38 records – page 1 of 2.

Acceptance of invitation to Chinese Export Commodities Fair

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14800
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1979
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a one page form titled "Acceptance of Invitation" from Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1979 Kwangchow.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Series
Cecil Lee business records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p.
Material Details
Text in both English and Chinese
Scope and Content
Item consists of a one page form titled "Acceptance of Invitation" from Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1979 Kwangchow.
Creator
Chinese Export Commodities Fair
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Exhibitions - Fairs
Accession Code
BV019.6.20
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1979
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
January 20, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on content of item
Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
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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
Subseries
Back to the Roots Podcast series - 2020 subseries
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
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Back to the Roots Podcast series - 2020 subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14271
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
2020
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
4 sound recordings (mp3) + 1 video recording (mp4)
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of a three episode podcast series "Back to the Roots" and two research interviews conducted using the video communication platform, "Zoom". The three podcasts which delve into the topics of Chinese family operated businesses, Chinese contributions to early local and alternative …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
UBC Partnership series
Subseries
Back to the Roots Podcast series - 2020 subseries
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
4 sound recordings (mp3) + 1 video recording (mp4)
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of a three episode podcast series "Back to the Roots" and two research interviews conducted using the video communication platform, "Zoom". The three podcasts which delve into the topics of Chinese family operated businesses, Chinese contributions to early local and alternative food systems, and Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbalism. The three podcasts are titled "A Family Farm"; "Where is your food from?" and "Chinese Herbalist Shops & TCM". The podcasts were created by students Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong from the Facutly of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia Faculty and while student interns at Burnaby Village Museum. The two interviews were conducted by students Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong from the Facutly of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, while student interns at Burnaby Village Museum. The recorded interviews include Dr. John Yang (doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Denise Fong (Burnaby Village Museum's Chinese-Canadian History researcher, co curator of the Accross the Pacific exhibit and UBC PHD candidate). The interviews were conducted as part of Rose and Wei Yan's research in support of a three episode podcast series "Back to the Roots" which delves into the topics of Chinese family operated businesses, Chinese contributions to early local and alternative food systems, and Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbalism.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Agriculture - Farms
Agriculture
Gardens - Market Gardens
Names
Fong, Denise
Wu, Rose
Yeong, Wei Yan
Burnaby Village Museum
Yang, Dr. John
Accession Code
BV020.28
Date
2020
Media Type
Sound Recording
Moving Images
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
Interviews were originally recorded as mp4 videos on zoom. One of the interviews is made available for public access on Heritage Burnaby as an mp3 sound recording. Contact the Burnaby Village Museum to access the recording of the other interview.
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Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued to Quon Lip Lee

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16718
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
6 Oct. 1966
Collection/Fonds
Quon Lip Lee fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued to Quon Lip Lee on October 6, 1966. The back of the certificate includes vitial information including date of birth, marital status and date of issue.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Quon Lip Lee fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued to Quon Lip Lee on October 6, 1966. The back of the certificate includes vitial information including date of birth, marital status and date of issue.
Creator
Government of Canada
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Documentary Artifacts - Certificates
Names
Lee, Quon Lip
Accession Code
BV021.18.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
6 Oct. 1966
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
April 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Less detail

