"Events" found 117 records | Heritage Burnaby

North Burnaby Kiwanis Club subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59096

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1949-1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of the administrative records of the North Burnaby Kiwanis Club. Subseries also includes photographs of Club members and events, felt badges, and member name plates.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1949-1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: North Burnaby Kiwanis Club subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of the administrative records of the North Burnaby Kiwanis Club. Subseries also includes photographs of Club members and events, felt badges, and member name plates.

History: The North Burnaby Kiwanis Club was first organized on May 31, 1949. The club was officially incorporated in 1954 with W.G. Switzer as its first president. The territorial limits of the club were of Burnaby from north of the Grandview highway to the easterly limits of the municipality, using the Great Northern Railway (G.N.R.) right-of-way as their division line. Membership consisted of men in good character and community standing, residing, having interest in, or engaged in recognised lines of business, agricultural, institutional and professional life within the territorial limits of the club. The North Burnaby Kiwanis Club’s goals were: to give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than to the material values of life; to encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships; to promote the adoption and application of higher social, business and professional standards; to develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship; to provide, through this club, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service and to build a better community; to cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and good will. The final meeting of the North Burnaby Kiwanis Club was held January 17, 1977.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: North Burnaby Kiwanis Club

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries; MSS092, PC501

Marilyn Copen

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4827

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: Jun 1949

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Marilyn Copan dressed in her brownie uniform at the Sports Day event at Stanley Park June1949.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Marilyn Copan dressed in her brownie uniform at the Sports Day event at Stanley Park June1949.

Names: Girl Guides of Canada; 5th Burnaby Brownie Pack; Copen, Marilyn

Accession Code: BV015.35.177

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: Jun 1949

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: March 9, 2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Handwritten annotations below photograph reads: "Marilyn Copan - taken at ^ Sports Day at Stanley Park June1949"; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook "5th Brownie Pack" 1948-1965 Item BV015.35.156

Images

Community day parade float

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4830

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1949

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Brownies on a large parade float going down a street in North Burnaby in the celebration of Community Day. The float is covered with lots of greenery, several union jack flags, a group of Brownies in uniform are seated at the rear and signage on the side of the float reads "5th Burnab…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25.5 cm

Material Details: Handwritten annotations below photograph read: "Float entered in the celebration of Community Day - won first place. 1949"

Scope and Content: Photograph of Brownies on a large parade float going down a street in North Burnaby in the celebration of Community Day. The float is covered with lots of greenery, several union jack flags, a group of Brownies in uniform are seated at the rear and signage on the side of the float reads "5th Burnaby Brownies". The parade float won first prize.

Subjects: Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs; Events - Parades

Names: Girl Guides of Canada; 5th Burnaby Brownie Pack

Accession Code: BV015.35.180

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1949

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Capitol Studios

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "Capitol Studios / & Photo Services / 4164 Hastings St. / Vancouver, B.C."; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook "5th Brownie Pack" 1948-1965 Item BV015.35.156

Images

Community day parade float, 1949 thumbnail

Winners of parade float

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4831

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1949

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of uniformed 5th Burnaby Brownies and their leaders gathered together with a trophy as first place winners for their float in the Community Day parade. Brownies and leaders are identified in the Back Row L to R: Dorothy Sloan, June Reimer, Betty Colelough, Patsy Coram, Barbara Bain, Marl…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm

Material Details: Handwritten annotations beside photograph read: "Winning Brownies at the 1949 float - with cup." Notes beside photograph read: "Back Row / L-R / Dorothy Sloan / June Reimer / Betty Colelough / Pasty Coram / Barbara Bain / Marlene Grant / Diane Homewood / Jacqueline Howcroft / Second Row / L-R / Mrs. Hebron (Brown) / Eleanor Barons / Dianne Smith / Maureen O'shea / Beverly Wright / Sandra Williams / Mrs. Reimer (Tawny / Front Row / L - R / Judy Beatty / Marilyn Cooper / June Walker / Bonnie Burke / Joane Pate."; Handwritten annotations below photograph read: "Winning Brownies at the 1949 float- with cup"; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "Capitol Studios / & Photo Services / 4164 Hastings St. / Vancouver, B.C."

