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Creator
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Cooking on Pioneer site
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4563
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- Jul 1964
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of three unidentified Girl Guides cooking over a stove at the Pioneer camp. The girls are standing at a metal barrel stove in a clearing in the woods.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of three unidentified Girl Guides cooking over a stove at the Pioneer camp. The girls are standing at a metal barrel stove in a clearing in the woods.
- Names
- Girl Guides of Canada
- Accession Code
- BV015.36.101
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- Jul 1964
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Arrangement
- Loose photographs and slides arranged by Kathryn Raadsheer nee Hardy.
- Notes
- Title based on content of photograph
Images
Cooking recipes : compiled and arranged by the Ladies Aid Society of St. Andrew's Church, Renfrew
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2537
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV975.61.42
- Call Number
- 641 LAD
- Place of Publication
- Renfrew, Ont.
- Publisher
- Smallfield & Son
- Publication Date
- 1910
- Printer
- Smallfield & Son
- Physical Description
- 124 p. ill.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cooking
- Cooking, Canadian
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Notes
- Advertisements throughout.
Royal baker and pastry cook of practical receipts for home baking and cooking
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3512
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Rudmani, Giuseppi
- Publication Date
- c1911
- Call Number
- 641 RUD
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV995.31.25
- Call Number
- 641 RUD
- Author
- Rudmani, Giuseppi
- Place of Publication
- New York, U.S
- Publisher
- Royal Baking Powder Co.
- Publication Date
- c1911
- Physical Description
- 44 p. ; 21 cm.
- Inscription
- "Aug. 1919 V. Hudson? Tr_ _ _ _ _ NS" [Handwritten in pencil on front cover.]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Baking
- Pastry
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Notes
- Includes index
- "Canadian Factory - Montreal" Front cover.
Richard & Ada Neville Residence
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark633
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Residential building.
- Associated Dates
- c.1918
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Nelson Avenue
- Associated Dates
- c.1918
- Description
- Residential building.
- Heritage Value
- This Craftsman bungalow was built for the Neville family. Richard Neville (1884-1950) served as a Burnaby councillor in 1924 and is remembered as the man who gave the CCF party (now the NDP) land on Maple Avenue on which to build Jubilee Labour Hall. He worked as a tile layer for the O’Neill Company and was married to Ada Neville (née Cook, 1885-1970). Ada Neville still lived in this house at the time of her death. Typical of the Craftsman style, the house has a side gabled roof with large front gable dormer, triangular eave brackets, an open arched front verandah and a textural mix of siding including cedar shingle on the main floor and lapped siding at the foundation.
- Locality
- Alta Vista
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Area
- 936.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 6935 Nelson Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Roy & Catherine Cummins House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark506
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Located on Rumble Street in the Alta Vista neighbourhood, the Roy and Catherine Cummins House is a one and one-half storey, front-gabled rustic Arts and Crafts house, distinguished by the use of log construction and fieldstone verandah columns.
- Associated Dates
- 1912
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Rumble Street
- Associated Dates
- 1912
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- By-law No. 11959
- Enactment Date
- 17/10/2005
- Description
- Located on Rumble Street in the Alta Vista neighbourhood, the Roy and Catherine Cummins House is a one and one-half storey, front-gabled rustic Arts and Crafts house, distinguished by the use of log construction and fieldstone verandah columns.
- Heritage Value
- The Roy and Catherine Cummins House is valued for its association with the early settlement of Burnaby. Its construction is linked to the opening of the Burnaby Lake Interurban line, which ran through the central part of Burnaby, providing access between Vancouver and New Westminster. The accessibility of the area, combined with spectacular views of the Fraser River, made Alta Vista a desirable Edwardian era middle-class neighbourhood. The house was built in 1912 for Roy Franklin Cummins and his wife, Catherine Emma Cummins (née Cook), shortly after their marriage. Roy Cummins was a lineman with the B.C. Electric Railway Company, an economic driving force in Burnaby. The Roy and Catherine Cummins House is a unique and sophisticated local example of a rustic Arts and Crafts structure. Roy Cummins constructed the house from logs cleared for the construction of Rumble Street; the house is also unique for its use of local fieldstone for its verandah columns and chimney. Reminiscent of park lodge architecture, it exemplifies the semi-wild nature of the area as it was being opened for subdivision. It is also an indication of how far Burnaby was removed from the more urban lifestyles and attitudes of Vancouver and New Westminster.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the Roy and Catherine Cummins House include its: - location on a steeply sloping site in the Alta Vista neighbourhood of Burnaby - residential form, scale and massing as expressed by its one and one-half storey height plus full basement, front-gabled roof and shed dormer, full open front verandah and partial rear verandah - peeled log construction including notched corner posts, log verandah roof framing and log balustrades - masonry elements including fieldstone verandah columns and internal chimney, and board-formed concrete foundations with fieldstone aggregate - rustic Arts and Crafts features such as the use of natural materials, tapered columns, front door with sidelights and exposed eave purlins - original windows, including wooden sash casement windows in multiple assembly with continuous transoms - interior features including fir-panelled walls, wooden mouldings and fieldstone fireplace - associated landscape features including terraced stone walls
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Function
- Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
- Primary Current--Single Dwelling
- Community
- Alta Vista
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D.026-635-534
- Boundaries
- The Roy and Catherine Cummins House is comprised of a single residential lot located at 4156 Rumble Street, Burnaby.
