More like 'Lockout at Forest Lawn Memorial Park'
Residents involved in protesting tree removal
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78595
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October 8, 1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 24.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of residents of Burnaby protesting the clearing of land around the Hong Kong Bank, in Discovery Park industrial site near British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October 8, 1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 24.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-0011
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No reproduction permitted
- Accession Number
- 2012-11
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of residents of Burnaby protesting the clearing of land around the Hong Kong Bank, in Discovery Park industrial site near British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
- Names
- Chami, Parvin
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Ponne, Simone
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "2764A Bby Ponne / Bby p. 1 81%"
- Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
- Geographic Access
- Willingdon Avenue
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Safeway employees striking
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79283
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 5, 1996
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 22.5 x 15 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Safeway employees picketing outside a Safeway store.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 5, 1996
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 22.5 x 15 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-0319
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No reproduction permitted
- Accession Number
- 2012-11
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Safeway employees picketing outside a Safeway store.
- Subjects
- Protests and Demonstrations
- Names
- Safeway
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Blissett, Rebecca
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "06/05 Bby p. 1 78% / Bby Rebecca 1456"
- Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Images
Seniors protesting the bus strike
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97055
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Lona Smitherman and a group of unidentified seniors from the Chelsea Seniors' Residence and Dania Lodge protesting the ongoing bus strike as they hold signs and stand by the side of a road.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2583
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Lona Smitherman and a group of unidentified seniors from the Chelsea Seniors' Residence and Dania Lodge protesting the ongoing bus strike as they hold signs and stand by the side of a road.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a July 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Lona Smitherman and other seniors from the Chelsea Seniors Residence and Dania Lodge show their displeasure with the ongoing bus strike."
Images
SFU bus loop during transit strike
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96929
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Joel Warren, a member of the SFU Student Union, standing at Simon Fraser University's empty bus loop during the transit strike.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2484
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Joel Warren, a member of the SFU Student Union, standing at Simon Fraser University's empty bus loop during the transit strike.
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a May 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "The bus loop at Simon Fraser University has become a lonely place since the beginning of the transit strike, and Joel Warren, of the SFU Student Union, says students are being financially burdened by having to find alternate ways to get to the isolated mountaintop campus."
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- University Drive
- Street Address
- 8888 University Drive
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Simon Fraser University
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79679
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October 13, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows students in the mall at Simon Fraser University attending a rally about the strike of clerical workers at the university.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October 13, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 556-375
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2013-13
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows students in the mall at Simon Fraser University attending a rally about the strike of clerical workers at the university.
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Norton, Paul
- Notes
- Scope note taken directly from BPL photograph description.
- 1 b&w copy negative : 10 x 12.5 cm accompanying
- Geographic Access
- University Drive
- Street Address
- 8888 University Drive
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Simon Fraser University
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79680
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October 13, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows benches and garbage in the mall at Simon Fraser University after the October 13th rally had ended. The rally was related to the strike of clerical employees at the university.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October 13, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 556-376
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2013-13
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows benches and garbage in the mall at Simon Fraser University after the October 13th rally had ended. The rally was related to the strike of clerical employees at the university.
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Norton, Paul
- Notes
- Scope note taken directly from BPL photograph description.
- 1 b&w copy negative : 10 x 12.5 cm accompanying
- Geographic Access
- University Drive
- Street Address
- 8888 University Drive
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Simon Fraser University
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79681
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October 13, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows signs and garbage - evidence of the strike of emplyees at Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain in the fall of 1976.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- October 13, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 556-377
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2013-13
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows signs and garbage - evidence of the strike of emplyees at Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain in the fall of 1976.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
- Protests and Demonstrations - Strikes
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Scope note taken directly from BPL photograph description.
- 1 b&w copy negative : 10 x 12.5 cm accompanying
- Photographers identified by surnames only: Carr and Vardeman
- Geographic Access
- University Drive
- Street Address
- 8888 University Drive
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Simon Fraser University students hitchhiking
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38219
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1975 and 1979] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a line of Simon Fraser University students hitchhiking beside a bus shelter. The bus shelter sign reads, "Gaglardi Way."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1975 and 1979] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-806
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a line of Simon Fraser University students hitchhiking beside a bus shelter. The bus shelter sign reads, "Gaglardi Way."
