her interests including; riding her tandem bicycle with her husband Stanis, thier love of opera and the symphony, attending concerts in Deer Lake Park and visiting Confederation with her grandchild. Joanne conveys that they like to support the local arts and that they commissioned a twig sculpture for their garden from local artist, Nickie Lewis. 19:30 - 24:55 Joanne shares that ten years after immigrating that they were able to bring family relations including Stanis' parents and brother. Joanne describes the benefits of having Stanis' parents residing with them and provides details on Stanis' parents community involvement in Burnaby. Joanne reflects on her association with her Jewish heritage. Joanne conveys that they aren’t religious but have maintained a few cultural aspects of their Jewish heritage including celebrating bat mitzvahs for both of their daughters and the importance of the Yiddish language. Joanne reflects on what she likes about living in Burnaby and how it’s changed over the 30 years that she’s lived here.

History: Interviewee biography: Joanne was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1958 and also spent some time in Klerksdorp and Johannesburg. Her formal education led to a career in occupational therapy, specializing in hand therapy. Uncomfortable with the social and political climate of South Africa at the time, she and her husband Stanis left for Canada in 1986. They soon settled in North Burnaby, where Joanne had a long-time friend, to pursue their respective careers and raise a family. The Smiths brought Stanis’s parents to Burnaby about 1996 and together built a new home. Joanne has been involved in school and community activities, enjoys Burnaby’s parks, and supports local fine arts, particularly music and performing arts. 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: Persons - Jewish Canadians; Migration; Religions - Judaism; Geographic Features - Parks; Arts; Performances; Performances - Concerts; Sports - Cycling

Names: Smith, Joanne; Smith, Stanis

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park; Confederation Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

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

Images

Interview with Joanne Smith, [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0005_002

Audio Tracks

Interview with Joanne Smith, [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0005_003.mp3

Interview with David Skulski

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19606

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, at…

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) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: David Skulski Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 6 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 80 min., 38 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, attending school in New Westminster and Burnaby and Hebrew school in Vancouver. David recalls his early experiences in music, instruments that he played and describes some of his Jewish family traditions. 00:22:23 – 00:49:57 David talks about his experiences studying music at university and following his passion as a musician and oboist. He recalls his experiences of working with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the CBC Orchestra, Vancouver Society for Early Music, the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra, other musical ensembles and venues where he’s performed. 00:49:58 – 01:00:00 David talks about living in Burnaby in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. David describes some his experiences playing traditional music from different countries. 01:01:01 – 01:14:15 David comments on the changes that he’s seen in Burnaby over the years, some of his favourite places, activities, cultural amenities and development on the Fraser River. David talks about the Jewish community in Burnaby, his involvement with the Peretz Centre and examples of Jewish cuisine. 01:14:16 – 01:20:38 David talks about Yiddish being his first language, his language studies in Lithuania, the roots of the language and provides some examples of speaking Yiddish.

History: Interviewee biography: Murray "David" Skulski was born in 1942 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and moved to British Columbia with his parents in 1948. Skulski and his family settled in New Westminster before moving to Burnaby in the late 1950's. Skulski took piano lessons at an early age and began playing obo while attending junior high school in New Westminster. In 1960 at the age of 17 years, Skulski began performing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as solo English horn and is the youngest player to ever be employed with the VSO. In 1991, Skulski started playing with the Vancouver Folk Orchestra and was the conductor between 1997 and 2004. Skulski has been the principal oboe player in many orchestras. In 1968, Skulski founded the Hortulani Musicae; in 1970, he founded the Vancouver Society for Early Music and in 1983 he founded Harmonie, an ensemble concentrating in classical wind music. In 2003, Skulski became president of the Pertez Centre for Secular Jewish Culture. In 2005, Skulski became principal oboist of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra and between 2009 and 2019 he was the principal oboist for the Pilgrim Orchestra under Pilwon Suk. David has served as president of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture and since 2022, he’s served on the board of the Vancouver Chamber Music Society. Skulski has taught summer courses in Renaissance music in Austria (1972-1979), has been a music resident at Simon Fraser University (1973-1976), has lectured on the history of musical instruments at SFU and UBC and in 2008 began teaching at the Pacific Coast School of Music, Richmond School of Music and Oakridge Music Studios. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Foods; Music; Musical Instruments; Occupations - Musicians; Performances - Concerts; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Religions - Judaism

