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Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory237
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1849-1872
- Length
- 0:09:04
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Doreen "Pixie" McGeachie's introduction of the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself, telling the story of Archdeacon Richard Small. She begins by reading the book's forward, as well as the beginnings of the first chapter.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Doreen "Pixie" McGeachie's introduction of the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself, telling the story of Archdeacon Richard Small. She begins by reading the book's forward, as well as the beginnings of the first chapter.
- Date Range
- 1849-1872
- Photo Info
- Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
- Length
- 0:09:04
- Interview Date
- January 10, 1973
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
- Biographical Notes
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine.
- Total Tracks
- 6
- Total Length
- 0:54:31
- Interviewee Name
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track one of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie
Track one of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-017-2/MSS137-017-2_Track_1.mp3
Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory238
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1803-1884
- Length
- 0:09:29
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes the earlier the impact of the gold rush on British Columbia and the formation of Lytton, BC.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes the earlier the impact of the gold rush on British Columbia and the formation of Lytton, BC.
- Date Range
- 1803-1884
- Photo Info
- Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
- Length
- 0:09:29
- Interview Date
- January 10, 1973
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
- Biographical Notes
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine.
- Total Tracks
- 6
- Total Length
- 0:54:31
- Interviewee Name
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie
Track two of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-017-2/MSS137-017-2_Track_2.mp3![Burnaby Public Library Summer Reading Club wrap-up party, [2002] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2773-1.jpg?width=280)
Burnaby Public Library Summer Reading Club wrap-up party
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97398
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2002]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of the Burnaby Public Library's wrap-up party for its Summer Reading Club. Photographs depict Chantel Jones and Walter Pineda of the Holiday Inn at Metrotown making pancakes for the party's breakfast, and Summer Reading Club participant Graeme Zacharias playing with giant …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2002]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-2773
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of the Burnaby Public Library's wrap-up party for its Summer Reading Club. Photographs depict Chantel Jones and Walter Pineda of the Holiday Inn at Metrotown making pancakes for the party's breakfast, and Summer Reading Club participant Graeme Zacharias playing with giant bubbles during the party.
- Subjects
- Events
- Events - Parties
- Persons - Children
- Names
- Burnaby Public Library
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a September 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata for 535-2773-1: "Chantel Jones and Walter Pineda, of the Holiday Inn at Metrotown, team up to flip pancakes at the Burnaby Library's wrap-up party for its Summer Reading Club. More than 6,100 kids signed up for the club, which required them to read at least 15 minutes a day for 50 days of the summer."
- Caption from metadata for 535-2773-2: "His summer reading completed, Graeme Zacharias, 8, makes giant soap bubbles at the wrap-up party and pancake breakfast for the Burnaby Library's Summer Reading Club. More than 6,100 kids signed up for the program, which required participants to read at least 15 minutes a day for 50 days through the summer."
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![Burnaby Public Library Summer Reading Club wrap-up party, [2002] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2773-1.jpg)
![Reading outside Bob Prittie Metrotown Library, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2080.jpg?width=280)
Reading outside Bob Prittie Metrotown Library
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96410
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified person reading a book outside of the Bob Prittie Library. A blossoming cherry tree is visible behind the reader.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2080
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified person reading a book outside of the Bob Prittie Library. A blossoming cherry tree is visible behind the reader.
- Names
- Burnaby Public Library
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a March 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "A good book, warm sunshine and blossoming trees make for a pleasant way to spend a Spring afternoon in the plaza at Burnaby's Bob Prittie Library on Monday."
- Geographic Access
- Willingdon Avenue
- Street Address
- 6100 Willingdon Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![Reading outside Bob Prittie Metrotown Library, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2080.jpg)
![Woman reading under a tree, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2648.jpg?width=280)
Woman reading under a tree
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97121
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified woman reading a newspaper underneath a tree on a park lawn.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2648
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified woman reading a newspaper underneath a tree on a park lawn.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Collected by editorial for use in an August 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
![Woman reading under a tree, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2648.jpg)
Life with the Moores of Hart House : pioneer days on Burnaby's Deer Lake
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1179
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Publication Date
- 2002
- Call Number
- 971.1 PRI COPY 1
, information, and proof reading
Boulanger, Annie - Writer, interviews, transcribing taped interviews, suggestions, proof reading
Boulanger, Tom - computer programming assistance
Burnaby City Printshop - Evelyn, Karen, Robert, Nick - making master photographs
Crawford, Gary - educator, artist, proof reading
Donaughy
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0969282877
- Call Number
- 971.1 PRI COPY 1
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby, Community Heritage Commission
- Publication Date
- 2002
- Physical Description
- iv, 92 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.