Scope and Content: Photograph of uniformed 5th Burnaby Brownies and their leaders gathered together with a trophy as first place winners for their float in the Community Day parade. Brownies and leaders are identified in the Back Row L to R: Dorothy Sloan, June Reimer, Betty Colelough, Patsy Coram, Barbara Bain, Marlene Grant, Diane Homewood, Jacqueline Howcroft; Second Row L to R: Mrs. Hebron (Brown owl) , Eleanor Barons, Dianne Smith, Maureen O'Shea, Beverly Wright, Sandra Williams, Mrs. Reimer (Tawny owl); Front Row L to R: Judy Beatty, Marilyn Cooper, June Walker, Bonnie Burke and Joan Bate.

Other Title Information: Title based on contents of photograph

Subjects: Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs; Events - Parades

Names: Girl Guides of Canada; 5th Burnaby Brownie Pack; Hebron, Kathleen Billingham; Beatty, Judy; Howecroft, Jacqueline; Steele, Lorna; Cooper, Marilyn; Walker, June; Reimer, June; Colelough, Betty; Bate, Joan; Sloan, Dorothy; Coram, Patsy; Bain, Barbara; Grant, Marlene; Homewood, Diane; Barons, Eleanor; Smith, Dianne; O'Shea, Maureen; Wright, Beverly; Williams, Sandra; Burke, Bonnie

Accession Code: BV015.35.181

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1949

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Capitol Studios

Notes: Photograph is a part of original scrapbook "5th Brownie Pack" 1948-1965 Item BV015.35.156

Images

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19604

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their p…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah Location of Interview: Nalliah family home Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 68 min., 6 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Ruth (Angela) Nalliah with husband Samuel Nalliah WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this interview (00:40:58 – 00:57:31) regarding the Tamil genocide may be upsetting to some people.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their parentage, place of birth (Sri Lanka), spoken language and education. Sam Nalliah shares details on his education while living in Sri Lanka, his later education in Wales where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and his migration to Halifax in 1978 after obtaining a job at Dalhousie University as a systems analyst. Sam conveys how he decided to relocate from Halifax to Vancouver in 1986 and started his employment with BC Tel. Angela Nalliah shares details on her education and employment after immigrating to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1986. Angela conveys how she first lived in Ottawa, moved to Toronto in 1989 where she began working for TD bank and moved to Vancouver in 1999. 00:13:31 – 00:20:03 Sam Nalliah talks about how he and his wife Angela first met and married in 1999 and moved to Vancouver. Sam shares information on where his other family members immigrated to and why he decided to immigrate to Canada. Angela shares information on other members of her family who immigrated to Canada before her and how her uncle sponsored them all to come. 00:20:04 – 00:29:30 Sam provides further details regarding his family make up including; his first wife, his daughters (born in 1983 and 1985), his step daughter (born in 1991) and his youngest daughter (born in 2000). Sam tells how he worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Sam provides locations of homes that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver. Sam and Angela describe what they liked about living in Burnaby, where their daughter attended school and where they did their shopping. 00:29:31 – 00:32:11 Angela talks about working for Prospera Credit Union from 2003 after TD bank downsized. Sam describes how they rented out their house in Vancouver and lived in a rental home in Burnaby that was owned by the City of Burnaby. Sam and Angela recollect the time period that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver before deciding to move to Surrey in 2015. 00:32:12 – 00:35:59 Sam and Angela provide details regarding their daughter’s post-secondary education and careers. Angela talks about her social activities, volunteer work and involvement with the Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia, the Women’s Network as well as the Westminster Bible Chapel Church in Burnaby and the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church in Surrey. 00:36:00 – 00:40:57 Sam recalls hearing Prime Minster Pierre Elliott Trudeau speak about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at Dalhousie University and the effect that his speech made on him. Sam talks about joining the National Democratic Party when Peter Julian was elected as a Member of Parliament for Burnaby. 00:40:58 – 00:57:31 (WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this portion of the interview may be upsetting to some people) Sam and Angela speak about their involvement with the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC). Angela describes the brutal violence that she witnessed while living in Sri Lanka during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide in the 1980’s. Sam and Angela recollect and discuss their views and actions pertaining to the MV Sun Sea incident where a Thai cargo ship carrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to British Columbia were identified as terrorists by the Canadian Government and held in detention facilities. 00:57:32 – 01:08:07 Sam reflects on what he likes about Burnaby. Angela and Sam talk about Hindu temples attended by many Tamil and Sri Lankan people living in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Angela talks about the many cultural events and celebrations that are celebrated within the Tamil and Sri Lankan community including the Pongal Festival. Angela and Sam reflect on how grateful they are to be residents of Canada.

