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Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…
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) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) 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 Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.
History
Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
Clothing
Crafts
Employment
Migration
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Occupations - Labourers
Occupations - Millworkers
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Names
Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
Manhas, Ghania Singh
Singh, Mayo
Manhas, Kashmir Singh
Manhas, Sher Singh
Manhas, Budhan Kaur
Manhas, Lashman Singh
Accession Code
BV022.29.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep
Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby
Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3
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Burnaby Mountain

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38210
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm
Scope and Content
Aerial photograph of Centennial Park, Burnaby Mountain and Burrard Inlet looking east.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1958 and 1965] (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 ; 3.2 x 5.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-797
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Aerial photograph of Centennial Park, Burnaby Mountain and Burrard Inlet looking east.
Subjects
Aerial Photographs
Geographic Features - Inlets
Geographic Features - Mountains
Geographic Features - Parks
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
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Burnaby General Hospital staff

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35097
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[195-] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of Burnaby General Hospital staff standing at an open door. Four of them are crouched in front, holding buckets. Most of the people standing are holding mops. One woman is holding a tea tray.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[195-] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Davies family subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
190-017
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1986-41
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of Burnaby General Hospital staff standing at an open door. Four of them are crouched in front, holding buckets. Most of the people standing are holding mops. One woman is holding a tea tray.
Subjects
Occupations - Labourers
Names
Burnaby General Hospital
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Kincaid Street
Street Address
3935 Kincaid Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Cascade-Schou Area
Images
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Construction of 333 South Delta Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37631
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1950 and 1954] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.5 x 2.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the construction of 333 South Delta Avenue. Left to right: Sammy Hayward, George Hayward, and Lew Stevenson.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1950 and 1954] (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 ; 4.5 x 2.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-219
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the construction of 333 South Delta Avenue. Left to right: Sammy Hayward, George Hayward, and Lew Stevenson.
Subjects
Construction
Occupations - Labourers
Names
Hayward, George
Hayward, Sammy
Stevenson, Lew
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Geographic Access
Delta Avenue
Street Address
333 Delta Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Capitol Hill Area
Images
Less detail

