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Farmer Boy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9678
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (6 min., 6 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- This film is created by Lester Gierarch. Part of the Gierach heritage his father instilled in him was the work ethic of “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” This film shares Lester’s happy memories of working on the Y.Y. Sim farm, in Cloverdale, B.C., when he was 1…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (6 min., 6 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- This film is created by Lester Gierarch. Part of the Gierach heritage his father instilled in him was the work ethic of “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” This film shares Lester’s happy memories of working on the Y.Y. Sim farm, in Cloverdale, B.C., when he was 15 years old. He worked hard alongside Chinese men and women who were new immigrants to Canada as he helped to harvest lettuce and celery for 80 cents an hour. Through this experience Lester grew comfortable working with people of another culture who also knew the importance of working hard.
- History
- Lester Gierach has lived in Burnaby for the past 22 years.
- Creator
- Gierach, Lester
- Other Title Information
- title supplied by film maker
- Names
- Gierach, Lester
- Accession Code
- BV016.37.9
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 2016
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- The film was produced in 2016 as part of the Elders Digital Storytelling project. Digital storytelling is a form of narrative that creates short movies using relatively simple media technology. The project began in 2014 funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC) and AGE-WELL NCE grants. In partnership with the City of Burnaby, digital storytelling workshops were offered in Burnaby. The workshops helped older adults create short autobiographical films that tell a special story in their lives, complete with music, photos and narration. This film was produced at one of those workshops.
Images
Video
Farmer Boy, 2016
Frank Salt at work
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1305
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1900 and 1919] (date of original)
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 24.5 x 19 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of George Salt working with an unidentified fellow labourer. George Salt is wearing overalls and holding a wood planer in his hands. The other man is wearing a striped shirt with suspenders and is resting his right hand on an axe handle.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 24.5 x 19 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of George Salt working with an unidentified fellow labourer. George Salt is wearing overalls and holding a wood planer in his hands. The other man is wearing a striped shirt with suspenders and is resting his right hand on an axe handle.
- Names
- Salt, George
- Accession Code
- BV998.66.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Date
- [between 1900 and 1919] (date of original)
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 02-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Gilmore School staff
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription170
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1964 or 1965]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gilmore School staff from the year 1964-1965. The people are identified as follows (front row to back row, left to right). Row 1: Miss Lynne Atchison, Mrs. Ann Herbert, Mrs. Nannaly Lawson, Mrs. Miriam Benson, Mrs. Alice Wade, and Miss Olive Shuttleworth. Row 2: Mrs. Lydia Derks…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gilmore School staff from the year 1964-1965. The people are identified as follows (front row to back row, left to right). Row 1: Miss Lynne Atchison, Mrs. Ann Herbert, Mrs. Nannaly Lawson, Mrs. Miriam Benson, Mrs. Alice Wade, and Miss Olive Shuttleworth. Row 2: Mrs. Lydia Derkson, Miss Gloria Allen, Miss Eileen Brennan (nurse), Mrs. Muriel Fletcher, Miss Iris Willis, Miss Margaret Brown, and Mrs. Ruth Calder. Row 3: Miss Mary MacDonald, Mrs. Myra Maloney (School Secretary), Mrs Doreen Metzker (nee Nickle), Miss Clare Clemo, Mrs. Mae Curtis (Reading Centre), and Mrs. Bunny Gaskill. Row 4: Mr. Keith Stainton (Vice Principal ?), Mr. Robert Thomson (Principal / donor), Mr. Hudson Shannon, Mr. Charlie Johnson (Custodian), and Mr. Harry Seddon. Annotation in pencil on the back of the photograph reads: "Kieth [sic] Stainton back row / left #1 / (principal ?)" and "64-65."
