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Oral history interview with Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19146
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 29 Jun. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, pla…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewees: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos Location of Interview: Home of Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos on Victory Street, Burnaby Date of interview: June 29, 2022 Total Number of Tracks: 3 Total length of all Tracks: 02:06:53 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto 3 separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, places of residence, education, career history, how they met, Jimmy's experience working in the film industry, their home in Burnaby and their neighbourhood, their political activism in Burnaby, Robin Chung Dip's work in Vancouver’s' Chinatown, the gambling scene in Vancouver prior to legalized forms of gambling and their memories of supper clubs in Vancouver. 00:00 - 5:57 Opening introductions where Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos provide information on their full names, their birth places and their ancestral background. Jimmy clarifies that his birth name is Hipman Chow but that he was given the English name “Jimmy” by his father when he came to Canada. Jimmy shares that he was born in 1948, in the Village of Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China and immigrated to British Columbia with his mother, Gim Gee Chow in 1950 to escape the Communist Regime and to join his father who had already immigrated to Canada. Jimmy imparts that many Chinese immigrated to British Columbia in search of a better life, referring to it as “Gold Mountain” and that even though they faced extreme racial discrimination that many stayed since they felt that it was better than returning. Donna Polos shares ancestral information on both her maternal and paternal sides of the family. Donna’s mother’s family came from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James Kostopolus (renamed Polos) emigrated as a 12 year old orphan from Sparta, Greece to the United States but was denied entry so ended up going to Halifax and eventually made his way to Vancouver. Once in Vancouver, he became a restaurant proprietor and over the years, he owned and operated three restaurants in Vancouver, including; “Jimmy’s Café” (next door the Astoria Hotel); “Home Apple Pie Café” (Princess Avenue & Hastings Street) and a restaurant that was located on Alma Street. 05:58 - 13:28 Jimmy recollects in further detail, the many places that his family lived over the years. Jimmy’s father Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Vancouver at the age of 14 years and worked and lived in Victoria and Vancouver. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother fled China, first to Hong Kong and then to Vancouver to join his father. Soon after arriving in Vancouver, for the next four years, he and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec City where his father, Robin had work in restaurants and hotels. Jimmy attended school while the family lived in these different places and began to learn English. After four years, the family returned to Vancouver, first living in areas of Chinatown and Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Jimmy shares his memories of growing up in Strathcona and the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, schools that he attended and the friendships that he made. Jimmy recollects details about the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church that he attended and describes the demands of the education required to become a Lutheran minister. 13:29 - 15:47 Jimmy tells of how his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow had to pay the Chinese Head Tax of $500 when he arrived in Vancouver at 14 years of age (1921) and how his father had to work hard pay off the head tax over the years. Denise Fong and Jimmy Chow, talk about the origin of a photograph portrait of Jimmy Chow that was taken around 1954 and speculate whether it might have been taken by well known portrait photographer, Yucho Chow. 15:48 - 19:33 Donna Polos recollects the many locations that her family lived while she was growing up in Vancouver. First residing at various locations in the downtown east side of Vancouver before moving to a home near Joyce Station where she lived until 21 years old. After 21 years of age, Donna moved in with roommates in Vancouver before moving in with Jimmy in North Burnaby in 1972. In 1976 Donna and Jimmy purchased their home on Victory Street. Both Donna and Jimmy talk about their careers after high school. Jimmy talks about how he worked at the Supervalu grocery store near his house. Jimmy planned to use his savings from his job to travel but instead he used his savings for a down payment on a house with Donna. Donna imparts that after obtaining her teaching degree she began working in Burnaby schools, eventually teaching at Burnaby South. 19:34 - 32:08 Both Jimmy and Donna share their educational background and experiences growing up. Jimmy first attended Florence Nightingale elementary in Strathcona, then Mount Pleasant Elementary and later high school at 24th Avenue and Main Street. Donna lists the schools that she attended including; elementary school in Strathcona, Carlton Elementary School at Kingsway and Joyce, Windermere High School, Vancouver City College (Langara) and the University of British Columbia. Donna and Jimmy reflect on public transportation that was available during the time they were growing up. Donna recollects her childhood growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station, the freedom that she experienced playing outside in nature and what inspired her to become a teacher. Jimmy reflects on some of his mentors and about his first experience seeing movies as a young child at a cinema in Asquith, Saskatchewan. Donna communicates her own experiences of sexism throughout her high school, college and university education (1968-1972). 32:09 - 36:18 Donna talks about her career history and some of her major turning points. Donna recollects starting out as a Chemistry lab assistant, marking math papers before working as a teacher on call and eventually being hired as a teacher at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. Donna shares a memory of her first experience working as a teacher on call at Gilmore Elementary School and the fire that occurred there. After starting a family (Jimmy and Donna had three children) Donna worked part time teaching while Jimmy worked full time in film. Donna, shares that in 1991, after a near death experience, she became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. With this experience, Donna experimented with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. Donna tells of how she retired from teaching in 2008 but continued to participate in the schools as an Artist in Residence. 36:19 - 58:18 Jimmy talks about his work and career history. He shares memories of his experiences as a young boy delivering newspapers, working at a local pharmacy, stocking shelves at the local supermarket, and his experience working with troubled youth and of how he thought that he might like to become a social worker. Jimmy tells of how he was uncertain of what to do until he got a job with the CBC in 1973 which eventually launched his career as a property master in the film industry, becoming a member of IATSE and a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures. Jimmy describes in detail what it means to be a property master and the work that is entailed in the film industry. 