Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with Bill Gruenthal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19636

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business,…

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: 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Bill Gruenthal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 31, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business, his knowledge and interest in Judaism, places that he and his wife lived before moving to Burnaby, family life in Burnaby and his political involvement in running for the Burnaby school board. 00:27:02 – 00:42:50 Bill Gruenthal talks about the Burquest Jewish Community Association, it’s background and his involvement, experiences of discrimination in his career, a brief history of the Jewish people and some cultural traditions. 00:42:51 – 00:56:04 Bill Gruenthal mentions some of the charities that he supports including Burnaby Hospital, his volunteer work within the community and community organizations including the Nikkei Place Foundation and shares more details on his insurance career. 00:56:05 – 01:14:37 Bill Gruenthal shares information about his Burnaby neighbourhood and Jewish funeral customs and provides his impressions of new development at Brentwood, Burnaby Council and other development projects in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Bill Gruenthal was born in the British Mandate of Palestine, now Israel, in 1935 after his parents had fled Germany in advance of the then worsening political situation. Bill’s father died in 1942; some years later his mother remarried to an Irish-born senior civil servant in that government. He had a difficult and somewhat dangerous job. Soon after marriage, the family, including Bill’s older brother, Martin, immigrated to Canada in January 1947 on the strength of his step-father’s British Passport. They traveled via New York, where Bill’s uncle and his family resided and who put up the family. Later that month, the parents travelled by CP rail from Montreal to Vancouver, followed by Bill and his brother in March 1947 who travelled from New York to White Rock on an American railroad. While passing through the Fraser Valley Bill’s parents took an interest in Silverdale, a small hamlet west of Mission where the four eventually settled. Bill finished High School in Mission and soon joined the insurance industry. Bill connected with the Jewish Community in Vancouver where he met his soon-to-be wife. Upon marriage they were transferred to Calgary; after five years suffering its cold weather they were transferred back to Vancouver. They settled in Burnaby in 1966 as an affordable neighbourhood with easy access to his office downtown Vancouver. Outside work, Bill helped raise his family of three daughters who all graduated Burnaby High School (Alpha). They joined Temple Sholom in Vancouver, and he volunteered and still volunteers for a number of non-profits, including The Jewish Museum and Archives and Nikkei Place Foundation (Burnaby). He was an early long-term supporter and a past president of Burquest Jewish Community Association, mostly involving persons from Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Tri-Cities area (hence the name). He ran for political office in Burnaby in 1976 but was not elected. He delivers food in Burnaby for the Food Bank and is a donor to many worthy causes including Burnaby General Hospital. 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: Migration; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Transportation; Transportation - Rail; Religions - Judaism; Cemeteries; Organizations; Elections

Names: Gruenthal, Bill; Gruenthal, Noemi Yadlow; O'Connor, Herta Ingrid Gruenthal; O'Connor, John; Burquest; Jacobson, Max Alec; Temple Shalom; Brentwood Shopping Centre; Brentwood Park School; Alpha Secondary School; Burnaby School Board

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Planning Study Area: Brentwood Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0014_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Bill Gruenthal, [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0014_003.mp3

Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19635

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (87 min.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (86 min., 51 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks on July 26 2023. 00:00-12:02 Interview opens with introductions. Jenny Siormanolakis shares details about her parents Eugene and Europe Siormanola…

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: 2 sound recordings (wav) (87 min.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (86 min., 51 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis Location of Interview: Prado Cafe, 4321 Still Creek Dr., Burnaby Interview Date: July 26, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:26:60 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Ambient sound from cafe in background of interview