Chinese Export Commodities Fair identification tag

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14794
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1978
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 identification tag
Scope and Content
Item consists of a circular cardboard "CECF" tag that was used by "Western Commodities Ltd." as part of an identification tag to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Series
Cecil Lee business records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 identification tag
Material Details
Text in both English and Chinese
Scope and Content
Item consists of a circular cardboard "CECF" tag that was used by "Western Commodities Ltd." as part of an identification tag to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Documentary Artifacts - Identification Tags
Personal Symbols - Ribbons
Names
Western Commodities Limited
Accession Code
BV019.6.8
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1978
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
29-Sept-2020
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on content of item
Badge includes a silk ribbon (BV019.6.7) that was pinned to the top of the tag as an identifier for the Chinese Export Commodities Fair
Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
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Chinese Export Commodities Fair ribbon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14793
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1978
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 ribbon
Scope and Content
Item consists of a pink silk ribbon that was used by "Western Commodities Ltd." as part of an identification tag to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Series
Cecil Lee business records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 ribbon
Material Details
Text in both English and Chinese
Scope and Content
Item consists of a pink silk ribbon that was used by "Western Commodities Ltd." as part of an identification tag to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Documentary Artifacts - Identification Tags
Personal Symbols - Ribbons
Names
Western Commodities Limited
Accession Code
BV019.6.7
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1978
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
29-Sept-2020
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on content of item
Ribbon includes a "CECF" tag (BV019.6.8) that was pinned to the top of the ribbon as an identifier for the Chinese Export Commodities Fair
Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
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Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14792
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1978
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p. (folded)
Scope and Content
Item consists of an invitation for "Western Commodities Ltd." to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Series
Cecil Lee business records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p. (folded)
Material Details
Text in both English and Chinese
Scope and Content
Item consists of an invitation for "Western Commodities Ltd." to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Documentary Artifacts - Invitations
Names
Western Commodities Limited
Accession Code
BV019.6.6
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1978
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
29-Sept-2020
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on content of item
Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
Less detail

Chinese Herbalist Shops and TCM

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14274
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
2020
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (00:16:19 min)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of part three in a series of three “Back to the Roots” podcasts where the hosts Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong, "Dig up the roots of the past to unearth the foundations of the Chinese Canadian experience in Burnaby." This episode three is titled "Chinese Herbalist Shops and …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
UBC Partnership series
Subseries
Back to the Roots Podcast series - 2020 subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (00:16:19 min)
Material Details
