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Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory25
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- [1932]-1936
- Length
- 0:11:12
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
- Date Range
- [1932]-1936
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:11:12
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- July / August 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with W.H. "Harry" O'Brien by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury. Major themes discussed are: the Army of the Common Good, the Union of the Unemployed and the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union). To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- W.H. “Harry” O’Brien was born in the coal mining town of Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 20, 1914. He came to Burnaby with his parents and five siblings in 1927. Harry’s mother, a school teacher, wanted her children to live closer to school in order to obtain a better education, so the O’Brien family settled at Inman Avenue, Burnaby. Harry's mother, Mary Anne Crossan, was Gilmore Avenue School's first teacher. Harry left school in June of 1929. Harry’s father worked as the caretaker at Central Park around this time and Harry helped him to clear brush, plant trees and enforce the land clearing and wood cutting permit regulations held by men who were on script. Although too young to vote by just over a week, Harry O'Brien worked as a scrutineer for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1935 Federal Election. On October 12, 1940 Harry O'Brien married Gertrude Sutherland at St. John the Divine in Burnaby. The Sutherland family came to Burnaby from Winnipeg in 1933 and settled at Nelson Avenue. Harry began his involvement with the Unemployment Organization in Burnaby by participating in an organised protest against the municipality for homeowner evictions brought on by unpaid taxes. The South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed organised in order to protest rules around receiving Relief. Harry became involved, eventually becoming one of the spearheads of the organization, taking over as secretary by 1936. Harry was an original member of the Army of the Common Good, helping to produce over one hundred and twenty-five tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed Burnaby citizens suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The members of the Army of the Common Good who cut wood for consumption or worked in the gardens were given credit for their work through LU (Labour Units) which they could then use to buy groceries and that at the Army's Cooperative stores, one of which was at McKay Avenue, where Harry began working as Manager of Groceries in 1937. The Credit Union movement of British Columbia was also organized by Harry O'Brien and his fellow Army of the Common Good members. W.H. "Harry" O'Brien died July 1, 1992.
- Total Tracks
- 9
- Total Length
- 1:17:56
- Interviewee Name
- O'Brien, Harry
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- 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 eight of interview with W.H.
Track eight of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_8.mp3
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact45377
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV003.18.1
- Description
- Postcard: colour aerial photo of Simon Fraser University; horizontal; on reverse in black, "SFU" "SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY" "BURNABY 2 / BC / CANADA," "Aerial Looking East" "FC 129"; horizontal lines above and below print; borders around left and right sides divide card in half horizontally; along bottom left, "Photo: Fred Thompson" "MADE IN CANADA BY EVERGREEN PRESS LIMITED", "FIDELITY PRESS" and logo; at upper right of right side, "STAMP" with line above and below; lightly soiled, some wear on corners, including crease at upper left of photo side; unused
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
- Buildings
- Buildings - Schools
- Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
Images
double bit axe head
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact45469
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV003.28.3
- Description
- This split, double bitted, utility axe head was found on Burnaby Mountain by Alfred Bingham in 1920. Mr Bingham bought property on the West side of the mountain in 1920. The axe head is double bladed. The head is very rusty and has been cracked across one side. The remains of the handle are still in the axe eye.
- Object History
- The axe head was found on the site of Simon Fraser University (SFU), an area logged in the early years of the 20th Century by Gilley Logging. The axe may have been broken by one of their loggers.
- Reference
- Note from Alfred Bingham, original in accession file. "THIS AXE HEAD WAS FOUND IN 1920 / BY ALFRED BINGHAM ON THE PRESENT SITE / OF THE SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY. IT PROBABLY / WAS USED BY AN EARLY LOGGER. WHO CUT DOWN / SOME OF THE GREAT TREES THAT GREW ON / BURNABY MOUNTAIN. HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO. MANY OF THESE TREES WERE OVER 800 YEARS OLD / Alfred Bingham " hand written in ink on one face of note. "I bought 5 acres of stump land on the / corner of Sherlock, Duthie, & Kitchener Streets in / 1920. & cleared 2 acres & bilt small home, (store?) / my wife and I have lived in Burnaby continually since then / AB" hand written in ink on the reverse face of the note.