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Gaglardi Way
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Simon Fraser University teach-in
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45521
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 1972
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 24 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of "Professor Mordecai Briemberg speaking at a Simon Fraser University student teach-in called to protest the splitting of the political science, sociology and anthropology department. Professor Briemberg was fired from his post in the PSA department." (according to newspaper clipping at…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 1972
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 24 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-416
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of "Professor Mordecai Briemberg speaking at a Simon Fraser University student teach-in called to protest the splitting of the political science, sociology and anthropology department. Professor Briemberg was fired from his post in the PSA department." (according to newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph).
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Whistler, Don
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Simon Fraser University tuition fees rally
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96288
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2002]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Simon Fraser University students during a demonstration against tuition increases. The students hold signs that read "No Tuition Hikes," "Reduce Tuition Fees / Education is a right!" and "Keep the Freeze."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2002]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-1971
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Simon Fraser University students during a demonstration against tuition increases. The students hold signs that read "No Tuition Hikes," "Reduce Tuition Fees / Education is a right!" and "Keep the Freeze."
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a February 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata: "Students at Simon Fraser University shout out for lower tuition fees at an afternoon rally on the school's concourse."
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- University Drive
- Street Address
- 8888 University Drive
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Students support strikers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45546
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 21, 1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 24.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a large group of Simon Fraser Unversity students sitting on bleachers. Towards the back of the group are students holding up a large sign which reads; "EVERYBODY OUT! THURSDAY 10 AM MAR. 22 / PICKETLINE DEMONSTRATON / END THE STRIKE!" The non-teaching employees of Simon Fraser Univers…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 21, 1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 24.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-440
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a large group of Simon Fraser Unversity students sitting on bleachers. Towards the back of the group are students holding up a large sign which reads; "EVERYBODY OUT! THURSDAY 10 AM MAR. 22 / PICKETLINE DEMONSTRATON / END THE STRIKE!" The non-teaching employees of Simon Fraser University who were striking were members of the Association of University and College Employees (AUCE).
- Subjects
- Protests and Demonstrations
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "A banner advertising today's demonstration in support of SFU strikers attracts attention from students at yesterday's anti strike rally."
- Geographic Access
- University Drive
- Street Address
- 8888 University Drive
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Students wait for Mayor to protest expropriation
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45394
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of University of British Columbia students L. Eric Sorensen, Nick Moldovan and Bill Buckler standing at the front desk in City Hall waiting to speak to Mayor Tom Constable. The students wished to protest the expropriation of Lillian Mann's property at 9637 Cameron Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 14 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-289
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of University of British Columbia students L. Eric Sorensen, Nick Moldovan and Bill Buckler standing at the front desk in City Hall waiting to speak to Mayor Tom Constable. The students wished to protest the expropriation of Lillian Mann's property at 9637 Cameron Street.
- Subjects
- Protests and Demonstrations
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "UBC students, from left, Eric Sorensen, Nick Moldovan and Bill Buckler, wait for Mayor Tom Constable to protest expropriation."
- Lillian Mann was a war widow who fought with the courts to maintain ownership of her land. After much controversy, City of Burnaby eventually successfully expropriated the land, and converted it into a parking lot for the Cameron Library and Recreation Complex.
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4949 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Burnaby Civic Employees Union Annual Picnic
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3024
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1 Aug. 1953
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 68.5 cm in frame 19 x 70.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby Civic Employees Union (Local 23) Annual Picnic in Belcarra Park, Vancouver.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 68.5 cm in frame 19 x 70.5 cm
- Material Details
- Mounted in decorative carved wooden frame painted white
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby Civic Employees Union (Local 23) Annual Picnic in Belcarra Park, Vancouver.
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Accession Code
- HV983.18.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1 Aug. 1953
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Sunday, Fred William
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Burnaby Civic Employees' Union Local No. 23 constitution and bylaws
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13410
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- October 1975
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Civic Employees' Union fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 booklet
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of "Burnaby Civic Employees' Local Union No. 23 Constitution and Bylaws" booklet as amended to October 1975. The booklet was chartered by Canadian Union of Public Employees 1963. The booklet contains various information about the Burnaby Civic Employees Local Union.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Civic Employees' Union fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 booklet
- Material Details
- The booklet measures 10 cm x 15 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of "Burnaby Civic Employees' Local Union No. 23 Constitution and Bylaws" booklet as amended to October 1975. The booklet was chartered by Canadian Union of Public Employees 1963. The booklet contains various information about the Burnaby Civic Employees Local Union.
