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![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg?width=280)
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…
- 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](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg)
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
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 Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19600
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 mi…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: Lachman Singh Gill and family members - Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence Interview Date: June 12, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:124 min., 8 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 min.) was conducted in English with family members, Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill. 00:00:00 - 00:05:35 This interview starts abruptly, and the interviewer was unable to introduce the interviewees and themself. There were also technical difficulties in the beginning, which led to the recording starting mid-sentence. Discussion begins with Lachman Singh Gill providing details on his spiritual practices and background. 00:05:35 - 00:13:38 Discussion continues with Lachman providing details on his birthplace in Punjab, his family home, family names and languages spoken while living in India (Punjabi and Urdu). Family members chime in to help with details. 00:13:39 - 00:18:00 Lachman Gill imparts information on his migration story from England to British Columbia and his experiences when he first came to England from India. Lachman shares his employment history in Vancouver and India. 00:18:01 - 00:23:34 Lachman talks about his marriage to Surjit Kaur (Ark) Gill in India in 1943 and shares the names of their seven children, including his youngest daughter Sarbjit who died tragically at a young age. Lachman shares the details of his daily routine at the age of 95 years old. 00:23:35 - 00:25:48 Lachman shares information on the Gurdwaras that he visits for prayers, weddings and events. 00:25:49 - 00:35:49 Lachman recalls his experience living in India at the time of Partition in 1947 including details on his family’s experiences of how they helped protect a Muslim family. 00:35:50 - 00:39:49 Lachman comments on his experiences of living in Burnaby from when he first arrived here. Lachman, Santokh, Prem and the interviewer recount the names and locations of gurdwaras in the lower mainland and how they’ve changed over time. 00:39:50 - 00:43:15 Lachman shares his employment history working in a foundry and driving a taxi. Santokh, Mohinder and Prem Gill provide information about Lachman’s wife Surjeet Kaur Gill. The group describes their family home in Burnaby which they've lived in since 1973 and their first home on Georgia Street in Burnaby. 00:43:16 - 00:49:19 Lachman, Mohinder and Santokh recall their experiences obtaining citizenship as British subjects and how they were able to buy a home in a year. Santokh Gill recalls how he and his brother took over his father’s taxi after he retired and later sold it for a profit. 00:49:20 - 01:04:19 Lachman describes in detail his daily routine as a 95 year old. The group shares some of their favourite types of roti and Lachman talks about using his hearing aid. The interviewer and group convey to Lachman how the information will be used. Lachman describes how his wife made oatmeal. 01:04:20 - 01:15:54 In this portion of the interview, Santokh and Prem Gill show the interviewer a book by Henry Bromley titled “Fire in the Blood: A History of British Columbia and Alberta Foundries”. The book was given to the Santokh when he was working at the foundry and contains photographs of Lachman Gill and the foundries they worked at. Santokh describes photographs within the book and the metal casting processes.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Lachman Singh Gill was born in 1928 in the village of Ferozepur near Lakhpur, Punjab. In 1943, Lachman married his wife Surjit Kaur Ark who was from the village of Malpur. Sometime after Partition in 1947, Lachman and his wife Surjeet immigrated to England. Lachman and Surjit had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Around 1973, Lachman's son, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill sponsored his father and mother and they immigrated to Canada joining him and his family in Burnaby, British Columbia. After arriving in British Columbia, Lachman worked as a steel worker at a foundry and drove his own taxi. Lachman retired in his ffities and continues to live with his son and family in Burnaby. Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Migration
- Foods
- Industries
- Persons - Seniors
- Religions - Sikhism
- Transportation - Taxicabs
- Names
- Gill, Lachman Singh
- Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh
- Gill, Prem Kaur
- Gill, Mohinder Kaur
- Gill, Surjit Kaur Ark
- Gill, Sarbjit Kaur
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.4
- Date
- 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript for master recordings available upon request - Contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks
Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0004_003.m4a
adze blade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44868
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV002.57.19
- Description
- Nephrite adze blade; chipped on one end; rectangular shaped.
- Object History
- The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).
- Nephrite is found in the Fraser Canyon
- Culture Phase: Possibly Locarno Beach phase (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Documents
adze blade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44870
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV002.57.21
- Description
- Chisel, adze or axe blade made of serpentine; black; ends broken off; tapered rectangle shape.
- Object History
- The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).
- Culture Phase: Locarno Beach (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Documents
adze blade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44872
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV002.57.23
- Description
- Chisel, adze or axe blade made of serpentine; small
- Object History
- The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).
- Culture Phase: Locarno Beach (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Documents
adze blade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44873
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV002.57.24
- Description
- Nephrite adze blade; small
- Object History
- The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).