Podcasts hosts: Rose Wu; Wei Yan Yeong Persons from recorded extracts: Denise Fong; Josephine Chow; Julie Lee Guest: Dr. John Yang Podcast Date: October 2020 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all tracks: 00:16:19 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 three in a series of three “Back to the Roots” podcasts where the hosts Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong, "Dig up the roots of the past to unearth the foundations of the Chinese Canadian experience in Burnaby." This episode three is titled "Chinese Herbalist Shops and TCM". 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 - 01:34 Podcast opens with an introduction to this episode in the podcast series. 01:35 - 03:43 This portion of the podcast consists of segments of pre-recorded interviews between Denise Fong and Chinese-Canadians Julie Lee and Josephine Chow who grew up in Burnaby. Josephine and Jule recall visiting herbalist shops in Vancouver's Chinatown during the nineteen fifties and sixties. Due to the lack of herbalist shops in the Burnaby community during that time, it was common for a Chinese farming family to travel to Vancouver’s Chinatown in order to obtain herbal prescriptions or dried goods. Julie speaks briefly about what the type of Traditional Chinese medical care and advice her mother and family received. Josephine Chow tells of a female Chinese doctor from Vancouver, Madeline Chung who was responsible for delivering a lot of Chinese babies including Josephine and describes how her mother would take members of the family to the herbalist in Vancouver's Chinatown. 03:44 - 04:44 In this portion, the hosts tell of how aside from its medicinal purposes, herbalist shops also have a major socio-cultural significance to the Chinese community. The hosts describe the traditional layout of Chinese herblist shops, with a table set up for the game Ma Jong in the back and a seating area where customers could chat while waiting and be served tea. The hosts provide an example of the "Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co." herbalist shop in Victoria that was open between 1905 and 1967 and of how the shop and contents are now part of a permanent exhibit at the Burnaby Village Museum. 04:45 - 09:21 In this portion, the hosts describe "Traditional Chinese Medicine" also known as "TCM". In order to better understand the importance of TCM in Chinese culture, and specifically to Chinese-Canadian immigrants, the hosts interview Dr John Yang, the chairperson and program director of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's TCM program. Holding a PHD in TCM before migrating with his family to Canada, Dr Yang came here 30 years ago and immediately started his journey as a TCM practitioner at his home basement in Burnaby. Dr. Yang tells of how he worked with the lobbying group, ATCMA (The British Columbia Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Practitioners) to help legitimize TCM as a recognized form of medical health care. In 1996, the Canadian government finally approved the legitimization of TCM in Canada, where one is required to take a licensing exam before they’re allowed to start their practices in Canada. 09:22 - 15:17 In this portion of the podcast, Dr. Yang and hosts describe how Traditional Chinese Medicine and treatments differ from Western medicine, how TCM is a way of life and regularly incorporated into recipes and diets, the lack of social acceptance and the import of Chinese medicinal herbs and misconceptions. 15:18 - 16:19 Conclusion, 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
Social Issues - Discrimination
Social Issues - Racism
Public Services - Health Services
Names
Lee, Julie Cho Chan
Chow, Josephine
Fong, Denise
Yang, Dr. John
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company
Burnaby Village Museum
Responsibility
Wu, Rose
Yeong, Wei Yan
Accession Code
BV020.28.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
2020
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
BV020.28.3; BV020.28.4
Notes
Title based contents of sound recording
See also Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020 - BV020.6.1; Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020 - BV020.6.2
For associated video recording of research interview with Dr. John Yang - see BV020.28.1
Compilation of Research Resources used by authors Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong include:
B.C. to recognize doctors of Chinese medicine: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/b-c-to-recognize-doctors-of-chinese-medicine-1.396806
B.C. takes steps to legitimize traditional Chinese medicine: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bc-takes-steps-to-legitimize-traditional-chinese-medicine/article18428851/
Traditional Chinese medicine moves into the mainstream https://www.straight.com/life/415386/traditional-chinese-medicine-moves-mainstream
Burnaby Village Museum - Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong Feb. 7, 2020. BV020.6.1 https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumsoundrecording12337
Burnaby Village Museum, Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong Feb. 6, 2020. BV020.6.2 https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumsoundrecording12338
Images
Audio Tracks