History: Interviewees biographies: Samuel (Sam) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1949. Sam immigrated to Halifax in 1977 after obtaining a position as a systems analyst at Dalhousie University. In 1986, Sam sponsored his parents to come to Canada. In 1986, after being introduced to the milder weather in Victoria, Sam decided to move to British Columbia. He moved to Burnaby in 1990 and began working for BC Tel in Burnaby. Following his job at BC Tel, Sam worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Ruth (Angela) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1964 and immigrated to Canada in 1986. As a Tamil living in Sri Lanka in the 1980’s Angela witnessed first hand the brutal violence during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide. In 1986 Angela was relieved to be able to immigrate to Canada after being sponsored by her uncle. Angela first lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto before marrying Samuel Nalliah in Ottawa in 1999 and the couple moved to Burnaby. Angela worked for TD bank in both Toronto and Vancouver until it downsized in 2003 and she began working for Prospero Credit Union. While living in Burnaby, Angela attended the Westminster Bible Chapel and after moving to Surrey she became a member of the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church. Sam and Angela Nalliah have four daughters and since moving to British Columbia they’ve lived in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. Both Sam and Angela are involved with the Tamil Cultural Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) as well as participates in Sri Lankan and Tamil community cultural events. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Events - Festivals; Government; Government - Federal Government; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Political Parties; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions; Religions - Christianity; Religions - Hinduism; Rights; Rights - Human Rights; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues - Discrimination

Names: Nalliah, Ruth "Angela"; Nalliah, Samuel "Sam"; Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC); Westminster Bible Chapel; Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia (TCSBC)

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0008_003.mp3

May Queen crowning

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34574

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1948

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 27.4 x 35.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Valleyview May Queen being crowned. Standing on the stage are; Henry Hill, [unidentified], Helen Brown, [unidentified], and Mary Dobson.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1948

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 27.4 x 35.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 054-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Valleyview May Queen being crowned. Standing on the stage are; Henry Hill, [unidentified], Helen Brown, [unidentified], and Mary Dobson.

Subjects: Events - May Day

Names: Brown, Helen; Dobson, Mary; Hill, Henry

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Capitol Hill Community Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark563

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Public building.

Associated Dates: 1948

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

4 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Howard Avenue

Associated Dates: 1948

Description: Public building.

Heritage Value: The Capitol Hill Community Hall was designed by local architect Harold Cullerne (1890-1976). After Cullerne returned from service during the First World War, he joined J.H. Bowman in a partnership that lasted from 1919 to 1934. After Bowman retired in 1934, Cullerne practiced on his own, continuing to work on schools and institutional buildings, such as the Art Deco Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver. In 1944, Cullerne designed a community hall for Capitol Hill; the scheme was delayed, and redesigned before it was finally built after the end of the Second World War. A simple front gabled roof hall structure, this hall is a monument to community spirit, erected by community members on a volunteer basis, and used for community events for over half a century. The hall replaced two earlier structures, both destroyed by fire, that had served the same purpose.

Locality: Capitol Hill

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Architect: Harold Cullerne

Ownership: Public (local)

Names: Cullerne, Harold; Capitol Hill Community Hall

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Civic; Buildings - Civic - Community Centres

Street Address: 361 Howard Avenue

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of the Capitol Hill Community Hall, 2013.. Oblique view.. thumbnail

Exterior view of the Capitol Hill Community Hall, 2013. (West elevation. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.
Exterior view of the Capitol Hill Community Hall, 2013. (View from the northwest. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.
Historic view of the Capitol Hill Community Hall under construction, 1948. (Oblique view. Historic Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby Archives 258-001. thumbnail

BBY-361-Howard-Av--1948-Archives 258-001 thumbnail

5th Burnaby Brownie Pack scrapbook

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4584

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1948-1965

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 scrapbook (2 digital files : (pdfs) + 58 photographs : col. (tiffs)) + 1 file of textual records + photographs + illustrations + ephemera