- Inscription
- "To Burnaby Village Museum / Harry Pride", handwritten in ink on title page.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Moore family
- Hart House (Burnaby, B.C.)--History
- Frontier and pioneer life
- Pioneers
- Historic buildings--British Columbia--Burnaby
- Biography
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 87) and index.
- Signed by the author.
- 2 copies held : copy 1.
Digital Books
Land of promise : Robert Burnaby's letters from colonial British Columbia, 1858-1863
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5465
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0969282850
- 9780969282853
- Call Number
- 971.1 BUR COPY 3
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- c2002
- Physical Description
- 199 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby, Robert--Correspondence
- Merchants--British Columbia--Correspondence
- British Columbia--History--1849-1871
- Burnaby (B.C.)
- Biography
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 190) and index.
- 3 copies held: copy 3.
Digital Books
In the shadow by the sea : recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5173
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Publication Date
- c2004
- Call Number
- 971.133 PRI Copy 2
and edited some of the submissions. Burnaby historian and Archive
Coordinator Pixie McGeachie provided information from her personal files, retrieved images
from the Burnaby Historical Society community archives, and also assisted in proof reading the
final manuscript. Merv Magus, Artist and Cartoonist
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0969282885
- Call Number
- 971.133 PRI Copy 2
- Contributor
- Wolf, Jim
- Pride, Harry, 1925-
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- c2004
- Physical Description
- 246 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 28 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Industries--British Columbia--Burnaby--History
- Barnet Marine Park--Burnaby, B.C.
- Geographic Access
- Barnet Road
- Burrard Inlet
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 246) and index.
- "edited by Harry Pride and Jim Wolf"
- Copy 2 of 2
Digital Books
Tram memories : in celebration of the restoration of Interurban 1223
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5863
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- McGeachie, Pixie, 1921-
- Publication Date
- c2007
- Call Number
- 388.460971 TRA
could have spent hours watching this scene! When the family
was all gathered together we would board one of these wonderful cars (usually a two-car
train at this time of day). We always avoided a car that had a metal plate hanging on the side
reading“Horne Payne” or“Douglas Road”, as we were traveling
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Call Number
- 388.460971 TRA
- Author
- McGeachie, Pixie, 1921-
- Contributor
- Friends of Interurban 1223
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- c2007
- Printer
- City of Burnaby Printshop
- Physical Description
- 91 p. : ill., map ;,20 cm
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Electric railroads
- Local transit
- Street-railroads
- Transportation
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Name Access
- British Columbia Electric Railway Company
- Notes
- Editor : Pixie McGeachie
Images
Digital Books
Bylaws series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription136
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2010
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of all bylaws passed, signed and sealed by the municipal Council of Burnaby, as well as drafts of bylaws that did not receive final adoption or a final reading. Bylaws pertain to all aspects of municipal government, including, but not limited to, public works, land and building reg…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2010
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Series
- Bylaws series
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of all bylaws passed, signed and sealed by the municipal Council of Burnaby, as well as drafts of bylaws that did not receive final adoption or a final reading. Bylaws pertain to all aspects of municipal government, including, but not limited to, public works, land and building regulation, taxation, finance, licensing, public health and safety, and recreation and culture. Series also includes files of correspondence and other documents related to the development of individual bylaws and municipal bylaw elections, as well as appendices to bylaws, including maps, plans, and engineering related comprehensive development drawings (CD plans). Included also are bylaw record books, which list all bylaws and related information, such as dates of reading and final adoption dates. Bylaws are numbered sequentially and are arranged according to bylaw number.