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks on July 26 2023. 00:00-12:02 Interview opens with introductions. Jenny Siormanolakis shares details about her parents Eugene and Europe Siormanolakis who were both born in Greece and immigrated to Vancouver. Jenny provides details about the history of Romana Pizza restaurant including; the restaurant partners, the various locations, her father’s work ethics of running the restaurant and the staff who worked there. Jenny provides details about her father's life, his ancestral background and family relations which lead him to immigrate to Vancouver. Jenny shares childhood memories of helping out in her parents’ restaurant and later working there. 12:03 – 26:41 Jenny describes various food dishes that have been on the menu of Romana Pizza and Steak House and Romana Pizza, how they've evolved over time, how her father learned to cook traditional Greek food and develop his own recipes and where he sourced his restaurant food supplies. Jenny conveys how they used social media to advertise the restaurant, describes the election pizza poll that Romana Pizza held during the federal and provincial elections and a baby poll that was held at the restaurant to guess the weight of her and her sister’s babies. 26:42 – 31:47 Jenny talks about her marriage and recollects how she got married in a civil ceremony at Romana Pizza. Jenny talks about her family life while her family was running the restaurant, their decision to sell the restaurant and describes the last days of running the restaurant. 31:48 – 46:33 Jenny conveys the background story of her business “Granpa J’s”. Jenny describes how her uncle Jimmy Voulides, created his own seasoning salt product and after he died in 2003, Jenny and her sister Nora purchased the business. Jenny describes how they developed their business, created new products, their struggles and how they became successful. Jenny describes how their products have been developed from family recipes and recalls how the actor Ryan Reynold’s helped their products become even more successful overnight. 46:34 – 55:38 Jenny talks about different community festivals and events that she’s been involved with including; Greek Day on Broadway (Vancouver) and the Hats Off Day event in North Burnaby. Jenny shares the background history of Greek Day in Vancouver and information about other Greek community events. Jenny talks about the importance of bringing the community together and the importance of knowing the history of your ancestors and where they came from. 55:39 - 1:04:35 Jenny talks about her involvement with the Greek community newspaper “Gnome” and provides details about; the former creator and editor Kostas Karatsikis, the newspaper's content, it's importance in the Greek community and the distribution. Jenny describes some of the articles that she’s written for the Gnome newspaper. 1:04:36 - 1:14:12 Jenny describes some pivotal moments that occurred over the years at Romana Pizza including; placing second in the Vancouver Sun newspaper contest for Best Pizza (1986) and having members of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team frequent their restaurant. Jenny conveys how the restaurant benefited from having a website and using social media as a marketing tools. 1:14:13 - 1:22:42 Jenny talks about her involvement with Kolanki Group West, Euro Find foods and her passion for Greek food and other European foods. Jenny describes some traditional Greek recipes, family recipes, talks about marketing Grandpa J's products and reflects on the menu of Romana Pizza. 1:22:43 - 1:26:51 Jenny reflects on the role of the Greek community, how food plays a roll, the future of the Greek community in Vancouver and Burnaby and the importance of engaging the younger generation. In closing Jenny provides a quote from an article that she wrote “Forgive the mistakes of the past, let it go and realize that we are all equals...”.

History: Interviewee biography: Eugenia "Jenny" Siormanolakis is the daughter of Eugene and Europe Siormanolakis. Jenny’s father, Eugene Siormanolakis immigrated to Canada from Greece in the late 1960’s and her mother Europe Siormanolakis immigrated in 1973. In April 1973, her father and five partners opened the restaurant “Romana Pizza and Steak House” (later renamed "Romana Pizza") located at 4660 Hastings Street in the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood. Jenny and her sister Eleanora Iliakis spent much of their childhood in the family owned restaurant and also worked at the restaurant as they become older. Jenny’s parents continued to own and operate the restaurant until 2014 when they decided to retire from the business. In 2004, an opportunity arose for Jenny and her sister Eleanora to buy their recently deceased uncle’s business Grandpa J’s Seasoning Inc. They launched their business of “Grandpa J’s” seasoning first selling to local restaurants and eventually adapted their product line to include other Greek seasoning products which they developed from their own recipes. They expanded their clientele to include retail outlets and in 2020, they got a boost to their sales when actor Ryan Reynolds promoted their seasoing product "Vancity Grind" on Instagram. Since launching their business they have been featured in many culinary and business publications and were nominated in 2022 as finalists for Product of the Year by BC Food and Beverage. Jenny is extremely passionate about food, her Greek heritage and is an advocate for food security for children and seniors and mental health. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Businesses; Elections; Foods; Migration; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Persons - Greek Canadians