Scope and Content: File consists of images and original records from a scrapbook that was created by Mrs.M. Bate during her involvement with Burnaby Girl Guides. The original scrapbook is titled: "Scrapbook / Presented to / 5th Burnaby Brownie Pack / by Mrs. M. Bate / April 7th 1948" . The scrapbook contains 62 photo…

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 scrapbook (2 digital files : (pdfs) + 58 photographs : col. (tiffs)) + 1 file of textual records + photographs + illustrations + ephemera

Scope and Content: File consists of images and original records from a scrapbook that was created by Mrs.M. Bate during her involvement with Burnaby Girl Guides. The original scrapbook is titled: "Scrapbook / Presented to / 5th Burnaby Brownie Pack / by Mrs. M. Bate / April 7th 1948" . The scrapbook contains 62 photographs, newspaper clippings, original artwork and memorabilia for 5th Brownie Pack; 1948 to 1965. Many of the photographs are described with notes on each page, some photographs refer to : a group photo of brownies and leaders gathered on April 7th, 1948 for the "Presentation of 3 Proficiency Badges and 17 Golden Bars" outside [St. Alban's church]; A Guide Rally at Hastings Auditorium; Sports Day events held at Stanley Park June 1948; Girl Guide parade floats for Community Day 1949 and 1950; Lady Baden-Powell in Vancouver ca. 1952; 3rd Brownie Pack Easter visit to Eatons; Christmas Party 1958 and a Gathering of Guides and Scouts on Burnaby Mountain [1961].Scrapbook also includes various awards, certificates, original artwork, correspondence and a pop up Christmas Card.

Creator: Bate, May

Subjects: Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs

Names: Bate, May; 5th Burnaby Brownie Pack; Girl Guides of Canada

Accession Code: BV015.35.156

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1948-1965

Media Type: Photograph; Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of file; Digital images were created of the scrapbook prior to selective retention of original records; A selection of textual records have been retained under BV015.35.156; A selection of photographs from scrapbook have been retained and some are described at item level (BV015.35.169 to BV015.35.188); Christmas card is described separately under BV015.35.332

Images

5th Burnaby Brownie Pack scrapbook, 1948-1965 thumbnail

Documents

2015_0035_0156_folded

Sports Day - Brownies at Stanley Park in June 1948

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4823

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: Jun 1948

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of people gathered together on the ground on a blanket at Guide and Brownie Sports Day at Stanley Park, Vancouver. People are identified as Mr. Bate and Grace and Pat Martin, Joan Bate, Mrs. Bate and Mrs. Tyson.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of people gathered together on the ground on a blanket at Guide and Brownie Sports Day at Stanley Park, Vancouver. People are identified as Mr. Bate and Grace and Pat Martin, Joan Bate, Mrs. Bate and Mrs. Tyson.

Subjects: Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs; Events

Names: Girl Guides of Canada; 5th Burnaby Brownie Pack; Martin, Pat; Martin, Grace; Bate, Joan

Accession Code: BV015.35.173

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: Jun 1948

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: March 8, 2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Handwritten annotations beneath photograph read: "Mr. Bate and Grace and Pat Martin, Joan Bate, Mrs. Bate and Mrs. Tyson at Guide and Brownie Sports Day".; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook "5th Brownie Pack" 1948-1965 Item BV015.35.156

Images

Sports Day - Brownies at Stanley Park in June 1948, Jun 1948 thumbnail

Journal of Alice Sparman Sanders

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18833

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1948

Collection/Fonds: Gerald F. Sanders and Alice Sparman Sanders fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 note book : 14.5 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a note pad with journal entries created by Alice Sanders (nee Sparman). Notepad was used as a journal or diary by Mrs. Gerald Sanders (Alice Sparman) to document her wedding day and honeymoon trip in March and April ca. 1948. In addition to recording the events of the day, she list…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Gerald F. Sanders and Alice Sparman Sanders fonds

Series: Sanders family personal papers series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 note book : 14.5 x 9.5 cm

Material Details: notepad; notebook; small notepad of lined paper; top-stitched notepad with orange, thin-card covers

Scope and Content: Item consists of a note pad with journal entries created by Alice Sanders (nee Sparman). Notepad was used as a journal or diary by Mrs. Gerald Sanders (Alice Sparman) to document her wedding day and honeymoon trip in March and April ca. 1948. In addition to recording the events of the day, she listed the gas and mileage used on their driving and camping trip down the Oregon Coast, as well as recording notes on photos taken with a Kodak camera.

