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Subject
- Agricultural Tools and Equipment - Gardening Equipment 1
- Agriculture - Fruit and Berries 1
- Arts 4
- Buildings - Civic - Museums 1
- Buildings - Heritage 1
- Celebrations - Centennial 2
- Ceremonial Artifacts - Totem Poles 1
- Clothing - Footwear 1
- Education 1
- Foods 1
- Government - Federal Government 1
- Indigenous wood-carving - Totem poles 1
Cecil Lee business records series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15033
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1970-1980, predominant 1970-1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 12 cm of textual records + 1 photograph : b&w + 6 photographs : col.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of business records collected and created by Cecil Lee while he was employed as a Produce Buyer for Kelly Douglas Limited and Western Commodities Limited and responsible for the import of Chinese mandarin oranges. Records include correspondence, photographs, documentation regarding …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 12 cm of textual records + 1 photograph : b&w + 6 photographs : col.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of business records collected and created by Cecil Lee while he was employed as a Produce Buyer for Kelly Douglas Limited and Western Commodities Limited and responsible for the import of Chinese mandarin oranges. Records include correspondence, photographs, documentation regarding travel within China along with export and import information, contracts, financial reports, credit applications, Chinese trade fair information and ephemera.
- History
- Kelly Douglas and Company Limited was founded in 1896 as a wholesale grocery business. In 1946, its headquarters moved from Vancouver to Burnaby and a manufacturing plant and warehouse were built on the site at 4700 Kingsway. During the nineteen seventies, Kelly Douglas and Company Limited and the Produce Department of Western Commodities Limited were located on this site. In 1986, the building was demolished and the produce department of Kelly Douglas was relocated to 6451 Telford Burnaby and the head office to 808 Nelson Street, Vancouver. In the nineteen seventies, Cecil Lee worked as a produce buyer for Kelly Douglas & Company Ltd.and Western Commodities. In the mid-1970s, Lee was asked to oversee the import of Chinese mandarin oranges into Canada. Until that time, mandarin oranges had come from Japan and were sold in the winter, especially at Christmas. When the Japanese market could no longer keep up with demand, Kelly Douglas & Company looked to China. The company relied on Lee’s cultural knowledge to build this very profitable part of their business. Cecil Lee designed the cardboard Chinese mandarin orange box to replace wooden container
- Subjects
- Foods
- Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
- Accession Code
- BV019.6
- Access Restriction
- Subject to FIPPA
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproductions subject to FIPPA
- Date
- 1970-1980, predominant 1970-1979
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of series
- A large portion of these records are subject to FIPPA, contact Burnaby Village Museum for access
Council minutes and agendas series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription140
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2018
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of minutes and agendas of the meetings of Burnaby City Council. Minutes of open Council meetings reflect Council discussions and decisions regarding issues of municipal concern, including, but not limited to, public works, taxation, bylaw enforcement, land development, public healt…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2018
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- File Class
- 2430 09 (add. 2020)
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of minutes and agendas of the meetings of Burnaby City Council. Minutes of open Council meetings reflect Council discussions and decisions regarding issues of municipal concern, including, but not limited to, public works, taxation, bylaw enforcement, land development, public health, and administrative decisions. Series includes minutes of “in camera,” or closed, Council meetings in which confidential issues are discussed. Some of the early minute books contain minutes of Court of Revision proceedings as well.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Access to in camera minutes is restricted in accordance with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act legislation. Contact the City Archives for details.
Alderman Gerry Ast
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58822
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 21, 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16. 5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alderman Gerald D. "Gerry" Ast speaking into a microphone while seated.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 21, 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16. 5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1283
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alderman Gerald D. "Gerry" Ast speaking into a microphone while seated.
- Subjects
- Officials - Alderman and Councillors
- Names
- Ast, Gerald D.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Noted on original folder containing photograph: "Ast, Gerry - Burnaby Politics"
- Note on boarder of photograph at recto reads: "Ald Gerry Ast / A-5 Wed PMT 80%"
- Date and photographer stamped on verso of photograph
- Note on verso of photograph reads: "100% p.1 Bby Today"
Images
![Alderman Gerry Ast, [1980] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-1284.jpg?width=280)
Alderman Gerry Ast
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58823
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1980]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alderman Gerald D. "Gerry" Ast in a plaid three-piece suit, standing, speaking at a microphone.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1980]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1284
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alderman Gerald D. "Gerry" Ast in a plaid three-piece suit, standing, speaking at a microphone.
