Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with Harman Pandher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19609

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1968- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jan. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (105 min., 23 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (101 min., 39 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harman Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. 00:00 - 37:38 Interview opens with Harman Pandher sharing information on his oldest living relative, Kirpal Singh Pandher who immigrated to Canada arou…

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) (105 min., 23 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (101 min., 39 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Harman Pandher Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 5, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:1:45:23 min Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 format for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harman Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. 00:00 - 37:38 Interview opens with Harman Pandher sharing information on his oldest living relative, Kirpal Singh Pandher who immigrated to Canada around 1968. The interview continues with Harman Pandher providing details about his childhood in Burnaby while occasionally sharing photographs with the interviewer. He provides detailed descriptions of the homes and neighbourhoods while living on Second Street and 15th Avenue and shares his experiences as a South Asian Sikh attending Second Street elementary school, Cariboo Hill Secondary School and Kahlsa School. Pandher recalls some of his family and childhood experiences including, family events and gatherings; participation in school clubs and sports; playing basketball, ball hockey and street hockey with his Punjabi friends and other Burnaby kids; racism that he faced as a Sikh wearing a turban and delivering newspapers for the Vancouver Sun. 37:39 – 52:54 Pandher talks about family and cultural celebrations and traditions within the Sikh community including Vaisakhi, Diwali and celebrations of the birth of Guru Ravidas and Guru Nanak. Pandher conveys that while he was growing up many of these events took place in Vancouver but now they are also celebrated in Burnaby. He recalls events that took place in school while growing up in Burnaby including; his sister wearing a Sari to a fashion show; a visit to a Sikh temple; celebrating the birthday of Guru Nanak and outreach to teachers to learn about South Asian culture, games, food and traditions. Pandher also shares his experiences working as a student teacher at Capital Hill Elementary in North Burnaby where he took his class on a tour of the Sikh temple in 2001 and reflects on learning that it is his responsibility to be proactive in educating the public in his own culture while also learning about other communities. 52:55 - 1:19:56 Pandher shares personal experiences of racism and his experiences as a teacher and author. He recalls and reflects on a traumatic experience where he was physically assaulted while shopping at Lougheed Mall and recollects his father carrying around his field hockey stick in his car to defend himself. Pandher reflects on the lack of representation of racialized people like himself within the school curriculum while he was growing up which lead him to become a teacher and an author of children’s literature. Pander provides detailed information on his education and training in becoming a teacher, his love of poetry and literature and how he became an author. Pandher describes some of the works of poetry and literature that he’s written about the Sikh religion, history and culture, growing up as a Sikh Canadian and a non-fiction work about the history of Paldi titled "Welcome to Paldi: A Place for Everyone". Pandher also talks about beginning to record some of his own family stories from relatives. 1:19:57 - 1:29:58 Pandher talks about raising his own family in Burnaby, living as an extended family with his parents, his son’s education and Pandher's experience on the Burnaby School Board (2011-2018) . Pandher shares locations of residences that he and his family have lived before living at their current home on 17th Avenue. Pandher explains that since he was a teacher in Surrey, his son attended Khalsa School as well as public elementary and high school in Surrey but did his extracurricular activities in Burnaby where the family lived. 1:29:56 – 1:41:39 In closing, Harman Pandher reflects and shares what he hopes for younger generations of South Asian Canadians and future generations. Pandher articulates “be who you are, stay true to who you are, maintain your family’s traditions, learn their stories, learn their story and how they got to Burnaby”. He conveys that even though there’s more work to be done eliminating racism completely he sees the importance in volunteering, teaching others about yourself and making an effort to learn all parts of Burnaby and other cultures represented here. Pandher speaks about his concerns of youths falling victim to a lifestyle of drugs and gangs and how it’s important to remove the stigma around mental health issues.