58:19 - 1:07:45 Donna Polos describes her art practice and her connection to Burnaby. Donna recollects how she first started working with textiles and fabrics from a young age and how this later inspired her to develop her own watercolour techniques of painting on paper, canvas and fabrics. Donna describes how she first got started by taking art classes in Burnaby and now has over 31 years of experience working in watercolour. Donna has worked as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools, been a member of the Burnaby Arts Council, had her first show in 1997 and has been involved in many art projects over the years. Donna describes the style of her work, first starting with more figurative work, social commentary and still life and that now most of her work is landscape based. Donna coveys that as a political activist in Burnaby, she was an active participant in the development of a tree bylaw, has petitioned to protect renters from demo-evictions and the impacts of future development on the local environment. 1:07:46 - 1:07:59 Background discussion between Denise Fong and Kate Petrusa re interviews. 1:08:00 - 1:26:36 Jimmy provides information on his connection to the local film industry and the changes that have occurred over the years. Jimmy describes the first studios on the North Shore and the eventual establishment of Bridge Studios on Boundary Road. Jimmy shares that in 1988, he and some of his colleagues in the film industry put a proposal together to buy the Bridge Studios but it didn't go through. Since the Bridge Studios and other film studios have been established in Burnaby and Vancouver, the industry has grown exponentially. Jimmy became the 54th member of the local IATSE union. Jimmy describes some of his experiences working on various productions including "Seven Years in Tibet", provides a description of what a film studio is, how it is used and the differences between working in the film industry in the United States and British Columbia. 1:26:37 - 1:32:46 Jimmy and Donna recollect how they first met, buying a house in Burnaby, getting married and starting a family. The two share memories of their wedding in White Rock and Jimmy talks about the Chinese hair cutting ceremony in recognition of their first born child that took place in Chinatown in Vancouver. Jimmy tells of how his parents had hopes of him marrying a Chinese woman and his mother began introducing him to a few young Chinese women from the time he was 16 years old. Jimmy mentions that his parents rarely used Western Medicine and relied on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Donna and Jimmy talk about Jimmy's parents, when they died and how happy his parents were to have grandchildren. 1:32:47 - 1:40:13 Jimmy and Donna talk about their house on Victory Street which they purchased in 1976. They share information on the history of the house, how it was built in 1939 by Norm Clark, how they fell in love with the design of the house and the neighbourhood. 1:40:14 - 1:58:31 Jimmy and Donna share information on their family life in Burnaby, their neighbourhood and favourite places in Burnaby. Donna lists the schools that their three children attended including; Nelson Avenue School, Burnaby South High School and Burnaby Central High School. Both Donna and Jimmy convey that all of their children played soccer and the benefits that the sport provided them. Donna and Jimmy talk about how the neighbourhood has changed over the years, the benefits of where they live, their fondness for built heritage and the many parks and trees in Burnaby. 1:58:32 - 2:02:50 Jimmy begins to share information on his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow's employment history. Jimmy recalls that his father, Robin worked in a variety of jobs over the years and as a young child, Jimmy was uncertain of what his father's job was but thought that he worked in accounting. He mentions that his father stopped working at 45 years of age due to a problem with his Achilles tendon. Jimmy describes his father as an intellectual who worked at gambling houses in Vancouver's Chinatown where people played mah-jong and fan-tan. Jimmy recollects that these were large clubs with lots of employees. His father never gambled but he was good with money so he worked on the management side. Jimmy mentions that while working in the film industry, his father took him and some of his film colleagues into some of the gambling houses in Chinatown to assist them with a production that they were working on. 2:02:51 - 2:06:58 Donna shares her own family history regarding gambling. She mentions that her uncle worked as a high end "bookie" in Vancouver and how in 1968, her uncle was arrested but got let go with just a small fine. Jimmy describes what gambling was like in those days with various sweepstakes, not under the jurisdiction of the government like it is today. Both Donna and Jimmy recollect the popularity of supper clubs their memories of Vie's Chicken and Steak House that was located in Hogan's Alley. Jimmy laments the destruction of Hogan's Alley and the other proposals that were brought forward that would change Chinatown and Strathcona.
- History
- Interviewees biography: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow immigrated to Vancouver from China with his mother, Gim Gee Chow to join his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow who'd immigrated to Canada at 14 years of age in 1921. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec before returning to Vancouver around 1954. Jimmy and his family then lived and worked in Vancouver eventually settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. In the early 1970s, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos and they married in 1981. Donna Polos was born in 1949 to Donald James Polos and Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana Polos and grew up in Vancouver. Between the age of 5 and 21 years, Donna lived in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. In 1976, Jimmy and Donna purchased and moved into a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they still live today. While living on Victory Street, they've raised their three children. Donna received her teaching degree and taught in elementary schools for many years. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna developed an interest in drawing and painting and began experimenting with water colour painting on fabric. Donna has since exhibited her work widely, participated as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Jimmy entered the film industry in 1973, gaining experience and recognition as a property master and has worked on many films over a 45 year career. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Buildings - Residential
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Education
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods
- Government - Local Government
- Industries - Film
- Migration
- Occupations
- Occupations - Artists
- Occupations - Grocers
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Teachers
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Social Issues - Racism
- Sports - Soccer
- Names
- Bridge Studios
- Chow, Gim Gee Dang
- Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
- Chow, Robin Chung Dip
- Polos, Donna
- Polos, James "Jimmy", 1898-1962
- Polos, Donald James
- Polos, Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana
- Geographic Access
- Victory Street
- Accession Code
- BV022.21.1
- Date
- 29 Jun. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of recording
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Audio Tracks
Oral history interview with Hipman
Oral history interview with Hipman
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0021_0001_004.mp3
RCMP officers saluting with firefighters
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14750
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three RCMP officers and firefighter in the parking lot of Burnaby General Hospital. The three RCMP officers are saluting to healthcare workers.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three RCMP officers and firefighter in the parking lot of Burnaby General Hospital. The three RCMP officers are saluting to healthcare workers.