- Formats
- Microfiche copies are available in the Clerk’s Department vault for bylaws number 1 to 10584.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
![Geocaching on Burnaby Mountain, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1794-2.jpg?width=280)
Geocaching on Burnaby Mountain
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96045
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 6 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of Terry Hewitt geocaching on Burnaby Mountain. Photographs depict Hewitt standing in a sculpture garden, reading a plaque, using a GPS device, and uncovering a cached box.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 6 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-1794
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of Terry Hewitt geocaching on Burnaby Mountain. Photographs depict Hewitt standing in a sculpture garden, reading a plaque, using a GPS device, and uncovering a cached box.
- Subjects
- Recreational Activities
- Names
- Burnaby Mountain Park
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a February 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata for 535-1794-1: "Terry Hewitt gets a reading on his Global Positioning Satellite receiver, as he hunts for a treasure box hidden somewhere on Burnaby Mountain. He's a geocacher, a worldwide community of outdoor enthusiasts who search for treasure boxes of trinkets, hidden by fellow geocachers, following a series of cryptic clues and satellite coordinates."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1794-2: "Terry Hewitt accumulates clues that will lead him to the hidden treasure on Burnaby Mountain."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1794-3: "Geocachers use Global Position Satellite receivers to decipher the location of small treasure boxes hidden away in parks or in the wilderness."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1794-4: "After a series of clues lead him into the sculpture garden at Discovery Park on Burnaby Mountain, Terry Hewitt plots his next move that will get him closer to the hidden treasure box."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1794-5: "Terry Hewitt is an avid geocacher, following clues and satellite coordinates to find treasure boxes hidden by fellow geocachers."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1794-6: "Having followed a series of clues and satellite coordinates, Terry Hewitt finds the treasure box hidden on Burnaby Mountain. The box contains a log in which fellow geocachers record the date they found the box, and trinkets. When geocachers find a box, they exchange a trinket for one of their own, and then return the box to its hiding place."
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
![Geocaching on Burnaby Mountain, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1794-2.jpg)
![International Literacy Day at Bob Prittie Library, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2744.jpg?width=280)
International Literacy Day at Bob Prittie Library
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97368
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Kim DiPietro and her son Anthony at an International Literacy Day event at the Bob Prittie Metrotown Library. DiPietro and Anthony are reading along with "The Hockey Sweater" as author Roch Carrier reads the book at a microphone in the background.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2744
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Kim DiPietro and her son Anthony at an International Literacy Day event at the Bob Prittie Metrotown Library. DiPietro and Anthony are reading along with "The Hockey Sweater" as author Roch Carrier reads the book at a microphone in the background.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Libraries
- Events
- Names
- Burnaby Public Library
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a September 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Kim DiPietro and her son, Anthony, 7, follow along as Canadian author Roch Carrier reads from his story, The Hockey Sweater, at International Literacy Day celebrations at Burnaby's Bob Prittie Library. In addition to the special appearance by Carrier, who's also Canada's National Librarian, the event featured a pancake breakfast, a book sale, and an awards presentation for participants in the library's Summer Reading Club."
- Geographic Access
- Willingdon Avenue
- Street Address
- 6100 Willingdon Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![International Literacy Day at Bob Prittie Library, [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2744.jpg)
Pixie McGeachie collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97228
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1961-2001
- Collection/Fonds
- Pixie McGeachie collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 30 cm of textual records.
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of papers collected by Pixie McGeachie during her tenure as archivist for the Burnaby Historical Society Community Archives, as well her writings.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1961-2001
- Collection/Fonds
- Pixie McGeachie collection
- Physical Description
- 30 cm of textual records.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Record No.
- MSS065
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third-party rights.
- Accession Number
- 2011-04
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of papers collected by Pixie McGeachie during her tenure as archivist for the Burnaby Historical Society Community Archives, as well her writings.
- History
- Doreen "Pixie" McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. She served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." Pixie also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. Pixie McGeachie passed away in August of 2010. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading room at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Creator
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Notes
- Title based on collector of subseries
- MSS065
Pixie McGeachie subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription101
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1910 (date of original)-2004
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of papers and photographs collected by Pixie McGeachie during her tenure as archivist for the Burnaby Historical Society Community Archives. Also included are newspaper articles and essays penned by Pixie, a series of research files collected and organized for her own personal u…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1910 (date of original)-2004
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Pixie McGeachie subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1989-28
- BHS1991-07
- BHS1992-39
- BHS1992-56
- BHS1992-58
- BHS1996-06
- BHS1996-16
- BHS1997-01
- BHS2004-02
- BHS1991-16
- BHS1999-13
- BHS1996-08
- BHS1996-07
- BHS2000-03
- BHS2003-01
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of papers and photographs collected by Pixie McGeachie during her tenure as archivist for the Burnaby Historical Society Community Archives. Also included are newspaper articles and essays penned by Pixie, a series of research files collected and organized for her own personal use and a selection of ephemera.
