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- Johnston, Harold H. 1
- Lee, Chue Kan "Cecil" 1
Application for Waiver of the Town Planning Bylaw to Permit the Operation of a Dog Food Canning and Processing Business at 3066 Royal Oak Avenue
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport48946
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 49064
- Meeting Date
- 3-Nov-1947
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 49064
- Meeting Date
- 3-Nov-1947
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Cooking out-of-doors : fire building, outdoor kitchens, cook-out hikes, food planning, recipes
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6823
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.16
- Call Number
- 641.575 GIR
- Contributor
- Melick, Sharon F.
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- Girl Scouts of the United States of America
- Publication Date
- c1946
- Physical Description
- 123 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
- Inscription
- "D. Bain" [handwritten in black ink on inside cover] "4th Co. N Burnaby Girl Guides" [stamped in red ink on title page and cover]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cookbooks--1940-1949
- Camping
- Outdoor cooking
- Notes
- "Illustrations by Sharon F. Melick"-- title page
Dietetics for high school : a textbook in nutrition and food economics
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5072
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV007.21.27
- Call Number
- 641 WIL
- Edition
- Rev. ed.
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- The MacMillan Company
- Publication Date
- 1935
- Physical Description
- xxv, 290 p. : ill. ; 20 cm.
- Inscription
- "Maureen Farr Class 14 Room 102" [handwritten in black ink on front pastedown] "125" [handwritten in pencil on front endpaper] Notes written in pencil and ink throughout book and on back endpaper and pastedown
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Books
- Notes
- Author's given name and date: Gillett, Lucy H. (Lucy Holcomb), 1880-
Food and garden pamphlets
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88388
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1950 and 1970]
- Collection/Fonds
- Stiglish family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 5 p. of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a pamphlet titled "Aids to Better Gardening--#7-- House Plants" from the Blue Mountain Flower and Garden Shop on North Road in Burnaby and two BC Food Information guides from the Department of Agriculture located at 4259 Canada Way, Burnaby.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1950 and 1970]
- Collection/Fonds
- Stiglish family fonds
- Physical Description
- 5 p. of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS190-001
- Access Restriction
- Open access
- Accession Number
- 2013-07
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a pamphlet titled "Aids to Better Gardening--#7-- House Plants" from the Blue Mountain Flower and Garden Shop on North Road in Burnaby and two BC Food Information guides from the Department of Agriculture located at 4259 Canada Way, Burnaby.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Original spelling of surname was "Stiglich"
Meeting of International Association of Milk, Food and Environmental Sanitation
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport37239
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 33551
- Meeting Date
- 3-Aug-1964
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 51
- Item No.
- 14
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 33551
- Meeting Date
- 3-Aug-1964
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 51
- Item No.
- 14
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Preparation of Bylaw to Cover Municipal Inspection of All Businesses and Persons Engaged in the Handling of Food
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport54358
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 70455
- Meeting Date
- 6-Dec-1943
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 70455
- Meeting Date
- 6-Dec-1943
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Relief and Food Allowance for Dependents
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport55816
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 72187
- Meeting Date
- 21-Mar-1934
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 72187
- Meeting Date
- 21-Mar-1934
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
School Board Expenditures - Gilmore Avenue School (Home Economic Food Room Construction and Equipment) and Rosser Avenue School (Plumbing Alterations)
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport49509
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 49232
- Meeting Date
- 25-Feb-1946
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 49232
- Meeting Date
- 25-Feb-1946
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Smoking in Food Stores
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport32389
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 29058
- Meeting Date
- 10-Nov-1969
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 71
- Item No.
- 9
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 29058
- Meeting Date
- 10-Nov-1969
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 71
- Item No.
- 9
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Winston Street between Piper Avenue and Strongheart Dog Food Plant
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport37669
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 33096
- Meeting Date
- 2-Mar-1964
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 33096
- Meeting Date
- 2-Mar-1964
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Winston Street between Piper Avenue and Strongheart Dog Food Plant
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport39687
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 36175
- Meeting Date
- 18-Sep-1961
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 36175
- Meeting Date
- 18-Sep-1961
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Lake City Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark793
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- When Simon Fraser University opened in 1965, approximately sixteen industrial properties had been developed in the Lake City Industrial Park. In addition, significant tracts of land in the western portion had been pre-cleared and graded in anticipation of additional development, while most of the eastern half remained forested. Some of the early companies to locate in the area were Nabob Foods, Volkswagen Canada, British Columbia Television Broadcasting, Simpson Sears, and H.Y. Louie Company Limited. Both Imperial Oil and Shell Oil established petroleum storage and distribution facilities in the area. Initially a heavy industrial area, by 1979, single family neighbourhoods south of Lougheed Highway and west of Eagle Creek had been largely developed. By the mid1980's, the Burnaby 200 multi-family development along Forest Grove Drive had also been completed.