- Nephrite is found in the Fraser Canyon
- Culture Phase: Locarno Beach (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Documents
adze blade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44874
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV002.57.25
- Description
- Adze blade; small; possibly nephrite.
- Object History
- The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).
- Nephrite is found in the Fraser Canyon
- Culture Phase: Locarno Beach (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Documents
adze blade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44876
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV002.57.27
- Description
- Nephrite adze blade; rectangular; chipped on one side; slightly grooved on longer edges.
- Object History
- The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).
- Nephrite is found in the Fraser Canyon
- Marpole Culture (400BC - 400AD) or Gulf of Georgia Culture (400 AD – 1800); essentially these archaeological materials date to the last 2400 years.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Documents
A Family Farm
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14268
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:13:57 min)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of part one in a series of three “Back to the Roots” podcasts about the history of Chinese-Canadian farming in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Part one is titled “A Family Farm”. The podcasts were created by students Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong from the Faculty of Land an…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- UBC Partnership series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:13:57 min)
- Material Details
- Podcasts hosts: Rose Wu; Wei Yan Yeong Persons from recorded extracts: Denise Fong; Josephine Chow Music: prod. riddiman Podcast Date: October 2020 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all tracks: 00:13:57 min Photograph info: Store front of Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co in Victoria, B.C., 1975. BV017.7.191
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of part one in a series of three “Back to the Roots” podcasts about the history of Chinese-Canadian farming in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Part one is titled “A Family Farm”. The podcasts were created by students Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong from the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia Faculty and while student interns at Burnaby Village Museum. In this series the students connect their knowledge of food systems to their shared Chinese heritage in order to discover how Chinese Canadian history is rooted in their local food systems. 00:00-02:21 The podcast opens with Wei Yan Yeong and Rose Wu introducing themselves and their topic- the Chinese Canadian experience in Burnaby and the people who have made important contributions to the city’s development. “A Family Farm” talks about Chinese-owned businesses which are family run. “The family-oriented nature of Chinese-owned businesses also extend to many of the early (and current) Chinese-owned farms in the Burnaby Big Bend area. When Chinese men first began farming in BC in the 1860s, a lot of them worked as labourers because they weren’t allowed to own land. After World War II many of these farmers were allowed to purchase lots, thanks to the Veterans Land Grant. These grants allowed returning veterans to purchase small parcels of land with government loans. Eventually, these men would start families on the farm, and many Chinese-owned farms became family-operated businesses where every member, male, female, child, and extended relatives were enlisted to work the grounds. And it was hard work, often from dawn to dusk, 6-7 days a week.” 02:23 – 07:50 This portion includes excerpts from Oral History interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) of Hop On Farms in the Burnaby Big Bend area. The interview was conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Josephine recalls growing up on the family farm with her six siblings. She tells of how the family pulled together money to purchase twelve acres along Marine Drive in 1951, her family’s background, daily life on the farm , responsibilities on the farm for her and her siblings and of how her mother had to balance working on the farm and providing for a family of ten to twelve people. 07:51 – 08:10 In this portion, hosts comment and reflect on their own experiences. “While it’s likely that a lot of this was done out of necessity and not being able to afford additional paid labourers, having grown up in Chinese households ourselves, we can definitely understand the rationale for these family-operated businesses and how it connects back to the Chinese understanding of family and kinship.” 08:11 – 09:06 In this portion, Rose and Wei provide information on the roots of the Chinese character for family “jia” in mandarin or “gah” in Cantonese. They explain that the term family is composed of two parts: the upper element is like a roof, symbolizing shelter, and the bottom part represents a pig which symbolizes food, whereby the Chinese character for family represents that of a farm. They provide a quote from the writings of Francois de Martin-Donos “In ancient China, the farm is an enterprise, a shelter that insures one food and work. The farm is a place to rely on, but in return, needs to be maintained, including a set of responsibilities. In other words, “family” is the insurance of a stable life.” 09:07 – 10:27 In this portion, the hosts speak about how traditional Chinese thought is heavily influenced by the teachings of Confucius and Confucius philosophy. They explain how Confucius emphasized five sets of human relationships that form the basis for society: ruler and minister, husband and wife, parents and child, sibling and sibling, friend and friend. Of these five, three are familial relationships also known as Filial piety – the respect and care for one’s familial superiors (such as parents, elders, and ancestors). They speak of how this is one of Confucianism’s main teachings and in this respect caring for family members is seen as a moral obligation. In China housing arrangements are in the form of siheyuan”s — a type of residence that featured a courtyard surrounded on all four sides with buildings. These traditionally housed one large extended family if they were wealthy enough. 10:28 – 13:08 In this portion, hosts provide further information on Josephine Chow’s family experience working and living on the “Hop On” family farm through the decades. An excerpt from the interview with Josephine Chow conducted by Denise Fong is included. In this excerpt, Josephine reflects on her past experiences on the farm and her present day experiences of her siblings running the farm. 13:09 -13:56 Final summary, credits and acknowledgements.
