Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Burnaby Municipal Council

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55608

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1946

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the eight members of Burnaby's Municipal Council standing in an office, each holding a piece of paper. Written across the bottom of the photograph is the caption: "Burnaby Council 1946 Reeve Morrison". Reeve George Morrison can be seen to the far right. Third from the right is Willi…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1946

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of the eight members of Burnaby's Municipal Council standing in an office, each holding a piece of paper. Written across the bottom of the photograph is the caption: "Burnaby Council 1946 Reeve Morrison". Reeve George Morrison can be seen to the far right. Third from the right is William Beamish, fifth from the right is Charles MacSorley and at the far left is Joseph Gartlan. The rest are unidentified although the remaining members of the 1946 Council were James West, William Philps, John Jones and Harry Ball.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Morrison, George; MacSorley, Charles W.; Beamish, William Randolph "Ran"; West, James G.; Philps, William P.; Jones, John S.R.; Gartlan, Joseph P.; Ball, Harry

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Vancouver Sun

Notes: Title based on caption; Photorgapher's stamp on verso

Images

Burnaby Municipal Council, 1946 thumbnail

Charles Sprott

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription452

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [194-] (date of original), copied 1978

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles Sprott as an elderly man. He is wearing a suit, with a vest and tie, glasses, and hat. He was Reeve of Burnaby from 1904 to 1905. He was also a member of Council from 1895 to 1904 and in 1907.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles Sprott as an elderly man. He is wearing a suit, with a vest and tie, glasses, and hat. He was Reeve of Burnaby from 1904 to 1905. He was also a member of Council from 1895 to 1904 and in 1907.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Sprott, Charles Frederick

Accession Code: HV978.1.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [194-] (date of original), copied 1978

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-08-01

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Charles Sprott, [194-] (date of original), copied 1978 thumbnail

George A. Morrison

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34741

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1949] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.0 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of George A. Morrison, Reeve of Burnaby from 1945 to 1949 and Council member in 1944.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1949] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.0 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 126-016

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of George A. Morrison, Reeve of Burnaby from 1945 to 1949 and Council member in 1944.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Morrison, George

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

George A. Morrison

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45822

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1949]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of George A. Morrison, Reeve of Burnaby from 1945 to 1949 and Council member in 1944.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1949]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 11 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-716

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of George A. Morrison, Reeve of Burnaby from 1945 to 1949 and Council member in 1944.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Morrison, George

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

William Willson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34740

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1943] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.0 x 11.9 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of William T. Willson, Reeve of Burnaby from 1943 to 1944 and Council member in 1927.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1943] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.0 x 11.9 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 126-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of William T. Willson, Reeve of Burnaby from 1943 to 1944 and Council member in 1927.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Willson, William T.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

William Willson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38557

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1943]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of William Tate Willson, Burnaby Reeve for 1943 and1944 and councillor in 1927.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1943]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: New Westminster Public Library subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 10.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 459-017

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2003-19

Scope and Content: Photograph of William Tate Willson, Burnaby Reeve for 1943 and1944 and councillor in 1927.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Willson, William T.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Men's soccer team

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36601

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1940]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a men's soccer team standing with their trophy. Charles B. Brown is standing fourth from the left, wearing a three-piece suit.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1940]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Charles Brown family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 14 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 307-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1992-49

Scope and Content: Photograph of a men's soccer team standing with their trophy. Charles B. Brown is standing fourth from the left, wearing a three-piece suit.

Subjects: Sports - Soccer; Occupations - City Clerks; Sports - Team Sports

Names: Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Convention in Victoria 1949 Burnaby Council

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55612

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1949

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of eight men identified as Burnaby's Municipal Council sitting and standing on a stone staircase outside an unidentified building in Victoria. Written across the bottom of the photograph is: "Convention in Victoria 1949 Burnaby Council." Identified in the picture are Reeve George Morri…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1949

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of eight men identified as Burnaby's Municipal Council sitting and standing on a stone staircase outside an unidentified building in Victoria. Written across the bottom of the photograph is: "Convention in Victoria 1949 Burnaby Council." Identified in the picture are Reeve George Morrison (third from the left), Charles MacSorley (fifth from the left, seated in back), Doug Drummond (seated in front of Charles MacSorley) and William Beamish (second from right).