History: Interviewee biography: Harman Pandher was born in Vancouver in 1976 to parents, Rajinder and Raj Pandher who immigrated to Canada in 1973. A few weeks later after Harman was born, the family moved to Burnaby. While living in Burnaby, Harman Pandher and his sister attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School. Pandher obtained a master's degree in education from the University of British Columbia and has worked as an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. Pandher has been recognized for his efforts in building bridges across communities as the recipient of the 2021 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award. Pandher has served on the Board of the Burnaby Multicultural Society and is co-founder of two noon-profit organizations; “Through SONG” (Seeking Oneness for the Next Generation) “About bringing youth together form diverse backgrounds and using their talent in the community for good causes” and "SACH" (South Asian Community Hub) providing one-stop services for those impacted by alchohol and substance use and mental health issues. Harman Pandher is also the author of two children's books titled, "Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara: Understanding the Sikh Place of Worship" and "Once Upon the Golden Temple: A Journey to Sri Harmandir Sahib". 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: Education; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Writers; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions; Religions - Sikhism; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Sports - Basketball; Sports

Names: Pandher, Harman; Second Street School; Cariboo Hill Secondary School

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate

Geographic Access: 2nd Street; 15th Avenue

Accession Code: BV023.1.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1968- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jan. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Second Street Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcript available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Harman Pandher, [1968- 2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0001_003.mp3

Terry Wiens

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription56687

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1966]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 4.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of North Surrey High basketball player no. 22 Terry Wiens. He went on to play for Simon Fraser University.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1966]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 4.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1267

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of North Surrey High basketball player no. 22 Terry Wiens. He went on to play for Simon Fraser University.

Subjects: Sports - Basketball; Sports - Team Sports

Names: Wiens, Terry

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on verso of photograph reads: "NORTH SURREY HIGH Terry Wiens # 21"

Images

Terry Wiens

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription56688

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1966]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 4.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of North Surrey High basketball player no. 21 Terry Wiens. He went on to play for Simon Fraser University.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1966]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 4.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1268

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of North Surrey High basketball player no. 21 Terry Wiens. He went on to play for Simon Fraser University.

Subjects: Sports - Basketball; Sports - Team Sports

Names: Wiens, Terry

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on verso of photograph reads: "Terry Wiens 21"

Images

Class reunion 1912-22

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97966

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [bewteen 1940 and 1960]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 cm x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a school reunion for the class of 1912-1922. Former students, wearing name tags, sit in the desks of a classroom. The school is unidentified.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [bewteen 1940 and 1960]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Easthope family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 cm x 18 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 451-033

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2003-06

Scope and Content: Photograph of a school reunion for the class of 1912-1922. Former students, wearing name tags, sit in the desks of a classroom. The school is unidentified.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Writing in white on verso of photograph reads: "[illegible] School class 1912-22"

Images

Class reunion 1912-22, [bewteen 1940 and 1960] thumbnail

Kris Sanders

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9898

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1968 or 1969]

Collection/Fonds: Gerald F. Sanders and Alice Sparman Sanders fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 3.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kris Sanders. Head shot taken for school.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Gerald F. Sanders and Alice Sparman Sanders fonds

Series: Sanders-Sparman photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 3.6 cm

Material Details: Text in red ink below photograph on album page "Kris / 68-69". Text in blue ink on verso "Kris / Sanders / 68-69".

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kris Sanders. Head shot taken for school.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Sanders, Kris

Accession Code: BV018.34.23

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1968 or 1969]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2022-07-12

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Maywood School Grade 4 class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21405

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1962 or 1963]

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Maywood Elementary school Division 1, Grade 4 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified sitting in front row, far right.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Maywood Elementary school Division 1, Grade 4 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified sitting in front row, far right.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Maywood Elementary School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1962 or 1963]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Maywood School Grade 4 class, [1962 or 1963] thumbnail

Students at Sussex School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21401

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1960

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of five students seated together inside a classroom at Sussex school. Bob Rogers is identified second from right. The students are seated side by side and each has an open book on their lap.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of five students seated together inside a classroom at Sussex school. Bob Rogers is identified second from right. The students are seated side by side and each has an open book on their lap.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Sussex Avenue School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.15

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1960

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "Sussex / School 1960 / Left to Right / David Kay, Ken Shirley, Leah Trotter, / Bob Rogers, John Bruce"; Note in blue ink on verso reads: "Bobby"; Date stamp on top recto of photograph reads: "JAN_60"

Images

Students at Sussex School, 1960 thumbnail

Sussex School Grade 1 class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21402

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1960

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school division 8, Grade 1 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows outside of the school. Bob Rogers is identified standing in the third row, far left.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school division 8, Grade 1 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows outside of the school. Bob Rogers is identified standing in the third row, far left.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Sussex Avenue School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.16

