Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Description: Burnaby School Concerts - B.C. Centennial brochure; trifold on glossy paper. Front of Flier reads: "Burnaby Schools' / Concert Band / BRITISH COLUMBIA"; centre of cover includes B.C. Centennial logo in yellow on blue background with dogwood flower and three 'c' s; text at bottom on front cover reads: "CENTENNIAL YEAR TRIP / to / DISNEYLAND AND SAN DIEGO". Content within Flier includes Burnaby - Community Development Information, Map of Burnaby District Municipality and The Burnaby School's Concert Band. Inside flap title reads: "HIGHLIGHTS OF AN EXCITING / CENTENNIAL YEAR; back of pamplet includes a list of Centennial events and is titled: "CENTENNIAL / CELEBRATIONS / May to November, 1971".

Object History: Burnaby School's Concert Band was organized in the fall of 1969 to provide further challenge and opportunity for interested music students throughout the Burnaby School District. Students represented eleven Junior and Senior Secondary Schools instrumental programs with the majority of students in grades ten to twelve. The Burnaby Schools' Concert Band performed for a number of concerts including the New Westminster May Day and Pacific National Exhibtion parades and during the Royal visit to Burnaby in May 1971. In April 1971, the band performed at the Music Education Conference (Western Division) held in San Diego. The Band auxilliary formed in May 1970 and became a registered society.

Category: 08. Communication Artifacts

Classification: Advertising Media

Object Term: Brochure

Colour: White; Blue

Measurements: Length: 23 cm x Width: 30 cm; folded to Length: 23 cm x Width: 10 cm

Country Made: Canada

Province Made: British Columbia

Publication Date: 1971

Subjects: Celebrations - Centennials; Performances - Concerts; Organizations - Bands

Names: Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee

Images

Costumed man and Fire Department band at opening of Heritage Village

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13591

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: November 1971

Collection/Fonds: Donald Copan collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 8.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified man in costume standing with the Fire Department Band who are performing outside of the "Cap Bicycle and Buggy Shop" during the opening weekend of Heritage Village Museum (November 19-21, 1971).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Donald Copan collection

Series: Copan album series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 8.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified man in costume standing with the Fire Department Band who are performing outside of the "Cap Bicycle and Buggy Shop" during the opening weekend of Heritage Village Museum (November 19-21, 1971).

Subjects: Events - Openings; Organizations - Bands; Performances - Concerts

Names: Burnaby Village Museum; Burnaby Fire Department

Accession Code: BV005.54.483

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: November 1971

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: August 11, 2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Costumed man and Fire Department band at opening of Heritage Village, November 1971 thumbnail

Fire Department band performing at Heritage Village

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13589

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: November 1971

Collection/Fonds: Donald Copan collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Fire Department Band performing outside of the "Cap Bicycle and Buggy Shop" during the opening weekend of Heritage Village Museum (November 19-21, 1971).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Donald Copan collection

Series: Copan album series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Fire Department Band performing outside of the "Cap Bicycle and Buggy Shop" during the opening weekend of Heritage Village Museum (November 19-21, 1971).

Subjects: Events - Openings; Organizations - Bands; Performances - Concerts

Names: Burnaby Village Museum; Burnaby Fire Department

Accession Code: BV005.54.481

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: November 1971

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: August 11, 2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Fire Department band performing at Heritage Village, November 1971 thumbnail

Mariachi band

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98264

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of three members of a Mariachi band performing outdoors.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3331

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of three members of a Mariachi band performing outdoors.

Subjects: Organizations - Bands; Performances - Concerts

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on original file name; Collected by editorial for use in a September 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Metrotown summer concert series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97011

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of members of the Dixieland band "Fourovus" playing brass instruments during a performance at the Metrotown Eaton Centre's outdoor lunchtime summer concert series.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2543

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of members of the Dixieland band "Fourovus" playing brass instruments during a performance at the Metrotown Eaton Centre's outdoor lunchtime summer concert series.

Subjects: Organizations - Bands; Performances - Concerts

Names: Metrotown

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a July 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Two of the "Fourovus" dixieland band entertain shoppers at the Metrotown Eaton's Centre's outdoor summer concert series. The concerts go every lunchhour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, through the summer."