- Marks/Labels
- "1920 FOUND ON BURNABY MTN SITE S.F.U.", written in yellow chalk on one face of the axe head
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
lapel pin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47217
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.50.23
- Description
- Pin; blue, gold, red, white; "Simon Fraser University" "Alumni" "Nous.Sommes.Prets"
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Personal Symbols
- Object Term
- Insignia
- Marks/Labels
- Simon Fraser University / Alumni / Nous.Sommes.Prets
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
- Education
- Symbols
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
Images
lapel pin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47440
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.85.52
- Description
- Pin, blue and silver; "Simon Fraser University" "KW" "1981. Keith.Watts 2001"
- Object History
- Keith Watts served as the SFU men’s soccer head coach for 20 years from 1981 to 2001. Commemorative pin for the service of Keith Watts (presumably upon his retirement).
- Reference
- https://athletics.sfu.ca/hof.aspx?hof=43&mobile=skip
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Documentary Artifacts - - Memorabilia
- Object Term
- Commemorative
- Marks/Labels
- Simon Fraser University / KW / 1981.Keith.Watts 2001
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
Images
lapel pin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47441
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.85.53
- Description
- Pin; white, gold, red, and blue; "Simon Fraser University"; coat of arms
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Personal Symbols
- Object Term
- Insignia
- Marks/Labels
- Simon Fraser University
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
Images
lapel pin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47442
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.85.54
- Description
- Pin; white, gold, red, and blue; "Simon Fraser University"; coat of arms; motto on scroll, "Nous.Sommes.Prets"
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Personal Symbols
- Object Term
- Insignia
- Marks/Labels
- Simon Fraser University / Nous.Sommes.Prets
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
Images
lapel pin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47444
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.85.56
- Description
- Pin; white, gold, red and blue; "Simon Fraser University" "Alumni"; coat of arms
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Personal Symbols
- Object Term
- Insignia
- Marks/Labels
- Simon Fraser University
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
Images
lapel pin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47445
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.85.57
- Description
- Pin; white, gold, red and blue; "Simon Fraser University" "Honor Roll"; coat of arms, motto "Nous.Sommes.Prets"
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Personal Symbols
- Object Term
- Commemorative
- Marks/Labels
- Simon Fraser University / Honor Roll / Nous.Sommes.Prets
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
Images
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact48611
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV005.41.5
- Description
- Postcard: colour west-facing aerial photo of Simon Fraser University buildings and parking lot; horizontal; on reverse in black, "SFU" and "SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY" "BURNABY 2 / BC / CANADA" "Aerial Looking West" "FC 54", lines above and below; borders divide card into halves horizontally; in left at bottom, "Photo: Chris Hildred" "MADE IN CANADA BY EVERGREEN PRESS LIMITED" "FIDELITY COLOUR" and logo; at upper right, "STAMP", line above and below; unused
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Marks/Labels
- Simon Fraser University / Burnaby 2/BC/Canada / Aerial View Looking West
- Maker
- Evergreen Press Limited
- Country Made
- Canada
- Title
- Simon Fraser University FC 54
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
- Buildings
- Buildings - Schools
- Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
Images
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact89429
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV014.30.4
- Description
- Postcard; colour; four images; 1. view of Deer Lake and Burnaby Lake from Metrotown; 2. Academic quadrangle, Simon Fraser University; 3. Burnaby Village Museum blacksmith shop; 4. Burnaby Mountain golf course; text in black on front reads: "Burnaby British Columbia / The centre of it all!"; text in brown on back reads: "A / Traveltime / PRODUCT", "Majestic / POST CARD".
- Object History
- Postcard collected by Donald "Don" Wrigley.
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Maker
- Lawson Packaging Pacific
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Site/City Made
- Vancouver
Images
Album page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90367
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV005.54.662
- Description
- Album page with flier and two notices. flier: red ink and photograph on brown card stock 28 x 21.5cm "Pacific Centennial Invitational Swim Meet January 30th & 31st 1971 / Simon Fraser University Pool..."; Notice: black and white copy on cartridge paper 23 x 15.5 cm with heading "--WELCOME--" and signed by The Burnaby Tyees Swimming Club Meet Director W.D. (Don) Purvis for Pacific Centennial Invitational Swim Meet January 30th & 31st 1971; Notice: black and white copy printed on cartridge paper 11 x 21.5 cm "THE BURNABY TYEES SWIMMING CLUB ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS... THE BURNABY CENTENNIAL '71 COMMITTEE..."