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: Morrison, George; MacSorley, Charles W.; Drummond, John D. "Doug"; Beamish, William Randolph "Ran"

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Halkett, Bill

Notes: Title based on caption; Photographer's stamp on verso

Images

Convention in Victoria 1949 Burnaby Council, 1949 thumbnail

George D. McLean

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46056

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1948 and 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of George D. McLean, who was a Burnaby council member in 1948.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1948 and 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-944

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of George D. McLean, who was a Burnaby council member in 1948.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors

Names: McLean, George D.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

George D. McLean, [between 1948 and 1959] thumbnail

Lois and co-worker at Burnaby Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55579

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1940]

Collection/Fonds: John Shaw fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 6.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of two young women standing at the bottom of the steps at the Burnaby Municipal Hall. The women are are holding hands. A note on the back of the photograph identifies Lois Shaw (nee Gilbert) on the left with a co-worker, both of whom were employed by the municipality of Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1940]

Collection/Fonds: John Shaw fonds

Series: Shaw family series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 6.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 485-054

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2005-15; 2006-01; 2007-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of two young women standing at the bottom of the steps at the Burnaby Municipal Hall. The women are are holding hands. A note on the back of the photograph identifies Lois Shaw (nee Gilbert) on the left with a co-worker, both of whom were employed by the municipality of Burnaby.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Shaw, Lois E. Gilbert; Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Lois and co-worker at Burnaby Municipal Hall, [1940] thumbnail

Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory447

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1937-1990

Length: 00:05:53

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s discussion of the attitudes, energy and time commitment required for operating a seasonal business and needed for politics. He mentions the Nelson Avenue family home, still lived in by his mother

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s discussion of the attitudes, energy and time commitment required for operating a seasonal business and needed for politics. He mentions the Nelson Avenue family home, still lived in by his mother

Date Range: 1937-1990

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012

Length: 00:05:53

Subjects: Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Officials - Elected Officials

Geographic Access: Nelson Avenue

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 14, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 1:34:40

Interviewee Name: Lewarne, William A. "Bill"

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Bill Lewarne

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_7.mp3

Victory Bond drive

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36332

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1941]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an event the was part of the Victory Bond drive. Two fireman in uniform and acting commissioner Richard Bolton in a suit and tie are turning a barrel believed to be full of Victory Bonds for the war effort.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1941]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Richard Bolton subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 249-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1991-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of an event the was part of the Victory Bond drive. Two fireman in uniform and acting commissioner Richard Bolton in a suit and tie are turning a barrel believed to be full of Victory Bonds for the war effort.

Subjects: Exchange Medium - Victory Bonds; Events - Fundraising; Officials - Commissioners; Clothing - Uniforms; Occupations - Fire Fighters

Names: Bolton, Richard

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stride, Charles Edgar

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on verso of print reads: "PHOTO BY THE STRIDE STUDIOS 657 COLUMBIA STREET NEW WESMINSTER, B.C."; Permission of the estate of Charles Edgar Stride required to reproduce for purposes other than fair dealing. Copyright expires in 2043. Contact information (if available) located in accession record.