Chinese Herbalist Shops and TCM, 2020

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Entry - Exit card

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14791
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[197-]
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a blank Entry/Exit Card.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Series
Cecil Lee business records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p.
Material Details
Text in both English and Chinese
Scope and Content
Item consists of a blank Entry/Exit Card.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Documentary Artifacts - Forms
Accession Code
BV019.6.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[197-]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
29-Sept-2020
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on content of item
Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
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Head tax certificate issued to Dung Way How

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15546
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1922-1934 (date of original), copied 2021
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Document collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 certificate (tiff) : col. ; 600 dpi
Scope and Content
Item consists of a head tax certificate issued by the Dominion of Canada - Immigration Branch - Department of the Interior to Dung Way How (Dong Howe). The certificate was first issued on March 18, 1922 and includes certification stamps on the front along with a photograph of Dung Way How. Certifi…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Document collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 certificate (tiff) : col. ; 600 dpi
Scope and Content
Item consists of a head tax certificate issued by the Dominion of Canada - Immigration Branch - Department of the Interior to Dung Way How (Dong Howe). The certificate was first issued on March 18, 1922 and includes certification stamps on the front along with a photograph of Dung Way How. Certification stamps on the verso of the certificate were issued by Chinese Immigration authorities between 1922 and 1934. Information on the front of the certificate reads "...This Certifies That / Dung Way How whose photograph is attached / hereto arrived or landed at Vancouver B.C. / on the 23rd day of January 1922 / ex "Empress of Asia" / and upon representations made has been / admitted as exempt from head tax under the / provisions of the Chinese Immigration Act. / The above mentioned party claims / to be a native of Bark Choon Jong in the District of Pon Yue of the age of 20 years. The declaration in this case is C.I.4. No. 3715 Date at Vancouver on March 18, 1922" signed by "Controller of Chinese Immigration". Printed text on verso of certificate reads "IMPORTANT / IT IS NECESSARY THAT THIS / CERTIFICATE BE CAREFULLY / PRESERVED AS IT IS OF VALUE / AS A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION".
History
Dung Way How (Dong Howe) arrived from Bak Chun (North Village), Guangdong in 1922 as a paper son. He had two sons during his first marriage, but the sons remained in China and one died at a young age. He married his second wife Chow Goon Pang through an arranged marriage. She was married twice previously and had a son from each marriage, but neither of them survived. Chow was from Nam Chun (South Village) and arrived in Canada as a paper daughter around the late 1930s or early 1940s. Both Dong and Chow spoke a Poon Yue dialect. The couple raised one daughter Vivian Dong (Dong Jing Yu) in Canada. The Dong family leased and operated the New Fountain hotel in Vancouver located at Abbott Street and Cordova Street. The family later went on to purchase farmland in Burnaby in 1957. The Dong family moved to Burnaby and operated a three acre market garden located at 6220 14th Avenue until 1972. They grew European staples including celery, radishes, green onions, beets, lettuces, endives, as well as Chinese vegetables such as gai lan (Chinese broccoli). There were two Chinese families in the area, including the Wong family who operated the Wong Chew market gardens 6325 14th Avenue. Dong Howe passed away in 1978. Chow Goon Pang passed away in 2000. Their daughter Vivian grew up in Burnaby and attended Riverside Elementary, McPherson Junior High School and Burnaby South Secondary School.
Creator
Government of Canada
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Documentary Artifacts - Certificates
Migration
Names
Howe, Dong
Accession Code
BV021.13.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1922-1934 (date of original), copied 2021
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
March 25, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
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Head tax certificate issued to Lee Quon Lep [Quan Lip Lee]

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16717
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1921-1949 (date of original), copied 2021
Collection/Fonds
Quon Lip Lee fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a head tax certificate issued by the Dominion of Canada - Immigration Branch - Department of the (Interior) issued to Lee Quon Lep [sic] [Quon Lip Lee]. The certificate was first issued on December 12, 1921 and includes certification stamps on the front along with a photograph of Q…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Quon Lip Lee fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a head tax certificate issued by the Dominion of Canada - Immigration Branch - Department of the (Interior) issued to Lee Quon Lep [sic] [Quon Lip Lee]. The certificate was first issued on December 12, 1921 and includes certification stamps on the front along with a photograph of Quan Lip Lee. Certification stamps on the verso of the certificate were issued by Canadian and Chinese Immigration authorities between 1924 and 1949. Information on the front of the certificate reads "DOMINION OF CANADA / IMMIGRATION BRANCH - DEPARTMENT.../ RECEIVED FRO.../ Lee Quon Lep whose photograph is attached / hereto on the date and at the place hereunder mentioned the sum / of five Hundred Dollars being the head tax due under the / provisions of the Chinese Immigration Act. / The above mentioned party claims / to be a native of Gong Doey Lee / in the district of Sun Way / of the age of 12 years arrived or landed / at Vancouver on the 28th day of / November 1921 ex Empress [sic] of Asia / The declaration in this case is C.I.4 No. 3716 / Dated at Vancouver on Dec 12, 1921_19_/ (signature) / CONTROLLER OF CHINESE IMMIGRATION". Printed text on verso of certificate reads "IMPORTANT / IT IS NECESSARY THAT THIS / CERTIFICATE BE CAREFULLY / PRESERVED AS IT IS OF VALUE / AS A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION" along with Chinese language characters printed vertically below.
Creator
Government of Canada
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Documentary Artifacts - Certificates
Migration
Names
Lee, Quon Lip
Accession Code
BV021.18.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1921-1949 (date of original), copied 2021
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
April 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
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Heritage Seed Program : 1991 seed listing