- Object History
- Album page 134 from Don Copan album/scrapbook for Burnaby Centennial '71 celebrations
- Don Copan was an active member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee and later became the founding President of the Century Park Museum Association. While a member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee, Don created a scrapbook album of photographs and ephemera documenting the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee’s involvement in celebrating British Columbia’s Centenary of Confederation between January and December 1971 including Burnaby’s Commemorative Project – Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum).
- Reference
- Photographs from the Don Copan scrapbook/album are described as part of the Donald Copan collection - Copan Album series
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Documentary Artifacts - - Other Documents
- Object Term
- Leaflet
- Correspondence
Images
Pendant
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90870
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV020.40.22
- Description
- Gold (10K) rectangular pendant, with rounded edges. "BAE" is engraved in cursive on the front, standing for Blyth Alfred Eagles. On the back in cursive reads "From Grandma Tidy on occasion of matriculation 1918." A small hoop is at the top for threading through a neckalce or other chain.
- Object History
- Blythe Eagles's paternal grandparents, Charles and Maude Eagles, immigrated to New Westminster in 1887. Blythe and Violet Eagles purchased property at Deer Lake in 1929 and began construction of their home shortly before their marriage on June 25, 1930.Violet was an enthusiastic amateur gardener, maintaining and continually developing the garden. The Eagles were active volunteers in the local community as well as at UBC. When Simon Fraser University opened in Burnaby, they became well-known for entertaining dignitaries and special guests of the university in their lavish garden. After Violet's death in 1993, the estate was sold to the City of Burnaby.
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Adornment - - Body Adornments
- Object Term
- Pendant
- Colour
- Bronze
- Measurements
- 1" h x 3/4" w
- Subjects
- Ceremonial Artifacts
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
booklet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact91128
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV011.44.11
- Description
- guide booklet; glossy cover in black with colour photographs; stapled binding; pages within numbered 2-15 include colour photographs and maps. Front cover title reads "Burnaby / & surrounding area. / BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA" with a Canadian flag to the left of title and a grid of five colour photographs below including aerial view of Burnaby looking north from Deer Lake, Simon Fraser University, aerial view of Burnaby Mountain, Heritage Village Museum and a view of people beneath trees in a Burnaby park. Inside cover, page 2, includes "FACTS / ABOUT / BURNABY"; centre page includes map of Burnaby; page 12 includes map of British Columbia and the eastern section of Vancouver Island; page 13 title reads "SUGGESTED / SIDE TRIPS / FROM BURNABY". Back cover of booklet includes colour photograph of Burnaby Art Gallery and brief summary about Burnaby.
- Object History
- Published as a tourist brochure of tourist sites in and around Burnaby including Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum) on page 4. Collected by Century Park Museum Association and Heritage Village as part of their promotional materials.