- Subjects
- Officials - Alderman and Councillors
- Names
- Ast, Gerald D.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Noted on original folder containing photograph: "Ast, Gerry - Burnaby Politics"
- Note on verso of photograph reads: "Ald Gerry Ast"
- Photographer's stamp on verso of photograph
Images
![Alderman Gerry Ast, [1980] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-1284.jpg)
Building Inspector's Ledger
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription9784
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1956-1989
- Collection/Fonds
- Building Department fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- Ledger book contains a log of the number of inspections performed and permits issued categorized by staff member and permit/inspection type. Daily, weekly and monthly totals are listed.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1956-1989
- Collection/Fonds
- Building Department fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 12748
- Accession Number
- 2004-07
- Scope and Content
- Ledger book contains a log of the number of inspections performed and permits issued categorized by staff member and permit/inspection type. Daily, weekly and monthly totals are listed.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Building Totals Ledger Book
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription24056
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1949-2003
- Collection/Fonds
- Building Department fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- Ledger contains the monthly building totals as calculated by the Building Department for the years 1949-2003.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1949-2003
- Collection/Fonds
- Building Department fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 27060
- Accession Number
- 2006-08
- Scope and Content
- Ledger contains the monthly building totals as calculated by the Building Department for the years 1949-2003.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
City Council and Council Committees series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription156
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1970-1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Mayor's Office fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of records created by the Office of the Mayor related to the composition and activities of City Council and Council Committees. These include: photographs, memoranda, agendas, minutes, reports, correspondence, and appointments. The Mayor of Burnaby is responsible for making appoin…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1970-1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Mayor's Office fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of records created by the Office of the Mayor related to the composition and activities of City Council and Council Committees. These include: photographs, memoranda, agendas, minutes, reports, correspondence, and appointments. The Mayor of Burnaby is responsible for making appointments to boards, commissions, and committees and does so each year at Council’s inaugural meeting. This series contains the records of these appointments made for the years 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, and 1979. Along with that function, the Mayor also sits on Committees of Council and works with his/her fellow Councillors to make decisions and provide leadership for the citizens of Burnaby. The Mayor and Council are also responsible for initiating a number of civic projects and the records in this series reflect those actions which were spearheaded by the Mayor’s Office.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Civic ceremonies, awards and special events series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription157
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1919-2004
- Collection/Fonds
- Mayor's Office fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series contains records created by the Mayor’s Office during the Mayor’s participation in civic ceremonies, awards presentations, or other special events undertaken in or for the City of Burnaby. Records include: photographs, correspondence, memoranda, speeches, reports, newspaper clippings, progr…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1919-2004
- Collection/Fonds
- Mayor's Office fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series contains records created by the Mayor’s Office during the Mayor’s participation in civic ceremonies, awards presentations, or other special events undertaken in or for the City of Burnaby. Records include: photographs, correspondence, memoranda, speeches, reports, newspaper clippings, programmes, agendas, proclamations, plaques, itineraries, invitations, and ceremonial certificates and memorabilia. As the official representative for the citizens of Burnaby, the Mayor hosts and attends numerous ceremonies and special events throughout his/her term in office. Included in this series are records from events such as the 1984 and 1997 B. C. Summer Games, the 1992 Burnaby Centennial celebrations, and the 1971 Royal Visit from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. During the course of these events, the City of Burnaby often is presented with ceremonial plaques, letters, or certificates that commemorate the special occasions and this material is included in the series. The Mayor is also responsible for seeing that awards are bestowed upon other deserving parties and ensures that achievements and special occasions are formally recognized by the City of Burnaby. Each year the Mayor presents the Kushiro Cup Award – which is named after Burnaby’s Sister City Kushiro, Japan – to an outstanding Burnaby resident and hosts such functions as municipal appreciation dinners. The records that are produced while carrying out these activities include criteria lists, resumes, correspondence, proclamations, and certificates.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Family photograph album
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93398
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1960-2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 album (50 photographs ; b&w and col.)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph album containing photographs of Hazel Peterson and her family in the later decades of her life. The album also includes photos and cards from and of relatives and friends; pictures of the boat the "Hazel-E"; vacations, including to Hawaii and Reno; and Hazel's 97th birthday in 1993.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1960-2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Hazel Peterson subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 album (50 photographs ; b&w and col.)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 504-046
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS2000-08
- Scope and Content
- Photograph album containing photographs of Hazel Peterson and her family in the later decades of her life. The album also includes photos and cards from and of relatives and friends; pictures of the boat the "Hazel-E"; vacations, including to Hawaii and Reno; and Hazel's 97th birthday in 1993.