Construction of 333 South Delta Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37632
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1950 and 1954] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.4 x 2.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the construction of 333 South Delta Avenue. Lew Stevenson is in the photograph.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1950 and 1954] (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 ; 4.4 x 2.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-220
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the construction of 333 South Delta Avenue. Lew Stevenson is in the photograph.
Subjects
Construction
Occupations - Labourers
Names
Stevenson, Lew
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Geographic Access
Delta Avenue
Street Address
333 Delta Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Capitol Hill Area
Images
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Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34682
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
January 25, 1957
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.4 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building. Three men are working on a large pipe. Two signs read, "Danger / X-Ray Operating / Keep Out."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
January 25, 1957
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.4 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
092-003
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of a Dominion Bridge Co. Ltd. building. Three men are working on a large pipe. Two signs read, "Danger / X-Ray Operating / Keep Out."
Subjects
Industries - Construction
Construction Tools and Equipment
Occupations - Labourers
Names
Dominion Bridge Company
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Printed on bottom of photo, "Dominion Bridge Co., Limited / Pacific Division"
Stamps on back of photograph read, "Dominion Bridge Company, Limited" and "Jan 25 1957"
Geographic Access
Henning Drive
Street Address
3880 Henning Drive
Historic Neighbourhood
Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
West Central Valley Area
Images
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Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19349
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant…
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
1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Honourable Raj Chouhan Location of Interview: Residence of Honourable Raj Chouhan Interview Date: December 2, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (00:49:21) Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant and the organizations that he became involved with. Honourable Raj Chouhan recalls how he arrived in Burnaby with his family in 1973 and that his family worked in farming. Chouhan imparts his first hand experiences as a new immigrant working as a labourer in the farming industry and describes the unsafe and unfair working conditions that he and migrant workers faced. Chouhan conveys how this experience lead him to become an activist for better working conditions for migrant workers. This lead Chouhan and others to form the Canadian Farm Workers Union in 1980. Chouhan recollects his experiences flying from India to Canada with his wife, his first impressions after arriving in Vancouver and driving to Burnaby and what he brought with him. Chouhan explains his connections to Burnaby. Members of Chouhan's wife's family immgrated to Canada in 1957 and his wife and her three brothers joined them in 1970. Chouhan's father in law, Hardial Singh Grewal immigrated in 1957 and became president of the Sikh temple in New Westminster. Hardial Singh Grewal worked in a lumber mill in Vancouver and eventually bought a house in Burnaby. Chouhan married to his wife at the Sikh temple in New Westminster and lived in Burnaby for a period before moving to New Westminster where they could find more affordable housing. Chouhan shares that he first worked as a farm labourer in Abbotsford and then found a job in the sawmill which paid more. Chouhan describes the extreme racism and discrimination that he and other immigrants faced which lead to the formation of the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism under the leadership of Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma. Chouhan describes this organization that he was a part of and the Canadian Farm Workers Union that were both formed in Burnaby. Chouhan shares that he moved to Victoria in 1988 to serve on the Hospital Employee's Union and moved back to the mainland in 1993 and returned to Burnaby in 2001. Chouhan reflects on the history of South Asian immigration in Canada, how many of the migrants settled in the lower mainland including Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver establishing temples in Vancouver and New Westminster which became the centre for the South Asian community. He conveys how earlier occupations were limited to farming and millwork and how over time employment opportunities and education have broadened but there is still work to do. He imparts how second generation Canadians’ experiences differ from first generations providing examples of his own daughters’ and the occupations that they are working in. Chouhan provides his insights into the South Asian Canadian experience imparting “We make history every day and that history needs to be recorded and learned from.."... “People from different communities, different backgrounds who lived in Burnaby have contributed so much and South Asians are just like another community and participated in all aspects of social life, cultural, religious, economy. I'm so proud of our community, our forefathers who had that vision to fight for our rights. I'm inspired by people who struggled so much to gain basic rights, like the right to vote". Chouhan refers to these first immigrants as “Gadri Babbas” “revolutionary old people” who were also the main motivation that lead to India becoming a free country in 1947 and for fighting for basic rights here in Canada and how they made their contributions for future generations. Chouhan expresses what he imparts to students “Do not forget your past... if you remember your past then you are much more knowledgeable. Then we know what we need for the future. If we don't know the past, we don't know what the future is going to be like. To make a better future, you have to learn from the past and improve".
History
Interviewee biography: Honourable Raj Chouhan was born in the city of Ludhiana in the Province of Punjab in India and immigrated to Canada in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Raj's family settled in Burnaby. Raj grew up in Burnaby and attended schoool. Honourable Raj Chouhan was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on December 7, 2020. Honourable Chouhan is the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers Union and the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism and has served as a director of the Hospital Employees' Union, the Labour Relations Board of B.C. and the Arbitration Bureau of B.C. Honourable Chouhan has also served as the Vice President of B.C. Human Rights Defenders since 2003 and has taught courses in Human Rights, the B.C. Labour Code and Collective Bargaining since 1987. Interviewer biography: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Occupations - Agricultural Labourers
Migration
Organizations - Unions
Rights
Rights - Human Rights
Agriculture
Agriculture - Farms
Government - Provincial Government
Government
Names
Chouhan, Raj
British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism
Sharma, Dr. Hari Prakash
Grewal, Hardial Singh
Canadian Farmworkers Union
Hospital Employees Union
Khalsa Diwan Society
Responsibility
Petrusa, Kate
Accession Code
BV022.29.4
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022

Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0004_002.mp3
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MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34685
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
June 10, 1957
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.6 cm mounted on cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.'s paper converting plant. Three labourers are at work. There are piles of packages labeled "3 LB" and "7 LB."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
June 10, 1957
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.6 cm mounted on cardboard
Description Level
Item
Record No.
094-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.'s paper converting plant. Three labourers are at work. There are piles of packages labeled "3 LB" and "7 LB."
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Mills
Industries - Pulp and Paper
Occupations - Labourers
Names
MacMillan Bloedel Limited
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Cash, Jack
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Stamp and annotation on back of cardboard reads, "MacMillan and Bloedel Limited / Date Jun 10 1957 / Subject(s) Paper Converting"
Stamp on back of cardboard reads, "Photo by Jack Cash Photographic Studios / 1629 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, B.C. / Please credit when used for Publicity or Editorial Reproduction. / Must not be copied unless specified on invoice. / Print No. 9446, Date June 11 1957"
Images
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Nap Peletier

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46130
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1959, published November 6, 1959
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 9.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of N. A. "Nap" Peletier, a former Great Northern Railway worker associated with the legend of the sinking train of 1909 at his home in Washington. Historian W. W. "Bill" Hastings interviewed Nap Peletier and took this photograph.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1959, published November 6, 1959
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 9.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1018
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of N. A. "Nap" Peletier, a former Great Northern Railway worker associated with the legend of the sinking train of 1909 at his home in Washington. Historian W. W. "Bill" Hastings interviewed Nap Peletier and took this photograph.
Subjects
Occupations - Railroad Labourers
Names
Peletier, N.A. "Nap"
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Hastings, W.W.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
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Watson Cedar Products Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34595
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1950]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of Watson Cedar Products Ltd. on Willard Street. Two men are working inside.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1950]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
065-003
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of Watson Cedar Products Ltd. on Willard Street. Two men are working inside.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Mills
Occupations - Labourers
Woodworking Tools and Equipment - Logging Machinery
Names
Watson Cedar Products Limited
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Stride, Charles Edgar
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Stamped on back of photograph: "Photo by The Stride Studios / 657 Columbia Street / New Westminster, B.C." and "#7049[C or G]"
Geographic Access
Willard Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Big Bend Area
Images
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Watson Cedar Products Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34596
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1950]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of Watsons Cedar Products Ltd. on Willard Street. Men are working inside. A box reads, "Optional Kolor Plan / Factory Stained Pryme - Shakes / (Genuine red cedar scored shakes)." Two other boxes read, "Zephers."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1950]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
065-004
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the interior of Watsons Cedar Products Ltd. on Willard Street. Men are working inside. A box reads, "Optional Kolor Plan / Factory Stained Pryme - Shakes / (Genuine red cedar scored shakes)." Two other boxes read, "Zephers."
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Mills
Occupations - Labourers
Woodworking Tools and Equipment - Logging Machinery
Names
Watson Cedar Products Limited
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Stamped on back of photograph: "Photo by The Stride Studios / 657 Columbia Street / New Westminster, B.C." and "#7049F"
Geographic Access
Willard Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Big Bend Area
Images
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From 4042 Yale Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37628
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1952 (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.9 x 4.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph taken looking north from 4042 Yale Street. Burrard Inlet and the northshore mountains are visible in the background, and there is snow.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1952 (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 ; 2.9 x 4.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-216
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph taken looking north from 4042 Yale Street. Burrard Inlet and the northshore mountains are visible in the background, and there is snow.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Geographic Features - Inlets
Geographic Features - Mountains
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Geographic Access
Yale Street
Street Address
4042 Yale Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
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Interview with Alekxos Sarter by Kathy Bossort October 16, 2015 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory578
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1958-1992
Length
0:12:40
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Alekxos Sarter’s first years of employment with Parks, her sources of knowledge about Burnaby Mountain, and the department’s activities in Burnaby Mountain Park. She talks about the loop trail planned for Burnaby Mountain Park in 1958, the Trans Canada Trail p…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Alekxos Sarter’s first years of employment with Parks, her sources of knowledge about Burnaby Mountain, and the department’s activities in Burnaby Mountain Park. She talks about the loop trail planned for Burnaby Mountain Park in 1958, the Trans Canada Trail project, events and issues at the Pavilion, and keeping track of trails on SFU lands.
Date Range
1958-1992
Length
0:12:40
Names
Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
Burnaby Mountain Park
Kamui Mintara
Trans Canada Trail
Subjects
Geographic Features - Parks
Geographic Features - Trails
Planning
Recreational Activities
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
October 16, 2015
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Alekxos Sarter conducted by Kathy Bossort. Alekxos Sarter was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain from Alekxos Sarter’s perspective and experience as employee in the City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. The interview provides an excellent explanation of the history and function of kinds of park dedications used by the City of Burnaby; an overview of issues around including the Trans Mountain tank farm in the conservation area; and the background to the land use and ownership disagreement between the City of Burnaby and Simon Fraser University, its resolution, and the subsequent development of SFU’s UniverCity. Alekxos Sarter talks about Richard Bolton, Burnaby’s Acting-Commissioner who was responsible for dedicating the first park on Burnaby Mountain in 1942, and the creation of a park named after him in UniverCity.
Biographical Notes
Alekxos Sarter was born in Vancouver in 1961, to Daine and Kasandra Sarter. She grew up in North Vancouver and since 1994 has lived on a sailboat in False Creek. After attending UBC where she studied landscape architecture, she was hired by the City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services in 1986. Working first in parks design, Alekxos quickly moved into parks planning, her preferred career. As Research Officer she covers research, planning, public consultation, parks and facility inventory, parkland acquisition, among other duties.
Total Tracks
9
Total Length
2:20:47
Interviewee Name
Sarter, Alekxos T.
Interview Location
City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services meeting room
Interviewer Bio
Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Alekxos Sarter