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Documentary Artifacts - - Other Documents
- Object Term
- Pamphlet
- Measurements
- 23 cm x 20.5 cm
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Site/City Made
- Vancouver
- Title
- Burnaby and surrounding area
- Publication Date
- [1978]
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
Images
Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19600
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 mi…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: Lachman Singh Gill and family members - Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence Interview Date: June 12, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:124 min., 8 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 min.) was conducted in English with family members, Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill. 00:00:00 - 00:05:35 This interview starts abruptly, and the interviewer was unable to introduce the interviewees and themself. There were also technical difficulties in the beginning, which led to the recording starting mid-sentence. Discussion begins with Lachman Singh Gill providing details on his spiritual practices and background. 00:05:35 - 00:13:38 Discussion continues with Lachman providing details on his birthplace in Punjab, his family home, family names and languages spoken while living in India (Punjabi and Urdu). Family members chime in to help with details. 00:13:39 - 00:18:00 Lachman Gill imparts information on his migration story from England to British Columbia and his experiences when he first came to England from India. Lachman shares his employment history in Vancouver and India. 00:18:01 - 00:23:34 Lachman talks about his marriage to Surjit Kaur (Ark) Gill in India in 1943 and shares the names of their seven children, including his youngest daughter Sarbjit who died tragically at a young age. Lachman shares the details of his daily routine at the age of 95 years old. 00:23:35 - 00:25:48 Lachman shares information on the Gurdwaras that he visits for prayers, weddings and events. 00:25:49 - 00:35:49 Lachman recalls his experience living in India at the time of Partition in 1947 including details on his family’s experiences of how they helped protect a Muslim family. 00:35:50 - 00:39:49 Lachman comments on his experiences of living in Burnaby from when he first arrived here. Lachman, Santokh, Prem and the interviewer recount the names and locations of gurdwaras in the lower mainland and how they’ve changed over time. 00:39:50 - 00:43:15 Lachman shares his employment history working in a foundry and driving a taxi. Santokh, Mohinder and Prem Gill provide information about Lachman’s wife Surjeet Kaur Gill. The group describes their family home in Burnaby which they've lived in since 1973 and their first home on Georgia Street in Burnaby. 00:43:16 - 00:49:19 Lachman, Mohinder and Santokh recall their experiences obtaining citizenship as British subjects and how they were able to buy a home in a year. Santokh Gill recalls how he and his brother took over his father’s taxi after he retired and later sold it for a profit. 00:49:20 - 01:04:19 Lachman describes in detail his daily routine as a 95 year old. The group shares some of their favourite types of roti and Lachman talks about using his hearing aid. The interviewer and group convey to Lachman how the information will be used. Lachman describes how his wife made oatmeal. 01:04:20 - 01:15:54 In this portion of the interview, Santokh and Prem Gill show the interviewer a book by Henry Bromley titled “Fire in the Blood: A History of British Columbia and Alberta Foundries”. The book was given to the Santokh when he was working at the foundry and contains photographs of Lachman Gill and the foundries they worked at. Santokh describes photographs within the book and the metal casting processes.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Lachman Singh Gill was born in 1928 in the village of Ferozepur near Lakhpur, Punjab. In 1943, Lachman married his wife Surjit Kaur Ark who was from the village of Malpur. Sometime after Partition in 1947, Lachman and his wife Surjeet immigrated to England. Lachman and Surjit had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Around 1973, Lachman's son, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill sponsored his father and mother and they immigrated to Canada joining him and his family in Burnaby, British Columbia. After arriving in British Columbia, Lachman worked as a steel worker at a foundry and drove his own taxi. Lachman retired in his ffities and continues to live with his son and family in Burnaby. 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 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. Interviewer biography: 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
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Migration
- Foods
- Industries
- Persons - Seniors
- Religions - Sikhism
- Transportation - Taxicabs
- Names
- Gill, Lachman Singh
- Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh
- Gill, Prem Kaur
- Gill, Mohinder Kaur
- Gill, Surjit Kaur Ark
- Gill, Sarbjit Kaur
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.4
- Date
- 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript for master recordings available upon request - Contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks
Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0004_003.m4aInterview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).
- History
- Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. 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
- Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
- Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
- Buildings - Industrial - Factories
- Education
- Employment
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Migration
- Occupations - Engineers
- Occupations - Millworkers
- Occupations - Teachers
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
- Kapoor Sawmills Limited
- Siddoo, Kapoor Singh
- Teja, Gurdial Singh
- Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
- Manhas, Ghania Singh
- Singh, Mayo
- Manhas, Kashmir Singh
- Manhas, Sher Singh
- Manhas, Budhan Kaur
- Manhas, Lashman Singh
- Responsibility
- Malik, Anushay
- Rajdeep
- Geographic Access
- Woodsworth Street
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Capitol Hill Area
- Related Material
- See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
- Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi
- Transcript of interview available upon request
Audio Tracks
Interview with Kalwant Singh
Interview with Kalwant Singh
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3Burnaby family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58458
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1858-1863
- Collection/Fonds
- Robert Burnaby fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 5 cm. of textual records.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of letters written by Robert Burnaby related to both his work and explorations in British Columbia as well as personal matters relating to his family. Some of these letters were published in the 2002 book, "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's Letters from Colonial British Columbia 1858…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1858-1863
- Collection/Fonds
- Robert Burnaby fonds
- Physical Description
- 5 cm. of textual records.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2009-06 2017-55
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of letters written by Robert Burnaby related to both his work and explorations in British Columbia as well as personal matters relating to his family. Some of these letters were published in the 2002 book, "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's Letters from Colonial British Columbia 1858-1863."