- History
- Doreen "Pixie" McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over 60 years. She served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." Pixie also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission, leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the Historical Society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website. The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the Year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. Pixie McGeachie passed away in August of 2010. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading room at the City Archives in her honour and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Notes
- Title based on creator of subseries
- PC299, PC237, PC332, PC460, MSS054, MSS065, and MSS081
![Second Street School literacy program, [2005] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1856-1.jpg?width=280)
Second Street School literacy program
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96159
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2005]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of Second Street Community School students participating in a grade 4 literacy program for boys. Photographs depict the students working with Plasticine to create dioramas based on Where the Wild Things and reading a Goosebumps novel.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2005]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-1856
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of Second Street Community School students participating in a grade 4 literacy program for boys. Photographs depict the students working with Plasticine to create dioramas based on Where the Wild Things and reading a Goosebumps novel.
- Names
- Second Street School
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a January 2005 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata for 535-1856-1: "Harriss Brammell, James Do and Andy Hehar work on plastecine dioramas based on scenes from a book they've been reading in their Grade 4 classroom, Where the Wild Things Are. Their teacher, Barton Lim, has developed a literacy program to encourage boys to read, which includes getting them involved in activities related to stories."
- Caption from metadata for 535-1856-2: "Sonu Kainth, a Grade 4 student at Second St. Community School, says he likes to read scary books, like Goosebumps. His teacher, Barton Lim, has developed a literacy program to encourage boys to read."
- Geographic Access
- 2nd Street
- Street Address
- 7502 2nd Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Second Street Area
Images
![Second Street School literacy program, [2005] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1856-1.jpg)
![Theatre rehearsal at Alpha Secondary, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2864.jpg?width=280)
Theatre rehearsal at Alpha Secondary
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97525
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Jack Trovato, a drama teacher at Alpha Secondary School, sitting in the middle of a circle of unidentified students during a reading of the play "It's A Wonderful Life."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2864
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Jack Trovato, a drama teacher at Alpha Secondary School, sitting in the middle of a circle of unidentified students during a reading of the play "It's A Wonderful Life."
- Names
- Alpha Secondary School
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in an October 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Drama teacher Jack Trovato leads the cast of Alpha Secondary's Christmas production in a dramatic reading of It's a Wonderful Life."
- Geographic Access
- Parker Street
- Street Address
- 4600 Parker Street
- Planning Study Area
- Brentwood Area
Images
![Theatre rehearsal at Alpha Secondary, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2864.jpg)
![Cariboo Hill Secondary students with time capsule, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2519.jpg?width=280)
Cariboo Hill Secondary students with time capsule
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96964
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Cariboo Hill Secondary School grade 12 students Ashley Graystone, Carmel Challenger, Elizabeth Bell, and Jessica Smith in a classroom viewing the contents for the school's time capsule. Graystone is reading a copy of the Time Millennium Collector's Edition.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2519
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Cariboo Hill Secondary School grade 12 students Ashley Graystone, Carmel Challenger, Elizabeth Bell, and Jessica Smith in a classroom viewing the contents for the school's time capsule. Graystone is reading a copy of the Time Millennium Collector's Edition.
- Subjects
- Persons - Students
- Artifacts
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a June 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Ashley Graystone reviews the century, while Carmel Challenger, Elizabeth Bell, and Jessica Smith, all grade 12 students at Cariboo High School, check out some of the items that will be placed in a time capsule in the school's front hall, to be opened in 50 years."