- Subjects
- Travel
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on content of item
- Note on verso of 504-046-4 is handwritten and illegible
- Date on recto of 504-046-9 (Polaroid) reads: "Jun 64"
- Note on verso of 504-046-13 reads: "Jan 75 / Gut[tenger?]"
- Date on recto of 504-046-15 (Polaroid) reads: "Aug 74"
- Note on verso of 504-046-15 reads: "Taken at our mens and ladies Lodge meeting June 1974. Pot luck dinner and my seventy ninth birthday treat of [?] strawberries [?] some every year. / Cousin Harry Erickson."
- Note on verso of 504-046-17 reads: "Sealife Park 75"
- Note on verso of 504-046-20 reads: "October [?] 75"
- Note on verso of 504-046-21 reads: "Sealife Park 75"
- Note on verso of 504-046-22 reads: "Sealife Park 75"
- Note on verso of 504-046-23 reads: "Reno / March 75"
- 504-046-38 was originally in a paper frame and tucked between the pages that held 504-046-32:504-046-37 and 504-046-39:504-046-43
- Note on verso of 504-046-44 reads: "Nicole Constance Stariha / 12-03-91 / 6 1/2 mo. old"
- Note on verso of 504-046-45 reads: "Mark & Laurie Stariha / Matthew (4) and David (2 mos.) / 1992"
- Note on verso of 504-046-46 reads: "David Sherman Stariha at about 3 1/2 months"
![Gay Tim Hong and Steven Chan in Hop-On Farm greenhouse, [between 1980 and 1985] (date of original), copied 2017 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0036_0012_001.jpg?width=280)
Gay Tim Hong and Steven Chan in Hop-On Farm greenhouse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4261
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1980 and 1985] (date of original), copied 2017
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Gay Tim Hong standing with great grandson, Steven Chan in middle of a Hop-On Farm greenhouse. Greenhouse contained marigolds.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Gay Tim Hong standing with great grandson, Steven Chan in middle of a Hop-On Farm greenhouse. Greenhouse contained marigolds.
- History
- Josephine Hong was born to Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong. The Hong Family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene. The family runs Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including Josephine Hong's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. Her great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Geographic Access
- Byrne Road
- Accession Code
- BV017.36.12
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1980 and 1985] (date of original), copied 2017
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Related Material
- See Oral History Interview-BV020.6.1
- Scan Resolution
- 800
- Scan Date
- 12/3/2017
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph.
Images
![Gay Tim Hong and Steven Chan in Hop-On Farm greenhouse, [between 1980 and 1985] (date of original), copied 2017 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0036_0012_001.jpg)
Guests [anniversary and birthday guest book]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3660
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1958, 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Harold Edward Winch collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 v. of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Item is a guest book containing signatures of guests at two events: a dinner celebrating Winch's 25th anniversary of holding political office (October 24, 1958), and Winch's 80th birthday (June 18, 1987). Taped inside the front cover is a program "25 Years Serving B.C." The first section is inscrib…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Harold Edward Winch collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 v. of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Item is a guest book containing signatures of guests at two events: a dinner celebrating Winch's 25th anniversary of holding political office (October 24, 1958), and Winch's 80th birthday (June 18, 1987). Taped inside the front cover is a program "25 Years Serving B.C." The first section is inscribed "October 24 1958 - Congratulations Harold - and here's to a long association in Vancouver East. Sincerely -." Signatories include numerous Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation members and MLAs. The second section is inscribed "Celebrating June 18, 1987 - 80th Birthday, Harold Winch / at the Home of Don & Helen Winch." Signatories include family members and friends.
- Names
- Winch, Harold Edward
- Accession Code
- BV013.12.17
- Date
- 1958, 1987
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Related Material
- See photograph BV013.12.76.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Heritage Village shoe shop exhibit
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14576
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1981
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the Heritage Village shoe shop. Exhibit includes a glass display counter in front containing a shoe display and a work bench in behind with various tools for repairing shoes.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the Heritage Village shoe shop. Exhibit includes a glass display counter in front containing a shoe display and a work bench in behind with various tools for repairing shoes.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Footwear
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.1650
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1981
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 24-Nov-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Stamp on slide mount reads: "5_JUN_81V3"
Images
Housing and Residential Development
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription170
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1958-2000
- Collection/Fonds
- Planning Department fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series contains records that were produced by the Planning Department in regards to their role in the development and planning of houses and residential areas in Burnaby. These records include: maps, plans, architectural and technical material, reports, minutes of Council and Council Committees, a…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1958-2000
- Collection/Fonds
- Planning Department fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series contains records that were produced by the Planning Department in regards to their role in the development and planning of houses and residential areas in Burnaby. These records include: maps, plans, architectural and technical material, reports, minutes of Council and Council Committees, agendas, reports, studies, statistics, financial papers, correspondence, and memoranda.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory518
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:04:54
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1969 to an apartment near Brentwood Mall. She tells about continuing to demonstrate origami in schools and teach Ikebana in the community.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1969 to an apartment near Brentwood Mall. She tells about continuing to demonstrate origami in schools and teach Ikebana in the community.