- Names
- Allen, Gloria
- Atchison, Lynne
- Brennan, Eileen
- Benson, Miriam
- Brown, Margaret
- Calder, Ruth
- Clemo, Clare
- Curtis, Mae
- Derkson, Lydia
- Fletcher, Muriel
- Gaskill, Bunny
- Gilmore Avenue School
- Herbert, Ann
- Johnson, Charlie
- Lawson, Nannaly
- MacDonald, Mary
- Maloney, Myra
- Metzker, Doreen
- Seddon, Harry
- Shannon, Hudson
- Shuttleworth, Olive
- Stainton, Keith
- Thomson, Robert
- Wade, Alice
- Willis, Iris
- Geographic Access
- Gilmore Avenue
- Street Address
- 50 Gilmore Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV985.87.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1964 or 1965]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-19
- Photographer
- Croton Studio Limited
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Gilmore School staff
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription171
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1967 or 1968]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.6 x 17.6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gilmore School staff from the year 1967-1968. The people are identified as follows (front row to back row, left to right). Row 1: Miss Olive Shuttleworth, Mrs. Doreen Weltens, Shirley Young (steno), Mrs. Ruth Calder, Mrs. Dorothy Raines, Mrs. Ingrid ?, Mrs. Lydia Derkson, and Mr…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.6 x 17.6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gilmore School staff from the year 1967-1968. The people are identified as follows (front row to back row, left to right). Row 1: Miss Olive Shuttleworth, Mrs. Doreen Weltens, Shirley Young (steno), Mrs. Ruth Calder, Mrs. Dorothy Raines, Mrs. Ingrid ?, Mrs. Lydia Derkson, and Mrs. Queenie Scargill. Row 2: Mrs. Vi Rotta, Eileen Duthie (Secretary), Miss Pam Box, Miss Barbara Hart, Miss Margaret Brown, Mrs. Ruth Carrington (Library), and Mrs. Alice Wade. Row 3: Miss Gloria Allen, Mrs. Bunny Gaskill, Miss Ann Malcolm (Nurse), Mrs. Loa Thorarinson, Mrs. Gladys Heshedahl, Miss Sophie Adams (Sr. Spec), and Miss Sheila Pratt. Row 4: unidentified woman, Mr. Harry Mazur, Mr. Robert Thomson (principal / donor), Mr. Ron Henderson, Mr. Charlie Johnson (Custodian), Mr. Art Robinson, and Mrs. Tracy Wilson. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Harvy Mazur 2nd from left/ [arrow] back row."
- Names
- Adams, Sophie
- Allen, Gloria
- Box, Pam
- Brown, Margaret
- Calder, Ruth
- Carrington, Ruth
- Derkson, Lydia
- Duthie, Eileen
- Gaskill, Bunny
- Gilmore Avenue School
- Hart, Barbara
- Henderson, Ron
- Heshedahl, Gladys
- Johnson, Charlie
- Malcolm, Ann
- Mazur, Harry
- Pratt, Sheila
- Raines, Dorothy
- Robinson, Art
- Rotta, Vi
- Scargill, Queenie
- Shuttleworth, Olive
- Thomson, Robert
- Thorarinson, Loa
- Wade, Alice
- Weltens, Doreen
- Wilson, Tracy
- Young, Shirley
- Geographic Access
- Gilmore Avenue
- Street Address
- 50 Gilmore Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV985.87.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1967 or 1968]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-19
- Photographer
- Croton Studio Limited
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Gilmore School staff
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription172
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1968 or 1969]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.6 x 17.7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gilmore School staff from the year 1968-1969. The people are identified as follows (front row to back row, left to right). Row 1: Mrs. Dorothy Raines, Mrs. Evelyn Boyle (Pri. Spec), unidentified woman, Mrs. Tracey Wilson, Mrs. Ingrid ?, Miss Michi Lee, and Miss Kathy Coles. Row…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.6 x 17.7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gilmore School staff from the year 1968-1969. The people are identified as follows (front row to back row, left to right). Row 1: Mrs. Dorothy Raines, Mrs. Evelyn Boyle (Pri. Spec), unidentified woman, Mrs. Tracey Wilson, Mrs. Ingrid ?, Miss Michi Lee, and Miss Kathy Coles. Row 2: Mrs. Queenie Scargill, Mrs. Lydia Derkson, unidentified woman, Mrs. Bunny Gaskill, Mrs. Alice Wade, Mrs. Ruth Calder, Mrs. Kitty Warren, and an unidentified woman. Row 3: Miss Ruth Carrington (Librarian), Miss Pam Box, Miss Betty Manring (chair mistress), Miss Loa Thorarinson, Mrs Gladys Heshedahl, Miss Ann Malcolm (school nurse), Mrs. Eileen Duthie (School Secretary), and Mrs. Doreen Weltens. Row 4: unidentified woman, Mr. Harry Mazur (Vice Principal), Mr. Norm Johannson (Custodian), Mr. Ron Henderson, Mr. Art Robinson, Mr. Robert Thomson (principal / donor), and Miss Sophie Adams (Sr. Special). An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "68-69."