- Geographic Access
- 16th Avenue
- Street Address
- 8580 16th Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cariboo-Armstrong Area
Images
![Cariboo Hill Secondary students with time capsule, [2000] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2519.jpg)
![Chief Librarian Edel Toner-Rogala, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1770.jpg?width=280)
Chief Librarian Edel Toner-Rogala
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96019
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Edel Toner-Rogala, the new Chief Librarian for the Burnaby Public Library, seated with an open book in a reading room of a public library branch.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-1770
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Edel Toner-Rogala, the new Chief Librarian for the Burnaby Public Library, seated with an open book in a reading room of a public library branch.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Libraries
- Names
- Burnaby Public Library
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a January 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Edel Toner-Rogala plans to maintain the Burnaby Public Library's policy of openness and public service, in her new job as the City's Chief Librarian."
Images
![Chief Librarian Edel Toner-Rogala, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-1770.jpg)
![Chief Librarian Paul Whitney, [2003] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2297.jpg?width=280)
Chief Librarian Paul Whitney
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96675
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2003]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Paul Whitney, chief librarian of the Burnaby Public Library, posing in a reading chair in the Metrotown branch.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2003]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2297
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Paul Whitney, chief librarian of the Burnaby Public Library, posing in a reading chair in the Metrotown branch.
- Names
- Burnaby Public Library
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Flanagan, Colleen
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a March 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Paul Whitney, chief librarian in Burnaby, pictured here Thursday morning at the Metrotown Library, will be moving to the Vancouver Public Library."
- Geographic Access
- Willingdon Avenue
- Street Address
- 6100 Willingdon Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![Chief Librarian Paul Whitney, [2003] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2297.jpg)
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19348
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Anushay Malik Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Dr. Sadhu Binning Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 25, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:15:57) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future exhibits and for researchers to learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby. During the interview, Dr. Binning shares his ancestral background along with his relatives' and his own personal experiences as a South Asian immigrant living and working in British Columbia and Burnaby. Dr. Binning conveys that he’s a Burnaby resident who’s lived in Burnaby since 1973 and that his children were born here. Binning shares his ancestral heritage beginning with his uncle Dhana Singh who emigrated from Punjab to British Columbia in 1931 and began working in the forest industry. He explains how Dhana Singh and another partner owned, operated and worked in small sawmills in the vicinity of Kamloops, Williams Lake and also on Vancouver Island. Binning conveys that in the beginning Dhana Singh and many other South Asian immigrants were not legal residents until 1938. In 1938, about 350 South Asian immigrants (mainly Punjabi) gathered resources to hire a lawyer to obtain permanent residency. Binning mentions that one of the notable South Asians in the group who was also a close friend of his uncle, was Darshan Singh Sangha, a trade unionist who was a founding member of the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union and an active member of the Communist Party of Canada. Binning conveys how Darshan Singh Sangha returned to India in 1947 to be a part of the revolution, how he was very active in the communist movement in India. While in India, Darshan Singh Sangha, was known as Canadian and thereby adopted “Canadian” as his surname, becoming “Darshan Singh Canadian”. Binning further explains that his uncle Dhana Singh Sangha returned to India in 1951, married and came back to B.C. in 1957 bringing with him, his wife and children. In 1960, with the support of his uncle, Binning’s father, Jit Singh Binning immigrated to British Columbia and began working in sawmills in the lower mainland, Kamloops, Quesnel and on Vancouver Island. Binning clarifies that his uncle, Dhana Singh was able to immigrate to Canada with the support of his cousins from the Tarker Singh Bains family. Binning further describes Darshan Singh Sangha’s involvement with the Communist party and the IWA and how the majority of the members were from the forest industry. As an active and prominent member of the labour movement, Darshan Singh Sangha fought for the rights of South Asians and Chinese who working in the industry and facing racism, unfair wages and discriminatory practices. Binning describes how Darshan Singh Sangha wrote a book in English in 1943, titled “Rise of the New Asia”. Binning conveys how immigrants of Chinese and South Asian decent didn’t have the right to vote in British Columbia and how Darshan Singh Sangha was instrumental in obtaining the right to vote in British Columbia, although he was never given the credit. Binning describes his uncle Dhana Singh as a likeable