- History
- Robert Burnaby was a commission merchant and legislator, born on November 30, 1828, at Woodthorpe, Leicestershire, England, as the fourth son of the Reverend Thomas Burnaby and Sarah Meares. Robert Burnaby came to British Columbia at the end of 1858 as an experienced civil servant from Her Majesty’s Customs Office in London, and with a personal introduction to Governor James Douglas from Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Burnaby’s first year on the Pacific coast was a busy one: he spent a short time as private secretary to Richard Clement Moody, commander of the Royal Engineers at New Westminster; he explored for coal with Walter Moberly at Burrard Inlet; and he made a short visit to San Francisco. During this year, he also founded the firm of Henderson and Burnaby, commission merchants, in partnership with Edward Henderson, an old school friend from Christ’s Hospital and a man of means, who managed the London office. This type of business was precarious since the distance from sources of supply and risks in transportation encouraged overtrading and excessive speculation. The death of Henderson in 1865 and the general economic depression in Vancouver Island and British Columbia brought the firm to an end – a failure caused in part apparently by unwise investment in real estate. Burnaby then embarked upon a real estate and insurance business of his own. The exigencies of a mercantile career seem to have overwhelmed this man who, by upbringing and training, was more suited to a position in government service. Robert Burnaby was intensely interested in the welfare of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, and did all in his power to promote stable economic conditions. Before the end of his second year in Victoria, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island for the districts of Esquimalt and Metchosin, and he served his constituents well for five years. He was one of the founders of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. During an 1866 visit to London on private business, he attended a meeting of prominent Victoria merchants and officials who strongly favoured the union of the two colonies and other measures for developing and improving their economic prospects. This group carried its resolutions to the secretary of state for the colonies. Burnaby was an active freemason and helped found the First Victoria Lodge in 1860. Among his recreational pursuits was a love of drama, and in 1863, he served as president of Victoria’s Amateur Dramatic Association. Burnaby numbered among his intimate friends Colonel Moody, Arthur Thomas Bushby, Henry Pering Pellew Crease, Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie, Edward Graham Alston, and Thomas Elwyn. In 1869, severe ill health caused Burnaby’s retirement and, five years later, his return to England. Friends arranged for him to travel in the Hudson’s Bay Company bark Lady Lampson; they later presented her captain, James Gaudin, with a generous purse in gratitude for the attention he had paid the ailing Burnaby during the voyage. Early in 1878, news reached Victoria that this “prominent and much respected merchant” had died. An honest, conscientious man of spirit, a clear-headed thinker, a “power” in his masonic lodge, a lucid speaker, full of fun, and clever, Burnaby has been fittingly commemorated in a number of place names in British Columbia including a lake, a strait, an island, a municipality, two mountain ranges, and finally Burnaby Mountain, the seat of Simon Fraser University. Burnaby died a bachelor on January 10, 1878, at Woodthorpe. - This information has been adapted from the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Creator
- Burnaby, Robert
- Notes
- Title based on creator of fonds.
Interview with Tony Fabian by Kathy Bossort October 29, 2015 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory599
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1860-1995
- Length
- 0:15:57
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s description of the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain, the creation of the Pavilion area in 1957, the history of proposals for how Burnaby Mountain could be used, the land transfer to SFU in 1963, and difficulty accessing the m…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s description of the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain, the creation of the Pavilion area in 1957, the history of proposals for how Burnaby Mountain could be used, the land transfer to SFU in 1963, and difficulty accessing the mountain for recreation prior to 1965. He also talks about the dispute between SFU and the City of Burnaby over land ownership and control.
- Date Range
- 1860-1995
- Length
- 0:15:57
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Interviewer
- Bossort, Kathy
- Interview Date
- October 29, 2015
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Kathy Bossort. Tony Fabian was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Tony Fabian’s part in park creation and protection of natural areas in Burnaby, particularly as a member of the Park and Recreation Commission in the 1970s; his childhood and how that contributed to his land ethic; and the history of the uses made of and setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain.