- Names
- Adams, Sophie
- Box, Pam
- Boyle, Evelyn
- Calder, Ruth
- Carrington, Ruth
- Coles, Kathy
- Derkson, Lydia
- Duthie, Eileen
- Gaskill, Bunny
- Gilmore Avenue School
- Henderson, Ron
- Heshedahl, Gladys
- Johannson, Norm
- Lee, Michi
- Malcolm, Ann
- Manring, Betty
- Mazur, Harry
- Raines, Dorothy
- Robinson, Art
- Scargill, Queenie
- Thomson, Robert
- Thorarinson, Loa
- Wade, Alice
- Warren, Kitty
- Weltens, Doreen
- Wilson, Tracey
- Geographic Access
- Gilmore Avenue
- Street Address
- 50 Gilmore Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV985.87.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1968 or 1969]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-19
- Photographer
- Croton Studio Limited
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Gilmore School staff
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription174
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1970 or 1971]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gilmore School staff from the year 1970-1971. The people are identified as follows (front row to back row, left to right). Row 1: Miss Brenda Granger, Mrs. Marylou Leung, unidentified woman, Miss Bev Cowie, Miss Pam Box, unidentified woman, Miss Kathy Coles, and Mrs. Doreen Welt…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gilmore School staff from the year 1970-1971. The people are identified as follows (front row to back row, left to right). Row 1: Miss Brenda Granger, Mrs. Marylou Leung, unidentified woman, Miss Bev Cowie, Miss Pam Box, unidentified woman, Miss Kathy Coles, and Mrs. Doreen Weltens. Row 2: Mrs. Lydia Derkson, Miss Michi Lee, unidentified woman, Mrs. Ruth Calder, Miss Betty Manring, Mrs. Stella Peterson, Miss Tracy Wilson, and Mrs. Kitty Warren. Row 3: Mrs. Queenie Scargill, Mrs. Wendy Matthison, Mrs. Ruth MacKenzie, Mrs. Ruth Cross, Mrs. Gladys Heshedahl, Miss Ann Malcolm (school nurse), Miss Ruth Carrington, Mrs. Eileen Duthie (Steno), and Mrs. Ingrid ?. Row 4: Mrs. Evelyn Boyle, Mr. Harry Mazur (Vice Principal), Mr. Robert Thomson (principal / donor), Mr. Ron Henderson, Mr. Art Robinson, Mr. Nick Calderone, and Mrs. Dorothy Raines. Annotations on the back of the photo read: "70/71" and "Harry Mazur 2nd from left / back row."
- Names
- Box, Pam
- Boyle, Evelyn
- Calder, Ruth
- Calderone, Nick
- Carrington, Ruth
- Coles, Kathy
- Cowie, Bev
- Cross, Ruth
- Derkson, Lydia
- Duthie, Eileen
- Gilmore Avenue School
- Granger, Brenda
- Henderson, Ron
- Heshedahl, Gladys
- Lee, Michi
- Leung, Marylou
- Malcolm, Ann
- Manring, Betty
- Mazur, Harry
- Peterson, Stella
- Raines, Dorothy
- Robinson, Art
- Scargill, Queenie
- Thomson, Robert
- Warren, Kitty
- Weltens, Doreen
- Wilson, Tracy
- Geographic Access
- Gilmore Avenue
- Street Address
- 50 Gilmore Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV985.87.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1970 or 1971]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-19
- Photographer
- Croton Studio Limited
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Healthcare workers outside of Burnaby General Hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14753
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Panorama photograph of Burnaby General Hospital with healthcare workers standing out in front holding heart posters. This was part of the salute to health care workers event at Burnaby General Hospital.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Panorama photograph of Burnaby General Hospital with healthcare workers standing out in front holding heart posters. This was part of the salute to health care workers event at Burnaby General Hospital.