Names: Burnaby Symphony Orchestra; Burnaby South High School; Burquest; Skulski, Murray "David"; Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; Vancouver Society for Early Music; Peretz Centre

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Geographic Access: Deer Lake; Deer Lake Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.10

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0010_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/Hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0010_003.mp3

Discovery Days

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98382

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 8 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the annual Discovery Days festival in Deer Lake Park. Photographs depict children and adults enjoying the many events (including giant bubbles, a bike rodeo, flying a kite, painting, pottery) and performers, including a juggler.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 8 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3392

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the annual Discovery Days festival in Deer Lake Park. Photographs depict children and adults enjoying the many events (including giant bubbles, a bike rodeo, flying a kite, painting, pottery) and performers, including a juggler.

Subjects: Events; Events - Festivals; Performances; Persons - Children; Persons - Crowds

Names: South Burnaby Garden Club

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in an August 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-3392-1: "Young cyclists learn road safety under the watchful eye of instructor Martin Prestage, at the bike rodeo."; Caption from metadata for 535-3392-2: "Luiu Wang, 11, appears about to be swallowed by a giant soap bubble."; Caption from metadata for 535-3392-3: "Aaron Ko, 11, gets instruction on the pottery wheel from Barbara Toohey."; Caption from metadata for 535-3392-4: "Pete Greenaway, the president of the South Burnaby Garden Club, admires the dahlias he grew at the allotment gardens."; Caption from metadata for 535-3392-5: "A juggler keeps his eyes on the flaming torches, one of the roving enterainment acts at Burnaby's Discovery Days."; Caption from metadata for 535-3392-6: "David Leung takes a kite he built out for a test flight."; Caption from metadata for 535-3392-7: "All the activity at Burnaby's Discovery Day gets to be too much for one participant, who finds a shady spot to grab a nap."; Caption from metadata for 535-3392-8: "Sylvan Hamburger, 7, gets ready to add to the artistic creations at the Painting Pandemonium tent."

Geographic Access: Deer Lake; Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Hats Off Day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98381

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 10 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the 2001 Hats Off Day parade and event in the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood. Photographs depict performers (including clowns, a town crier, a fire juggler, and tap dancers) in the parade; children and adults enjoying the parade and events; and business owners and volunt…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 10 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3391

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the 2001 Hats Off Day parade and event in the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood. Photographs depict performers (including clowns, a town crier, a fire juggler, and tap dancers) in the parade; children and adults enjoying the parade and events; and business owners and volunteers prepping food and dealing with the rainy weather.

Subjects: Events; Events - Parades; Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods; Performances; Persons - Children; Persons - Crowds

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a June 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-1: "Kelvin Yee drains the rainwater from the awning in front of the New Rainbow Cafe."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-2: "It's hard to stay a happy clown when you're trying to pedal your decorated bike in a rainstorm, as Corey Barker, 8, discovered at Saturday's Hats Off Day parade."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-3: "Even the town crier struggled to stay dry during one of the many downpours that rained on Saturday's Hats Off Day parade."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-4: "A member of the Confederation Tap Dancers tries to dance up some sunshine at Saturday's Hats Off Day parade."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-5: "Devin Schellenberg amazes and delights spectators with his fire juggling at Saturday's Hats Off Day festival."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-6: "Ashley Boston, 4, plays in the soap bubbles that appeared at the Heights Fountain Square during Saturday's Hats Off Day festival on Hastings St."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-7: "The Hats Off Day parade is all about hats."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-8: "Stuart Wells enjoys a salmon kabob outside the Pear Tree Restaurant, some of diverse food being offered by restaurants and delis along Hastings St. as part of Hats Off Day."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-9: "George Kopf and Cynthia Chow, of the Footlight Theatre Company, fuel up at the Lions Club pancake breakfast before marching in Saturday's Hats Off Day parade. Kirk Dickson is flipping the pancakes."; Caption from metadata for 535-3391-10: "Yusef Sulayman, 5, and his sister, Sevda, 6, try to stay dry as they watch Saturday's Hats Off Day parade."