- Subjects
- Organizations - Unions
- Accession Code
- BV993.43.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- October 1975
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 72
- Scan Date
- Nov. 22, 2009
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
Interview with Edward Apps by Rod Fowler February 22, 1990 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory458
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1946-1990
- Length
- 00:05:37
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Ed Apps’ views about the political development in north and south Burnaby, the difference in trade union activity and provision of community services between the two areas, and the belief that moving Municipal Hall to a more central position has lessened antag…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Ed Apps’ views about the political development in north and south Burnaby, the difference in trade union activity and provision of community services between the two areas, and the belief that moving Municipal Hall to a more central position has lessened antagonism
- Date Range
- 1946-1990
- Length
- 00:05:37
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 22, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Edward Apps, conducted by Rod Fowler. Ed Apps was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Ed Apps involvement in community groups, particularly his work in seniors organizations lobbying for seniors’ housing since his retirement, and views about the role of Rate Payer groups, unions and politics in the development of North and South Burnaby. He also talks about his origin in England, his war service, arrival with his wife Margaret in Burnaby in 1946, his work with the Burnaby School Board and for the local union, the location of some of the older schools, the history of his house, and briefly about his wife and children. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Edward Apps was born in 1918 in London, England, and grew up in Kent and Essex. In WWII he flew the third glider to land in Normandy on June 6th, 1944. He and his wife Margaret Hope (1915-1985) immigrated to British Columbia in 1946, joining his wife’s parents, who had immigrated earlier in 1939, in Burnaby Heights in North Burnaby. He worked for the Burnaby School Board as Foreman Painter, and served on CUPE Local 379 Executive, until his retirement in 1982. In 1948 Ed Apps bought his first lot, for $150.00, in the 4700 block on Georgia Street, building houses there and in the 4100 block before buying his present home, a ca.1900 farm building, in the same area in 1954. North Burnaby was “bush country and orchards” in the 1950s; his two sons played in the ravines; and the family used the tram system on Hastings and Boundary Road for transportation. Development of municipal services seemed slower in North than South Burnaby, and Ed Apps remembers the strong role Rate Payers groups had in creating local services and lobbying Municipal Council for provide services. After retirement Ed Apps became involved in several local and provincial seniors organizations, advocating for better housing, including serving on the Executives of the Network of Burnaby Seniors and the Council of Senior Citizens Organization, and was active in the provincial Seniors Research and Resource and CMHC Housing Committee. He also served on the Centennial Committee of Burnaby.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:56:50
- Interviewee Name
- Apps, Ed
- 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
- 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.
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Ed Apps
Track four of interview with Ed Apps
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-015/MSS187-015_Track_4.mp3Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19349
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Honourable Raj Chouhan Location of Interview: Residence of Honourable Raj Chouhan Interview Date: December 2, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (00:49:21) Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant and the organizations that he became involved with. Honourable Raj Chouhan recalls how he arrived in Burnaby with his family in 1973 and that his family worked in farming. Chouhan imparts his first hand experiences as a new immigrant working as a labourer in the farming industry and describes the unsafe and unfair working conditions that he and migrant workers faced. Chouhan conveys how this experience lead him to become an activist for better working conditions for migrant workers. This lead Chouhan and others to form the Canadian Farm Workers Union in 1980. Chouhan recollects his experiences flying from India to Canada with his wife, his first impressions after arriving in Vancouver and driving to Burnaby and what he brought with him. Chouhan explains his connections to Burnaby. Members of Chouhan's wife's family immgrated to Canada in 1957 and his wife and her three brothers joined them in 1970. Chouhan's father in law, Hardial Singh Grewal immigrated in 1957 and became president of the Sikh temple in New Westminster. Hardial Singh Grewal worked in a lumber mill in Vancouver and eventually bought a house in Burnaby. Chouhan married to his wife at the Sikh temple in New Westminster and lived in Burnaby for a period before moving to New Westminster where they could find more affordable housing. Chouhan shares that he first worked as a farm labourer in Abbotsford and then found a job in the sawmill which paid more. Chouhan describes the extreme racism and discrimination that he and other immigrants faced which lead to the formation of the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism under the leadership of Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma. Chouhan describes this