Creator: Sanders, Alice Viola Sparman

Accession Code: BV018.34.4

Access Restriction: Subject to FIPPA

Reproduction Restriction: Reproductions subject to FIPPA

Date: 1948

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of item; printed text on front reads: "GOLDEN WEST / NOTES / No. 529", with spaces to write the owner's name and grade; "Mrs. Gerald Sanders" is handwritten on the name line

Valley View Community Council fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18943

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1948-1968, predominant 1958-1967

Collection/Fonds: Valley View Community Council fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 9.5 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of records of the Valleyview Community Council including minutes of meetings, constitution, reports, adminstrative records, general correspondence and newsletters.

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Valley View Community Council fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 9.5 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of records of the Valleyview Community Council including minutes of meetings, constitution, reports, adminstrative records, general correspondence and newsletters.

History: The Valley View Community Council formed as a society on February 10, 1948. The society was made up of two appointed delegates from the Central Burnaby Ratepayers & Citizen’s Association; the Burnaby Lake Men’s Community Service Club and the Women’s Community Club with the intention to build a community centre in central Burnaby. Founding members included: Orpha Laurie Nicol; Vernon Andrew Fines; Henry Hill; Herbert Frederick Salisbury; Alice Euphemia Peel and Blythe Alfred Eagles. The objects of the society: a) To coordinate the activities of public spirited organizations in the erection, equipping, maintenance, operation and administration of a community centre to be erected on Grandview Highway at Ledger Street. b)To provide opportunities in such centre and elsewhere in the community for wholesome recreation, education, and civic and other leisure-time activities of the community. c)To encourage cooperation in considered community undertakings. A site for the community centre was leased to the Valley View Community Council by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby on a portion of Lot 9 in District Lot 79 on Douglas Road and Ledger Street (offices located at 4443 East Grandview-Douglas Hwy; Community Centre located at 4050 Grandview-Douglas Hwy). The community centre served as a meeting place for various community groups and community events, including the Valley View Kindergarten which used it as a home between 1948 and 1967. On January 29, 1968, the Valley View Community Council was dissolved after their lease on the land expired with the Corporation of the District of Burnaby in the 1967. In the fall of 1968, the community centre building was taken over by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles who relocated the building to 1791 Douglas Road. The remaining funds of the Valley View Community Council society were donated to the Burnaby General Hospital for an incubator in the intensive care unit.

Creator: Valley View Community Council

Accession Code: HV978.90

Date: 1948-1968, predominant 1958-1967

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds

Children's Birthday party

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37430

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1947 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of women and children seated around a table at a children's birthday party in the backyard of 4151 McGill Street. Identified: (left) Odette Donovan. The neighbours' house and a clothesline can be seen in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1947 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-018

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of women and children seated around a table at a children's birthday party in the backyard of 4151 McGill Street. Identified: (left) Odette Donovan. The neighbours' house and a clothesline can be seen in the background.

Subjects: Events - Parties

Names: Donovan, Odette

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying

Geographic Access: McGill Street

Street Address: 4151 McGill Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Images

Children's Birthday party, 1947 (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory542

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1947-1976

Length: 00:09:36

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the functions at the “Gai Paree”, including its popularity as a wedding reception venue; how customers circumvented the 1950’s restrictive liquor laws; and the kinds of clubs in Burnaby in the 1950’s

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the functions at the “Gai Paree”, including its popularity as a wedding reception venue; how customers circumvented the 1950’s restrictive liquor laws; and the kinds of clubs in Burnaby in the 1950’s

Date Range: 1947-1976

Photo Info: Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712

Length: 00:09:36

Names: Gai Paree Supper Club

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Dancing; Legal System

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 4, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin 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 mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.

Total Tracks: 10

Total Length: 00:56:44

Interviewee Name: Morin, Severin "Sev"

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

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

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.

Images

Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%206.mp3

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory544

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1947-1990

Length: 00:03:38

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s many photographs of people and events held at his restaurant, and his political activities, including his interest in running for the federal Liberals in 1979 and 1988.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s many photographs of people and events held at his restaurant, and his political activities, including his interest in running for the federal Liberals in 1979 and 1988.