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1960

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Photographer: Layton

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Sussex School Grade 1 class, 1960 thumbnail

Sussex School Grade 2 class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21403

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1961

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 5, Grade 2 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified sitting second from the right in the front row.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 5, Grade 2 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified sitting second from the right in the front row.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Sussex Avenue School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.17

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1961

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Photographer: Layton

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Sussex School Grade 2 class, 1961 thumbnail

Sussex School Grade 3 and Grade 4 classes

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21404

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1962

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 3, Grade 3 and Grade 4 classes. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified sitting in the front row, far left.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 3, Grade 3 and Grade 4 classes. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified sitting in the front row, far left.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Sussex Avenue School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.18

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1962

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Sussex School Grade 3 and Grade 4 classes, 1962 thumbnail

Sussex School Grade 5 class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21406

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1963 or 1964]

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 4, Grade 5 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified in the second row (3rd from left).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 4, Grade 5 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified in the second row (3rd from left).

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Sussex Avenue School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.20

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1963 or 1964]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Sussex School Grade 5 class, [1963 or 1964] thumbnail

Sussex School Grade 6 class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21407

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1964 or 1965]

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 3, Grade 6 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified in the second row (third from right).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 3, Grade 6 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is identified in the second row (third from right).

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Sussex Avenue School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.21

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1964 or 1965]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Sussex School Grade 6 class, [1964 or 1965] thumbnail

Sussex School Grade 7 class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21408

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1965 or 1966]

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 1, Grade 7 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is dentified standing in the second row (3rd from right).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sussex Avenue Elementary school Division 1, Grade 7 class. The group of students and their teacher are arranged in 4 rows inside the school gymnasium. Bob Rogers is dentified standing in the second row (3rd from right).

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Sussex Avenue School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.22

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1965 or 1966]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Sussex School Grade 7 class, [1965 or 1966] thumbnail

Interview with Norman Dowad

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19638

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information …

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

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Norman Dowad Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: August 14, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information about his grandfather Samuel Dowad's immigration to Canada and his father Wilfred Dowad's military service and successes as a property developer. 00:14:39 – 00:17:26 Norm provides background information on his mother’s side of the family. 00:17:27 – 00:31:36 Norm talks about his childhood, growing up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, his early education in Burnaby and sports that he played. 00:31:37 – 00:39:59 Norm talks about his educational experiences attending Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Osgoode Hall law school and information regarding his law career. 00:40:00 – 00:45:03 Norm reflects on his childhood growing up in Burnaby and on his experiences and relationships as a student and in his career as a lawyer. 00:45:04 – 01:01:37 Norm talks about his siblings and shares information about family property development projects as well as career and business successes. In closing he talks about research that he’s done through Archives Canada on his grandfather Sam Dowad and father Wilfred Dowad.