Images

Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34512

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1940

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.4 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the exterior of Municipal Hall at Kingsway and Edmonds Street. A sign above the door reads, "Municipal Hall / Burnaby." The First World War memorial fountain, dedicated to Municipal employees who died in the War, can be seen on the left. In 1974, this memorial was relocated from i…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1940

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.4 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 032-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the exterior of Municipal Hall at Kingsway and Edmonds Street. A sign above the door reads, "Municipal Hall / Burnaby." The First World War memorial fountain, dedicated to Municipal employees who died in the War, can be seen on the left. In 1974, this memorial was relocated from its original setting to the site of the Burnaby Village Museum on Deer Lake Avenue.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Monuments - War Memorials; Wars - World War, 1914-1918; Fountains

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

21st Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20318

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1945 and 1948]

Collection/Fonds: Joseph H.C. Corsbie fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w print ; 28 x 39 cm mounted on matt board 30.5 x 41 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "21st Legislative Assembly" portraits, 1945-1948. Members are identified in the top row left to right: J. Mowat; W.T. Straith K.C.; E.E. Winch; R.H. Carson; J.J. Gillis M.D.,C.M.; T. Uphill; T. King; L.Le Bourdais; S. Guthrie; L.H. Eyres; T.A. Love; second row left to right: Hon. …

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Joseph H.C. Corsbie fonds

Series: Joseph H.C. Corsbie personal and professional records series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w print ; 28 x 39 cm mounted on matt board 30.5 x 41 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "21st Legislative Assembly" portraits, 1945-1948. Members are identified in the top row left to right: J. Mowat; W.T. Straith K.C.; E.E. Winch; R.H. Carson; J.J. Gillis M.D.,C.M.; T. Uphill; T. King; L.Le Bourdais; S. Guthrie; L.H. Eyres; T.A. Love; second row left to right: Hon. E.C. Carson; Hon. F. Putnam; Hon. G.S. Pearson; Hon. r.L Maitland K.C.; Hon. H. Hart Premier; H.E. Winch Leader of the Opposition; Hon. E.T. Kenney; Hon. H. Anscomb; Hon. G.M. Weir M.A.,d.Paed.; third row left to right: G.S. Wismer K.C.; H. Gargrave; F.W. Green M.D., C.M.; W.A.C. Bennett; Mrs. N. Hodges; Hon. N.w. Whittaker K.C.; Mrs. T.J. Rolston; R.C. MacDonald; A.J. Turner; B.I. Johnson; H.J. Welch; fourth row, left to right: J.H. Corsbie; W.D. Smith; E.F.Rowland; McIntyre E.C. (Law Clerk); W.R. Webster Capt. (Sgt.at arms); R.S. Yates (Clerk of House); A.J. McDonell; D.C. Brown; A.C. Hope; bottom row left to right: C.W. Morrow; R. Harding; A.B. Ritchie; C.T. Beard; R.R. Laird M.D., C.M.; J. McInnis; W.J. Johnson; J.H. Cates; J.L. Webster; W.H. Brett.

Subjects: Officials - Premiers; Officials - Elected Officials

Accession Code: BV020.31.41

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1945 and 1948]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 19-09-2023

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Signature of photographer in lower left corner of matt reads: "Philip Fort"

Images

21st Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, [between 1945 and 1948] thumbnail

CCF MLA's in their seats in the B.C. Legislature

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3699

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1949 and 1956]

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) Members of the Legislative Assembly at their seats inside of the British Columbia Parliament buildings in Victoria. Photograph is taken inside the legislature. Members are identified as; Frank Calder, Rupert Haggen, Leo Nimsick, Frank Mitchel…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Series: Harold E. Winch photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) Members of the Legislative Assembly at their seats inside of the British Columbia Parliament buildings in Victoria. Photograph is taken inside the legislature. Members are identified as; Frank Calder, Rupert Haggen, Leo Nimsick, Frank Mitchell, Arthur Turner, Harold Winch, Ernest Winch, and Ran Harding.