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4700 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Metrotown summer concert series, [2000] thumbnail

Outdoor band performance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98196

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified band performing under a tent outdoors.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3274

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified band performing under a tent outdoors.

Subjects: Organizations - Bands; Performances - Concerts

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Collected by editorial for use in a July 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Outdoor band performance, [1999] thumbnail

Henderson Presbyterian Church Choir and Orchestra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35174

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 16, 1915 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the choir and orchestra at Henderson Presbyterian Church, West Burnaby. Thomas Shankie is in front of the organ.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 16, 1915 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-031

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the choir and orchestra at Henderson Presbyterian Church, West Burnaby. Thomas Shankie is in front of the organ.

Subjects: Organizations - Choirs; Performances - Concerts; Musical Instruments; Occupations - Musicians; Organizations - Orchestras

Names: Henderson Presbyterian Church; Shankie, Thomas (1872-1959)

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Sussex Avenue

Street Address: 6050 Sussex Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

Henderson Presbyterian Church Choir and Orchestra, December 16, 1915 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Laura Crema Quartet at duMaurier Jazz Festival

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97034

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 the Laura Crema Quartet performing on the outdoor stage at Metrotown during the duMaurier Jazz Festival's free lunchtime concert series.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2566

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Laura Crema Quartet performing on the outdoor stage at Metrotown during the duMaurier Jazz Festival's free lunchtime concert series.

Subjects: Organizations - Bands; Performances; Events - Festivals

Names: Metrotown

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: "Laura Crema leads the Laura Crema Quartet on the outdoor stage at Metropolis and Metrotown, part of a series of free lunchtime concerts for the duMaurier Jazz Festival."

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4700 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Laura Crema Quartet at duMaurier Jazz Festival, [2001] thumbnail

Personal material

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82732

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910-1978]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlai…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910-1978]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Series: Simnett personal papers series

Physical Description: 9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records

Description Level: File

Record No.: MSS167-008

Accession Number: 2013-22

Scope and Content: File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlain from Liverpool and a letter from the Office of the Mayor addressed to Mary Ann Simnett for her ninetieth birthday. Also included is a photograph (see item 559-001). Also included are newsclippings regarding Robert Burnaby and the "Bygones of Burnaby" book, a programme of the Robert Burnaby Commemorative Dinner, a photocopy of "The Argus" (Burnaby South High School's newspaper) from 1938, a programme from Madys Pridmore Brown's Variety Programme, "The Buzzer" Volume 40 Issue 16 advertising Vancouver street cars, New Vista Society certificate addressed to Hazel Simnett, an envelope of Fenwick Lansdowne bird prints from 1957 and a print of the Royal Family found in a cardboard envelope postmarked 1972.

Subjects: Arts - Paintings; Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers; Documentary Artifacts - Photographs; Performances - Concerts; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Personal Symbols - Certificates; Transportation; Persons - Royalty

Names: Simnett, Hazel; Simnett, Frederick "Fred"; Simnett, Mary Ann; Lansdowne, James Fenwick

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph; Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on note accompanying file on folder ; The Argue was stapled together; Simnett personal papers series

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Clinton-Glenwood Area

Burnaby South High School performance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3880

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1920 and 1930]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 16.5 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Group shot of the cast of a Burnaby South High School performance by students at a community hall. Student musicians are holding musical instruments and seated in front of the stage and five rows of student performers are dressed in costumes standing on the stage behind.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 16.5 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Group shot of the cast of a Burnaby South High School performance by students at a community hall. Student musicians are holding musical instruments and seated in front of the stage and five rows of student performers are dressed in costumes standing on the stage behind.

Subjects: Performances - Concerts; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Persons - Students

Names: Burnaby South High School

Accession Code: BV008.59.26

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1920 and 1930]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2022-03-08

Photographer: Campbell Studios Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "CAMPBELL STUDIO / 569 Granville Street / VANCOUVER, - B.C. / Sey. 2830".

Images

Burnaby South High School performance, [between 1920 and 1930] thumbnail

Anna Levy and Gregory Myers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97651

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 Anna Levy and Gregory Myers posing at a piano as promotion for a memorial concert for Russian composer Nikola Korndorf.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2947

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Anna Levy and Gregory Myers posing at a piano as promotion for a memorial concert for Russian composer Nikola Korndorf.