- History
- Podcast hosts, Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong are University of British Columbia students in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and student interns at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Agriculture - Farms
- Agriculture
- Gardens - Market Gardens
- Social Issues - Discrimination
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Fong, Denise
- Responsibility
- Wu, Rose
- Yeong, Wei Yan
- Geographic Access
- Marine Drive
- Accession Code
- BV020.28.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 2020
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Big Bend Area
- Related Material
- BV020.28.4; BV020.28.5
- Notes
- Title based contents of sound recording
- See also Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020 - BV020.6.1
- Compilation of Research Resources used by authors Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong include:
- Why is family important in China? https://medium.com/@francois_dmd/why-is-family-so-important-in-china-1617b13a67
- Burnaby Village Museum - Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong Feb. 7, 2020. BV020.6.1 https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumsoundrecording12337
- Covered Roots: The History of Vancouver's Chinese Farms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4WHS2Uf3JU
- Burnaby Village Museum Shares Chinese-Canadian Farming History This Summer https://westcoastfood.ca/burnaby-village-museum-shares-chinese-canadian-farming-history-this-summer/
- Chinese Market Gardeners in the City of Burnaby BC Continue to Practice Urban Agriculture https://cityfarmer.info/chinese-market-gardeners-in-the-city-of-burnaby-bc-continue-to-practice-urban-agriculture/
- Chinese Market Gardening in BC https://www.bcfoodhistory.ca/chinese-market-gardening-bc/
Images
Audio Tracks
A Family Farm, 2020
Album page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90675
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV005.54.740
- Description
- Album page with type written letter on Burnaby Centennial "71 Committee stationery addressed to "Pioneer" re: an invitation to attend the Pioneer Medallion Presentation on May 9, 1971. ; signed by Mrs. Mary Trainer, Centennial Co-ordinator; regarding
- Object History
- Album page 212 from Don Copan album/scrapbook for Burnaby Centennial '71 celebrations
- Don Copan was an active member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee and later became the founding President of the Century Park Museum Association. While a member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee, Don created a scrapbook album of photographs and ephemera documenting the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee’s involvement in celebrating British Columbia’s Centenary of Confederation between January and December 1971 including Burnaby’s Commemorative Project – Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum).
- Reference
- Photographs from the Don Copan scrapbook/album are described as part of the Donald Copan collection - Copan Album series
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Documentary Artifacts - - Other Documents
- Object Term
- Correspondence
Images
Album page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90677
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV005.54.741
- Description
- Album page with schedule of events for "Burnaby Rhododendron Festival Week May 8 thru 16th"; mimeographed copy on yellow cartridge paper.
- Object History
- Album page 213 from Don Copan album/scrapbook for Burnaby Centennial '71 celebrations
- Don Copan was an active member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee and later became the founding President of the Century Park Museum Association. While a member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee, Don created a scrapbook album of photographs and ephemera documenting the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee’s involvement in celebrating British Columbia’s Centenary of Confederation between January and December 1971 including Burnaby’s Commemorative Project – Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum).
- Reference
- Photographs from the Don Copan scrapbook/album are described as part of the Donald Copan collection - Copan Album series
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Documentary Artifacts - - Other Documents
- Object Term
- Schedule
Images
Album page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90747
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV005.54.757
- Description
- Album page with souvenir newspaper; single page; one sided; "The Heritage Village News", Friday, November 19, 1971
- Object History
- Album page 229 from Don Copan album/scrapbook for Burnaby Centennial '71 celebrations
- Don Copan was an active member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee and later became the founding President of the Century Park Museum Association. While a member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee, Don created a scrapbook album of photographs and ephemera documenting the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee’s involvement in celebrating British Columbia’s Centenary of Confederation between January and December 1971 including Burnaby’s Commemorative Project – Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum).
- Reference
- Photographs from the Don Copan scrapbook/album are described as part of the Donald Copan collection - Copan Album series
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Documentary Artifacts - - Other Documents
- Object Term
- Serial
Images
apothecary case
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact91630
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV022.21.104
- Description
- Wood case covered in leather filled with various items including spoons, feathers, gauze, and paper packets.
- The case was assembled to act as an apothecary case for a movie.
