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Scope and Content: Photograph of labourers at a British Columbia Electric Railway Company streetcar work camp standing in a long single file row in front of three large tents at Hastings Street. This photograph was taken during construction of the Hastings Streetcar line extension.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Material Details: Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 487-010

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2008-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of labourers at a British Columbia Electric Railway Company streetcar work camp standing in a long single file row in front of three large tents at Hastings Street. This photograph was taken during construction of the Hastings Streetcar line extension.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads; Construction - Railroad Construction; Occupations - Railroad Labourers; Structures - Tents

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Phillips, James William "Jim"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Images

Streetcar work camp

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57707

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of labourers at the British Columbia Electric Railway Company streetcar work camp standing and sitting in three rows in front of a large tent at Hastings Street. The man on the far right, sitting upright, is holding a cocker spaniel at his knee. This photograph was taken during construct…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Material Details: Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 487-011

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2008-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of labourers at the British Columbia Electric Railway Company streetcar work camp standing and sitting in three rows in front of a large tent at Hastings Street. The man on the far right, sitting upright, is holding a cocker spaniel at his knee. This photograph was taken during construction of the Hastings Streetcar line extension.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads; Construction - Railroad Construction; Occupations - Railroad Labourers; Structures - Tents; Animals - Dogs

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Phillips, James William "Jim"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Images

Streetcar work camp

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57708

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of labourers at the British Columbia Electric Railway Company streetcar work camp standing and sitting in three rows in front of a large tent at Hastings Street. The man on the far right, sitting upright, is holding a cocker spaniel at his knee. This photograph was taken during construc…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Material Details: Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 487-012

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2008-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of labourers at the British Columbia Electric Railway Company streetcar work camp standing and sitting in three rows in front of a large tent at Hastings Street. The man on the far right, sitting upright, is holding a cocker spaniel at his knee. This photograph was taken during construction of the Hastings Streetcar line extension.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads; Construction - Railroad Construction; Occupations - Railroad Labourers; Structures - Tents; Animals - Dogs

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Phillips, James William "Jim"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Images

Working on a bridge

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34434

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1927

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12 cm on page 17.5 x 12.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men working on a wooden bridge structure next to a small cabin, alongside a river. The location is identifed as Dewdney.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1927

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Peers family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12 cm on page 17.5 x 12.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 020-141

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men working on a wooden bridge structure next to a small cabin, alongside a river. The location is identifed as Dewdney.

Subjects: Construction - Bridge Construction; Structures - Bridges; Occupations - Labourers

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Ernie Winch

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35648

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [194-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ernie Winch (left) and an unidentified helper working as stone masons building a brick chimney.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [194-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-506

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ernie Winch (left) and an unidentified helper working as stone masons building a brick chimney.

Subjects: Construction; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Winch, Ernest "Ernie"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Ernie Winch, [194-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Construction of the St. Michael's Centre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45354

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1980

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 24 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reverend George Morrison of the United Church, Reverend Donald Grayson of the Anglican Church, and Father Dennis Luterback of the Catholic Church with hard hats on and shovels in their hands. They were participating in the sod turning ceremony for the then new combined care facility f…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1980

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 24 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-249

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reverend George Morrison of the United Church, Reverend Donald Grayson of the Anglican Church, and Father Dennis Luterback of the Catholic Church with hard hats on and shovels in their hands. They were participating in the sod turning ceremony for the then new combined care facility for seniors being built by St. Michael's Centre Society in South Burnaby.

Subjects: Construction Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Clergy

Names: St. Michael's Centre Extended Care and Hospice Facility; Morrison, Reverend George; Grayson, Reverend Donald; Luterback, Father Dennis

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "DIGGING IN ... Sod turning ceremony for new 80-bed combined care facility for seniors being built by St. Michael's Centre Society was held recently. Participating in ceremony were, from left to right, Rev. George Morrison of United Church, Rev. Donald Grayson of Anglican Church, and Father Dennis Luterback of Catholic Church."