- Area
- 718
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Documentation
- City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, Heritage Site Files
- Street Address
- 4156 Rumble Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Excellent recipes for baking raised breads: also directions for making refreshing summer drinks
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3521
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Fleischmann Company
- Edition
- Rev. Can
- Publication Date
- c1917
- Call Number
- 641 FLE
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV995.31.161
- Call Number
- 641 FLE
- Edition
- Rev. Can
- Author
- Fleischmann Company
- Place of Publication
- Montreal
- Publisher
- Fleischmann Co.
- Publication Date
- c1917
- Series
- Fleischmann's recipes
- Physical Description
- 47 p. : col. ill
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Bread
- Beverages
- Baking
- Cooking, Canadian
- Cooking
- Fleischmann Yeast
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Notes
- "Form 481D Rev. Can" -- Title page.
- "Send one of these books to your friends. See page forty-seven" -- Title page
- Includes Index .
Sunkist recipes : oranges-lemons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2305
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Bradley, Alice, 1875-1946
- Publication Date
- c1916
- Call Number
- 641.3 BRA
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV977.37.140
- Call Number
- 641.3 BRA
- Author
- Bradley, Alice, 1875-1946
- Publisher
- California Fruit Growers Exchange
- Publication Date
- c1916
- Physical Description
- 64 p. : ill.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cooking
- Cooking, American
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Notes
- Includes index.
A child's Christmas cookbook
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1255
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Chancellor, Betty
- Publication Date
- 1964
- Call Number
- 394.2663 CHA
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Call Number
- 394.2663 CHA
- Author
- Chancellor, Betty
- Contributor
- Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902
- Place of Publication
- Walnut Creek, CA
- Publisher
- Evergreen
- Publication Date
- 1964
- Physical Description
- 39 p. : ill. ; 21 x 22 cm.
- Inscription
- "Burnaby Village Museum", handwritten in ink on cover page.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Christmas cooking
- Notes
- A collection of recipes and suggestions for simple meals and desserts as well as instructions for making easy Christmas gifts.
- "Published in conjunction with the exhibition, Once upon a Christmas, at the Denver Art Museum, Denver, Colorado, December, 1964."
- "Illustrations from Thomas Nast and the St. Nicholas books, originally published in the late Victorian period."
British Columbia fruit : its qualities and uses
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3822
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Edition
- New ed.
- 1918 ed.
- Publication Date
- 1918
- Call Number
- 641.64 BRI
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- BV004.2.2
- Call Number
- 641.64 BRI
- Edition
- New ed.
- 1918 ed.
- Place of Publication
- Vancouver
- Publisher
- British Columbia Fruit Growers' Association
- Publication Date
- 1918
- Printer
- The Sun Job Presses
- Physical Description
- 80 p. : ill. : 18 cm.
- Inscription
- "Year 1924" [Handwritten in blue ink on title page]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Recipes
- Cooking--British Columbia
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Fruit
- Notes
- "Two Hundred and Twenty-five Recipes" -- Title page
Images
Calendar of dinners with 615 recipes : including the story of Crisco
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3671
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Neil, Marion Harris
- Publication Date
- c1917
- Call Number
- 641 NEI
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV000.3.10
- Call Number
- 641 NEI
- Author
- Neil, Marion Harris
- Place of Publication
- Hamilton, Canada
- Publisher
- The Proctor & Gamble
- Publication Date
- c1917
- Physical Description
- 231 p. ill.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cooking
- Cookbooks
- Home economics
- Crisco
- Shortening
- Notes
- Includes index
Five Roses cookbook : being a manual of good recipes carefully chosen from the contributions of over two thousand successful users of Five Roses flour throughout Canada
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary418
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV988.44.45
- Call Number
- 641.815 FIV Ver. 1
- Place of Publication
- Montreal; Winnipeg
- Publisher
- Lake of the Woods Milling Company Ltd.
- Publication Date
- c1915
- Printer
- Gazette Printing Company Ltd.
- Physical Description
- 144p. : col. ill. ; 24cm.
- Inscription
- "C.J. Caunt"-- handwritten in black ink on title page
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Baking
- Bread
- Cooking, Canadian
- Pastry
- Notes
- A page to request additional Five Roses cook book with three "coupons" to fill out name, address and dealer's name plus one line on the bottom for the french version of cook book--before title page.