- History
- Photograph was taken by Richard Liu on May 12, 2020 around 7:00pm. Richard helped organize a 'stick-tap' to salute front line health care workers at the Burnaby Hospital. The Vancouer Canuck's mascot "Fin", Mayor of Burnaby Mike Hurley, MLA Anne Kang and MLA Katrina Chen, MP Peter Juilan, the RCMP Chief, the Fire Chief and Transit Police Chief were in attendance. These 'salutes' to health care workers were common in April and May during the earliest and most uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local neighbourhoods across Burnaby, the Lower Mainland and the Province began regularly gathering at 7:00pm to bang pots and pans, honk horns, and generally celebrate and acknowledge the work of health care professionals. The presence of "Fin" was added because the Vancouver Canuck and NHL were not playing, so Fin was available to make the rounds. His visits were often surprises. Fin played the Canucks goal horn through the Fin Mobile roof speakers, with green and blue flashing lights. Fin visited six hospitals, as well as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Occupations - Nurses
- Occupations - Physicians
- Public Services - Health Services
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Names
- Burnaby General Hospital
- Geographic Access
- Ingleton Avenue
- Street Address
- 3880 Ingleton Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV020.18.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
- Photographer
- Liu, Richard
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Interview with Harman Pandher
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19609
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1968- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jan. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (105 min., 23 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (101 min., 39 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harman Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. 00:00 - 37:38 Interview opens with Harman Pandher sharing information on his oldest living relative, Kirpal Singh Pandher who immigrated to Canada arou…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (105 min., 23 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (101 min., 39 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Harman Pandher Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 5, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:1:45:23 min Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 format for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harman Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. 00:00 - 37:38 Interview opens with Harman Pandher sharing information on his oldest living relative, Kirpal Singh Pandher who immigrated to Canada around 1968. The interview continues with Harman Pandher providing details about his childhood in Burnaby while occasionally sharing photographs with the interviewer. He provides detailed descriptions of the homes and neighbourhoods while living on Second Street and 15th Avenue and shares his experiences as a South Asian Sikh attending Second Street elementary school, Cariboo Hill Secondary School and Kahlsa School. Pandher recalls some of his family and childhood experiences including, family events and gatherings; participation in school clubs and sports; playing basketball, ball hockey and street hockey with his Punjabi friends and other Burnaby kids; racism that he faced as a Sikh wearing a turban and delivering newspapers for the Vancouver Sun. 37:39 – 52:54 Pandher talks about family and cultural celebrations and traditions within the Sikh community including Vaisakhi, Diwali and celebrations of the birth of Guru Ravidas and Guru Nanak. Pandher conveys that while he was growing up many of these events took place in Vancouver but now they are also celebrated in Burnaby. He recalls events that took place in school while growing up in Burnaby including; his sister wearing a Sari to a fashion show; a visit to a Sikh temple; celebrating the birthday of Guru Nanak and outreach to teachers to learn about South Asian culture, games, food and traditions. Pandher also shares his experiences working as a student teacher at Capital Hill Elementary in North Burnaby where he took his class on a tour of the Sikh temple in 2001 and reflects on learning that it is his responsibility to be proactive in educating the public in his own culture while also learning about other communities. 52:55 - 1:19:56 Pandher shares personal experiences of racism and his experiences as a teacher and author. He recalls and reflects on a traumatic experience where he was physically assaulted while shopping at Lougheed Mall and recollects his father carrying around his field hockey stick in his car to defend himself. Pandher reflects on the lack of representation of racialized people like himself within the school curriculum while he was growing up which lead him to become a teacher and an author of children’s literature. Pander provides detailed information on his education and training in becoming a teacher, his love of poetry and literature and how he became an author. Pandher describes some of the works of poetry and literature that he’s written about the Sikh religion, history and culture, growing up as a Sikh Canadian and a non-fiction work about the history of Paldi titled "Welcome to Paldi: A Place for Everyone". Pandher also talks about beginning to record some of his own family stories from relatives. 