"British Columbia" found 355 records

Judy Doll and Julie McDonald

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription80594

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 3, 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of British Columbia Institute of Technology instructor Judy Doll with student Julie McDonald, using jigsaw in workshop.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 3, 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

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

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0862

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of British Columbia Institute of Technology instructor Judy Doll with student Julie McDonald, using jigsaw in workshop.

Names: British Columbia Institute of Technology; Doll, Judy; McDonald, Julie

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "1734 Bby Mario A / Twice Bby. p. 5 @ 53% / p. 1 @ 23"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Judy Doll and Julie McDonald, August 3, 1997 thumbnail

Off patrol : memories of B.C. Provincial policemen

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1288

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: B.C. Provincial Police Veterans' Association

Publication Date: 1991

Call Number: 363.2 BRI

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 0919214851

Call Number: 363.2 BRI

Author: B.C. Provincial Police Veterans' Association

Place of Publication: Surrey, B.C.

Publisher: Heritage House

Publication Date: 1991

Physical Description: 158 p. : ill., photos., ports. ; 22 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Police; Biography

Names: British Columbia Provincial Police

Peter Karroll

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78728

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 6, 1995

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 17.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a brick-breaking demonstration by Peter Karroll at the Sun Hang Do Karate Grand Championship which took place at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 6, 1995

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 17.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0085

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of a brick-breaking demonstration by Peter Karroll at the Sun Hang Do Karate Grand Championship which took place at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

Subjects: Sports

Names: Karroll, Peter; British Columbia Institute of Technology

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Langdeau, Brian

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black and red ink on recto of photograph reads: "3424 Bby Brian / BNW - 23 - 90%"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Peter Karroll, December 6, 1995 thumbnail

Trolleycars : streetcars, trams and trolleys of North America : a photographic history

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1377

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Sullivan, Frank, 1942-; Winkowski, Fred

Publication Date: c1995

Call Number: 388.46 SUL

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 0919768911

Call Number: 388.46 SUL

Author: Sullivan, Frank, 1942-; Winkowski, Fred

Place of Publication: Mississauga, Ont.

Publisher: Fenn

Publication Date: c1995

Physical Description: 128 p. : col. ill. ; 22 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Electric railroads; Street-railroads; Transportation

Subjects: Transportation; Transportation - Electric Railroads

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Notes: Includes index.

Youth TV broadcasting workshop

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98188

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : b&w and col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of unidentified teenagers using TV cameras and film editing equipment during a television broadcasting workshop at BCIT.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : b&w and col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3266

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of unidentified teenagers using TV cameras and film editing equipment during a television broadcasting workshop at BCIT.

Subjects: Persons - Adolescents; Telecommunication Tools and Equipment; Telecommunication Tools and Equipment - Televisions

Names: British Columbia Institute of Technology

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Willingdon Avenue

Street Address: 3700 Willingdon Avenue

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Youth TV broadcasting workshop, [1999] thumbnail

A tapestry of cultures : voices from Burnaby's ethnic communities

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary828

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Chomiak, Robert; Rognmo, Tor; Ryan, Jennifer

Publication Date: c1992

Call Number: 971.133 CHO COPY 1

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 0969598505

Call Number: 971.133 CHO COPY 1

Author: Chomiak, Robert; Rognmo, Tor; Ryan, Jennifer

Contributor: Rich, Clélie

Place of Publication: Burnaby

Publisher: Burnaby Multicultural Society

Publication Date: c1992

Physical Description: x, 130 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Minorities--British Columbia--Burnaby--History; Multiculturalism--British Columbia--Burnaby; Burnaby (B.C.)--History; Burnaby (B.C.); Biography

Notes: "A 1992 Centennial project."; "A istory and celebration by the Burnaby Multicultural Society"; Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-121) and index.; 2 copies held : copy 1.; Edited by Clelie Rich

Barrett : a passionate political life

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4943

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Barrett, Dave, 1930-2018; Miller, William, 1942-

Publication Date: c1995

Call Number: 971.104 BAR

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV006.24.29

ISBN: 1550544268

Call Number: 971.104 BAR

Author: Barrett, Dave, 1930-2018; Miller, William, 1942-

Place of Publication: Vancouver

Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre

Publication Date: c1995

Printer: Imprimerie Gagne Ltee

Physical Description: 196 p. : ill. : 24 cm.

Inscription: "To Hazel with love and great memories! Dave + Shirley Benett 95" [Handwritten in blue ink on title page]

Library Subject (LOC): Politicians--British Columbia; British Columbia--Politics and Government--1972-1975; Biography

Names: Barrett, Dave, 1930-

Notes: Includes index.