- Biographical Notes
- Tony S. Fabian was born in 1934 in north Saskatchewan. At less than a year old Tony, along with his siblings, was removed from his family home and eventually placed with an immigrant farm family. As a child he worked on the farm and witnessed what he considered abusive treatment of the land and farm animals. When he was about 12 years old his adoptive family moved to the BC coast where he went on his own, working for a variety of farmers in Richmond and Delta. At 19 he contracted polio, quit farm work, and found work with the telephone company. In 1956 Tony married, and in 1957 he and his wife moved to a home on Hardwick Street in Burnaby where he still lives. Tony entered civic politics in the 1960s when he objected to development on Hardwick Park and became concerned about the destruction of Burnaby’s natural landscapes. He became a life long advocate for preserving natural areas and helped to create large parks in Burnaby on the foreshore of the Fraser River and on Burrard Inlet. He served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission 1970-1975, is a long time volunteer with the Burnaby Lake Park Association, and continues to stay current on local and regional environmental issues. In 2008 Tony was presented with the City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 1:43:22
- Interviewee Name
- Fabian, Tony S.
- Interview Location
- Tony Fabian's home in Burnaby
- Interviewer Bio
- Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Tony Fabian
Track four of interview with Tony Fabian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-007/MSS196-007_Track_4.mp3Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription14
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1890 (date of original)-1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Photographs and textual records
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of photographs of and publications related to the Burnaby Art Gallery and Fairacres property.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1890 (date of original)-1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
- Physical Description
- Photographs and textual records
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1996-12
- BHS1990-05
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of photographs of and publications related to the Burnaby Art Gallery and Fairacres property.
- History
- The Burnaby Art Gallery association was founded in 1967. The purpose of the association was to present a historical and contemporary art program by local, regional, national, and international artists; facilitate the development of emerging artists; provide diverse art educational programming; acquire culturally significant works on paper. The City of Burnaby assumed management of the gallery, its collection, staff and governance in 1998, with the art gallery then taking on the added responsibility of caring for and managing the City of Burnaby’s permanent art collection. The Gallery, along with the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and the Burnaby Village Museum in Deer Lake Park, are part of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department of the City of Burnaby. The Burnaby Art Gallery is located inside the historic Ceperley House, built by Henry and Grace Ceperley. The couple purchased a strawbery farm on the north shore of Deer Lake from George Clayton in 1909 and built their home, also known as "Fairacres", on the property in 1911. The house was designed by the English architect, R.P.S. Twizell and with its river rock veranda, beautiful hand-crafted woodwork, stained-glass and tile, remains one of the finest examples of Edwardian architecture in the Lower Mainland. Grace and Hentry Ceperley had one daughter named Ethelwyn who married James Edward Hall. Ethelwyn and James Edward Hall had three children: Edith Ceperley, James Edward "Junior," and Florence Renn. In 1917, Grace Ceperley died and left Fairacres to her husband with the stipulation that when the home was sold the proceeds would be used to build a playground for the children of Vancouver in Stanley Park. In 1939, the local Catholic Diocese funded a group of five Benedictine monks from Mount Angel, Oregon to establish a priory in the province. The monks purchased the Ceperley House for their monastery. They also built a large gymnasium on the property. After serving as a monastery, the house was used as a fraternity for some of the first students attending Simon Fraser University, and then became home to the art gallery in the 1960s. The City of Burnaby acquired the property in 1966 and the house was designated a heritage building in 1992. In 1998 the City began restoring exterior of the house and upgraded the building for improved public use. The renovations were completed in 2000, and transformed the house back to its appearance of 1911. The gymnasium built by the Benedictine monks was converted into into the James Cowan Theatre. There are two main galleries, a lounge gallery with a fireplace and easy chairs and The Shopping Bag, a gallery shop run by volunteers. The goals of the gallery are to: provide access to contemporary Canadian art, present works from the permanent collection; collect contemporary works on paper; and offer challenging and educational exhibition related programming.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- Burnaby Art Gallery
- Notes
- Title based on contents of subseries
- PC241, PC242, MSS066
Interview with Norman Dowad
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19638
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information …