- Object History
- This apothecary case was a prop used in the 1994 film "Little Women"
- For more information about the donor, see Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Category
- 02. Furnishings
- Classification
- Furniture - - Storage & Display Furniture
- Object Term
- Chest
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Names
- Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Images
armband
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47615
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.95.24
- Description
- Armband, felt, red. Stamped "Royal Visit Official Victoria, B.C .1939" in black.
- Object History
- 1939 was the first tour of Canada by a reigning monarch. King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth, travelled across the country from coast-to-coast.
- Marks/Labels
- "Royal Visit, Official, Victoria, B.C., 1939" stamped in black on the red felt.
- Colour
- Red
Images
automobile jacks
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact91629
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV022.21.103
- Description
- Pair of bumper jacks or car jacks. The jacks are a ratcheting style. The first jack is made of steal and used as a model for the second one which is made of wood and designed to be a prop for a movie set.
- Both jacks have an orange painted finish that has been weathered and distressed. One through time and use, the other intentionally designed to look old.
- The jacks have a base plate, lifting runner, ratcheting handle, and standard column with adjustment holes.
- The prop bumper jack has fewer moving parts and does not include any of the spring mechanisms.
- Object History
- Jimmy Chow worked in TV and film as a property master for more than 42 years. A property master is responsible for building and procuring props that actors handle and use. This sometimes means making replica items that are lighter, false or make filming easier on the actor. This differs from set decoration, which uses props to create a backdrop and is less central to the action on set.
- Jimmy Chow was responsible for designing, managing, and sourcing props for films such as: BFG, Warcraft: The Beginning, X-Men 2, Fantastic Four, Watchman, Tron: Legacy, Little Women, Seven Years in Tibet, Shanghai Noon, The Shipping News, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Changeling, Man of Steel (Superman), Snow Falling on Cedars, Legends of the Fall, And the Sea Will Tell, and Once a Thief.
- He entered the film industry in 1973 working for CBC Vancouver and gained valuable experience working on the set of the television series The Beachcombers, which launched his career.
- Classification
- Land Transportation T&E - - Land Transportation Accessories
- Object Term
- Jack, Vehicle
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Names
- Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Images
basket
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact2720
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV971.171.1
- Description
- Chinese basket
- Category
- 04.Tools & Equipment for Materials
- Classification
- Food Processing & Preparation T&E - - Food Storage Equipment
Images
basket
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact17681
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV978.2.13
- Description
- Nut-shaped, coiled cedar root basket with cedar root foundation and watch-spring base and lid construction. Hinged lid is attached with leather ties. Covered in beading, where in the decorative elements are laid flat on surface, rather than folded into cedar root stitches as is done with imbrication. Designs are in red and black dyed cherry bark. Interior Salish: Nlaka’pamux
- Object History
- Nut-shaped baskets are identified as one of the oldest types by Haeberlin and Teit (1928: 202-3). They were used for storing berries and were also common work baskets for women, used to hold small tools – awls, thread, shells, trinkets and other odds and ends (202).
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Culture
- Nlaka'pamux
Images
Documents
basket
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact27529
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV974.119.3
- Description
- Rectangular coiled cedar root basket with cedar slat foundation, lid has parallel slat construction and is covered with beaded designs edged by imbrication in canary grass. Basket has a flat lid that is hinged to body with leather ties. A mistake was made in how the design was applied to one end of this basket. This is not common as many weavers would correct this mistake. Completely imbricated walls, beaded design on lid. Coast Salish: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh?
- Object History
- The donor reported that the baskets were traded in the early 1920s for clothes by the donor's mother, who lived in North Vancouver. Her mother told her the "Capilano Indians" used to go door to door with their baskets in North Vancouver.
- Diamonds are considered a star pattern and are common to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Nlaka’pamux basketry. The main design resembles a ladder or fence and is uncommon.
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Culture
- Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
Images
Documents
basket
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact30051
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV973.79.1
- Description
- Rectangular coiled cedar root basket with cedar slat foundation. Parallel slat base and lid. Walls of basket flare slightly towards the rim. Basket has a conoid lid – one that fits over top of a flange on the rim of the basket. Rim is inset. Sets of triangular shaped stitches attach base to walls. Base of basket is protected by a foot, one slat high. Grass used for imbricated designs has a flat appearance typical of cattail grass. Black dyed and red cherry bark used for other design elements. Handles missing.
- Object History
- Design variant is uncommon. This may be a zoomorphic design possibly representing an animal head or flying bird.
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- School/Style
- Coast Salish
Images
Documents
basket
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact50308
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV006.24.5
- Description
- The basket is round with a lid and has a geometric design in black. Made using the coiled method.
- Object History
- Resembles California and Southwestern style baskets made of willow, dye and grass.
- Country Made
- United States of America
- Province Made
- California
Images