Subjects: Performances; Performances - Concerts

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a November 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Anna Levy and her husband, Gregory Myers, have organized a piano concert at Shadbolt Arts Centre, November 30, as a memorial to Nikola Korndorf, a Russian composer, based in Burnaby, who died last Spring."

Images

Anna Levy and Gregory Myers, [2001] thumbnail

Interview with Joanne Smith

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19601

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (24 min., 55 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (24 min., 55 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Joanne Smith conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 0:00 - 04:04 Joanne Smith provides a brief overview of her immigration story and how she and her husband Stanis came to emigrate from South Africa t…

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: 1 sound recording (wav) (24 min., 55 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (24 min., 55 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Joanne Smith Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 11, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 24:55 Photograph information: Joanne and Stanis Smith cycling on the Salt Flats, Argentina Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Joanne Smith conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 0:00 - 04:04 Joanne Smith provides a brief overview of her immigration story and how she and her husband Stanis came to emigrate from South Africa to Canada in 1986. Joanne explains that they decided to leave South Africa during the Apartheid era and applied to several countries with Canada being their top choice. Joanne relates that they were accepted to Canada based on her professional skills as an occupational therapist. Joanne talks about what she liked about living in South Africa and how she especially loved walking in the game reserves. 04:05 - 11:44 Joanne provides background on her ancestors migration, her life in South Africa and details on her profession. Joanne imparts that her ancestors immigrated to South Africa from Latvia at the turn of the century to avoid conscription and for increased opportunities. Joanne provides a brief overview of her life in South Africa, places that she lived and her education. Joanne provides details and background regarding her practice as an occupational therapist. Joanne explains how she specializes in hand therapy but also works with animals and other varied treatments. 11:45 - 19:29 Joanne talks about her life in Burnaby. Joanne recollects how her family ended up living in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood and provides a brief overview of her community involvement including the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Community Advisory Committee. Joanne shares some of her interests including; riding her tandem bicycle with her husband Stanis, thier love of opera and the symphony, attending concerts in Deer Lake Park and visiting Confederation with her grandchild. Joanne conveys that they like to support the local arts and that they commissioned a twig sculpture for their garden from local artist, Nickie Lewis. 19:30 - 24:55 Joanne shares that ten years after immigrating that they were able to bring family relations including Stanis' parents and brother. Joanne describes the benefits of having Stanis' parents residing with them and provides details on Stanis' parents community involvement in Burnaby. Joanne reflects on her association with her Jewish heritage. Joanne conveys that they aren’t religious but have maintained a few cultural aspects of their Jewish heritage including celebrating bat mitzvahs for both of their daughters and the importance of the Yiddish language. Joanne reflects on what she likes about living in Burnaby and how it’s changed over the 30 years that she’s lived here.

History: Interviewee biography: Joanne was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1958 and also spent some time in Klerksdorp and Johannesburg. Her formal education led to a career in occupational therapy, specializing in hand therapy. Uncomfortable with the social and political climate of South Africa at the time, she and her husband Stanis left for Canada in 1986. They soon settled in North Burnaby, where Joanne had a long-time friend, to pursue their respective careers and raise a family. The Smiths brought Stanis’s parents to Burnaby about 1996 and together built a new home. Joanne has been involved in school and community activities, enjoys Burnaby’s parks, and supports local fine arts, particularly music and performing arts. 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: Persons - Jewish Canadians; Migration; Religions - Judaism; Geographic Features - Parks; Arts; Performances; Performances - Concerts; Sports - Cycling

Names: Smith, Joanne; Smith, Stanis

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park; Confederation Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

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

Images

Interview with Joanne Smith, [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0005_002

Audio Tracks

Interview with Joanne Smith, [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0005_003.mp3

SkyTrain busking auditions

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98159

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 7 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of auditions for slots for busking at the SkyTrain. Photographs depict performers playing guitar, harmonica, and other instruments in front of a backdrop showing a Skytrain, and the judges and other performers watching the auditions.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 7 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3237

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of auditions for slots for busking at the SkyTrain. Photographs depict performers playing guitar, harmonica, and other instruments in front of a backdrop showing a Skytrain, and the judges and other performers watching the auditions.