organization that he was a part of and the Canadian Farm Workers Union that were both formed in Burnaby. Chouhan shares that he moved to Victoria in 1988 to serve on the Hospital Employee's Union and moved back to the mainland in 1993 and returned to Burnaby in 2001. Chouhan reflects on the history of South Asian immigration in Canada, how many of the migrants settled in the lower mainland including Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver establishing temples in Vancouver and New Westminster which became the centre for the South Asian community. He conveys how earlier occupations were limited to farming and millwork and how over time employment opportunities and education have broadened but there is still work to do. He imparts how second generation Canadians’ experiences differ from first generations providing examples of his own daughters’ and the occupations that they are working in. Chouhan provides his insights into the South Asian Canadian experience imparting “We make history every day and that history needs to be recorded and learned from.."... “People from different communities, different backgrounds who lived in Burnaby have contributed so much and South Asians are just like another community and participated in all aspects of social life, cultural, religious, economy. I'm so proud of our community, our forefathers who had that vision to fight for our rights. I'm inspired by people who struggled so much to gain basic rights, like the right to vote". Chouhan refers to these first immigrants as “Gadri Babbas” “revolutionary old people” who were also the main motivation that lead to India becoming a free country in 1947 and for fighting for basic rights here in Canada and how they made their contributions for future generations. Chouhan expresses what he imparts to students “Do not forget your past... if you remember your past then you are much more knowledgeable. Then we know what we need for the future. If we don't know the past, we don't know what the future is going to be like. To make a better future, you have to learn from the past and improve".
- History
- Interviewee biography: Honourable Raj Chouhan was born in the city of Ludhiana in the Province of Punjab in India and immigrated to Canada in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Raj's family settled in Burnaby. Raj grew up in Burnaby and attended schoool. Honourable Raj Chouhan was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on December 7, 2020. Honourable Chouhan is the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers Union and the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism and has served as a director of the Hospital Employees' Union, the Labour Relations Board of B.C. and the Arbitration Bureau of B.C. Honourable Chouhan has also served as the Vice President of B.C. Human Rights Defenders since 2003 and has taught courses in Human Rights, the B.C. Labour Code and Collective Bargaining since 1987. Interviewer biography: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Occupations - Agricultural Labourers
- Migration
- Organizations - Unions
- Rights
- Rights - Human Rights
- Agriculture
- Agriculture - Farms
- Government - Provincial Government
- Government
- Names
- Chouhan, Raj
- British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism
- Sharma, Dr. Hari Prakash
- Grewal, Hardial Singh
- Canadian Farmworkers Union
- Hospital Employees Union
- Khalsa Diwan Society
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0004_002.mp3Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married his wife, Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Clothing
- Foods
- Indigenous peoples
- Buildings - Religious - Temples
- Food Processing Tools and Equipment
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Migration
- Occupations
- Organizations - Unions
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
- Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)
Audio Tracks
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory543
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1930-1990
- Length
- 00:07:36
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s involvement in the federal Liberal Party and in municipal politics with Alan Emmott; his mother Anne Marie Morin’s CCF work in Alberta and his brother Rudy Morin’s union activities and affiliation with Harvey Murphy; the political events held at “S…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s involvement in the federal Liberal Party and in municipal politics with Alan Emmott; his mother Anne Marie Morin’s CCF work in Alberta and his brother Rudy Morin’s union activities and affiliation with Harvey Murphy; the political events held at “Severin’s”; and Sev Morin’s centrist political views
- Date Range
- 1930-1990
- Photo Info
- Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
- Length
- 00:07:36
- Names
- Liberal Party
- Emmott, Alan H
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- April 4, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
- Total Tracks
- 10
- Total Length
- 00:56:44
- Interviewee Name
- Morin, Severin "Sev"
- 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
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track seven of interview with Sev Morin
Track seven of interview with Sev Morin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%207.mp3Interview with William J. Copeland by Rod Fowler February 18, 1990 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory435
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1960-1990
- Length
- 00:03:16
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Copeland's involvement in the International Association of Fire Fighters union.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Copeland's involvement in the International Association of Fire Fighters union.