Names: Gnome Publications; Iliakis, Eleonara Siormanolakis; Karatsikis, Kostas "George"; Siormanolakis, Eugenia "Jenny"; Nikolaidis, "Eleni"; Nikolaidis, Stelios; Romana Pizza; Siormanolakis, Eugene; Siormanolakis, Europe; Voulides, Demetrios "Jimmy"

Responsibility: Binks, James

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Street Address: 4660 Hastings Street

Accession Code: BV023.16.13

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby

Documents

2023_0016_0013_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis, [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0013_003.mp3

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…

1 image 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: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.

History: Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. 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: Education; Environmental Issues; Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection; Geographic Features; Geographic Features - Parks; Housing; Occupations; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Writers; Persons - Volunteers; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Religions; Religions - Judaism

Names: Schwartz, William "Bill"; Schwartz, Ellen; City of Burnaby; Polestar Communications; British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby

Images

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0006_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3

Interview with Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19605

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1984-2023 (interview content), interviewed 5 Jun. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (47 min., 26 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (47 min., 27 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra interviewed by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 – 00:04:31 The interview opens with introductions and biographical details about Jag Nagra. The interviewer shares information about Jag Nagra…

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) (47 min., 26 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (47 min., 27 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: June 5, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 47:27

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra interviewed by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 – 00:04:31 The interview opens with introductions and biographical details about Jag Nagra. The interviewer shares information about Jag Nagra’s art career and the many art projects and commissions that Jag has worked on. Jag shares information about her parents, providing details about their immigration to British Columbia from Punjab and the places that Jag and her family have lived over the years. 00:04:32 – 00:12:38 Jag talks about what inspired her to become interested in art, her art education and how her artistic practice and expression have developed over time. Jag describes how she first started in graphic design, how she’s become more involved in public art and her experience working in design. Jag touches on her experiences of being a South Asian growing up and living in a predominantly white neighbourhood and provides information about her parents, Avatar Singh Nagra and Rajwant Kaur Nagra and their migration to Canada. 00:12:39 – 00:20:03 Jag talks about her inspiration in creating her work, her involvement with the revitalization of the Punjabi Market in Vancouver, the Punjabi Market Collective and other public art projects that she’s been involved with focusing on the South Asian community and LGBTQ+ issues. 00:20:04 – 00:41:09 Jag talks about her involvement with the Burnaby Village Museum’s exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. The interviewer and Jag take a walk throughout the exhibit while Jag describes the art work that she created for the exhibit and her creative process. Jag reflects on her own experiences being involved in the exhibit. 00:41:10 – 00:47:27 Jag talks about her own experiences as a South Asian Queer artist reflecting on her experiences within the art community. In closing Jag reflects on the impacts of the exhibit that celebrates South Asian culture in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra is a queer Panjabi Visual Artist passionate about community development, making art accessible and ending stigma against LGBTQ+ people within the South Asian community. Nagra has worked with clients such as the Vancouver Canucks, Tim Hortons and Microsoft and is currently serving as Vice Chair of the Punjabi Market Collective. She is featured in the internationally acclaimed, award wining LGBTQ documentary Emergence: Out of the Shadows. Her artworks are part of the Museum of Vancouver’s permanent collection and have been commissioned for the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit "Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby". Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Migration; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Persons - LGBTQ+; Occupations - Artists; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues - Discrimination

Names: Nagra, Jagandeep "Jag"

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1984-2023 (interview content), interviewed 5 Jun. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby

Documents

2023_0016_0009_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Jagandeep

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0009_002.mp3

adze blade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44868

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.19

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.19

Description: Nephrite adze blade; chipped on one end; rectangular shaped.

Object History: The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).; Nephrite is found in the Fraser Canyon; Culture Phase: Possibly Locarno Beach phase (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Archeological Specimen

Names: Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

adze blade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44870

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.21

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.21

Description: Chisel, adze or axe blade made of serpentine; black; ends broken off; tapered rectangle shape.