- " Also useful notes on the various classes of good things to eat, all of which have been carefully checked and re-checked by competent authority" --title page
- "Compiled and designed by advertising department Lake of the Woods Milling Company Limited." --verso title page
- Cross reference with another version of this book BV987.8.2
Five Roses cookbook : being a manual of good recipes carefully chosen from the contributions of over two thousand successful users of Five Roses flour throughout Canada
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5488
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV987.8.2
- Call Number
- 641.815 FIV Ver. 2
- Place of Publication
- Montreal
- Publisher
- Lake of the Woods Milling Company Ltd.
- Publication Date
- c1915
- Printer
- Gazette Printing Company Ltd.
- Physical Description
- 144 p. : col. ill. ; 24 cm
- Inscription
- "Fay Franklin / 1927" --handwritten in black ink, verso of cover page
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Baking
- Bread
- Cooking, Canadian
- Pastry
- Notes
- "Also useful notes on the various classes of good things to eat, all of which have been carefully checked and re-checked by competent authority" --title page
- "Compiled and designed by advertising departement Lake of the Woods Milling Company Limited." --verso title page
- Cross reference with another version of this book BV988.44.45
How to do pickling : a book of tested recipes
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3872
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- D. Jayne and Son
- Publication Date
- c1917
- Call Number
- 641.42 JAY
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV005.11.2
- Call Number
- 641.42 JAY
- Author
- D. Jayne and Son
- Place of Publication
- Philadelphia, Pa.
- Publisher
- Dr. D. Jayne & Son
- Publication Date
- c1917
- Physical Description
- 16] leaves ; 16 cm.
- Inscription
- A Handbook / How to do Pickling / Compiled by / Dr. D. Jayne & Son / Phila. / Copyright, 1917 by..
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Canning and preserving
- Patent medicines
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Cooking
Images
Magic cookbook and housekeeper's guide
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3520
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- E. W. Gillett Company
- Edition
- 9th
- Publication Date
- 1912
- Call Number
- 641.5 EWG
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- BV995.31.160
- Call Number
- 641.5 EWG
- Edition
- 9th
- Author
- E. W. Gillett Company
- Place of Publication
- Toronto:
- Publisher
- E. W. Gillett
- Publication Date
- 1912
- Physical Description
- 61 p. ; 15 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cooking, Canadian
- Baking
- Home economics
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
The metropolitan life cookbook
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3781
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV002.58.106
- Call Number
- 641.5 MET Copy 1
- Place of Publication
- [Ottawa?]
- Publisher
- Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
- Publication Date
- 1918
- Physical Description
- 64p. ; 20 cm
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cooking
- Formulas, recipes, etc.
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Notes
- "Printed and Distributed by the METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY For the use of its Industrial Policy-holders."
- Includes index
- Copy 1 of 2
The people's home library : a library of three practical books : the people's home medical book : the people's home recipe book : the people's home stock book
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6747
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- X5087
- Call Number
- 610 BAR
- Place of Publication
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Publisher
- The R.C. Barnum Co.
- Publication Date
- 1917
- c1910
- Physical Description
- iv, 315 p., [32] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 26 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Medicine, Popular
- Cooking, American
- Veterinary medicine
- Notes
- Book contains three separate books
- "The People's Home Medical Book" by T.J. Ritter M.D.
- "The People's Home Recipe Book" by Mrs. Alice G. Kirk
- "The People's Home Stock Book" by W.C. Fair V.S.
Reliable recipes
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3513
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV995.31.26
- Call Number
- 641 CAL
- Place of Publication
- Chicago, Ill.
- Publisher
- Calumet Baking Powder Co.
- Publication Date
- 1918
- Physical Description
- 32 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 22 cm.
- Notes
- Includes index.
Sixty-five delicious dishes made with bread : containing tested recipes compiled for the Fleischmann Co.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3522
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Neil, Marion Harris
- Publication Date
- c1919
- Call Number
- 641 NEI Ver. 2
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV995.31.162
- Call Number
- 641 NEI Ver. 2
- Author
- Neil, Marion Harris
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- Fleischmann
- Publication Date
- c1919
- Physical Description
- 30 p. : col. ill.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Bread
- Cooking
- Fleischmann Yeast
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Notes
- "This booklet is intended to show the various uses of Bread combined with other things which make wholesome, economical and tempting dishes." Title page. "Bread is your Best Food---Eat more of it." Title page.
Sixty-five delicious dishes made with bread : containing tested recipes compiled for the Fleischmann Co.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3874
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Neil, Marion Harris
- Publication Date
- c1919
- Call Number
- 641.8 NEI Ver. 1
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV005.11.4
- Call Number
- 641.8 NEI Ver. 1
- Author
- Neil, Marion Harris
- Place of Publication
- Montreal
- Publisher
- Fleischmann
- Publication Date
- c1919
- Physical Description
- 30 p. : ill.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cooking
- Cookbooks--1910-1919
- Fleischmann Yeast
- Bread
- Notes
- "This booklet is intended to show the various uses of Bread combined with other things which make wholesome, economical and tempting dishes." T.p. Includes index
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 …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- 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
Audio Tracks
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
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