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Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory654
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1930-1950
Length
0:09:51
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about the families and the vineyard and apple orchard on Aubrey Street. She tells stories about picking wild blackberries near Aubrey and raspberries grown on her parent’s farm, and about her mother’s large garden and kale grown for chicken…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about the families and the vineyard and apple orchard on Aubrey Street. She tells stories about picking wild blackberries near Aubrey and raspberries grown on her parent’s farm, and about her mother’s large garden and kale grown for chicken feed.
Date Range
1930-1950
Length
0:09:51
Subjects
Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods
Geographic Features - Gardens
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Geographic Access
Aubrey Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lochdale Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
January 13, 2016
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Reidun Seim conducted by Kathy Bossort. Reidun Seim was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Reidun Seim’s memories about her parent’s farm on Curtis Street, events in her childhood, and the people who lived in or visited her neighborhood. She takes us on a tour of her neighborhood in the 1940s, telling us stories about families who lived on Curtis Street on and east of 7300 block, including people who lived on Burnaby Mountain in the old Hastings Grove subdivision above the end of municipal water service at Philips Avenue. She describes changes to Curtis Street, particularly after it provided access to Simon Fraser University in 1965. She also talks about her teaching career, and about how she values the green space and conservation area on Burnaby Mountain.
Biographical Notes
Reidun Seim was born in 1931 in Vancouver B.C. to Sjur and Martine Seim. Sjur and Martine Seim emigrated to Canada from Norway in 1930, and after settling in Vancouver, moved to an acre of land and a new home at the base of Burnaby Mountain in 1932. Sjur attended UBC to learn about poultry farming and began his own chicken and egg business in 1935. The farm animals and large garden also contributed to the family’s livelihood and self-sufficiency. The Curtis Street neighborhood was a lively place and extended well up Curtis Street on the west slope of Burnaby Mountain, where Reidun would babysit for families. Reidun attended Sperling Avenue Elementary School (Gr. 1-8), Burnaby North High School, and Vancouver Normal School for teacher training in 1950-1951. She began teaching primary grades in Port Coquitlam at James Park School. Most of her career was spent in North Delta, teaching at Kennedy and Annieville schools from 1954-1958, appointed Primary Consultant (1958-1960) and Primary Supervisor (1960-1985), before retiring in 1986. Reidun lived at home with her parents on Curtis Street, commuting to Delta, and continues to live in the original farmhouse.
Total Tracks
14
Total Length
2:35:58
Interviewee Name
Seim, Reidun
Interview Location
Burnaby City Hall in the Law Library
Interviewer Bio
Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track five of interview with Reidun Seim