- History
- Photograph was taken by Richard Liu on May 12, 2020 around 7:00pm. Richard helped organize a 'stick-tap' to salute front line health care workers at the Burnaby Hospital. The Vancouer Canuck's mascot "Fin", Mayor of Burnaby Mike Hurley, MLA Anne Kang and MLA Katrina Chen, MP Peter Juilan, the RCMP Chief, the Fire Chief and Transit Police Chief were in attendance. These 'salutes' to health care workers were common in April and May during the earliest and most uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local neighbourhoods across Burnaby, the Lower Mainland and the Province began regularly gathering at 7:00pm to bang pots and pans, honk horns, and generally celebrate and acknowledge the work of health care professionals. The presence of "Fin" was added because the Vancouver Canuck and NHL were not playing, so Fin was available to make the rounds. His visits were often surprises. Fin played the Canucks goal horn through the Fin Mobile roof speakers, with green and blue flashing lights. Fin visited six hospitals, as well as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Occupations - Civic Workers
- Occupations - Fire Fighters
- Occupations - Police Officers
- Occupations - Nurses
- Occupations - Physicians
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Geographic Access
- Ingleton Avenue
- Street Address
- 3880 Ingleton Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV020.18.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
- Photographer
- Liu, Richard
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Stick tap salute at Burnaby General Hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14751
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col. ; 72 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby General Hospital with RCMP cars, RCMP officers and healthcare workers out in front. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, Vancouver Canucks' mascot "Fin", Richard Liu and another man are dressed in Vancouver Canucks hockey jerseys and are standing near the front of the hospital holding h…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col. ; 72 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby General Hospital with RCMP cars, RCMP officers and healthcare workers out in front. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, Vancouver Canucks' mascot "Fin", Richard Liu and another man are dressed in Vancouver Canucks hockey jerseys and are standing near the front of the hospital holding hockey sticks. They are giving a stick tap salute in appreciation to the healthcare workers.
- History
- Photograph was taken by Richard Liu on May 12, 2020 around 7:00pm. Richard helped organize a 'stick-tap' to salute front line health care workers at the Burnaby Hospital. The Vancouer Canuck's mascot "Fin", Mayor of Burnaby Mike Hurley, MLA Anne Kang and MLA Katrina Chen, MP Peter Juilan, the RCMP Chief, the Fire Chief and Transit Police Chief were in attendance. These 'salutes' to health care workers were common in April and May during the earliest and most uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local neighbourhoods across Burnaby, the Lower Mainland and the Province began regularly gathering at 7:00pm to bang pots and pans, honk horns, and generally celebrate and acknowledge the work of health care professionals. The presence of "Fin" was added because the Vancouver Canuck and NHL were not playing, so Fin was available to make the rounds. His visits were often surprises. Fin played the Canucks goal horn through the Fin Mobile roof speakers, with green and blue flashing lights. Fin visited six hospitals, as well as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Occupations - Civic Workers
- Occupations - Fire Fighters
- Occupations - Police Officers
- Occupations - Nurses
- Occupations - Physicians
- Public Services - Health Services
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Names
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Burnaby Fire Department
- Burnaby General Hospital
- Hurley, Mike
- Liu, Richard N.
- Vancouver Canucks
- Geographic Access
- Ingleton Avenue
- Street Address
- 3880 Ingleton Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV020.18.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
- Photographer
- Liu, Richard N.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Stick tap salute at Burnaby General Hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14752
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby Mayor, Mike Hurley (left), "Fin" the Vancouver Canucks' mascot and Richard Liu (right) with hockey sticks. The three are gathered in the parking lot outside of Burnaby General Hospital in a stick tap salute of appreciation to the healthcare workers. Mike Hurley is dressed in a…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby Mayor, Mike Hurley (left), "Fin" the Vancouver Canucks' mascot and Richard Liu (right) with hockey sticks. The three are gathered in the parking lot outside of Burnaby General Hospital in a stick tap salute of appreciation to the healthcare workers. Mike Hurley is dressed in a Vancouver Canucks hockey jersey. Members of the Burnaby RCMP and Burnaby Fire Department are standing in the background along with police cars and a fire truck.
- History
- Photograph was taken by Richard Liu on May 12, 2020 around 7:00pm. Richard helped organize a 'stick-tap' to salute front line health care workers at the Burnaby Hospital. The Vancouer Canuck's mascot "Fin", Mayor of Burnaby Mike Hurley, MLA Anne Kang and MLA Katrina Chen, MP Peter Juilan, the RCMP Chief, the Fire Chief and Transit Police Chief were in attendance. These 'salutes' to health care workers were common in April and May during the earliest and most uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local neighbourhoods across Burnaby, the Lower Mainland and the Province began regularly gathering at 7:00pm to bang pots and pans, honk horns, and generally celebrate and acknowledge the work of health care professionals. The presence of "Fin" was added because the Vancouver Canuck and NHL were not playing, so Fin was available to make the rounds. His visits were often surprises. Fin played the Canucks goal horn through the Fin Mobile roof speakers, with green and blue flashing lights. Fin visited six hospitals, as well as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Occupations - Civic Workers
- Occupations - Fire Fighters
- Occupations - Police Officers
- Occupations - Nurses
- Occupations - Physicians
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Names
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Burnaby Fire Department
- Burnaby General Hospital
- Hurley, Mike
- Liu, Richard N.