1:19:57 - 1:29:58 Pandher talks about raising his own family in Burnaby, living as an extended family with his parents, his son’s education and Pandher's experience on the Burnaby School Board (2011-2018) . Pandher shares locations of residences that he and his family have lived before living at their current home on 17th Avenue. Pandher explains that since he was a teacher in Surrey, his son attended Khalsa School as well as public elementary and high school in Surrey but did his extracurricular activities in Burnaby where the family lived. 1:29:56 – 1:41:39 In closing, Harman Pandher reflects and shares what he hopes for younger generations of South Asian Canadians and future generations. Pandher articulates “be who you are, stay true to who you are, maintain your family’s traditions, learn their stories, learn their story and how they got to Burnaby”. He conveys that even though there’s more work to be done eliminating racism completely he sees the importance in volunteering, teaching others about yourself and making an effort to learn all parts of Burnaby and other cultures represented here. Pandher speaks about his concerns of youths falling victim to a lifestyle of drugs and gangs and how it’s important to remove the stigma around mental health issues.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Harman Pandher was born in Vancouver in 1976 to parents, Rajinder and Raj Pandher who immigrated to Canada in 1973. A few weeks later after Harman was born, the family moved to Burnaby. While living in Burnaby, Harman Pandher and his sister attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School. Pandher obtained a master's degree in education from the University of British Columbia and has worked as an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. Pandher has been recognized for his efforts in building bridges across communities as the recipient of the 2021 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award. Pandher has served on the Board of the Burnaby Multicultural Society and is co-founder of two noon-profit organizations; “Through SONG” (Seeking Oneness for the Next Generation) “About bringing youth together form diverse backgrounds and using their talent in the community for good causes” and "SACH" (South Asian Community Hub) providing one-stop services for those impacted by alchohol and substance use and mental health issues. Harman Pandher is also the author of two children's books titled, "Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara: Understanding the Sikh Place of Worship" and "Once Upon the Golden Temple: A Journey to Sri Harmandir Sahib". Interviewer biography: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Occupations - Teachers
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Religions
- Religions - Sikhism
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Sports - Basketball
- Sports
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Geographic Access
- 2nd Street
- 15th Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV023.1.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1968- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jan. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Second Street Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript available upon request
Audio Tracks
Interview with Harman Pandher, [1968- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jan. 2023
Interview with Harman Pandher, [1968- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jan. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0001_003.mp3Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…
- 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 recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Migration
- Occupations - Teachers
- Occupations - Grocers
- Organizations
- Organizations - Business Associations
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
- Names
- Toy, Christina
- Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
- Babey, Beverley
- Canada Way Food Market
- Fraser Merchants' Association
- Responsibility
- Fong, Denise
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4694 Canada Way
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.19
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Related Material
- See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3Interview with Maninder Arora
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19351
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1974-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Dec. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (67 min., 25 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (66 min., 45 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Maninder Arora conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Museum Registrar James Binks. 0:00 – 07:33 Interview opens with introductions. Maninder Arora shares her immigration story and how she came to emigrate from India to Canada…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (67 min., 25 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (66 min., 45 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik Co interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Maninder Arora Location of Interview: In Burnaby at the home of Maninder Arora Interview Date: December 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: (01:07:25) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Maninder Arora conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Museum Registrar James Binks. 