The Burnaby transportation plan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1237

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Traffic and Transportation Committee

Publication Date: 1995

Call Number: 711.7 BUR

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Textual Record

Call Number: 711.7 BUR

Author: Traffic and Transportation Committee

Place of Publication: Burnaby

Publisher: City of Burnaby

Publication Date: 1995

Physical Description: 132 [178] p.: ill. ; 30 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Urban Transportation--British Columbia--Burnaby; City planning--British Columbia--Burnaby

Subjects: Planning - City Planning

Street names of Vancouver

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary834

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Walker, Elizabeth

Publication Date: 1999

Call Number: 971.1 WAL

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 0969237871; 9780969237877

Call Number: 971.1 WAL

Author: Walker, Elizabeth

Place of Publication: Vancouver, B.C.

Publisher: Vancouver Historical Society

Publication Date: 1999

Physical Description: xix, 147 p. : ill., col. maps ; 28 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Street names--British Columbia--Vancouver; Streets--British Columbia--Vancouver; Vancouver (B.C.)--History

Burnaby centennial anthology : stories of early Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5472

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Edition: Rev. ed.

Publication Date: 1994

Call Number: 971.133 BUR COPY 3

1 digital book

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Digital Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 0969282826

Call Number: 971.133 BUR COPY 3

Edition: Rev. ed.

Place of Publication: Burnaby, B.C.

Publisher: City of Burnaby

Publication Date: 1994

Physical Description: 531 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Burnaby (B.C.)--History; Burnaby (B.C.); Biography

Notes: Includes index.; 3 copies held: copy 3.

Digital Books

Deer Lake Park : heritage resource inventory

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5468

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Wolf, Jim

Publication Date: c1998

Call Number: 971.133 WOL COPY 2

. 3. Historic buildings—British Columbia—Burnaby. 4. Burnaby (BC)—Buildings, structures, etc. I. Burnaby (BC) II. Title. FC3849.B87Z55 1998 971.1'33 C97-910684-2 F1089.5.B87W64 1998 �TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 I. Deer Lake Park—The Historical Context 2 Prehistory 2 Pioneer Settlement: 1858—1890

1 digital book

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection; Digital Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 0969282834; 9780969282839

Call Number: 971.133 WOL COPY 2

Author: Wolf, Jim

Place of Publication: Burnaby, B.C.

Publisher: City of Burnaby, Community Heritage Commission

Publication Date: c1998

Physical Description: 47 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Deer Lake Park (Burnaby, B.C.)--History; Historic buildings--British Columbia--Burnaby; Burnaby (B.C.)--Buildings, structures, etc.

Notes: 2 copies held : copy 2.

Digital Books

Follow that fire : the history of the Burnaby Fire Department

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5194

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Penn, Douglas H. (Douglas Harold), 1947-

Publication Date: 1997

Call Number: 363.378 PEN COPY 3

. — History. 2. Fire departments— British Columbia—Burnabv—History. I. Burnaby (B.C.) II.Title. TH9507.B87P46 1997 363.37'8'0971133 C97-910504-8 EDITOR Brian Scrivner DESIGN Preview Graphics Inc. PRINTING Hemlock Printers Ltd. PHOTO CREDITS George Allen, Blazing Saddles Photography, Burnaby Fire Department

1 digital book

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Digital Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 0969282826

Call Number: 363.378 PEN COPY 3

Author: Penn, Douglas H. (Douglas Harold), 1947-

Place of Publication: [Burnaby, B.C.]

Publisher: City of Burnaby

Publication Date: 1997

Physical Description: 160 p. : ill. (some col.), 2 maps, ports. (some col.) ; 29 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Fire departments; Fire fighters

Name Access: Burnaby Fire Department

Notes: Maps on lining papers.; 3 copies held: copy 3.

Digital Books

Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.

History: Interviewees' biographies: 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 his wife, 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. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. 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: Clothing; Foods; Indigenous peoples; Buildings - Religious - Temples; Food Processing Tools and Equipment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Unions

Names: Gill, Prem Kaur; Gill, Mohinder Kaur; Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh

Responsibility: Rajdeep; Malik, Anushay

Accession Code: BV022.29.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum; Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)