- Vancouver Canucks
- Geographic Access
- Ingleton Avenue
- Street Address
- 3880 Ingleton Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV020.18.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
- Photographer
- Liu, Richard N.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Stick tap salute to healthcare workers at Burnaby General Hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14755
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (00 min., 7 sec.) : digital, 30 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a short film clip created by Richard Liu documenting the 'stick-tap" salute to front line healthcare workers outside of Burnaby General Hospital. Members of the Burnaby RCMP, Burnaby Fire Department and healthcare workers have gathered for the event. Mayor Mike Hurley, the Vancouve…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (00 min., 7 sec.) : digital, 30 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a short film clip created by Richard Liu documenting the 'stick-tap" salute to front line healthcare workers outside of Burnaby General Hospital. Members of the Burnaby RCMP, Burnaby Fire Department and healthcare workers have gathered for the event. Mayor Mike Hurley, the Vancouver Canucks' mascot "Fin" and two other men are tapping hockey sticks on the ground. A row of Burnaby RCMP police cars are parked in the parking lot. Fire truck and police car sirens are audible during the event.
- History
- This event was recorded by Richard Liu on May 12, 2020 around 7:00pm. Richard helped organize a 'stick-tap' to salute front line health care workers at the Burnaby Hospital. The Vancouer Canuck's mascot "Fin", Mayor of Burnaby Mike Hurley, MLA Anne Kang and MLA Katrina Chen, MP Peter Juilan, the RCMP Chief, the Fire Chief and Transit Police Chief were in attendance. These 'salutes' to health care workers were common in April and May during the earliest and most uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local neighbourhoods across Burnaby, the Lower Mainland and the Province began regularly gathering at 7:00pm to bang pots and pans, honk horns, and generally celebrate and acknowledge the work of health care professionals. The presence of "Fin" was added because the Vancouver Canuck and NHL were not playing, so Fin was available to make the rounds. His visits were often surprises. Fin played the Canucks goal horn through the Fin Mobile roof speakers, with green and blue flashing lights. Fin visited six hospitals, as well as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
- Creator
- Liu, Richard
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Occupations - Civic Workers
- Occupations - Fire Fighters
- Occupations - Police Officers
- Occupations - Nurses
- Occupations - Physicians
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Names
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Burnaby Fire Department
- Burnaby General Hospital
- Hurley, Mike
- Liu, Richard N.
- Vancouver Canucks
- Geographic Access
- Ingleton Avenue
- Street Address
- 3880 Ingleton Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV020.18.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
- Photographer
- Liu, Richard N.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
Images
Video
Stick tap salute to healthcare workers at Burnaby General Hospital, 12 May 2020
Stick tap salute to healthcare workers at Burnaby General Hospital, 12 May 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2020_0018_0006_001.m4vInterview 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.mp3
Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19604
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their p…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah Location of Interview: Nalliah family home Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 68 min., 6 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Ruth (Angela) Nalliah with husband Samuel Nalliah WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this interview (00:40:58 – 00:57:31) regarding the Tamil genocide may be upsetting to some people.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their parentage, place of birth (Sri Lanka), spoken language and education. Sam Nalliah shares details on his education while living in Sri Lanka, his later education in Wales where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and his migration to Halifax in 1978 after obtaining a job at Dalhousie University as a systems analyst. Sam conveys how he decided to relocate from Halifax to Vancouver in 1986 and started his employment with BC Tel. Angela Nalliah shares details on her education and employment after immigrating to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1986. Angela conveys how she first lived in Ottawa, moved to Toronto in 1989 where she began working for TD bank and moved to Vancouver in 1999. 00:13:31 – 00:20:03 Sam Nalliah talks about how he and his wife Angela first met and married in 1999 and moved to Vancouver. Sam shares information on where his other family members immigrated to and why he decided to immigrate to Canada. Angela shares information on other members of her family who immigrated to Canada before her and how her uncle sponsored them all to come. 00:20:04 – 00:29:30 Sam provides further details regarding his family make up including; his first wife, his daughters (born in 1983 and 1985), his step daughter (born in 1991) and his youngest daughter (born in 2000). Sam tells how he worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Sam provides locations of homes that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver. Sam and Angela describe what they liked about living in Burnaby, where their daughter attended school and where they did their shopping. 00:29:31 – 00:32:11 Angela talks about working for Prospera Credit Union from 2003 after TD bank downsized. Sam describes how they rented out their house in Vancouver and lived in a rental home in Burnaby that was owned by the City of Burnaby. Sam and Angela recollect the time period that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver before deciding to move to Surrey in 2015. 00:32:12 – 00:35:59 Sam and Angela provide details regarding their daughter’s post-secondary education and careers. Angela talks about her social activities, volunteer work and involvement with the Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia, the Women’s Network as well as the Westminster Bible Chapel Church in Burnaby and the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church in Surrey. 00:36:00 – 00:40:57 Sam recalls hearing Prime Minster Pierre Elliott Trudeau speak about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at Dalhousie University and the effect that his speech made on him. Sam talks about joining the National Democratic Party when Peter Julian was elected as a Member of Parliament for Burnaby. 00:40:58 – 00:57:31 (WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this portion of the interview may be upsetting to some people) Sam and Angela speak about their involvement with the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC). Angela describes the brutal violence that she witnessed while living in Sri Lanka during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide in the 1980’s. Sam and Angela recollect and discuss their views and actions pertaining to the MV Sun Sea incident where a Thai cargo ship carrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to British Columbia were identified as terrorists by the Canadian Government and held in detention facilities. 00:57:32 – 01:08:07 Sam reflects on what he likes about Burnaby. Angela and Sam talk about Hindu temples attended by many Tamil and Sri Lankan people living in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Angela talks about the many cultural events and celebrations that are celebrated within the Tamil and Sri Lankan community including the Pongal Festival. Angela and Sam reflect on how grateful they are to be residents of Canada.