Subjects: Performances; Performances - Concerts; Musical Instruments; Transportation - Skytrain

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of file; Collected by editorial for use in a June 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

SkyTrain busking auditions, [1999] thumbnail

Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19348

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future …

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Anushay Malik Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Dr. Sadhu Binning Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 25, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:15:57) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future exhibits and for researchers to learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby. During the interview, Dr. Binning shares his ancestral background along with his relatives' and his own personal experiences as a South Asian immigrant living and working in British Columbia and Burnaby. Dr. Binning conveys that he’s a Burnaby resident who’s lived in Burnaby since 1973 and that his children were born here. Binning shares his ancestral heritage beginning with his uncle Dhana Singh who emigrated from Punjab to British Columbia in 1931 and began working in the forest industry. He explains how Dhana Singh and another partner owned, operated and worked in small sawmills in the vicinity of Kamloops, Williams Lake and also on Vancouver Island. Binning conveys that in the beginning Dhana Singh and many other South Asian immigrants were not legal residents until 1938. In 1938, about 350 South Asian immigrants (mainly Punjabi) gathered resources to hire a lawyer to obtain permanent residency. Binning mentions that one of the notable South Asians in the group who was also a close friend of his uncle, was Darshan Singh Sangha, a trade unionist who was a founding member of the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union and an active member of the Communist Party of Canada. Binning conveys how Darshan Singh Sangha returned to India in 1947 to be a part of the revolution, how he was very active in the communist movement in India. While in India, Darshan Singh Sangha, was known as Canadian and thereby adopted “Canadian” as his surname, becoming “Darshan Singh Canadian”. Binning further explains that his uncle Dhana Singh Sangha returned to India in 1951, married and came back to B.C. in 1957 bringing with him, his wife and children. In 1960, with the support of his uncle, Binning’s father, Jit Singh Binning immigrated to British Columbia and began working in sawmills in the lower mainland, Kamloops, Quesnel and on Vancouver Island. Binning clarifies that his uncle, Dhana Singh was able to immigrate to Canada with the support of his cousins from the Tarker Singh Bains family. Binning further describes Darshan Singh Sangha’s involvement with the Communist party and the IWA and how the majority of the members were from the forest industry. As an active and prominent member of the labour movement, Darshan Singh Sangha fought for the rights of South Asians and Chinese who working in the industry and facing racism, unfair wages and discriminatory practices. Binning describes how Darshan Singh Sangha wrote a book in English in 1943, titled “Rise of the New Asia”. Binning conveys how immigrants of Chinese and South Asian decent didn’t have the right to vote in British Columbia and how Darshan Singh Sangha was instrumental in obtaining the right to vote in British Columbia, although he was never given the credit. Binning describes his uncle Dhana Singh as a likeable guy with many friends, first living in Kamloops before moving to Vancouver. Binning imparts how the sport of wrestling is a popular Punjabi sport along with Punjabi kabaddi. He conveys that his uncle became involved in wrestling while working in sawmills. South Asian immigrants had to do physical labour working in sawmills, the work could be tough and could often lead to physical fights. A number of South Asian immigrants working in the mills already had experience as wrestlers from back home. Dhana Singh later left the lumber industry to work in the agriculture sector. Binning explains how immigration rules changed in the 1960s which lead to larger numbers of South Asians immigrating to Canada. Many of these new immigrants were educated and politically conscious. All of these new immigrants faced racism but being politically conscious from an independent India and with the ability to speak English they organized themselves to fight for their rights. Binning imagines the items that his uncle and his father may have brought with them in their suitcase when immigrating to Canada. Binning describes three items, including a rajai (a blanket with cotton inside that is sewn together), a bistra (small attaché case or trunk) and a piece of cloth to lie on. Binning further describes the roles in Indian society as caste divisions and that it was usually women’s work in making the rajais. Binning recollects the locations that his father and his family lived after coming to Vancouver. Binning explains that a few years after living together in Vancouver, he and his family moved to Burnaby in 1973 to be closer to his Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish Binning’s family. Dr. Binning and family lived in a house in Burnaby located on Irmin Street near Royal Oak between 1973 and 1987. While living at this house their children attended McPherson Park Junior High School and later Burnaby South Secondary School. Binning reflects on some of the racism that he and his family have faced while living in Burnaby which led him to write a poem that he published in 1994 titled “No More Watno Dur”. Binning explains the meaning of the title “Watan” meaning “country and everybody” “a country far way from the motherland”. Binning explains the origins of the magazine “Watan” that was started by a friend in 1973. The magazine got its roots in Vancouver in 1973 from an organization called the “Punjabi Literary Association”. Binning became the editor of the magazine in 1976 and his friend joined him as assistant editor in 1978. Binning continued to work as editor until 1983 or 1984 when he returned to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. Binning describes the origins of the “Vancouver Sath” that was formed by a small group of South Asians around 1982. Binning was a founding member of the organization and held meetings and rehearsals at his house in Burnaby. Vancouver Sath first started out as an informal discussion forum by a group of politically conscious Punjabi writers and activists. Binning talks about issues and problems that Vancouver Sath addressed including; racism as well as domestic violence in the South Asian community. Binning explains how he and Sukhwant Hundal wrote articles on these issues and others that were happening in the South Asian community in Canada. Binning talks about how in 1983, the group was inspired to begin performing theatrical works after consulting with Gursharan Singh who was from a well known theatrical group from Punjab who were performing in Vancouver. In the beginning the Vancouver Sath’s plays were focused on the problems in Punjab but they soon decided to address social issues in their own South Asian community here in Canada. Binning summarizes and draws attention to, some of the plays that Vancouver Sath has written and performed including; “Picket Line”, about Punjabi women farmworkers’ rights; “Lattan de Bhoot”, about domestic abuse; “A Crop of Poison”; “Kihda Viah” (English translation- “Whose Marriage”) about arranged marriage and others about social issues in the South Asian community. The plays were performed in public schools and community centres in Vancouver and Richmond, Simon Fraser University and some were also performed in Toronto, Calgary and Williams Lake. Binning mentions some of the traditional foods that he likes to eat and where he and his family have shopped to find ingredients. He recalls how his mother, Gurmaje Kaur Binning did all of the cooking and was often cooking all day long. In the sixties, the Binning family address on 13th Avenue in Vancouver was also used as a postal address for many friends and family who’d recently immigrated. When these friends dropped by to pick up their mail, his mother often provided them with tea and food. After Binning and his wife, Jagdish moved to their own home in 1973, he shared in some of the shopping and cooking but his wife did the majority of the work due to his busy schedule. The interview closes with Binning providing an explanation of how “Watno Dur” magazine changed it’s name to “Watan” magazine. Binning reflects on how this came to be, when he made the decision to get an education in Canada and to stay here, not just as a “Canadian” but as a “Punjabi Canadian.