Geographic Access: Sussex Avenue

Street Address: 7451 Sussex Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Images

Construction of the St. Michael's Centre, January 1980 thumbnail

Disco ball maker

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98179

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified person in a studio, using a caulk gun to make a disco ball.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3257

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified person in a studio, using a caulk gun to make a disco ball.

Subjects: Occupations - Artists; Construction Tools and Equipment

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Collected by editorial for use in a July 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Lettering Guide

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90811

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV020.40.2

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV020.40.2

Description: Wooden box with a hinged lid and base with slats for rules and holes for lettering tips. The box contains lettering materials, including white rulers,ink pens in green cardboard cylindrical tubes, guiding stencils for lettering in different fonts, metal tool to hold ink nibs.

Object History: This lettering guide was used in the City of Burnaby's Planning Department, in the late 1950s. A lettering guide template is a special type of template used to write uniform characters. It consists of a sheet of plastic or other material with cut-outs of letters, numbers, and other shapes used especially for creating technical drawings. For decades they have been essential for lettering a drawing nameplate so text and other designs could be made quickly and uniformly. Although they have been superseded by the use of computers, during the greater part of the last century they were used to relatively ease the lettering process in the creation of technical drawings. They were an indispensable tool for architects and technical illustrators.

Category: 06.Tools & Equipment for Communication

Classification: Written Communication T&E - - Writing Devices

Object Term: Guide, Lettering

Marks/Labels: WRICO LETTERING PEN

Maker: WRICO

Subjects: Construction Tools and Equipment; Documentary Artifacts - Architectural Drawings; Government - Local Government; Land - Land Surveying; Occupations - Civic Workers

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Rae Weir clearing land

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35316

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [193-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Rae Weir clearing a lot on Jubilee Avenue with a D4 Caterpillar bulldozer. Rae Weir owned Jubilee Fuel and Transfer which did everything from clearing lots to excavating basements to delivering and selling fuels.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [193-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-173

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Rae Weir clearing a lot on Jubilee Avenue with a D4 Caterpillar bulldozer. Rae Weir owned Jubilee Fuel and Transfer which did everything from clearing lots to excavating basements to delivering and selling fuels.

Subjects: Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Land Clearing; Construction Tools and Equipment

Names: Jubilee Fuel and Transfer; Weir, Rae

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Jubilee Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Rae Weir clearing land, [193-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Worker with sandbags

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98116

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified worker, wearing a reflective vest and a hardhat, preparing a sandbag and surrounded by a lot of large sandbags.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3195

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified worker, wearing a reflective vest and a hardhat, preparing a sandbag and surrounded by a lot of large sandbags.

Subjects: Occupations - Civic Workers; Construction Tools and Equipment

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Collected by editorial for use in a May 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Interview 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…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (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

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3

Toolbox

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact89169

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV018.23.2

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV018.23.2

Description: toolbox; hand-made toolbox with pull-out interior drawer; wood with 3/4 fold-down lid, metal carry handle and lock hasp; steel hinges and two metal corners at top of box; white and black paint; unpainted wood interior drawer with small pull handle.

Object History: This tool box was made by donor's father David, who worked as a machinest at Heaps Engineering in New Westminster. David was born in Scotland in 1882 and immigrated to Canada. He lived in Spruce Street and Telford Street in Burnaby. His children atteneded Kingsway West Elementary School, South Burnaby and King Edward High School.

Category: 04.Tools & Equipment for Materials

Classification: Multiple Use T&E for Materials

Object Term: Container, Tool

Measurements: L: 71.2 cm W: 20.0 H: 25.0 cm

Subjects: Construction Tools and Equipment; Container - Box; Woodworking Tools and Equipment

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Clearing Douglas Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription560

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [190-?] (date of original), copied 1977

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of men in work clothes clearing Doulgas Road. A group of men to the right side of the photograph have shovels in their hands and are clearing rocks from the road. There is a small girl in a blouse and skirt standing beside two horses pulling a cart. Behind her is a group of men in wor…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of men in work clothes clearing Doulgas Road. A group of men to the right side of the photograph have shovels in their hands and are clearing rocks from the road. There is a small girl in a blouse and skirt standing beside two horses pulling a cart. Behind her is a group of men in work clothes as well. There is fenced land to the right of the photograph, and electric power poles and trees line both sides of the road. The accession register and inscription on the photograph identify this as Douglas Road (later renamed in part Canada Way). An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Working on Douglas Road on hill above Burnaby Lake. No Date."