- History
- Interviewees biographies: Samuel (Sam) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1949. Sam immigrated to Halifax in 1977 after obtaining a position as a systems analyst at Dalhousie University. In 1986, Sam sponsored his parents to come to Canada. In 1986, after being introduced to the milder weather in Victoria, Sam decided to move to British Columbia. He moved to Burnaby in 1990 and began working for BC Tel in Burnaby. Following his job at BC Tel, Sam worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Ruth (Angela) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1964 and immigrated to Canada in 1986. As a Tamil living in Sri Lanka in the 1980’s Angela witnessed first hand the brutal violence during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide. In 1986 Angela was relieved to be able to immigrate to Canada after being sponsored by her uncle. Angela first lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto before marrying Samuel Nalliah in Ottawa in 1999 and the couple moved to Burnaby. Angela worked for TD bank in both Toronto and Vancouver until it downsized in 2003 and she began working for Prospero Credit Union. While living in Burnaby, Angela attended the Westminster Bible Chapel and after moving to Surrey she became a member of the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church. Sam and Angela Nalliah have four daughters and since moving to British Columbia they’ve lived in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. Both Sam and Angela are involved with the Tamil Cultural Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) as well as participates in Sri Lankan and Tamil community cultural events. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Education
- Events - Festivals
- Government
- Government - Federal Government
- Migration
- Occupations
- Organizations - Political Parties
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Religions
- Religions - Christianity
- Religions - Hinduism
- Rights
- Rights - Human Rights
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Social Issues - Discrimination
- Names
- Nalliah, Ruth "Angela"
- Nalliah, Samuel "Sam"
- Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC)
- Westminster Bible Chapel
- Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia (TCSBC)
- Responsibility
- Binks, James
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.8
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks
Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0008_003.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.mp3
Thoughts on decolonizing heritage
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14757
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1 Oct. 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (88 min., 3 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum's Kate Petrusa. The webinar is titled "Thoughts on Decolonizing Heritage" and is presented by Kamala Todd - Indigenous Community Planner, Filmmaker, and Adjunct Professor SFU. The zoom webinar is the second i…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (88 min., 3 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Material Details
- Presenter: Kamala Todd
- Host: Kate Petrusa
- Date of Presentation: October 1, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Total Number of tracks: 1
- Total Length of all tracks: 88 min., 3 sec.
- Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum's Kate Petrusa. The webinar is titled "Thoughts on Decolonizing Heritage" and is presented by Kamala Todd - Indigenous Community Planner, Filmmaker, and Adjunct Professor SFU. The zoom webinar is the second in a collection of seven "Neighbourhood Speaker series" webinars that were presented and made available to the public between September 29 and October 27, 2020. The live webinar and recording was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. In this webinar, Kamala Todd speaks about how narratives and sense of place shape our connection to the lands we live upon. Kamala highlights how dominant colonial narratives are embedded into the built environment, place names, heritage landscapes, and the very planning of our cities contributing to exclusion and erasure of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking people, who have lived on their unceded territories since time immemorial.Todd provides her perspectives by asking the questions; How has “Heritage” contributed to colonial harms and erasures? And what will it take to decolonize and re-Indigenize the stories, landscapes, and understandings of the places we call home? The presentation is supported with contemporary and historic photographs. Kamala takes questions from webinar participants and reads from writings of different authors including Stó:lō author, Lee Maracle and Salish poet, Will George.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Government relations
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - , Treatment of
- Persons - Pioneers
- Government - Colonial Government
- Monuments
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Accession Code
- BV020.29.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1 Oct. 2020
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of video recording
- Video recording was edited for publication on Heritage Burnaby. Original mp4 video recording (BV020.29.2.1) is 103 min., 49 sec.
Images
Video
Thoughts on decolonizing heritage, 1 Oct. 2020
Thoughts on decolonizing heritage, 1 Oct. 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2020_0029_0002_002.mp4
Healthcare workers with Vancouver Canucks mascot "Fin"
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14754
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three healthcare workers posing with Vancouver Canucks mascot "Fin the Whale" outside of the Burnaby General Hospital. The three healthcare workers are are wearing scrubs and masks covering their mouths and noses and standing in front of the Canucks "FIN Mobile".
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three healthcare workers posing with Vancouver Canucks mascot "Fin the Whale" outside of the Burnaby General Hospital. The three healthcare workers are are wearing scrubs and masks covering their mouths and noses and standing in front of the Canucks "FIN Mobile".