History: Interviewee biography: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur’ (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife Jagdish purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Industries - Logging/lumber; Industries - Forestry; Foods; Migration; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Organizations - Unions; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Performances; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Binning, Dr. Sadhu; Binning, Gurmaje Kaur; Binning, Jit Singh; Binning, Jagdish; Sangha, Darshan Singh; Canadian Farmworkers Union; Hundal, Sukhwant; Sangra, Harjinder; Singh, Dhana; Vancouver Sath

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate; Malik, Anushay

Accession Code: BV022.29.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

Documents

2022_0029_0003_005

Audio Tracks

Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0003_004.mp3

5th Burnaby Brownie concert

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4825

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1948

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of 5th Burnaby Brownie Concert with 5th Burnaby Brownies, 5th Burnaby Guides, 1st North Burnaby Cubs and Scouts, Vancouver Sea Rangers, Brown Owl, Mrs. K. Hebron, Area Commissioner Miss R. McArthur, onstage at Gilmore Avenue School Auditorium.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of 5th Burnaby Brownie Concert with 5th Burnaby Brownies, 5th Burnaby Guides, 1st North Burnaby Cubs and Scouts, Vancouver Sea Rangers, Brown Owl, Mrs. K. Hebron, Area Commissioner Miss R. McArthur, onstage at Gilmore Avenue School Auditorium.