Audio Tracks

Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3

Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19348

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future …

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Anushay Malik Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Dr. Sadhu Binning Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 25, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:15:57) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future exhibits and for researchers to learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby. During the interview, Dr. Binning shares his ancestral background along with his relatives' and his own personal experiences as a South Asian immigrant living and working in British Columbia and Burnaby. Dr. Binning conveys that he’s a Burnaby resident who’s lived in Burnaby since 1973 and that his children were born here. Binning shares his ancestral heritage beginning with his uncle Dhana Singh who emigrated from Punjab to British Columbia in 1931 and began working in the forest industry. He explains how Dhana Singh and another partner owned, operated and worked in small sawmills in the vicinity of Kamloops, Williams Lake and also on Vancouver Island. Binning conveys that in the beginning Dhana Singh and many other South Asian immigrants were not legal residents until 1938. In 1938, about 350 South Asian immigrants (mainly Punjabi) gathered resources to hire a lawyer to obtain permanent residency. Binning mentions that one of the notable South Asians in the group who was also a close friend of his uncle, was Darshan Singh Sangha, a trade unionist who was a founding member of the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union and an active member of the Communist Party of Canada. Binning conveys how Darshan Singh Sangha returned to India in 1947 to be a part of the revolution, how he was very active in the communist movement in India. While in India, Darshan Singh Sangha, was known as Canadian and thereby adopted “Canadian” as his surname, becoming “Darshan Singh Canadian”. Binning further explains that his uncle Dhana Singh Sangha returned to India in 1951, married and came back to B.C. in 1957 bringing with him, his wife and children. In 1960, with the support of his uncle, Binning’s father, Jit Singh Binning immigrated to British Columbia and began working in sawmills in the lower mainland, Kamloops, Quesnel and on Vancouver Island. Binning clarifies that his uncle, Dhana Singh was able to immigrate to Canada with the support of his cousins from the Tarker Singh Bains family. Binning further describes Darshan Singh Sangha’s involvement with the Communist party and the IWA and how the majority of the members were from the forest industry. As an active and prominent member of the labour movement, Darshan Singh Sangha fought for the rights of South Asians and Chinese who working in the industry and facing racism, unfair wages and discriminatory practices. Binning describes how Darshan Singh Sangha wrote a book in English in 1943, titled “Rise of the New Asia”. Binning conveys how immigrants of Chinese and South Asian decent didn’t have the right to vote in British Columbia and how Darshan Singh Sangha was instrumental in obtaining the right to vote in British Columbia, although he was never given the credit. Binning describes his uncle Dhana Singh as a likeable guy with many friends, first living in Kamloops before moving to Vancouver. Binning imparts how the sport of wrestling is a popular Punjabi sport along with Punjabi kabaddi. He conveys that his uncle became involved in wrestling while working in sawmills. South Asian immigrants had to do physical labour working in sawmills, the work could be tough and could often lead to physical fights. A number of South Asian immigrants working in the mills already had experience as wrestlers from back home. Dhana Singh later left the lumber industry to work in the agriculture sector. Binning explains how immigration rules changed in the 1960s which lead to larger numbers of South Asians immigrating to Canada. Many of these new immigrants were educated and politically conscious. All of these new immigrants faced racism but being politically conscious from an independent India and with the ability to speak English they organized themselves to fight for their rights. Binning imagines the items that his uncle and his father may have brought with them in their suitcase when immigrating to Canada. Binning describes three items, including a rajai (a blanket with cotton inside that is sewn together), a bistra (small attaché case or trunk) and a piece of cloth to lie on. Binning further describes the roles in Indian society as caste divisions and that it was usually women’s work in making the rajais. Binning recollects the locations that his father and his family lived after coming to Vancouver. Binning explains that a few years after living together in Vancouver, he and his family moved to Burnaby in 1973 to be closer to his Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish Binning’s family. Dr. Binning and family lived in a house in Burnaby located on Irmin Street near Royal Oak between 1973 and 1987. While living at this house their children attended McPherson Park Junior High School and later Burnaby South Secondary School. Binning reflects on some of the racism that he and his family have faced while living in Burnaby which led him to write a poem that he published in 1994 titled “No More Watno Dur”. Binning explains the meaning of the title “Watan” meaning “country and everybody” “a country far way from the motherland”. Binning explains the origins of the magazine “Watan” that was started by a friend in 1973. The magazine got its roots in Vancouver in 1973 from an organization called the “Punjabi Literary Association”. Binning became the editor of the magazine in 1976 and his friend joined him as assistant editor in 1978. Binning continued to work as editor until 1983 or 1984 when he returned to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. Binning describes the origins of the “Vancouver Sath” that was formed by a small group of South Asians around 1982. Binning was a founding member of the organization and held meetings and rehearsals at his house in Burnaby. Vancouver Sath first started out as an informal discussion forum by a group of politically conscious Punjabi writers and activists. Binning talks about issues and problems that Vancouver Sath addressed including; racism as well as domestic violence in the South Asian community. Binning explains how he and Sukhwant Hundal wrote articles on these issues and others that were happening in the South Asian community in Canada. Binning talks about how in 1983, the group was inspired to begin performing theatrical works after consulting with Gursharan Singh who was from a well known theatrical group from Punjab who were performing in Vancouver. In the beginning the Vancouver Sath’s plays were focused on the problems in Punjab but they soon decided to address social issues in their own South Asian community here in Canada. Binning summarizes and draws attention to, some of the plays that Vancouver Sath has written and performed including; “Picket Line”, about Punjabi women farmworkers’ rights; “Lattan de Bhoot”, about domestic abuse; “A Crop of Poison”; “Kihda Viah” (English translation- “Whose Marriage”) about arranged marriage and others about social issues in the South Asian community. The plays were performed in public schools and community centres in Vancouver and Richmond, Simon Fraser University and some were also performed in Toronto, Calgary and Williams Lake. Binning mentions some of the traditional foods that he likes to eat and where he and his family have shopped to find ingredients. He recalls how his mother, Gurmaje Kaur Binning did all of the cooking and was often cooking all day long. In the sixties, the Binning family address on 13th Avenue in Vancouver was also used as a postal address for many friends and family who’d recently immigrated. When these friends dropped by to pick up their mail, his mother often provided them with tea and food. After Binning and his wife, Jagdish moved to their own home in 1973, he shared in some of the shopping and cooking but his wife did the majority of the work due to his busy schedule. The interview closes with Binning providing an explanation of how “Watno Dur” magazine changed it’s name to “Watan” magazine. Binning reflects on how this came to be, when he made the decision to get an education in Canada and to stay here, not just as a “Canadian” but as a “Punjabi Canadian.