- History
- Photograph was taken by Richard Liu on May 12, 2020 around 7:00pm. Richard helped organize a 'stick-tap' to salute front line health care workers at the Burnaby Hospital. The Vancouer Canuck's mascot "Fin", Mayor of Burnaby Mike Hurley, MLA Anne Kang and MLA Katrina Chen, MP Peter Juilan, the RCMP Chief, the Fire Chief and Transit Police Chief were in attendance. These 'salutes' to health care workers were common in April and May during the earliest and most uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local neighbourhoods across Burnaby, the Lower Mainland and the Province began regularly gathering at 7:00pm to bang pots and pans, honk horns, and generally celebrate and acknowledge the work of health care professionals. The presence of "Fin" was added because the Vancouver Canuck and NHL were not playing, so Fin was available to make the rounds. His visits were often surprises. Fin played the Canucks goal horn through the Fin Mobile roof speakers, with green and blue flashing lights. Fin visited six hospitals, as well as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Public Services - Health Services
- Occupations - Fire Fighters
- Occupations - Nurses
- Occupations - Physicians
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Geographic Access
- Ingleton Avenue
- Street Address
- 3880 Ingleton Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV020.18.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
- Photographer
- Liu, Richard
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Healthcare workers outside of Burnaby General Hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14753
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Panorama photograph of Burnaby General Hospital with healthcare workers standing out in front holding heart posters. This was part of the salute to health care workers event at Burnaby General Hospital.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 144 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- Panorama photograph of Burnaby General Hospital with healthcare workers standing out in front holding heart posters. This was part of the salute to health care workers event at Burnaby General Hospital.
- History
- Photograph was taken by Richard Liu on May 12, 2020 around 7:00pm. Richard helped organize a 'stick-tap' to salute front line health care workers at the Burnaby Hospital. The Vancouer Canuck's mascot "Fin", Mayor of Burnaby Mike Hurley, MLA Anne Kang and MLA Katrina Chen, MP Peter Juilan, the RCMP Chief, the Fire Chief and Transit Police Chief were in attendance. These 'salutes' to health care workers were common in April and May during the earliest and most uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many local neighbourhoods across Burnaby, the Lower Mainland and the Province began regularly gathering at 7:00pm to bang pots and pans, honk horns, and generally celebrate and acknowledge the work of health care professionals. The presence of "Fin" was added because the Vancouver Canuck and NHL were not playing, so Fin was available to make the rounds. His visits were often surprises. Fin played the Canucks goal horn through the Fin Mobile roof speakers, with green and blue flashing lights. Fin visited six hospitals, as well as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Occupations - Nurses
- Occupations - Physicians
- Public Services - Health Services
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Names
- Burnaby General Hospital
- Geographic Access
- Ingleton Avenue
- Street Address
- 3880 Ingleton Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV020.18.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 12 May 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
- Photographer
- Liu, Richard
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Paper heart by Sophie Armstrong
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14749
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- March 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 drawing : wax crayon on pink construction paper ; 20 x 23.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a heart that has been cut out of pink coloured construction paper. One side of the heart has contains a child's drawing with markings in purple crayon while the other side is blank. The side with the markings is faded from exposure due to sunlight after being hung in a window.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 drawing : wax crayon on pink construction paper ; 20 x 23.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a heart that has been cut out of pink coloured construction paper. One side of the heart has contains a child's drawing with markings in purple crayon while the other side is blank. The side with the markings is faded from exposure due to sunlight after being hung in a window.
- History
- This was a heart the Armstrong family made in the last week of March when things were starting to get very scary and they wanted to share their message of love and support to the world. The heart was decorated on one side by Sophie (age 1), Kimberly's youngest daughter (of two). The heart remained on the window until mid July 2020.
- Creator
- Armstrong, Sophie
- Subjects
- Arts - Drawings
- Crafts
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Responsibility
- Paneloc Marketing Limited
- Accession Code
- BV020.24.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- March 2020
- Media Type
- Graphic Material
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
Curating the Museum's Artifact Collection: A Rare Behind the Scene's Look
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18875
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 15 Sep. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (71 min., 11 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar presented and hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and co-hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Education Programmer Ashley Jones.The webinar is titled "Curating the Museum's Artifact Collection: A Rare Behind the Scen…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (71 min., 11 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Material Details
- Presenter and Host: Kate Petrusa
- Co-host: Ashley Jones
- Videographer: Francis Santos
- Editor of video content footage: Francis Santos
- Date of Presentation: Thursday, September 15, 2022. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Total Number of tracks: 1
- Total Length of all tracks: 71 min., 11 sec.
- Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Original recording of 71 min., 11 sec. was edited to 60 min., 5 sec. for viewing on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar presented and hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and co-hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Education Programmer Ashley Jones.The webinar is titled "Curating the Museum's Artifact Collection: A Rare Behind the Scene's Look". The webinar is the second in a series of six webinars presented in partnership by Burnaby Village Museum and Burnaby Public Library. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions during the interactive online sessions. In this interactive session Kate Petrusa provides a tour of the Burnaby Village Museum's diverse collection, the storage facilities, the tools used to maintain and preserve items and how to access the collection online on Heritage Burnaby. During the presentation Kate answers questions from the attendees.
- History
- 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. Ashley Jones is the Burnaby Village Museum Education Programmer, responsible for the development and administration of school and public programs at BVM. She has a Master of Arts degree in History and is passionate about creating hands-on programming that promotes historical and environmental literacy.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Artifacts
- Buildings - Civic - Museums
- Responsibility
- Jones, Ashley
- Accession Code
- BV022.27.2
- Date
- 15 Sep. 2022
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
Video
Curating the Museum's Artifact Collection: A Rare Behind the Scene's Look, 15 Sep. 2022
Curating the Museum's Artifact Collection: A Rare Behind the Scene's Look, 15 Sep. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2022_0027_0002_002.mp4
Hopeful sign on Smith Ave
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95099
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 21, 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Photographic Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bright pink sign stapled to a telphone poll on Smith Avenue near Wakefield Court. A smiling green creature is painted on the sign along with the message "Stay Happy Stay Healthy!".