History: Interviewee biography: Norm Dowad was born in Burnaby, December 1948 to parents Wilfred “Wilf” (1925-2011) and Cherry Dowad. His father, Wilfred (1925-2011) was born in Winnipeg to parents Samuel “Sam” (Salim in Arabic) Esper Dowad (1895-1969) and Martha (Shaheen) Dowad (1894-1955). Sam and Martha Dowad were both born in a province of the Ottoman Empire which is now present day Lebanon. In 1912, while trying to immigrate to Canada, several of Sam’s relatives including his mother died tragically as steerage passengers on the ill fated Titanic. In 1913, at the age of 18 years, Sam immigrated to Canada to join other family members who'd already arrived here safely. As a new immigrant in Canada, Sam worked with other Labanese immigrants in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the United States. In December 1921, Sam's wife, Martha immigrated to Canada arriving by ship in St. John, New Brunswick. Sam and Martha established their home in Winnipeg where they began to start a family. Their first two children died in infancy and son Wilfred was born in 1925 and daughter Kathleen was born in 1926. While living in Winnipeg, Sam worked as a grocer and in the 1930’s he got work as a farmer in a nearby town. In 1943, Wilf joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCVNR) and served as a gunner on merchant ships during World War II. In 1945, while Wilf was away serving, his parents, Sam and Martha moved to Burnaby. After discharge in 1945, Wilf joined his parents in Burnaby, began working at Fraser Mills and commenced his studies in construction and drafting. In 1949, with his father’s help Wilf acquired a lot next door to his parents’ home and built his first apartment block. After Martha died in 1954, Sam moved to Kelowna where he bought an orchard. Sam remarried in 1957 to Naomi “Mamie” (David) Dowad (1899-1978) who was also from a Lebanese family. Sam and Mamie lived in Kelowna until the mid 1960s when they moved to White Rock. While living in Burnaby, Wilf met and married Cherry Piggott and the couple had six children; Norm, Bruce, Michael, Kathie, Phil and Tom. In 1955, Wilfred Dowad established "W. Dowad Ltd." and over the years he was successful in developing and subdividing land to build housing and commercial developments in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Wilf was the first president of the Burnaby Winter club and was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce holding office at the local, provincial and national level. In 1970, Wilf purchased 238 acres of land bordering the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh River and relocated there the following year. While living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Wilf became actively engaged in local business and community affairs. Wilf was later remarried to Grethe Dowad and he died in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in 2011.Wilf's six children are the sole owners of "W.Dowad Ltd." and his daughter, Kathie Smillie is the president and CEO. While growing up in Burnaby, Norm Dowad attended Schou Street School, Douglas Road School, Kensington School and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School. Following graduation from high school, Norm attended Simon Fraser University for one year, travelled in Europe, attended University of British Columbia and obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Norman has been practicing law for 49 years and has his own law practice that he operates out of Vancouver. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms; Education; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Migration; Sports; Sports - Football; Wars - World War, 1939-1945

Names: Dowad, Norman W. "Norm"; Dowad, Samuel Esper "Sam"; Dowad, Wilfred "Wilf"; Dowad, Naomi "Mamie" David; Dowad, Martha Elias Shaheen; Dowad, Kathleen "Kay"; Rideout, Dr. John Anthony; Burnaby Central Secondary School; Douglas Road School; W. Dowad Limited

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Geographic Access: Buckingham Avenue; Deer Lake

Street Address: 5533 Buckingham Avenue

Accession Code: BV023.16.16

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0016_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0016_002.mp3

McLean family at play on Bowyer Island and Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85435

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1969

Collection/Fonds: George H.F. McLean fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 digital file ( 4 min., 30 sec ) : digital , col., si.

Scope and Content: Item consists of one silent colour film of the McLean family playing at a cabin on Bowyer Island, hiking in the woods and up to a peak with views of the ocean followed by views of the children playing in the ocean. The film ends with Teresa and a friend playing in the snow, having a snowball fight …

1 image 1 video

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1969

Collection/Fonds: George H.F. McLean fonds

Physical Description: 1 digital file ( 4 min., 30 sec ) : digital , col., si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 567-001-20

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2014-03

Scope and Content: Item consists of one silent colour film of the McLean family playing at a cabin on Bowyer Island, hiking in the woods and up to a peak with views of the ocean followed by views of the children playing in the ocean. The film ends with Teresa and a friend playing in the snow, having a snowball fight and ice skating in their backyard.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Natural Phenomena - Snow; Sports - Skating; Sports - Swimming

Names: McLean, Teresa; McLean, George H.F.; McLean, Brad; McLean, Edna; McLean, Sharon

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: McLean, George H.F.

Notes: Title based on content of film; Films originated in an 8mm format and were digitized by George McLean before being donated to the CBA

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cascade-Schou Area

Images

Video

McLean family at play on Bowyer Island and Burnaby, 1969

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/567-001-20.m4v

McLean family recreational activities

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85430

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1965

Collection/Fonds: George H.F. McLean fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 digital file ( 4 min., 25 sec ) : digital , col., si.

Scope and Content: Item consists of one silent colour film and opens with footage of 3 year old Teresa McLean playing with a baby buggy and dolls, one of the McLean boys cutting the grass with a ride on lawn mower and a peewee softball game being played at a park with members of the McLean family looking on. This foo…

1 image 1 video

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1965

Collection/Fonds: George H.F. McLean fonds

Physical Description: 1 digital file ( 4 min., 25 sec ) : digital , col., si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 567-001-14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2014-03

Scope and Content: Item consists of one silent colour film and opens with footage of 3 year old Teresa McLean playing with a baby buggy and dolls, one of the McLean boys cutting the grass with a ride on lawn mower and a peewee softball game being played at a park with members of the McLean family looking on. This footage is followed by adults resting on a sun deck and children playing, swimming and resting at a beach on Bowyer Island.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Sports - Swimming; Sports - Baseball

Names: McLean, Teresa; McLean, George H.F.; McLean, Brad; McLean, Edna; McLean, Sharon

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: McLean, George H.F.