Subjects: Government - Provincial Government; Officials - Elected Officials; Organizations - Political Parties

Names: Winch, Ernest "Ernie"; Winch, Harold Edward; Calder, Frank; Haggen, Rupert; Nimsick, Leo; Mitchell, Frank; Turner, Arthur; Harding, Ran; Co-operative Commonwealth Federation "CCF"

Accession Code: BV013.12.56

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1949 and 1956]

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Portley, John S.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Handwritten annotations on recto of photograph provide identification and read from left to right: "Frank Calder_Rupert Hagen_Leo Nimsick_Frank Mitchell / Arthur Turner_Harold Winch_Ernest Winch_Ran Harding / CCF MLA's / in their seats in the B.C. Legislature"; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook Item BV013.12.11; Note on verso of photograph reads: "Our fighting '8' in the BC Legislature : / Were we downhearted? / Yes & No / HW"; Stamp in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "John S. Portley [sic]"

Images

CCF MLA's in their seats in the B.C. Legislature, [between 1949 and 1956] thumbnail

Ernest and Alan Winch

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64752

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1942

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) standing next to his son Alan Winch, dressed in uniform. An unidentified dog stands between them, facing the camera.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1942

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 514-030

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2010-06

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) standing next to his son Alan Winch, dressed in uniform. An unidentified dog stands between them, facing the camera.

Subjects: Clothing - Military Uniforms; Animals - Dogs; Officials - Elected Officials

Names: Winch, Ernest "Ernie"; Winch, Alan

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Ernest and Alan - 1942"

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

Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20395

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronak…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Alex Chronakis and Georgia Chronakis Location of Interview: Fraser Wilson Room, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:17:12 Digital master recordings (wav) were converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronakis, including their Greek background, migration to Canada, marriage, children, Louis’ career as a mechanic and gas station owner and owning restaurants in White Rock and Burnaby. 00:08:40 - 00:13:59 Georgia and her son Alex recall the great memories of owning and operating their restaurant Mionas Taverna and share details of their family life in Burnaby and White Rock. 00:14:00 - 00:19:15 Alex and Georgia talk about Louis Chronakis' work experience and how he became involved in the restaurant business. They share their experiences of operating Minoas Taverna including their opening in 1986. 00:19:16 - 00:36:59 Alex and Georgia describe some of the foods that were on the menu of Minoas Taverna, the design of the restaurant, the Minoan history that it’s based on, memories of running the restaurant and why they decided to close. 00:37:00 – 00:41:52 Alex talks about his involvement with Greek festivals in Vancouver and Alex and Georgia reflect on their life in the future now that the restaurant has closed.

History: Interviewees biographies: Georgia Giannias Chronakis was born in Selassia, Sparta, Greece in 1941 and when she was sixteen years of age she moved to Athens. In 1964 Georgia immigrated to Canada and lived in Montreal before moving to Vancouver a few years later. In 1966, while living in Vancouver, she met and married Ilias "Louis" Chronakis who was born in Crete, Greece. Soon after marrying, Georgia and Louis Chronakis bought a house located at 3823 Kingsway and welcomed their first child, Anna. Four years later, Georgia and Louis moved to White Rock but continued to own their house on Kingsway and rented it out. While living in White Rock, they had three more children named Virginia, Alex and Ellie. Louis was a trained mechanic working independently and for various companies including CP Air, BC Ferries and Esso before deciding to get into the restaurant business. He partnered with another businessman to open a Mr. Mike's franchise and later a cafe and Greek restaurant in White Rock. In 1986, Georgia, Louis and family moved back to Burnaby and moved into a house on Sandall Street and began converting their former home on Kingsway into a restaurant which they named Minoas Greek Taverna (Minoas Taverna). They opened the restaurant on May 1, 1986, just one day before Expo '86 was opened. In 2023, after 37 years of running their restaurant they sold their business but continued to own the land and building on Kingsway. Alex Chronakis is the son of Georgia and Louis Chronakis and was born in 1972. Alex has spent time working with his family running their restaurant and has been involved in the Greek Day Festival in Vancouver. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Foods; Occupations; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Mechanics; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations; Migration; Persons - Greek Canadians

Names: Chronakis, Alex; Chronakis, Georgia Giannias; Minoas Taverna; Chronakis, Ilias "Louis"

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Smith Avenue

Street Address: 3823 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV023.16.21

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0021_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis, [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0021_002.mp3

Interview with Shushma Datt and Sudhir Datta

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

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

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

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

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

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

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

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

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

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

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