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 21, 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Photographic Society fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 623-018
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2020-10
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bright pink sign stapled to a telphone poll on Smith Avenue near Wakefield Court. A smiling green creature is painted on the sign along with the message "Stay Happy Stay Healthy!".
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Damer, Eric
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Geographic Access
- Smith Avenue
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
Images
Radical sentiments
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95098
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 29, 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Photographic Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Socialist Alternative "Fight Coronavirus & Fight Capitalism" sign posted to a telephone poll near the BCIT campus.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 29, 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Photographic Society fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 623-017
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2020-10
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Socialist Alternative "Fight Coronavirus & Fight Capitalism" sign posted to a telephone poll near the BCIT campus.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Damer, Eric
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Geographic Access
- Willingdon Avenue
- Sanderson Way
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
Images
Are we really changing? Reflections on Reconciliation
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15669
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 12 May 2021
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (91 min., 26 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke. The webinar is titled "Are We Really Changing? Reflections on Reconciliation" and is presented by Brandon Gabriel, visual arts from the Kwantlen First Nation. The Zoom webinar is the sixt…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (91 min., 26 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Material Details
- Presenter: Brandon Gabriel
- Host: Jane Lemke
- Date of Presentation: Wednesday, May 12, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Total Number of tracks: 1
- Total Length of all tracks: min., sec.
- Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Recording Note: Film was edited from it's original recorded version (92 min., 31 sec.) to edited version (91 min., 26 sec.) for public viewing on Heritage Burnaby.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke. The webinar is titled "Are We Really Changing? Reflections on Reconciliation" and is presented by Brandon Gabriel, visual arts from the Kwantlen First Nation. The Zoom webinar is the sixth in a series of six "Neighbourhood Speaker Series" webinars exploring a range of topics shared by Indigenous speakers and knowledge keepers that were presented and made available to the public between April 27 and May 12, 2021. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions and comments during the interactive online sessions. In this webinar, Brandon supports his presentation with slides and explores the following questions; If we have not changed the way we introduce ourselves to each other and this land then what are we reconciling?" and "If resource exploitation, racism and colonization continue today, how can we change?" Brandon Gabriel, mixed-media artist and activist, looks back at some highlights of his twenty seven year artistic journey and shares what you can do to tackle reconciliation in your own life. Brandon presents counter narratives speaking to the importance of: Land; Languages; Colonial Annihilation and Indigenous Resurgence. Brandon pauses half way through his presentation to ask and reflect on the question "How far back do you know your ancestors on your mother's side?". While listeners are reflecting, Brandon shares a recording of Dennis Leon of Kwantlen First Nation performing the song “True Love”. Following this, Brandon takes questions from the audience and comments on the importance of matriarchal lineage in indigenous culture. In the second half of the presentation, Brandon talks about his own art and shares examples of Indigenous artists work including: Bill Reid, Zacharias Kunuk, Marianne Nicholson; Brian Jungan and Rebecca Bellmore. Following the presentation, Brandon Gabriel takes questions from the audience that are moderated by the host, Jane Lemke.
- History
- Brandon Gabriel is an award winning, and Internationally recognized visual artist from the Kwantlen First Nation, in unceded Fort Langley B.C. Brandon was educated at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (1999-2003) and at Emily Carr University of Art and Design (2003-2006). Brandon has over twenty seven years of professional experience as a designer, wood carver, mixed media sculptor, graphic designer, illustrator, and educator. He has exhibited works in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, South America, the USA, and across Canada.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Art
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Government relations
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - , Treatment of
- Responsibility
- Lemke, Jane
- Accession Code
- BV021.17.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 12 May 2021
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on content of video recording The following link was shared at the end of the presentation: Kwantlen First Nation: https://www.kwantlenfn.ca/
Images
Video
Are we really changing? Reflections on Reconciliation, 12 May 2021
Are we really changing? Reflections on Reconciliation, 12 May 2021
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2021_0017_0006_002.mp4
Bringing Visibility to the Land: A Tsleil-Waututh Perspective on Community Building
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15665
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 27 Apr. 2021
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (47 min., 39 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke. The webinar is titled "Bringing Visibility to the Land: A Tsleil-Waututh Perspective on Community Building" and is presented by Michelle George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation Cultural and Technic…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (47 min., 39 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Material Details
- Presenters: Michelle George
- Host: Jane Lemke
- Date of Presentation: Tuesday, April 27, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Total Number of tracks: 1
- Total Length of all tracks: 47 min., 39 sec.
- Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Recording Note: Film was edited from it's original recorded version (63 min., 29 sec.) to edited version (47 min., 39 sec.) for public viewing on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke. The webinar is titled "Bringing Visibility to the Land: A Tsleil-Waututh Perspective on Community Building" and is presented by Michelle George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation Cultural and Technical Specialist. The Zoom webinar is the first in a series of six "Neighbourhood Speaker series" webinars exploring a range of topics shared by Indigenous speakers and knowledge keepers that were presented and made available to the public between April 27 and May 12, 2021. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions during the interactive online sessions. In this webinar, Michelle George explores the importance of bringing Tsleil-Waututh ways of knowing/knowledge of the land to Burnaby. She grounds her talk with her experience of working with the Burnaby Village Museum on producing the Indigenous History of Burnaby Resource Guide, an award-winning illustrated educational guide. Michelle also speaks to some of the devastating experiences that the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Indigenous Peoples have suffered since Colonial Settlement and how her Nation has begun to grow in a changing environment. In segments of her talk, Michelle refers to a map titled "Tsleil-Waututh Nation Consultation Area". Following the presentation, Michelle George answers questions from the audience that are moderated by the host, Jane Lemke.