Notes: Title based on content of film; Films originated in an 8mm format and were digitized by George McLean before being donated to the CBA

Images

Video

McLean family recreational activities, 1965

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/567-001-14.m4v

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19610

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview…

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: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Kate Petrusa and James Binks Interviewees: Rajinder and Raj Pandher Location of Interview: Love farmhouse, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 4 Total Length of all Tracks: (3:06:01 min) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto four 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 Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview begins on January 10. Rajinder Pander provides information on where he was born and where he grew up and shares details regarding his family and his childhood including; his elementary and high school education and experiences and his involvement and interest in the sport of field hockey. 08:53 – 23:24 Raj Pander provides information on where she was born and shares details regarding her family and education. Raj recalls details of her family life in India including her family farm, her father’s service in the Indian National Army and other ancestor’s involvement in the military. Rajinder assists with the details regarding Raj’s father’s military service and explains how he was highly decelerated for his heroic actions. Rajinder conveys further information in reference to the Sikh Empire. 23:25 – 35:53 Rajinder and Raj share information on their formal education. Raj explains how she learned English and talks about the other spoken languages that her family used while she was growing up. Rajinder and Raj recall how they first met which lead them to marry in 1971. Rajinder provides information about his older brothers who left India before him. He explains how his elder brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1970 and provides details on his other brother who lived in Malaysia and England before coming to Canada in 1975. Rajinder conveys how after his brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher arrived in Canada, he lived in Campbell River and worked at the saw mill there. 35:54 – 1:01:38 Rajinder and Raj share their immigration stories including details of; what lead them to immigrate, their immigration route, what they brought with them and where they lived and worked. Rajinder and Raj tell of how they both faced discrimination in finding work that they were qualified for and describe some of the jobs that they worked at before obtaining their Real Estate licences. 1:01:39 – 1:13:09 Rajinder and Raj share information on where they’ve purchase traditional food supplies in Burnaby and Rajinder provides further details on his employment and recalls how they were able to purchase their first home in Burnaby. 1:13:10 - 1:19:33 Rajinder describes how he began writing for the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”. Rajinder shares how he first started printing small pamphlets of Sikh Cultural history in 1975 and how he’s been volunteering with the National Democratic Party (NDP) since 1973. 1:19:34 - 1:38:24 Second part of interview continues on January 24, 2023. Rajinder provides further information about the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”, provides an historical summary of the Sikh Empire and the Sikh religion and describes a book that’s he’s written about his culture and the village he lived in India. 1:38:25 - 1:52:24 Raj describes some of the traditional textiles that she’s created including a dury, embroidered cloth (pakha and pakhi) and clothing. Raj shares a story of a train derailment in India in which her father survived. 1:52:25 - 2:14:53 Raj Pandher talks about her father’s letters and diaries, Rajinder talks about receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service and they both talk about their daughter Amanjit’s education and career accomplishments. Raj describes her involvement in the community council of her children’s school and both Raj and Rajinder describe their involvement in multicultural education and events that they were involved with in Burnaby and New Westminster. Interviewer lists Rajinder Pandher’s many volunteer awards and accomplishments. 2:14:54 - 2:39:53 Raj and Rajinder describe some of their family photographs as well as personal items from India including decorative arts and textiles. They talk about celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary and the origin of their Sikh names. Rajinder describes a visit to Paldi in 1977 when the whole family was baptized at the Sikh temple and provides informaton about Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Sikh child born in Canada. Rajinder discusses what he thinks a cookhouse looked like, his friendship with former Mayor William J. Copeland and wages of South Asians working in sawmills. 2:39:54 - 3:06:01 Raj and Rajinder talk about food including where they’ve purchased traditional South Asian foods and what they grow in their home garden. Rajinder provides details about the Burnaby Multicultural Society, talks about South Asian work ethics and housing and shares some of the cultural and religious traditions of Sikhs and celebrations that take place in Vancouver and Burnaby.