Date Range: 1947-1990

Photo Info: Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712

Length: 00:03:38

Names: Liberal Party

Subjects: Elections; Events - Parties

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 4, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin 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 mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.

Total Tracks: 10

Total Length: 00:56:44

Interviewee Name: Morin, Severin "Sev"

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

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

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.

Images

Audio Tracks

Track eight of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%208.mp3

History of Burnaby and vicinity

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6890

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Green, George, 1872-1955

Publication Date: 1947

Call Number: 971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1

1 image 1 digital book

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Digital Reference Collection; Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV017.17.1

Call Number: 971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1

Author: Green, George, 1872-1955

Place of Publication: [S.l.]

Publisher: [s.n.]

Publication Date: 1947

Printer: Shoemaker , McLean & Veitch

Physical Description: 233 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.

Inscription: "Presented To my valued fried Rev. D. W. Scott. a former neighbor at Capitol Hill with best wishes of the author George Green Victoria March 1 1947" [handwritten in black ink on page opposing front pastedown] "BMMM-WU SIGNED 1st ED 50.00" [handwritten in pencil on page opposing front pastedown]

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

Name Access: Green, George

Notes: Autographed by author; "By George Green, pioneer resident of Burnaby, and an ex-Councillor. Charter Member of the British Columbia Historical Association, Vancouver Branch, and an Executive Member."; Copy 2 of 2

Images

Digital Books

Jack Nichols at the parade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38165

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 24, 1946 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Jack Nichols in costume for a May Day parade. He is standing on a vacant lot between Nelson Avenue and Royal Oak Avenue beside a wagon decorated with a picture of a lion.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 24, 1946 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-752

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Jack Nichols in costume for a May Day parade. He is standing on a vacant lot between Nelson Avenue and Royal Oak Avenue beside a wagon decorated with a picture of a lion.

Subjects: Clothing - Costumes; Persons - Crowds; Events - May Day; Events - Parades; Transportation - Wagons

Names: Nichols, Jack

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Negative has a pink cast

Geographic Access: Nelson Avenue; Royal Oak Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

Jack Nichols at the parade, May 24, 1946 (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Charles MacSorley fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55606

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1946-1960

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 49 b&w prints: 39 (approx. 20.5 x 25.5 cm); 1 (15 x 20 cm); 1 (17 x 25.5 cm); 1 (17.5 x 12 cm); 1 (9 x 9 cm); 6 (8 x 11 cm).

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of photographs depicting Municipal events and publicity throughout the 1950s, during the tenure of Charles MacSorley as Council member (1946-1953; 1959-1964) and Reeve (1954-1957).

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1946-1960

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 49 b&w prints: 39 (approx. 20.5 x 25.5 cm); 1 (15 x 20 cm); 1 (17 x 25.5 cm); 1 (17.5 x 12 cm); 1 (9 x 9 cm); 6 (8 x 11 cm).

Description Level: Fonds

Record No.: 39423

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of photographs depicting Municipal events and publicity throughout the 1950s, during the tenure of Charles MacSorley as Council member (1946-1953; 1959-1964) and Reeve (1954-1957).

History: Charles Willoughby MacSorley was born on October 2, 1895, as one of seven boys and three girls born to the MacSorley family of Picton, Ontario. When Charles was five, the family moved first to Manitoba. Three years later, they homesteaded at Asquith, Saskatchewan, where they settled for the remainder of Charles’ childhood. In 1916, Charles enlisted with the 65th Regiment from Saskatoon and served overseas throughout the course of the war in France and England. Upon returning home to Saskatchewan after the cessation of hostilities in Europe, Charles ran for and was elected to the local School Board, the first of what would become an impressive list of public offices he would hold throughout the next 50 years. In 1924, Charles married Grace Dobbs and they decided to move west, ending up in Burnaby, British Columbia. Employment opportunities were scarce during the 1920s and 1930s, but Charles worked a steady stream of jobs until he secured a position digging ditches for the Corporation of Burnaby. From 1929 until 1932, Charles worked for the Municipality and helped implement changes to improve working conditions for the labourers in the city, being an active member and later President of the Civic Employees’ Union and fighting to obtain a wage increase for the employees. When the Corporation of Burnaby fell into receivership in 1932, however, Charles was forced to find another job. He was soon hired by the Shell Oil Company and over the next decade, worked his way up from a labourer to engineer. Charles’ desire to serve the public good led him to run for office in 1945 and he was elected to serve as Councillor from 1946 until 1954, at which time he ran successfully for the position of Reeve of the Corporation. He served as Reeve until 1957. Charles then returned to hold a seat on Council once again from 1959 until the end of 1964. Concurrent with his terms in local government, Charles was also elected Chairman of the Greater Vancouver Water District (1956), Chairman of the Greater Vancouver Sewerage District (1957), President of the Union of BC Municipalities (1959) and a member of the Provincial Legislature (1963-1966), the first Social Credit Member of the Legislative Assembly elected from Burnaby. Charles MacSorley died on February 24, 1976.