Object History: The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).; Culture Phase: Locarno Beach (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Archeological Specimen

Names: Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

adze blade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44872

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.23

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.23

Description: Chisel, adze or axe blade made of serpentine; small

Object History: The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).; Culture Phase: Locarno Beach (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Archeological Specimen

Names: Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

adze blade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44873

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.24

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.24

Description: Nephrite adze blade; small

Object History: The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).; Nephrite is found in the Fraser Canyon; Culture Phase: Locarno Beach (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Archeological Specimen

Names: Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

adze blade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44874

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.25

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.25

Description: Adze blade; small; possibly nephrite.

Object History: The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).; Nephrite is found in the Fraser Canyon; Culture Phase: Locarno Beach (3520-2200 Before Present) or Marpole (400BC - 400AD)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Archeological Specimen

Names: Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

adze blade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44876

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.27

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.27

Description: Nephrite adze blade; rectangular; chipped on one side; slightly grooved on longer edges.

Object History: The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).; Nephrite is found in the Fraser Canyon; Marpole Culture (400BC - 400AD) or Gulf of Georgia Culture (400 AD – 1800); essentially these archaeological materials date to the last 2400 years.

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Archeological Specimen

Names: Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

basket

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact17681

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: HV978.2.13

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: HV978.2.13

Description: Nut-shaped, coiled cedar root basket with cedar root foundation and watch-spring base and lid construction. Hinged lid is attached with leather ties. Covered in beading, where in the decorative elements are laid flat on surface, rather than folded into cedar root stitches as is done with imbrication. Designs are in red and black dyed cherry bark. Interior Salish: Nlaka’pamux

Object History: Nut-shaped baskets are identified as one of the oldest types by Haeberlin and Teit (1928: 202-3). They were used for storing berries and were also common work baskets for women, used to hold small tools – awls, thread, shells, trinkets and other odds and ends (202).

Country Made: Canada

Province Made: British Columbia

Culture: Nlaka'pamux

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Container; Container - Baskets

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

basket

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact27529

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: HV974.119.3

3 images 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: HV974.119.3

Description: Rectangular coiled cedar root basket with cedar slat foundation, lid has parallel slat construction and is covered with beaded designs edged by imbrication in canary grass. Basket has a flat lid that is hinged to body with leather ties. A mistake was made in how the design was applied to one end of this basket. This is not common as many weavers would correct this mistake. Completely imbricated walls, beaded design on lid. Coast Salish: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh?

Object History: The donor reported that the baskets were traded in the early 1920s for clothes by the donor's mother, who lived in North Vancouver. Her mother told her the "Capilano Indians" used to go door to door with their baskets in North Vancouver.; Diamonds are considered a star pattern and are common to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Nlaka’pamux basketry. The main design resembles a ladder or fence and is uncommon.

Country Made: Canada

Province Made: British Columbia

Culture: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Container; Container - Baskets

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

basket

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact30051

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: HV973.79.1

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: HV973.79.1

Description: Rectangular coiled cedar root basket with cedar slat foundation. Parallel slat base and lid. Walls of basket flare slightly towards the rim. Basket has a conoid lid – one that fits over top of a flange on the rim of the basket. Rim is inset. Sets of triangular shaped stitches attach base to walls. Base of basket is protected by a foot, one slat high. Grass used for imbricated designs has a flat appearance typical of cattail grass. Black dyed and red cherry bark used for other design elements. Handles missing.

Object History: Design variant is uncommon. This may be a zoomorphic design possibly representing an animal head or flying bird.

Country Made: Canada

Province Made: British Columbia

School/Style: Coast Salish

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Container; Container - Baskets

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

basket

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact50308

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV006.24.5

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV006.24.5

Description: The basket is round with a lid and has a geometric design in black. Made using the coiled method.

Object History: Resembles California and Southwestern style baskets made of willow, dye and grass.

Country Made: United States of America

Province Made: California

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Container; Container - Baskets

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

basket lid

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact50309

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV006.24.6

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV006.24.6

Description: The basket is round with a lid and has a geometric design in black. Made using the coiled method.