- 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 recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Norman Dowad Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: August 14, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 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 Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information about his grandfather Samuel Dowad's immigration to Canada and his father Wilfred Dowad's military service and successes as a property developer. 00:14:39 – 00:17:26 Norm provides background information on his mother’s side of the family. 00:17:27 – 00:31:36 Norm talks about his childhood, growing up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, his early education in Burnaby and sports that he played. 00:31:37 – 00:39:59 Norm talks about his educational experiences attending Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Osgoode Hall law school and information regarding his law career. 00:40:00 – 00:45:03 Norm reflects on his childhood growing up in Burnaby and on his experiences and relationships as a student and in his career as a lawyer. 00:45:04 – 01:01:37 Norm talks about his siblings and shares information about family property development projects as well as career and business successes. In closing he talks about research that he’s done through Archives Canada on his grandfather Sam Dowad and father Wilfred Dowad.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Norm Dowad was born in Burnaby, December 1948 to parents Wilfred “Wilf” (1925-2011) and Cherry Dowad. His father, Wilfred (1925-2011) was born in Winnipeg to parents Samuel “Sam” (Salim in Arabic) Esper Dowad (1895-1969) and Martha (Shaheen) Dowad (1894-1955). Sam and Martha Dowad were both born in a province of the Ottoman Empire which is now present day Lebanon. In 1912, while trying to immigrate to Canada, several of Sam’s relatives including his mother died tragically as steerage passengers on the ill fated Titanic. In 1913, at the age of 18 years, Sam immigrated to Canada to join other family members who'd already arrived here safely. As a new immigrant in Canada, Sam worked with other Labanese immigrants in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the United States. In December 1921, Sam's wife, Martha immigrated to Canada arriving by ship in St. John, New Brunswick. Sam and Martha established their home in Winnipeg where they began to start a family. Their first two children died in infancy and son Wilfred was born in 1925 and daughter Kathleen was born in 1926. While living in Winnipeg, Sam worked as a grocer and in the 1930’s he got work as a farmer in a nearby town. In 1943, Wilf joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCVNR) and served as a gunner on merchant ships during World War II. In 1945, while Wilf was away serving, his parents, Sam and Martha moved to Burnaby. After discharge in 1945, Wilf joined his parents in Burnaby, began working at Fraser Mills and commenced his studies in construction and drafting. In 1949, with his father’s help Wilf acquired a lot next door to his parents’ home and built his first apartment block. After Martha died in 1954, Sam moved to Kelowna where he bought an orchard. Sam remarried in 1957 to Naomi “Mamie” (David) Dowad (1899-1978) who was also from a Lebanese family. Sam and Mamie lived in Kelowna until the mid 1960s when they moved to White Rock. While living in Burnaby, Wilf met and married Cherry Piggott and the couple had six children; Norm, Bruce, Michael, Kathie, Phil and Tom. In 1955, Wilfred Dowad established "W. Dowad Ltd." and over the years he was successful in developing and subdividing land to build housing and commercial developments in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Wilf was the first president of the Burnaby Winter club and was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce holding office at the local, provincial and national level. In 1970, Wilf purchased 238 acres of land bordering the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh River and relocated there the following year. While living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Wilf became actively engaged in local business and community affairs. Wilf was later remarried to Grethe Dowad and he died in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in 2011.Wilf's six children are the sole owners of "W.Dowad Ltd." and his daughter, Kathie Smillie is the president and CEO. While growing up in Burnaby, Norm Dowad attended Schou Street School, Douglas Road School, Kensington School and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School. Following graduation from high school, Norm attended Simon Fraser University for one year, travelled in Europe, attended University of British Columbia and obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Norman has been practicing law for 49 years and has his own law practice that he operates out of Vancouver. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Education
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Migration
- Sports
- Sports - Football
- Wars - World War, 1939-1945
- Names
- Dowad, Norman W. "Norm"
- Dowad, Samuel Esper "Sam"
- Dowad, Wilfred "Wilf"
- Dowad, Naomi "Mamie" David
- Dowad, Martha Elias Shaheen
- Dowad, Kathleen "Kay"
- Rideout, Dr. John Anthony
- Burnaby Central Secondary School
- Douglas Road School
- W. Dowad Limited
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Geographic Access
- Buckingham Avenue
- Deer Lake
- Street Address
- 5533 Buckingham Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.16
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0016_002.mp3