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6698
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Canadian Organic Growers
Publication Date
1991
Call Number
635 HER 1991
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Textual Record
Call Number
635 HER 1991
Author
Canadian Organic Growers
Place of Publication
Uxbridge, Ont.
Publisher
Heritage Seed Program
Publication Date
1991
Physical Description
34 p. ; 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Seeds
Periodicals
Subjects
Agriculture
Agriculture - Crops
Notes
Includes index (back cover).
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Heritage Seed Program : 1992-1993 seed listing

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6699
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Canadian Organic Growers
Publication Date
1991
Call Number
635 HER 1992-1993
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Textual Record
Call Number
635 HER 1992-1993
Author
Canadian Organic Growers
Place of Publication
Uxbridge, Ont.
Publisher
Heritage Seed Program
Publication Date
1991
Physical Description
41 p [2]. ; 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Seeds
Periodicals
Subjects
Agriculture
Agriculture - Crops
Notes
Includes index.
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Heritage Seed Program : preserving and enjoying our horticultural heritage, April 1992, vol. 5, no. 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6697
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Canadian Organic Growers
Publication Date
1992
Call Number
635 HER v. 5 no. 1
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Textual Record
ISBN
0848-0753
Call Number
635 HER v. 5 no. 1
Author
Canadian Organic Growers
Place of Publication
Uxbridge, Ont.
Publisher
Heritage Seed Program
Publication Date
1992
Physical Description
v. : ill ; 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Seeds
Periodicals
Subjects
Agriculture
Agriculture - Crops
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Heritage Seed Program : preserving and enjoying our horticultural heritage, December 1992, vol. 5, no. 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6695
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Canadian Organic Growers
Publication Date
1992
Call Number
635 HER v. 5 no. 3
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Textual Record
ISBN
0848-0753
Call Number
635 HER v. 5 no. 3
Author
Canadian Organic Growers
Place of Publication
Uxbridge, Ont.
Publisher
Heritage Seed Program
Publication Date
1992
Physical Description
v. : ill ; 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Seeds
Periodicals
Subjects
Agriculture
Agriculture - Crops
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Immigration department Hong Kong arrival and departure card

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14790
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[197-]
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 p.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a blank Immigration Department of Hong Kong Arrival and Departure Card.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Series
Cecil Lee business records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 p.
Material Details
Text in both English and Chinese
Scope and Content
Item consists of a blank Immigration Department of Hong Kong Arrival and Departure Card.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Documentary Artifacts - Forms
Accession Code
BV019.6.4
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[197-]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
29-Sept-2020
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on content of item
Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
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Immigration form