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:04:54
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Arts
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Brentwood Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 27, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 01:34:10
- Interviewee Name
- Miyashita, Toki
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track three of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track three of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_3.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory519
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:07:26
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s explanation about the practice and art of Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana) and her specific school or discipline Ikebana Sogetsu. She talks about the meanings of the material used.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s explanation about the practice and art of Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana) and her specific school or discipline Ikebana Sogetsu. She talks about the meanings of the material used.
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:07:26
- Subjects
- Arts
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 27, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 01:34:10
- Interviewee Name
- Miyashita, Toki
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track four of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_4.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory520
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:07:05
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s involvement in the Multicultural Society, flower-arranging groups, and her own practice and willingness to respond to requests for presentations. She describes how traditional rules govern doll-making, Ikebana and the wearing of the kimono.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s involvement in the Multicultural Society, flower-arranging groups, and her own practice and willingness to respond to requests for presentations. She describes how traditional rules govern doll-making, Ikebana and the wearing of the kimono.
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:07:05
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 27, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 01:34:10
- Interviewee Name
- Miyashita, Toki
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track five of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track five of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_5.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 6
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory521
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1976-1990
- Length
- 00:07:36
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s trips to Japan in 1976 and 1980, visiting family in Myagi Prefecture, their response to her and her daughter, and her impression of Japan
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s trips to Japan in 1976 and 1980, visiting family in Myagi Prefecture, their response to her and her daughter, and her impression of Japan
- Date Range
- 1976-1990
- Length
- 00:07:36
- Subjects
- Travel
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 27, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 01:34:10
- Interviewee Name
- Miyashita, Toki
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track six of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track six of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_6.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory522
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1930-1990
- Length
- 00:13:56
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s memories of the internment, separation of her father from the family to work on road camps, where she was born in Richmond at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, confiscation of home in 1942, eventual Redress, and lingering feelings of fear and dis…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s memories of the internment, separation of her father from the family to work on road camps, where she was born in Richmond at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, confiscation of home in 1942, eventual Redress, and lingering feelings of fear and distrust in her family. She also talks about visiting Hiroshima on her trip to Japan in 1980
- Date Range
- 1930-1990
- Length
- 00:13:56
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 27, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 01:34:10
- Interviewee Name
- Miyashita, Toki
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track seven of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track seven of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_7.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory523
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1984-1990
- Length
- 00:04:47
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s six years service on Burnaby’s Family Court. She talks about what the Court does and the need for better services for battered women. She also relates that when Municipal officials receive visitors from Japan she is often asked to help.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s six years service on Burnaby’s Family Court. She talks about what the Court does and the need for better services for battered women. She also relates that when Municipal officials receive visitors from Japan she is often asked to help.
- Date Range
- 1984-1990
- Length
- 00:04:47
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 27, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 01:34:10
- Interviewee Name
- Miyashita, Toki
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track eight of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track eight of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_8.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 9
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory524
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1980-1990
- Length
- 00:19:08
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s involvement with the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko and her interest in the link between BC’s aboriginals and the Ainu of Japan. She describes Toko’s visits, her arrangement for Toko to meet Haida carver Bill Reid, and the events surrounding Burnaby…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s involvement with the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko and her interest in the link between BC’s aboriginals and the Ainu of Japan. She describes Toko’s visits, her arrangement for Toko to meet Haida carver Bill Reid, and the events surrounding Burnaby’s sister-city Kushiro’s gift of Toko’s sculptures to Burnaby for the Centennial. She also describes Toko’s appreciation of the Haida totems and the native people of BC, and his gift of a set of carving tools to Chief Saul Terry
- Date Range
- 1980-1990
- Length
- 00:19:08
- Subjects
- Celebrations - Centennial
- Indigenous wood-carving - Totem poles
- Woodworking Tools and Equipment
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 27, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 01:34:10
- Interviewee Name
- Miyashita, Toki
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track nine of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track nine of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_9.mp3