0:00 – 07:33 Interview opens with introductions. Maninder Arora shares her immigration story and how she came to emigrate from India to Canada at 16 years of age with her mother, her older sister (18 yrs) and her younger brother (11 yrs) in 1974. Maninder explains how her sister immigrated first after marrying a South Asian Canadian and subsequently was able to sponsor members of her family to immigrate about one year later. Arora describes what life was like for her and her family in the northern part of Punjab in India prior to immigration to Canada. Arora describes her family composition with her being the second youngest of eight children and how at the time of immigrating, four of her elder siblings (three sisters and one brother) stayed behind. 07:34 – 16:23 As a new immigrant to Canada at the age of 16 years of age, Maninder Arora recalls the many challenges that she faced. Maninder describes how she attended Vancouver Technical School and then worked at a restaurant on Friday nights and weekends. She recollects how she got her first job through the Sikh community from the Akali Singh Sikh Gurdwara on Fraser Street. Maninder recalls that during the first five months in Canada, Maninder, her mother, sister and brother lived with her elder sister, her husband and child before finding a place of their own. Arora recalls where her family shopped for traditional Indian spices and foods. 16:24 – 25:50 Maninder Arora describes the next home that her family moved to and how she and her brother attended David Thompson Secondary School. Maninder explains that she dropped out of school in Grade 12 to go to work full time to help her family repay the debt that they owed for their immigration expenses. Around 1981, her mother was able to purchase a house at Marine Drive and Ross Street and her mother got work at the same restaurant that Maninder was working. Maninder shares and reflects on a disturbing encounter of racism that she and her older sister faced while taking local transit. 25:51 – 34:17 Maninder Arora talks about her past work experience. Maninder describes how with the help of her sister, she began working as a nurses' aide at care homes and private hospitals. Maninder reflects on how she intended to get a job in a unionized care home where she can make a better living wage. Maninder describes some of the places that she worked before obtaining certification as a nurse’s aide from Kwantlen College. 34;18 – 51:15 Maninder Arora describes the events that led to her marrying her future husband in 1986 and how it wasn’t an easy decision for her. Maninder describes where she and her family lived after her marriage and how her hard work led her to obtaining full time employment as a nurses' aide in Richmond. 51:16 - 56:16 Maninder Arora tells of how she decided to move to Burnaby where her sister and extended family were living. Maninder recalls what lead to her decision to move from Surrey to Burnaby in 1992. 56:17 - 1:04:23 Maninder Arora shares some experiences of her life in Burnaby. Maninder further reflects on her decisions for moving to Burnaby including providing what she thought would be a safer environment and education for her children. Maninder conveys how racism is still very much prevalent in society and recounts a personal encounter that she experienced while shopping for shoes at Metrotown. 1:04:24 – 1:06:45 The interviewer asks Maninder Arora what she would like to see conveyed as a message for younger people in an upcoming exhibit at Burnaby Village Museum on South Asian history. Maninder conveys that she would like all Canadian citizens living in Burnaby to make the environment better by not littering, living peacefully together and not causing people grief or struggle for nothing, “Be kind to each other”. In closing Arora shares the transportation route she took when emigrating from India to Canada.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Maninder Arora was born in the northern part of Punjab, India. Her sister immigrated to Canada in 1974 after marrying a South Asian Canadian. In 1975, after her father died, her sister was able to bring her mother, her 11 year old brother and Maninder at 16 years of age. After arriving in British Columbia, they first lived with her sister and family before finding a place of their own. Maninder attended Vancouver Technical School and later David Thompson Secondary School and worked in a restaurant on weekends to help her family out. Maninder and her family were members of the Sikh community and attended Akali Singh Sikh Gurdwara on Fraser Street. Maninder left school in Grade 12 to work full time to help her family repay the debt that they owed for their immigration expenses. In the early 1980’s Maninder’s family moved to a house near Marine Drive and Ross Street that her mother was able to purchase. With the help of her sister, Maninder got work as a nurses’ aide at care homes and private hospitals which eventually led her to obtaining certification from Kwantlen College. Maninder married in 1986 and had two children while living in Richmond. Around 1992, she moved from Surrey to Burnaby to be closer to her sister and to provide as safer environment for her children. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Occupations
- Occupations - Nurses
- Migration
- Names
- Arora, Maninder
- Responsibility
- Malik, Anushay
- Binks, James
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1974-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Dec. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Maninder Arora, [1974-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Dec. 2022