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Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory322
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1957-1965
Length
0:09:56
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of first coming to Burnaby and establishing a vegetable garden. He talks about his interest in conservation from an early age.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of first coming to Burnaby and establishing a vegetable garden. He talks about his interest in conservation from an early age.
Date Range
1957-1965
Photo Info
Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.
Length
0:09:56
Subjects
Geographic Features - Gardens
Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 10, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.
Biographical Notes
Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
Total Tracks
5
Total Length
0:47:48
Interviewee Name
Fabian, Tony
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of interview with Tony Fabian

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Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory323
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1957-1973
Length
0:08:50
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of conservation practices in Burnaby, focusing on the lakes and ravines, including Burnaby Lake.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of conservation practices in Burnaby, focusing on the lakes and ravines, including Burnaby Lake.
Date Range
1957-1973
Photo Info
Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.
Length
0:08:50
Subjects
Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
Geographic Features - Ravines
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 10, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.
Biographical Notes
Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
Total Tracks
5
Total Length
0:47:48
Interviewee Name
Fabian, Tony
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of interview with Tony Fabian

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North Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34701
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1959]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.6 x 20.5 cm
Scope and Content
Aerial photograph of North Burnaby and Burrard Inlet looking west.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1959]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16.6 x 20.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
106-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Aerial photograph of North Burnaby and Burrard Inlet looking west.
Subjects
Aerial Photographs
Geographic Features - Roads
Geographic Features - Inlets
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Capitol Hill Area
Westridge Area
Willingdon Heights Area
Brentwood Area
Parkcrest-Aubrey Area
Lochdale Area
Images
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View from Kask's Camp

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35531
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1950 (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 top of the hill moved by William Kask, Sr. at the request of Jenny Korhonen Kask who wanted a better view of Burrard Inlet and the islands from her house in Kask's Camp, later Kask Bros. Cement Works. Mr. Kask had the top of the mountain shave off with a bulldozer. A Vancouver Sun h…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1950 (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.
204-389
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of top of the hill moved by William Kask, Sr. at the request of Jenny Korhonen Kask who wanted a better view of Burrard Inlet and the islands from her house in Kask's Camp, later Kask Bros. Cement Works. Mr. Kask had the top of the mountain shave off with a bulldozer. A Vancouver Sun headline read, "Man Moves Mountain."
Subjects
Geographic Features - Inlets
Geographic Features - Mountains
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Barnet Road
Street Address
7501 Barnet Road
Historic Neighbourhood
Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
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White Rock B.C.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64697
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
September 19, 1956
Collection/Fonds
Ernest Winch fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photographic postcard of a group of unidentified children standing together on top of the large white rock on the beach at White Rock, B.C.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
September 19, 1956
Collection/Fonds
Ernest Winch fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
514-020
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2010-06
Scope and Content
Photographic postcard of a group of unidentified children standing together on top of the large white rock on the beach at White Rock, B.C.
Subjects
Geographic Features - Beaches
Geographic Features - Rocks
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Handwritten note in white ink on recto of photograph reads: "WHITE ROCK / B.C."
Handwritten note in pencil on verso of photographic postcard reads: "children taken / on White Rock"
Images
Less detail

1000 Block Gilley Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38085
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1955] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 21.5 x 26.8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the 1000 block of Gilley Avenue (later renumbered the 8000 block) looking south towards Marine Drive in the snow.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1955] (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 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 21.5 x 26.8 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-672
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the 1000 block of Gilley Avenue (later renumbered the 8000 block) looking south towards Marine Drive in the snow.
Subjects
Natural Phenomena - Snow
Geographic Features - Roads
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Negative has a pink cast
Geographic Access
Gilley Avenue
Planning Study Area
Clinton-Glenwood Area
Stride Hill Area
Images
Less detail

100 records – page 1 of 5.