Subjects: Performances - Concerts

Names: Girl Guides of Canada; 5th Burnaby Brownie Pack; Hebron, Kathleen Billingham

Accession Code: BV015.35.175

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1948

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: March 8, 2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; This photograph is similar to photograph BV015.35.156.11 but includes people on the left side of the stage.; Handwritten annotations above photograph reads: "5th Burnaby Brownie Concert with 5th Burnaby Brownies, 5th Burnaby Guides, 1st North Burnaby Cubs and Scouts, Vancouver Sea Rangers, Brown Owl, / Mrs. K. Hebron (below right), Area Commissioner Miss R. McArthur, onstage / at Gilmore Avenue School Auditorium...opening...Feb 25th"; Photograph is a part of original scrapbook "5th Brownie Pack" 1948-1965 Item BV015.35.156

Images

5th Burnaby Brownie concert, 1948 thumbnail

Audience at RCMP band concert

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13224

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 21 May 1971

Collection/Fonds: Donald Copan collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of audience attending a concert of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) military band performing at Burnaby Central Secondary School. The concert was part of the Burnaby Centennial events held to celebrate British Columbia's centennial.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Donald Copan collection

Series: Copan album series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of audience attending a concert of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) military band performing at Burnaby Central Secondary School. The concert was part of the Burnaby Centennial events held to celebrate British Columbia's centennial.

Subjects: Performances - Concerts; Celebrations - Centennials; Persons - Crowds

Names: Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Burnaby Central Secondary School

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4939 Canada Way

Accession Code: BV005.54.218

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 21 May 1971

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: July 21, 2020

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Audience at RCMP band concert, 21 May 1971 thumbnail

Band playing in a mall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98183

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified band playing inside of a mall as a crowd watches.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3261

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified band playing inside of a mall as a crowd watches.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Malls; Performances - Concerts

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Collected by editorial for use in a July 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Band playing in a mall, [1999] thumbnail

Bassist in jazz quartet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97297

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified man playing an upright bass in a jazz quartet.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2694

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified man playing an upright bass in a jazz quartet.

Subjects: Occupations - Musicians; Performances - Concerts

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on original file name; Collected by editorial for use in a September 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader

Images

Bassist in jazz quartet, [2000] thumbnail

Burnaby Blues Festival

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97064

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 9 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the Burnaby Blues Festival at Deer Lake Park. Photographs depict members of the crowd enjoying the performances on the lawn of the concert bowl and performers Big Bill Morganfield and Joe Louis Walker.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 9 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2592

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the Burnaby Blues Festival at Deer Lake Park. Photographs depict members of the crowd enjoying the performances on the lawn of the concert bowl and performers Big Bill Morganfield and Joe Louis Walker.

Subjects: Events - Festivals; Performances - Concerts

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 for 535-2592-1: "Sketch artist Tony O'Regan stands right near the massive speaker tower so he can capture the feel of the music in his charcoal interpretations."; Caption from metadata for 535-2592-2: "The casual atmosphere of the Blues Fest allows fans to meet some of the musicians, like Big Bill Morganfield, at post concert autograph sessions."; Caption from metadata for 535-2592-3: "Blues fans pack the concert bowl at Deer Lake Park to get lost in the music at the Burnaby Blues Festival on Saturday. Featured performers included Big Bill Morganfield, Sue Foley, and headliner, Colin James."; Caption from metadata for 535-2592-4: "Barbara Karmazyn grooves to the music at the Burnaby Blues Festival at Deer Lake Park."; Caption from metadata for 535-2592-5: "Some fans, like Linda Mitchell and Dave Prior, settle in for a long day of blues music, as they brought their own mattress."; Caption from metadata for 535-2592-6 and 535-2592-7: "Big Bill Morganfield, who's the son of legendary bluesman Muddy Watters, kicks off the Burnaby Blues Festival at Deer Lake Park on Saturday."; Caption from metadata for 535-2592-8: "Joe Louis Walker performs at the Burnaby Blues Festival at Deer Lake Park on Saturday."; Caption from metadata for 535-2592-9: "Blues fans start young at the Burnaby Blues Festival, as Rebecca Knight, 4, enjoys the concert with her dad, Tim."

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

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