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Images

Burnaby Figure Skating Club ice show

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97705

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Jennifer Edwards-Moore, Carmela Luongo, and Carissa Carvallho performing during the Burnaby Figure Skating Club's annual ice show at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2980

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Jennifer Edwards-Moore, Carmela Luongo, and Carissa Carvallho performing during the Burnaby Figure Skating Club's annual ice show at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

Subjects: Sports - Skating; Performances; Persons - Children

Names: Bill Copeland Sports Centre

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a December 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-2980-1: "Jennifer Edwards-Moore performs at the Burnaby Figure Skating Club's annual ice show at Copeland Arena."; Caption from metadata for 535-2980-2: "Carmela Luongo and Carissa Carvallho perform at the Burnaby Figure Skating Club's annual Christmas ice show at Bill Copeland Arena on Saturday."

Geographic Access: Kensington Avenue; Burnaby Lake Sports Complex

Street Address: 3676 Kensington Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Burnaby Figure Skating Club ice show, [2001] thumbnail

Cultural performance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97533

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of performers in traditional costume on a stage with four unidentified children watching and participating.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2872

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of performers in traditional costume on a stage with four unidentified children watching and participating.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Performances

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on original file name; Collected by editorial for use in an October 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Magic Mike

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97537

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Magic Mike, a magician, performing on stage with an unidentified child, who is standing with their hands clasped in front of them.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2876

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Magic Mike, a magician, performing on stage with an unidentified child, who is standing with their hands clasped in front of them.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Performances; Occupations - Actors

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on original file name; Collected by editorial for use in an October 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Anna Levy and Gregory Myers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97651

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Anna Levy and Gregory Myers posing at a piano as promotion for a memorial concert for Russian composer Nikola Korndorf.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2947

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Anna Levy and Gregory Myers posing at a piano as promotion for a memorial concert for Russian composer Nikola Korndorf.

Subjects: Performances; Performances - Concerts

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a November 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Anna Levy and her husband, Gregory Myers, have organized a piano concert at Shadbolt Arts Centre, November 30, as a memorial to Nikola Korndorf, a Russian composer, based in Burnaby, who died last Spring."

Images

Anna Levy and Gregory Myers, [2001] 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 Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4533

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:06:07 min)

Scope and Content: Track 3: This portion of the recording continues with Ken’s band activities, and then pertains to the games Ken played with his brother and friends. Ken discusses how the school band’s repertoire and performances were designed to complement the school’s events throughout the year. He describes the …

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:06:07 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Ken Yip Date of interview: May 9, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 5 Total length of all Tracks: 0:62:00

Scope and Content: Track 3: This portion of the recording continues with Ken’s band activities, and then pertains to the games Ken played with his brother and friends. Ken discusses how the school band’s repertoire and performances were designed to complement the school’s events throughout the year. He describes the concert the band was invited to play on the lawn of Ceperley House on their return from Expo 67. Ken recalls the games he and his brother played, and the two neighbor boys they played with. He describes playing on the North American Peat property adjacent to theirs, in the peat trenches and in the bush. He talks of roaming as far as New Westminster and the Fraser River.

History: Recording of an interview with Ken Yip recording by Tom Gooden on May 9, 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1950s and 60s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Persons - Children; Education; Organizations - Bands

Names: Yip, Ken

Accession Code: BV017.45.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 3, 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0005_003.mp3

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