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14788
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[197-]
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a blank immigration form requiring; full name; nationality; sex; date and room no.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
Series
Cecil Lee business records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p.
Material Details
Text in both English and Chinese
Scope and Content
Item consists of a blank immigration form requiring; full name; nationality; sex; date and room no.
Subjects
Migration
Documentary Artifacts - Forms
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Accession Code
BV019.6.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[197-]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
29-Sept-2020
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on content of item
Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
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Interview with Denise Fong by Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14276
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
2020
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (00:60:38 min.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of an audio recording of a Zoom interview with Denise Fong conducted by Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong, in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. The interview was conducted with Denise Fong as part of the students' research for their podcast "Where is your food from?". This podcast…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
UBC Partnership series
Subseries
Back to the Roots Podcast series - 2020 subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (00:60:38 min.)
Material Details
Interviewers: Rose Wu; Wei Yan Yeong Interviewee: Denise Fong Interview Date: September 2020 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all tracks: 00:60:38 Recording device: Zoom video communication platform 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 an audio recording of a Zoom interview with Denise Fong conducted by Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong, in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. The interview was conducted with Denise Fong as part of the students' research for their podcast "Where is your food from?". This podcast was part two in a series of three "Back to the Roots" podcasts about the history of Chinese-Canadian farming in Burnaby and the lower mainland. In this series the students connected 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. "Where is your food from?" explores contemporary versus historical alternative food movements and how early Chinese farmers in the lower mainland had to be creative in their business tactics in order to survive in a local food system that discriminated against their race. 00:00 - 4:51 Denise Fong introduces herself and provides a summary of the work that she has done while working as a researcher on the Chinese Canadian History Research project for the Burnaby Village Museum. Denise explains how much of her research has focused on the history of Chinese Canadian market gardeners and green grocers and their presence in Burnaby. Denise tells of how many Chinese immigrants found it hard to find work due to racial discrimination which led many Chinese men to work in agriculture and farming. Her research has shown that many of the Chinese farms were located in the Big Bend area of Burnaby. 04:52 – 08:24 In this segment, Denise elaborates on the “truck” or “market” farming industry for Chinese farmers in Burnaby. Denise explains how “truck” farming was a mode for distributing produce from Chinese farms and some of the challenges the Chinese farmers faced. 08:25 – 14:10 In this segment Denise talks about peddling as another mode to distribute farm produce and how this was often dominated by Chinese Canadians since they were restricted from accessing other jobs. Denise explains how the Chinese peddlers would have their own routes with customers who depended on them to bring the produce to them. Denise provides an example of racial discrimination whereby a Burnaby Bylaw prevented people of Chinese descent from working for the city. 14:11 – 22: 39 In this segment, Denise describes how in the 1950s and 1960s, produce distribution networks for Chinese Canadian farmers in Burnaby expanded to larger stores and wholesalers including Woodward’s, Safeway in Burnaby, MacDonald’s Consolidated and Kelly Douglas. Denise provides specific examples of Burnaby families and tells the story of Chinese Canadian Cecil Lee, a produce buyer for Kelly Douglas. In the mid 1970s Lee, was asked to oversee the import of Chinese mandarin oranges into Canada and was responsible for the design of a new cardboard box to replace the wooden crates that held the mandarin oranges. 22:40 – 33:28 In this segment, Denise provides information on Chinese farming methods and practices that she gathered through her research. Information gathered from interviews, research papers and an article in Harrowsmith magazine suggest that many of the Big Bend farms in Burnaby relied on crop rotation, companion planting and intercropping along with traditional organic fertilizers that were available. Denise also tells of how Chinese farmers often relied on traditional methods that they brought from Southern China including the creation of raised beds to avoid damage due to flooding. Wei Yan comments that many of these traditional methods are being reintroduced as a new sustainable way of farming. Research done by Wei Yan found that when chemical fertilizers were introduced informational brochures included Chinese translations. 33:29 – 38:30 In this segment Rose and Wei Yan speak to Denise about the cultural demographic of farmers in the Big Bend area of Burnaby and what types of crops were grown. Denise comments that to her knowledge there were mostly Chinese farmers in this area but there were some European farmers as well. Produce that was grown on the farms was mostly market driven by the local consumers and it wasn’t until the 1970s that there was a bigger demand to grow Chinese vegetables to supply the growing Chinese population. Denise shares personal experience of what she learned after a visit to a local farm and the different methods that the farmer used for growing crops. The three discuss the importance of innovation and adaptability in growing techniques that Chinese farmers have used. 38:31 – 46:23 In this segment, Rose and Wei Yan speak to Denise about the discrimination barriers that Chinese farmers had to face. Denise speaks about discriminatory bylaws and regulations that targeted Chinese farmers including the Peddling tax. She tells of how this tax, persecution to peddlers and restrictions resulted in the emergence of a new industry of Chinese green grocers. Denise names Chinese trade organizations that were formed in response to the social and economic segregation and marginalization that Chinese farmers and retailers faced. Denise references research done by Natalie Gibb and Hannah Wittman from their article “Parallel Alternatives: Chinese-Canadian farmers and the Metro Vancouver local food movement” as well as research by Harry Con and Edgar Wickberg. Denise also provides information that she has gathered from Chinese farmers in Burnaby including the Yip family who were able to purchase land after World War II through the Veterans Land Act and how prior to World War II it was very difficult for Chinese immigrants to purchase land. 46:24 – 1:00:38 In this segment the group discusses how Chinese farmers have adapted in the market garden farm distribution system and the introduction of retail spaces on their farms as part of the new local food movement. Denise, Rose and Wei Yan reflect on how their interview with Denise Fong and research resources will support their podcast series and exhibits at Burnaby Village Museum.
History
Interviewer biographies: 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. Interviewee 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 the Burnaby Village Museum “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
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Social Issues - Discrimination
Social Issues - Racism
Agriculture
Agriculture - Crops
Agriculture - Farms
Gardens - Market Gardens
Foods
Names
Fong, Denise
Responsibility
Wu, Rose
Yeong, Wei Yan
Accession Code
BV020.28.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
2020
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
BV020.28.4
Notes
Title based on contents of recording
Item was originally recorded as an mp4 video and converted to an mp3 sound recording for public access on Heritage Burnaby. To access the video recording, contact Burnaby Village Museum.
For recording of podcast "Where is your food from?" see BV020.28.4
Images
Audio Tracks