History: Interviewee biography: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur’ (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife Jagdish purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Industries - Logging/lumber; Industries - Forestry; Foods; Migration; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Organizations - Unions; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Performances; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Binning, Dr. Sadhu; Binning, Gurmaje Kaur; Binning, Jit Singh; Binning, Jagdish; Sangha, Darshan Singh; Canadian Farmworkers Union; Hundal, Sukhwant; Sangra, Harjinder; Singh, Dhana; Vancouver Sath

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate; Malik, Anushay

Accession Code: BV022.29.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

Documents

2022_0029_0003_005

Audio Tracks

Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0003_004.mp3

A carousel is magic : the saving of Parker #119

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1320

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Boulanger, Annie

Publication Date: c1995

Call Number: 731.932 BOU Copy 1

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

ISBN: 0969992904

Call Number: 731.932 BOU Copy 1

Author: Boulanger, Annie

Place of Publication: Burnaby, B.C.

Publisher: Lower Mainland Association of Friends of the Vancouver Carousel

Publication Date: c1995

Physical Description: 171 p., [20] p. of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm

Inscription: "To the Burnaby Village Museum - / one of my favourite places! / A. Boulanger / Sept 29/95", hand written in ink on title page of book

Library Subject (LOC): Merry-go-round--British Columbia--Vancouver--History

Names: Parker, Charles Wallace "C.W."; Lower Mainland Association of the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel

Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.; Copy 1 of 2; Signed by author.

Burnaby Central Secondary School yearbook : 1989-1990

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5225

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Publication Date: 1990

Call Number: 373.71 BUR 1990

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV012.17.2

Call Number: 373.71 BUR 1990

Place of Publication: Burnaby, B.C.

Publisher: Burnaby Central Secondary School

Publication Date: 1990

Printer: Friesen Yearbooks

Physical Description: 208 p. : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 29 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): School yearbooks--1990-1999; Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby; School yearbooks

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Names: Burnaby Central Secondary School

Notes: High school yearbook for Burnaby Central high school

Burnaby Central Secondary School yearbook : 1991-1992

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5224

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Publication Date: 1992

Call Number: 373.71 BUR 1992

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV012.17.1

Call Number: 373.71 BUR 1992

Place of Publication: Burnaby, B.C.

Publisher: Burnaby Central Secondary School

Publication Date: 1992

Physical Description: 224 p. : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 29 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): School yearbooks--1990-1999; Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby; School yearbooks

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Names: Burnaby Central Secondary School

Notes: High school yearbook for Burnaby Central high school

Burnaby tourism strategy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7603

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Burnaby Tourism Strategy Advisory Committee

Publication Date: 1994

Call Number: 338.4791 BUR

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

Call Number: 338.4791 BUR

Author: Burnaby Tourism Strategy Advisory Committee

Place of Publication: Burnaby, BC

Publisher: City of Burnaby

Publication Date: 1994

Physical Description: 82 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): City planning--British Columbia--Burnaby

Subjects: Planning - City Planning

Notes: "Produced by the Burnaby Tourism Strategy Advisory Committee Membership outlined in Appendix C, Project manager, Phil Sanderson, Economic Development Office Economic Development Office, City of Burnaby. Consultants: James MacGregor (Lavalin Corp.) in collaboration with Addison Travel Marketing, G.S. Sue Henderson & Associates."