Object History: Resembles California and Southwestern style baskets made of willow, dye and grass.

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Container; Container - Baskets

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

basket with lid

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87630

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV017.11.3

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV017.11.3

Description: basket with lid; First Nations basket with lid; The basket is round, with two handles opposite each other. The handles are wrapped twine. The wrapping is missing from one handle. The lid has a knob handle in the centre. Basket and lid are decorated with a dark and light spiraling pattern. Had been used for storing knitting.

Object History: The basket was acquired by the donor's grandparents, Matilda and Robert William Handel, when they were living in North Vancouver. They were made by one of the local First Nations weavers, name unknown.

Measurements: Approx. H: 32 cm Dia.: 34 cm

Culture: ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Container; Container - Baskets

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

basket with lid

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87633

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV017.11.4

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV017.11.4

Description: basket with lid; First Nations basket with lid; The basket is round, with a single handle (opposite handle is missing). The lid has a knob handle in the centre. Basket and lid are decorated with a dark and light spiraling pattern. Had been used for storing knitting.

Object History: The basket was acquired by the donor's grandparents, Matilda and Robert William Handel, when they were living in North Vancouver. They were made by one of the local First Nations weavers, name unknown.

Measurements: Approx. H: 37 cm Dia.: 36 cm

Culture: ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Container; Container - Baskets

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

berry basket

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact27527

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: HV974.119.1

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: HV974.119.1

Description: Trapezoidal shaped, coiled cedar root basket with cedar slat foundation. Finished with an overcast rim with root foundation. Design elements missing from one side of the basket, which is uncommon but has been seen on cradles from the Mount Currie area (Interior Salish: Lil'wat). It was perhaps the side that rests on the wearer's back. Steeply angled sides.; Coast Salish: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh? Interior Salish: Stl’atl’imx: Lil’wat?

Object History: The donor reported that the baskets were traded in the early 1920s for clothes by the donor's mother, who lived in North Vancouver. Her mother told her the "Capilano Indians" used to go door to door with their baskets in North Vancouver.; Design elements missing from one side of the basket – possibly the side that would have rested against the owner’s back.; Steeply angled sides keep berries from crushing those at bottom of basket. Work baskets have sides that are more rounded.; Baskets like these were used with a woven tumpline (wool strap) that was worn against the forehead, while basket was carried on back.

Country Made: Canada

Province Made: British Columbia

Culture: Stl’atl’imx

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Container; Container - Baskets

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

blade or projectile

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44879

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.30

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.30

Description: Ground slate point

Object History: The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).; Culture Phase: Locarno Beach phase (3520-2200 Before Present)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Archeological Specimen

Names: Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

blade or projectile point

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44878

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.29

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV002.57.29

Description: Ground and faceted stone point

Object History: The donor inherited this artifact from his mother, Katherine Maude (Kitty) Peers, who inherited them from her father, Louis Claude Hill. The artifacts were found on his farm, Brookfield Farm, at Douglas Road and Sperling Avenue (now site of Burnaby Village Museum).; Culture Phase: Locarno Beach phase (3520-2200 Before Present)

Subjects: Persons; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Archeological Specimen

Names: Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Images

Documents

2019_0064_0001_002

Research

More like 'Burnaby South Student Vote'

Narrow Results By

Interview with Bill Gruenthal

Documents

Audio Tracks

Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis

Documents

Audio Tracks

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

Images

Documents

Audio Tracks

Interview with Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra

Documents

Audio Tracks

adze blade

Images

Documents

adze blade

Images

Documents

adze blade

Images

Documents

adze blade

Images

Documents

adze blade

Images

Documents

adze blade

Images

Documents

basket

Images

Documents

basket

Images

Documents

basket

Images

Documents

basket

Images

Documents

basket lid

Images

Documents

basket with lid

Images

Documents

basket with lid

Images

Documents

berry basket

Images

Documents

blade or projectile

Images

Documents

blade or projectile point

Images

Documents