- Date Range
- 1960-1990
- Photo Info
- Mayor Bill Copeland cutting the ribbon for the opening of the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts accompanied by Jack and Doris Shadbolt and Councillors Doug Drummond and Derek Corrigan, 1995. Item no. 535-0067
- Length
- 00:03:16
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 18, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with former Burnaby Mayor William J. Copeland conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Copeland was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Copeland’s education, career and experience as a Burnaby firefighter from 1955 to 1987, and his work for the union International Association of Fire Fighters. He talks about his early family life in Burnaby and Vancouver, war service, training with the Federal Fire Service, the organizations he has belonged to, and the careers of his three children. He briefly talks about Burnaby politics and his unexpected election to Mayor of Burnaby. Major themes of the interview, described by track: Track 1: Organizations - Unions; Public Services - Fire Protection; International Association of Fire Fighters; Track 2: Public Services - Fire Protection; Track 3: Elections; Track 4: family history and education; Track 5: Public Services - Fire Protection; Track 6: Elections
- Biographical Notes
- William John (Bill) Copeland (1927-2002) was born in Vancouver May 19, 1927. As a young child he lived with his parents on Southwood Street in South Burnaby on a chicken ranch. Bill’s father was a miner and was often away from home. The family moved to Pioneer Mines at Bridge River for a few years and then moved back to Vancouver in 1941 when his father contracted silicosis. Bill served in the navy for about a year near the end of WWII, was in the Canadian Merchant Marine and worked as a pipe fitter, before beginning his career as a fire fighter. He trained with the Federal Fire Service and worked two years at the Wireless Station in Delta. In 1955 he started work as Fire Fighter No. 53 in Burnaby, retiring 33 years later in 1987. Most of his career was spent at the Control Station or Number 1 Firehall, first located at Wiilingdon and Hastings (now No.5 Station) and later on Sperling near Canada Way. Bill worked as a first aid instructor, eventually moving into the training office, and retired as assistant chief. In 1987, shortly after retiring, Bill was asked to run for Mayor for the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). Much to his surprise he won. He served with distinction for three terms (1987-1996). Bill, his wife Ruth, and their three children, Doug and Dan (both firefighters) and Emily (a teacher), lived in North Burnaby on Cliff Avenue, the family home for about 35 years. Bill was active in many organizations including the Cliff Avenue soccer organization, St. John Ambulance, Burnaby Red Cross, and CNIB, among others. He began representing firefighters locally in the International Association of Fire Fighters in the early 1960s, eventually becoming President of the provincial association and then Vice President of the 6th District representing Western Canada.
- Total Tracks
- 6
- Total Length
- 0:25:35
- Interviewee Name
- Copeland, William J
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with William J. Copeland
Track one of interview with William J. Copeland
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-013/MSS187-013_Track_1.mp3lapel pin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact41405
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV001.1.183
- Description
- Button pin, round, buff ground with wide brownish red border and green print. Around edge from left, "JULY / AUG / SEPT". Logo below 'AUG', illegible, "LI--HA" ?, then "1920". At bottom is brownish red dot at centre of "U.B.M.W.E.R.S.L." in circle. Pin is paper formed over a metal back and held in place by pressure. Clear coating over front. Back is dark metal with remains of pin clasp closure ?, coil of wire one side, lighter-coloured patch of metal around opening other side. Back is hollow. Manufacturer's stamp, mostly illegible, "--- CO" "--H.N.Y." and hallmark ?. Metal of back is tarnished, some scratches and wear on front.
- Object History
- Union dues button for the United Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees and Railroad Shop Laborers which was affiliated with the American Federation of Labour. Railroad way workers oversaw the maintenace of railroad tracks. (For more information see http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_186.html)
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Personal Symbols
- Object Term
- Insignia
- Marks/Labels
- "JULY / AUG / SEPT", green letters printed around top "1920", larger green numbers printed in centre "U.B.M.W.E.R.S.L.", green letters printed around dot and surrounded by a green circle
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
- Industries
- Occupations - Railroad Labourers
- Organizations - Unions
- Transportation - Rail