History: Interviewees biographies: Rajinder Pandher was born five years prior to the Partition of India in the Village of Jhamat, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Raj Pandher was born in 1948 in the Village of Chapar, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Rajinder played field hockey while living in India and is passionate about the sport. Both Rajinder and Raj Pahndher attended college in India and were married in India in 1971. Rajinder Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1972 and his wife, Raj Pandher joined him in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Rajinder Pandher started working at a sawmill in Campbell River but didn't like the work and moved to Vancouver to find better employment opportunties. In 1976, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented until they could buy a home a year later. They raised two children who attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School in Burnaby. Rajinder and Raj Pandher were both very involved with multicultural efforts at their childlren's schools including turban tying and sari demonstrations and Rajinder was a founding member of the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Interviewers biographies: 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. 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: Education; Housing; Employment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Persons - Volunteers; Religions - Sikhism; Migration; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues; Celebrations; Sports - Field Hockey

Names: Pandher, Raj; Pandher, Rajinder; Copeland, William J.; Pandher, Harman; Pandher, Amanjit; Burnaby Multicultural Society; The Western Sikh Samachar

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate; Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.1.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcripts available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0002_003.mp3

Harry Royale presenting Bowling awards

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2957

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1960 and 1961]

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm (sight) in matt 27.5 x 30.5 cm mounted in frame 31 x 34 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Henry "Harry" Royle presenting bowling trophies to five men at the Rose Bowl bowling alley which was owned and operated by Harry. The names of the five men receiving the trophies are identified from left to right as; Larry Jang, Spike Lee, Tom Eng, Bob Mah and Herman Wong.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm (sight) in matt 27.5 x 30.5 cm mounted in frame 31 x 34 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Henry "Harry" Royle presenting bowling trophies to five men at the Rose Bowl bowling alley which was owned and operated by Harry. The names of the five men receiving the trophies are identified from left to right as; Larry Jang, Spike Lee, Tom Eng, Bob Mah and Herman Wong.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Ceremonies - Awards; Sports - Bowling

Names: Royle, Henry "Harry" Cecil; Rose Bowl; Lee, Spike; Jang, Larry; Eng, Tom; Mah, Bob; Wong, Herman

Accession Code: BV006.39.16

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1960 and 1961]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Date: 2024-01-08

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Khandwritten names on bottom of matt beneath photograph read: "Larry Jang / Spike Lee / Tom Eng / Bob Mah / Herman Wong".

Images

Harry Royale presenting Bowling awards, [between 1960 and 1961] thumbnail

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4481

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:04:54 min)

Scope and Content: Track 6: This portion of the recording pertains to toys, continued from Track 5, living arrangements, and lifestyle choices. Cice continues to recall her favourite early childhood toy, and her bicycle, which she received as a teenager. She discusses how her parents made choices according to their f…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:04:54 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Cice Brown Date of Interview: May 13, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 7 Total length of all Tracks: 0:40:19

Scope and Content: Track 6: This portion of the recording pertains to toys, continued from Track 5, living arrangements, and lifestyle choices. Cice continues to recall her favourite early childhood toy, and her bicycle, which she received as a teenager. She discusses how her parents made choices according to their financial situation. Cice talks about her family installing a toilet, and she describes how the money saved for a bathtub was spent purchasing a piano instead.

History: Recording of an interview with Cice Brown, interviewed by Tom Gooden on May 13 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1930s and 40s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Toys; Sports - Cycling; Persons - Children

Names: Brown, Cice Chandler

Accession Code: BV017.45.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 6, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 10, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0003_006.mp3

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory477

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1956-1990

Length: 00:13:27

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his frien…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his friend Mark Stockdale who was second president of the club for 16 years and creator of the rose garden on Burnaby Mountain.

Date Range: 1956-1990

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263

Length: 00:13:27

Names: Stockdale, Mark; Cliff Avenue United Football Club; Burnaby Mountain Centennial Rose Garden

Subjects: Persons - Volunteers; Sports - Soccer

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 19, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill 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 about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 1:31:44

Interviewee Name: Gordon, Merrill

Interview Location: unknown

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 computerization in business 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 Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_6.mp3

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