Interview with Maninder Arora, [1974-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Dec. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0006_003.mp3Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
- Clothing
- Crafts
- Employment
- Migration
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Occupations - Labourers
- Occupations - Millworkers
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Names
- Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
- Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
- Manhas, Ghania Singh
- Singh, Mayo
- Manhas, Kashmir Singh
- Manhas, Sher Singh
- Manhas, Budhan Kaur
- Manhas, Lashman Singh
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Related Material
- See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep
- Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby
- Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3Kitchen crew at Paradise Inn
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription108
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 1924
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 19 x 24 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the kitchen crew sitting and standing in three rows in front of Paradise Inn at Rainier National Park, Washington. The group of eighteen men and one woman are mostly dressed in white, wearing aprons and hats with scarves around their necks and side towels by their waists for wiping th…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 19 x 24 cm
- Material Details
- Photograph pierced (most likely by tacks) on all four corners and has a large tear on the right side
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the kitchen crew sitting and standing in three rows in front of Paradise Inn at Rainier National Park, Washington. The group of eighteen men and one woman are mostly dressed in white, wearing aprons and hats with scarves around their necks and side towels by their waists for wiping their hands. The man seated second to the right in the front row, wearing a baker's uniform is Charles J. Caunt. All other individuals are unidentified.
- Names
- Caunt, Charles J.
- Accession Code
- BV988.44.52
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 1924
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- For another photograph of Mr. Caunt with the Kitchen crew at Paradise Inn, see BV988.27.1
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2024-04-16
- Notes
- Title based on note on verso of photograph
- Note on verso of photograph reads: "Kitchen Crew at Paradise Inn/ Rainier National Park, Wash/ June 1924"
- Photographer identifies photograph as no. 2535
Images
Kitchen staff at Paradise Inn
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription98
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 1924
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 19 x 24 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of cooks, pantrymen, bakers and fellow kitchen staff standing in a row in front of Paradise Inn at Rainier National Park, Washington. The group of men are dressed in white, wearing aprons and hats with scarves around their necks and side towels by their waists for wiping their hands. Bak…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 19 x 24 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of cooks, pantrymen, bakers and fellow kitchen staff standing in a row in front of Paradise Inn at Rainier National Park, Washington. The group of men are dressed in white, wearing aprons and hats with scarves around their necks and side towels by their waists for wiping their hands. Baker, Charles J. Caunt is standing on the far right. All other men are unidentified.
- Names
- Caunt, Charles J.
- Accession Code
- BV988.27.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 1924
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- The baker's uniform in this accession, (BV988.27.2-.5) belonged to Mr. C. J. Caunt, depicted in the photograph.
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2024-04-16
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer identifies photograph as no. 2538
- Note in black ink on verso of photgraph reads: "Cooks, Pantrymen, Baker, Etc/ Pardise Inn, Rainier National Park, Wash/ June 1924/ 1 cook absent"
- Second note in blue pen (written later) reads: "C. J. (Charlie) CAUNT on extreme right."
Images
leaflet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact38403
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV997.21.17
- Description
- Edmonds Favourite Teacher - Leaflet -- [1988]. Pink leaflet entry form for Edmonds favourite teacher over the decades. The contest was part of Edmonds Junior Secondary 94 anniversary and closing celebrations in 1988. On the top half of the leaflet has a large cartoon of students on a slant pushing a teacher along. Below the first cartoon is another a man lying flat on his back with a lump on his head with another man standing above him. The bottom half of the leaflet is the entry form for the favourite teacher and principal contest. The leaflet measures 21.5cm x 35.5cm.
- Colour
- Pink
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Leaflets
- Events
- Events - Anniversaries
- Occupations
- Occupations - Teachers
Images
Mancatcher
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4933
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Fossum, Jack, 1905-
- Edition
- 1st ed.