- Planning Study Area
- Lake City Area
Images
Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Migration
- Occupations - Teachers
- Occupations - Grocers
- Organizations
- Organizations - Business Associations
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
- Names
- Toy, Christina
- Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
- Babey, Beverley
- Canada Way Food Market
- Fraser Merchants' Association
- Responsibility
- Fong, Denise
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4694 Canada Way
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.19
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Related Material
- See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3Tommy Douglas material
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82738
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1962-1992]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records: ill. (some col.)
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a pocket calendar, a booklet and a cartoon. Pocket calendar, created by the NDP for the Burnaby-Richmond riding reads: "Tommy Douglas says Vote for Bob Prittie". Booklet entitled "The Ten Years" is an NDP News Convention Magazine for April 21 to 24, 1971. The printed colour cartoon…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1962-1992]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records: ill. (some col.)
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS167-007
- Accession Number
- 2013-22
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a pocket calendar, a booklet and a cartoon. Pocket calendar, created by the NDP for the Burnaby-Richmond riding reads: "Tommy Douglas says Vote for Bob Prittie". Booklet entitled "The Ten Years" is an NDP News Convention Magazine for April 21 to 24, 1971. The printed colour cartoon is entitled "Mouseland / a fable...as told by tommy douglas [sic]" and published by United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1518.
- Subjects
- Events
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on note accompanying file
- Simnett political papers series
Edith Adams' sixth annual prize cookbook
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4903
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV972.18.7
- Call Number
- 641.5 ADA
- Author
- Adams, Edith
- Place of Publication
- Vancouver
- Publisher
- The Vancouver Sun
- Publication Date
- 1948
- Physical Description
- 64 p. : ill. : 29 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cooking
- Baking
- Food
- Formulas, recipes, etc.
- Edith Adams
- Cookbooks--1940-1949
- Object History
- This item was purchased from the St.James United Church.
- Notes
- "Sun prize winners 6th annual cook book" -- Cover
Images
Foods and home making
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5050
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV007.21.6
- Call Number
- 641
- Edition
- Rev. ed.
- Place of Publication
- Boston
- Publisher
- Allyn and Bacon
- Publication Date
- c1937
- Physical Description
- xvii, 635 p. col. front., illus., diagrs. 20 cm.
- Inscription
- "BURNABY SOUTH JR. SR. HIGH SCHOOL/ 2350 KINGSWAY/ NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.".-- stamped on front end paper and p. 593
- "B. Geosits" -- printed in blue ink on front end paper
- End paper illustrated with boy drying dishes with "R.N." written on top and girl washing dishes with "C.M" written on top
- "Mr. & Mrs. H. Geosits / 6630 Russell Avenue / Burnaby, B.C., CANADA / V5H 3T5"--address label
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Home economics
- Food
- Cooking
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Books
- Notes
- "Illustrated lining-papers."
- "Pupils’ references": p. 594-595; "Teachers’ references": p. 596
- Includes index
What's cooking : 101 short-cuts with Tea-Bisk
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5520
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Scott, Anna Lee
- Publication Date
- 1948
- Call Number
- 641.59 SCO
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV002.65.8
- Call Number
- 641.59 SCO
- Author
- Scott, Anna Lee
- Place of Publication
- [Toronto]
- Publisher
- Maple Leaf Milling Co. Ltd.
- Publication Date
- 1948
- Physical Description
- 1 v. (unpaged) ; 22 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Cooking, Canadian
- Baking
- Food mixes
- Pastry
- Cookbooks--1940-1949
Canadiana cruets
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1061
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Call Number
- 748.8 CAN
- Place of Publication
- Scarborough, Ont.
- Publisher
- Bick's of Canada
- Publication Date
- 1967
- Physical Description
- 12 p. : ill.
- Subjects
- Food Service Tools and Equipment
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married his wife, Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Clothing
- Foods
- Indigenous peoples
- Buildings - Religious - Temples
- Food Processing Tools and Equipment
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Migration
- Occupations
- Organizations - Unions
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
- Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)
Audio Tracks
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3
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
-
fare, thence by canoe or dugout, down the sluggish stream we now call
Still Creek, but these also were abandoned w h e n the white m a n cut his
t r a i l along the N o r t h R o a d .
F i s h provided the staple food of the native, and the canoe was, next
to h i s w i g w a m or hut, his home. It was
- 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