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Creator: MacSorley, Charles W.

Notes: BHS486

Presentation to Mrs. Ruth Woodward at Guide Rally

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4818

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1946

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a presentation of flowers to Mrs. Ruth Woodward (married to Lieutenant-Governor William Cultham Woodward) by Diana Jaynes, member of the 5th Brownie Pack. The presentation took place at the Girl Guide rally at the Hastings auditorium where the brownies presented The Magic Forest Story…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a presentation of flowers to Mrs. Ruth Woodward (married to Lieutenant-Governor William Cultham Woodward) by Diana Jaynes, member of the 5th Brownie Pack. The presentation took place at the Girl Guide rally at the Hastings auditorium where the brownies presented The Magic Forest Story as an aid event for European Guides. The presenter is dressed in a layered flower tu tu costume while Mrs. Woodward is dressed in a suit and hat and leaning in from the front of the crowd to recieve a floral boquet.

Names: Girl Guides of Canada; Woodward, Ruth Wynn Johnson

Accession Code: BV015.35.170

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1946

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: March 8, 2021

Scale: 100

Photographer: Cunningham, William "Bill"

Notes: Transcribed title; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook "5th Brownie Pack" 1948-1965 Item BV015.35.156; Stamp in red ink on verso of photograph reads: "BILL CUNNINGHAM / VANCOUVER B.C."

Images

Presentation to Mrs. Ruth Woodward at Guide Rally, 1946 thumbnail

Interview with Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19611

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1946- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 20 Jan. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (90 min., 21 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (90 min., 4 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shushma Datt and her son, Sudhir Datta conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik. 00:00 – 12:47 Interview opens with introductions. Shushma Datt shares information about; where she’s lived in Burnaby sin…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (90 min., 21 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (90 min., 4 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik Interviewees: Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta Location of Interview: Spice Radio, Norland Avenue, Burnaby Interview Date: January 20, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:30:21 Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shushma Datt and her son, Sudhir Datta conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke and Anushay Malik. 00:00 – 12:47 Interview opens with introductions. Shushma Datt shares information about; where she’s lived in Burnaby since immigrating in 1972 and her arranged marriage which lead her to immigrate to Canada. Datt provides detailed information about her family background in Kenya and her parent’s decision to move their family from Kenya to India in the 1960s and then to England in the 1965. Datt describes her family’s experiences living in Kenya and India in the 1960s and provides some context on the political unrest that happened in Kenya which lead her family to leave. 12:48 - 28:07 Datt talks about her time living in England and shares information on her family life and her employment experiences. Datt conveys an experience from her childhood that inspired her to become a broadcaster and shares her experiences working for the BBC oversees service in England (1965-1972). Datt describes some of the articles that she's written for various publications and the people that she's interviewed. Datt highlights a particular experience about writing a critical review about the controversial design on Jimi Hendrix’s album “Axis: Bold as Love” that depicted Hindu religious iconography. 28:09 – 34:47 Datt and Datta provide further details about Datt's arranged marriage which lead her to immigrate to Canada in 1972 and to work as a broadcaster in Canada. Datt recalls her experiences working as a radio station operator for CHQM, a radio broadcaster for CJVB and starting her own South Asian radio station Rim Jhim in 1987. 34:48 – 40:01 Datt and Datta share information on where they’ve lived in Vancouver and Burnaby. Datt and Datta recall pivotal family life events that impacted their lives in 1974. 40:02 – 45:53 Datt recalls the travel trunks and contents that she and her family brought with them when they left Nairobi. Datt describes the letters that her parents wrote. Datt and Datta describe photos of their family and convey the impacts to their family after two of Datt’s brothers died at 24 years of age. 45:54 – 50:56 Interview continues chronologically from 1974, after Datt’s son, Sudhir Datta was born. Datt describes how she had to work hard to help pay her bills and support her family. Datta describes his childhood growing up as a South Asian child living and attending school in Burnaby (1979-1992). Datt and Datta recall Datt’s graduation ceremony and Datta’s Order of British Columbia awards ceremony. 50:57 – 58:03 Datt and Datta talk about food and cooking and where they’ve shopped for traditional food supplies. Datta explains her family lineage as Hindus who eat meat and how she’s been a vegetarian for over 30 years. Datt and Datta share stories about Datt’s mother Leela Datta. 58:04 – 1:05:38 Both Datt and Datta reflect on what’s it’s been like living as South Asians in Burnaby. Datt conveys the message that she got from her mom, Leela Datta "not to assimilate but to integrate". They both reflect on how the ethnic and cultural diversity of neighbourhoods has changed over time and Datt describes his experiences as a student in Burnaby. 1:05:39 – 1:16:51 Datt and Datta talk about the role of religion in their lives, describe the purpose of Radio Rim Jhim and reflect on how the South Asian community has grown in Metro Vancouver and the disparities created within. They both recall how their lives were threatened and impacted in 1984 following an interview that Datt did with Indira Ghandhi. Datt talks about the origins of her and her son’s surnames. 1:16:52 – 1:26:11 Datt and Datta talk about and reflect on their own experiences of racism and discrimination. Datt talks about Spice Radio’s annual campaign “Raise your hands against Racism”. Datt and Datta provide background on the radio stations Rim Jhim and Spice Radio including; how they got started, their unbiased approach to broadcast content and their experiences in the complex realm of broadcasting a multi-cultural radio station. 1:26:12 – 1:30:04 In closing, Datt and Datta convey what they think that younger generations of South Asian Canadians should understand about the South Asian Community in British Columbia.