Interview with Denise Fong by Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong, 2020

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Interview 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.mp3
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Interview with Howe Lee, 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10266
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
February 20, 2019
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (01:18:41 min)
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Howe Lee conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong. Mr. Lee describes growing up in Armstrong in the 1930s and 1940s, leaving to attend university, and becoming a teacher in Burnaby. He discusses his community involvement and the creation of the Chinese Canadian Militar…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (01:18:41 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Howe Lee Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: February 20, 2019 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 1:18:41
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Howe Lee conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong. Mr. Lee describes growing up in Armstrong in the 1930s and 1940s, leaving to attend university, and becoming a teacher in Burnaby. He discusses his community involvement and the creation of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society. 00:00 – 20:39: Mr. Lee describes his family’s origins in China. Denise shows him a photograph of Armstrong and he uses it to show the location of his family’s property and other landmarks. He talks about his family’s life in Armstrong, their farm’s place in the Chinese produce supply system of the time, and the presence and life of Chinese people in British Columbia generally. Mr. Lee also relates how the Interior Vegetable Marketing Board’s policies affected the farm and his future prospects. 20:39 – 32:40: This portion of the recording pertains to Mr. Lee’s involvement with the Chinese Cultural Centre and how he developed an interest in commemorating and honouring Chinese pioneers and military veterans. He recalls his education in Armstrong and at U.B.C. and the community of Chinese students which first drew him to Vancouver’s Chinatown. 32:40 – 51:24: Mr. Lee describes his family and the Chinese community in Armstrong, using the photo to show the locations of the businesses. He recalls his involvement with youth groups, particularly the Cadets, and with local sports, noting that he faced very little discrimination there. Denise asks about the family’s farm and Mr. Lee identifies the family’s house in a drawing. 51:24 – 1:02:18: This portion of the recording pertains to Mr. Lee’s education and career. He describes his enjoyment of being a leader in various groups and activities, and his interest in the local Chinese community. He explains the structure and operation of the cadets and shares his perspective of its value in leadership training. 1:02:18 – 1:18:46: Mr. Lee recalls how he became involved with veterans and with the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver. He talks about bringing his parents to Burnaby to live. Mr. Lee describes how he persuaded some veterans to reorganize their group under the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada. He discusses the importance of documenting and passing on the legacy of the Chinese veterans’ contribution and tells how he convinced some of them to create The Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society. Mr. Lee relates how his involvement with the local society led to involvement with a national group.
History
Howe Lee has worked in education, business, military and within the community. He has taught Science and Mathematics in several Burnaby Secondary Schools and was head of the Science Department and Edmonds Secondary School. Lee was appointed Honorary Colonel in 2012. He has been active within the Chinese-Canadian community including working with the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, Vancouver Chinatown Memorial Square, Asian Heriage Month Society and the Chinatown Revitalization. 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
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Veterans
Names
Lee, Howe
Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society
Responsibility
Fong, Denise
Accession Code
BV019.15.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
February 20, 2019
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Interview with Howe Lee, 2019, February 20, 2019

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