- Publication Date
- 1990
- Call Number
- 971 FOS
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV004.23.61
- ISBN
- 092176202X
- Call Number
- 971 FOS
- Edition
- 1st ed.
- Author
- Fossum, Jack, 1905-
- Place of Publication
- [Comox, B.C.]
- Publisher
- Lindsay Press
- Publication Date
- 1990
- Printer
- Friesen & Sons
- Physical Description
- 227 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.
- Inscription
- Bookplate on front pastedown reads "Property of Ted Brue" "from daughter" "Janette Jan-1992" [handwritten in blue ink]
- Notes
- "An immigrant's story of logging, policing and pioneering in the Canadian west" -cover
Motor Vehicle Mechanic
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7530
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Publication Date
- c1956
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Photograph
- Accession Code
- BV016.7.4
- Contributor
- Cabeldu Motors Limited
- L'Ecole de L'Automobile de Montreal Technical High School
- Myers Motors
- General Motors of Canada
- Anders, Fred
- Buccino, Fred
- Lund, Chris
- O'Connor, Hugh
- Place of Publication
- Ottawa
- Publisher
- National Film Board of Canada
- Publication Date
- c1956
- Physical Description
- 39 photographs : filmstrip ; cellulose aacetate, b&w pos.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Documentary Films
- Filmstrips
- Automobiles--Maintenance and repair
- Automobiles--Motors
- Object History
- Came in with Oakalla Prison records and artifacts in 1991. Filmstrip was utilized by staff and inmates of Oakalla. Digitized by BVM into preservation and accessible formats in 2020.
- Notes
- Filmstrip (photographs and illustrations with subtitles) provides a brief synopsis of apprenticeship training for a motor vehicle mechanic. Segments include "Motor Vehicle Mechanic"; "Related Fields of Training"; "Opportunities in the Trade". Film was created in collaboration with the Occupational Analysis Section of the Department of Labour. Film frame 36 reads: "For further information... read Monograph No. 10 in the "Canadian Occupations" series, consult your local National Employment Service office, teachers, counsellors and person familiar with the automobile trades." Accompanying sound recording is missing.
Images
Documents
notepad
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact17834
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV978.17.3
- Description
- Provincial Teachers' Institute - Notepad -- [1904]. Notepad for the Provincial Teacher's Institute for a meeting in 1904 from April 5th to 7th at Pender Hall, Vancouver. The notepad was created by Clarke & Stuart, Booksellers and Stationers on Hastings St Vancouver. The back of the notebook lists the officers of the meeting and the general schedule of events.
Images
RCMP Burnaby Detachment 2001 annual report
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1196
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Craig, Robert D., 1934-
- Publication Date
- 2001
- Call Number
- 353.36 RCM
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Call Number
- 353.36 RCM
- Author
- Craig, Robert D., 1934-
- Publisher
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Publication Date
- 2001
- Physical Description
- 26 p. : col. ill.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Police
- Criminal justice, Administration of
- Periodicals
Richard Low and Denis Nokony
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3344
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- July 1, 2003
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 19.5 x 26 cm laser print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (at left) photographer Richard Low and Denis Nokony, Assistant Director Cultural Services, standing in front of the bandstand at the Burnaby Village Museum during the Canada Day Celebration.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 19.5 x 26 cm laser print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (at left) photographer Richard Low and Denis Nokony, Assistant Director Cultural Services, standing in front of the bandstand at the Burnaby Village Museum during the Canada Day Celebration.
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.35.6
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- July 1, 2003
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 09-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Centennial 1873 - 1973
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6330
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Call Number
- 363.2 ROY
- Place of Publication
- [Ottawa?]
- Publisher
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Publication Date
- 1973
- Physical Description
- [48] p. : col. ill., facsims., map, ports. ; 28 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Police
- Subjects
- Occupations
- Occupations - Police Officers
- Public Services - Policing
- Public Services
- Celebrations
- Celebrations - Centennials