History: Interviewees biographies: Shushma Datt was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1946 and is the second eldest of six children. In the 1960s during the unrest in Kenya, her family moved to India. After about nine months of living in India, Datt's family decided to return to Kenya, leaving Datt and her brother to complete their education in India. While living in India, Datt studied at Delhi University and worked at the Indian newspaper. In 1965, Datt, her parents and five siblings decided to leave Kenya and immigrated to England. While living in England, Datt got work as a broadcaster with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) overseas service, producing her first program in 1969. During her time with the BBC, Datt has interviewed many influential artists including Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles as well as the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. In 1972, Datt immigrated to Canada and settled in Burnaby. In late 1973, Datt sponsored her mother who joined her in Burnaby. Datt joined the CJVB radio station in Vancouver working as the Punjabi and Hindi language broadcaster. Datt worked here until 1978 when she started her own radio station, Radio Rim Jhim. In 2005, Datt obtained her own AM radio band license for a multicultural radio station RJ1200 which was later rebranded "Spice Radio". In 2015, Datt launched Spice Radio's annual "Hands Against Racism" campaign which has won awards from the Government of British Columbia and the B.C. Association of Broadcasters. Datt has also been a producer for Omni TV and Shaw TV and was the first woman to obtain a broadcasting license from the Canadian Radio- Television Telecommunications Commission. In 1992, Shushma Datt was awarded the Order of British Columbia and is also the recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. Datt has been listed by the Vancouver Sun newspaper as among the 100 "most influential Indo-Canadians" and has been recognized by the Royal British Columbia Museum as one of the 150 "most influential British Columbians". Sudhir Datta is the only child of Sushma Datt and was born in Burnaby. Datta graduated with a computer science degree from Capilano University in 1995. Datta is the Vice President of Media Broadcasting (founded in 1984) creating television and radio programming for Canada's South Asian Community and has been the General Manager and Program Director of Spice Radio since 2006. Datta is also the author of many articles highlighting the South Asian community in Vancouver. Interviewers biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Jane Lemke has worked in various museums in the Lower Mainland and has been the Curator at Burnaby Village Museum since 2019. Her educational background includes a Master of Arts degree in History and a Master of Museum Studies degree. Her research focus has been on trauma and memory and its role in shaping Canadian identity. She loves sharing memories and stories of Burnaby with the public. Jane sits on the Council of the BC Museums Association and is the Chair of the BC Museums Association Professional Development and Education Committee.