guy with many friends, first living in Kamloops before moving to Vancouver. Binning imparts how the sport of wrestling is a popular Punjabi sport along with Punjabi kabaddi. He conveys that his uncle became involved in wrestling while working in sawmills. South Asian immigrants had to do physical labour working in sawmills, the work could be tough and could often lead to physical fights. A number of South Asian immigrants working in the mills already had experience as wrestlers from back home. Dhana Singh later left the lumber industry to work in the agriculture sector. Binning explains how immigration rules changed in the 1960s which lead to larger numbers of South Asians immigrating to Canada. Many of these new immigrants were educated and politically conscious. All of these new immigrants faced racism but being politically conscious from an independent India and with the ability to speak English they organized themselves to fight for their rights. Binning imagines the items that his uncle and his father may have brought with them in their suitcase when immigrating to Canada. Binning describes three items, including a rajai (a blanket with cotton inside that is sewn together), a bistra (small attaché case or trunk) and a piece of cloth to lie on. Binning further describes the roles in Indian society as caste divisions and that it was usually women’s work in making the rajais. Binning recollects the locations that his father and his family lived after coming to Vancouver. Binning explains that a few years after living together in Vancouver, he and his family moved to Burnaby in 1973 to be closer to his Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish Binning’s family. Dr. Binning and family lived in a house in Burnaby located on Irmin Street near Royal Oak between 1973 and 1987. While living at this house their children attended McPherson Park Junior High School and later Burnaby South Secondary School. Binning reflects on some of the racism that he and his family have faced while living in Burnaby which led him to write a poem that he published in 1994 titled “No More Watno Dur”. Binning explains the meaning of the title “Watan” meaning “country and everybody” “a country far way from the motherland”. Binning explains the origins of the magazine “Watan” that was started by a friend in 1973. The magazine got its roots in Vancouver in 1973 from an organization called the “Punjabi Literary Association”. Binning became the editor of the magazine in 1976 and his friend joined him as assistant editor in 1978. Binning continued to work as editor until 1983 or 1984 when he returned to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. Binning describes the origins of the “Vancouver Sath” that was formed by a small group of South Asians around 1982. Binning was a founding member of the organization and held meetings and rehearsals at his house in Burnaby. Vancouver Sath first started out as an informal discussion forum by a group of politically conscious Punjabi writers and activists. Binning talks about issues and problems that Vancouver Sath addressed including; racism as well as domestic violence in the South Asian community. Binning explains how he and Sukhwant Hundal wrote articles on these issues and others that were happening in the South Asian community in Canada. Binning talks about how in 1983, the group was inspired to begin performing theatrical works after consulting with Gursharan Singh who was from a well known theatrical group from Punjab who were performing in Vancouver. In the beginning the Vancouver Sath’s plays were focused on the problems in Punjab but they soon decided to address social issues in their own South Asian community here in Canada. Binning summarizes and draws attention to, some of the plays that Vancouver Sath has written and performed including; “Picket Line”, about Punjabi women farmworkers’ rights; “Lattan de Bhoot”, about domestic abuse; “A Crop of Poison”; “Kihda Viah” (English translation- “Whose Marriage”) about arranged marriage and others about social issues in the South Asian community. The plays were performed in public schools and community centres in Vancouver and Richmond, Simon Fraser University and some were also performed in Toronto, Calgary and Williams Lake. Binning mentions some of the traditional foods that he likes to eat and where he and his family have shopped to find ingredients. He recalls how his mother, Gurmaje Kaur Binning did all of the cooking and was often cooking all day long. In the sixties, the Binning family address on 13th Avenue in Vancouver was also used as a postal address for many friends and family who’d recently immigrated. When these friends dropped by to pick up their mail, his mother often provided them with tea and food. After Binning and his wife, Jagdish moved to their own home in 1973, he shared in some of the shopping and cooking but his wife did the majority of the work due to his busy schedule. The interview closes with Binning providing an explanation of how “Watno Dur” magazine changed it’s name to “Watan” magazine. Binning reflects on how this came to be, when he made the decision to get an education in Canada and to stay here, not just as a “Canadian” but as a “Punjabi Canadian.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur’ (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife Jagdish purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Industries - Forestry
- Foods
- Migration
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Unions
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Performances
- Performances - Dramatic Performances
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Binning, Dr. Sadhu
- Binning, Gurmaje Kaur
- Binning, Jit Singh
- Binning, Jagdish
- Sangha, Darshan Singh
- Canadian Farmworkers Union
- Hundal, Sukhwant
- Sangra, Harjinder
- Singh, Dhana
- Vancouver Sath
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0003_004.mp3