Subjects: Transportation - Horses; Construction Tools and Equipment; Construction - Road Construction

Geographic Access: Douglas Road; Canada Way

Accession Code: HV977.99.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [190-?] (date of original), copied 1977

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-07-11

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Clearing Douglas Road, [190-?] (date of original), copied 1977 thumbnail

Glen Clark

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78820

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 14, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 24 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Investment minister and New Democratic Party (NDP) hopeful Glen Clark (later British Columbia Premier) in a bulldozer, breaking ground at the construction site of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on Highway 1 in Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 14, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 24 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0137

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of Investment minister and New Democratic Party (NDP) hopeful Glen Clark (later British Columbia Premier) in a bulldozer, breaking ground at the construction site of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on Highway 1 in Burnaby.

Subjects: Construction - Road Construction; Construction Tools and Equipment; Officials - Elected Officials; Officials - Premiers

Names: Clark, Glen

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on recto of photograph reads: "Bartel Bby 94A / 94% pg. 3 TriCity"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

"The Weed Man"

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58936

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: ca.1983

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 20.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a man posing with his pick-up truck containing lawn and landscaping equipment. His truck, hat, and shirt all read "The Weed Man."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: ca.1983

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 20.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1385

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2009-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of a man posing with his pick-up truck containing lawn and landscaping equipment. His truck, hat, and shirt all read "The Weed Man."

Subjects: Agricultural Tools and Equipment - Gardening Equipment; Maintenance Tools and Equipment; Occupations; Transportation - Trucks

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Hodge, Craig

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photographer's stamp on verso; Note on verso reads: "Burnaby Today / A-8 / 47% PMT"

Images

6742 Walker Avenue construction

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37859

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1987 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 4.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the construction of a house at 6742 Walker Avenue. Roofing is being done in the summer of 1987. Two men are standing on the roof.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1987 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 4.4 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-447

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the construction of a house at 6742 Walker Avenue. Roofing is being done in the summer of 1987. Two men are standing on the roof.

Subjects: Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Occupations - Labourers

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Walker Avenue

Street Address: 6742 Walker Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area

Images

6742 Walker Avenue construction, 1987 (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Anderson and Phillips Builders

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57728

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1910 and 1914]

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a newly constructed house with land clearing debris and labourers working in the yard. A sign on the house reads; "Anderson and Phillips Builders", although the location and the specific individuals are unidentified (items no. 487-022 and 487-032 depict this house completed).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1910 and 1914]

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Material Details: Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 487-029

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2008-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of a newly constructed house with land clearing debris and labourers working in the yard. A sign on the house reads; "Anderson and Phillips Builders", although the location and the specific individuals are unidentified (items no. 487-022 and 487-032 depict this house completed).

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Construction; Land Clearing; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Anderson and Phillips Builders

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Phillips, James William "Jim"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Anderson and Phillips Builders, [between 1910 and 1914] thumbnail

Bellinger family home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37460

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1936 or 1937] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Bellinger family home at 2827 Earl Avenue (later 6296 Pearl Avenue), during alteration of the front porch. The workers are unidentified.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1936 or 1937] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-048

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Bellinger family home at 2827 Earl Avenue (later 6296 Pearl Avenue), during alteration of the front porch. The workers are unidentified.

Subjects: Construction; Occupations - Labourers; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bellinger, Bernard

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Photos 370-047 and 370-049 show house before and after renovations

Geographic Access: Pearl Avenue

Street Address: 6296 Pearl Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Windsor Area

Images

Bellinger family home, [1936 or 1937] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Cement Contractor

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34122

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: March 29, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a cement contractor at the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Construction workers, house construction, lumber, and a truck are all visible.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: March 29, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-038

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a cement contractor at the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Construction workers, house construction, lumber, and a truck are all visible.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Transportation - Trucks; Industries - Construction

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

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