- History
- Michelle George is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) and currently works as a Tsleil-Waututh Nation Cultural and Technical Specialist for the Treaty, Lands and Resources (TLR) Department. She participates in various projects for the TWN government and community, focusing on Tsleil-Waututh Governance and Community. The goals that she carries in her work are to make sure Tsleil-Waututh culture is included and considered in these Nation-level projects, as well as within the reviews done on external projects within the TWN Consultation area. She has been a member of both the Tsleil-Waututh Land Code Committee and Land Use Planning group. Michelle is also a First Nations Health Authority Traditional Knowledge Keeper, and a past-Elected Councilor for Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Michelle also provides guest lectures at Simon Fraser University, Langara College, and the BC Institute of Technology.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Government relations
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Languages
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - , Treatment of
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - First contact with Europeans
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Burnaby Public Library
- George, Michelle
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- George, Chief Daniel "Dan"
- Responsibility
- Lemke, Jane
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV021.17.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 27 Apr. 2021
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of video recording
Images
Video
Bringing Visibility to the Land: A Tsleil-Waututh Perspective on Community Building, 27 Apr. 2021
Bringing Visibility to the Land: A Tsleil-Waututh Perspective on Community Building, 27 Apr. 2021
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2021_0017_0001_002.mp4
Since Time-Immemorial: A Look at the Rich Culture of Coast Salish Peoples and its Role at the Museum
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18876
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 20 Sep. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (97 min., 15 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Indigenous Education Programmer, Nicole Preissl. The webinar is titled "Since Time-Immemorial: A Look at the Rich Culture of Coast Salish Peoples and its Role at the Museum". The webinar is the third in a ser…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (97 min., 15 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Material Details
- Host: Nicole Preissl
- Presenters: Carleen Thomas
- Date of Presentation: Tuesday, September 20, 2022. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Total Number of tracks: 1
- Total Length of all tracks: 97 min., 15 sec.
- Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Original recording of 97 min., 15 sec. was edited to 88 min., 50 sec. for viewing on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Indigenous Education Programmer, Nicole Preissl. The webinar is titled "Since Time-Immemorial: A Look at the Rich Culture of Coast Salish Peoples and its Role at the Museum". The webinar is the third in a series of six webinars presented in partnership by Burnaby Village Museum and Burnaby Public Library. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions during the interactive online sessions. In this webinar both Nicole Preissl and guest Carleeen Thomas make presentations. The webinar opens with an introduction by Nicole Preissl. Nicole shares her own Indigenous lineage and background; her educational background and experiences while a student at Emily Carr University; her interest in Indigenous materials practices and her role and experiences as Indigenous Education Programmer at the Burnaby Village Museum along with her ideas and goals for the future. Nicole supports her presentation with a slide show presentation regarding the evolution of the Indigenous Learning House on the site of the Burnaby Village Museum and the many transformations that it has gone through. Nicole shares her vision that is helping to transform the space further into a more inviting, learning and creative space for visitors and Indigenous peoples. Nicole also highlights the work that she’s been involved with to further develop educational programming and partnerships on site and her work to further develop the Indigenous Matriarch’s garden and the cedar grove area to include more Indigenous plants. Carleen provides information on the history of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation “People of the Inlet” and highlights information on land mapping that was created by the Nation during the Land Treaty process in 1980s; the many negative impacts to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation from contact and colonization; findings from archaeological investigations done in the Tsleil-Waututh territory that record village sites, seasonal camps and pictographs; stories associated with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s oral histories including the double-headed serpent; the impacts of contact and development including industrial logging; the many other challenges that the Tsleil-Waututh Nation have faced and the vision and goals for the future. Carleen describes many photographs of people and places in the presentation and provides important stories and oral histories that have been passed down through her family and nation for generations. Following the presentations Nicole and Carleen answer questions from the attendees and comment further on the information that they've shared.
- History
- Nicole Preissl is Stó:lo from Leq'á:mel First Nation as well as having ancestry from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh First Nation and sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie) First Nation. On her mother's side she is third generation Canadian Settler with European Heritage. Nicole has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Emily Carr University with a Major in Design and has been the Burnaby Village Museum Indigenous Education Programmer since 2022. Carleen Thomas is a Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) member, elder, and current Special Projects Manager for the Treaty, Lands, and Resources department. She is the first Indigenous chancellor at Emily Carr University of Art and Design; educator; former TWN council member of 16 years; has chaired and been a representative on countless committees; and most significantly, grandmother of five amazing grandchildren. Carleen Thomas plays a vital role in her community and is a highly motivated and hardworking individual. Thomas obtained a Bachelors of Education from UBC and has deeply rooted knowledge of her culture and people. Carleen sites her grandparents: Hereditary Chief John L. George & Lillian “Dolly” George and her maternal Grandmother Caroline Thomas (nee: Joseph) as some of her key influences in life. Their teachings, unconditional love, and most of all, patience in guiding and preparing Carleen will last a lifetime. She has created a lasting mark for her family, community and for future generations of Indigenous, Coast Salish and Tsleil-Waututh families.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Food
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - First contact with Europeans
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Social life and customs
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Art
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Languages
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - , Treatment of
- Indigenous peoples - Indian Territory
- Plants
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Rites and ceremonies
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Government relations
- Indigenous peoples
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Preissl, Nicole
- Thomas, Carleen
- Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- Accession Code
- BV022.27.3
- Date
- 20 Sep. 2022
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
Video
Since Time-Immemorial: A Look at the Rich Culture of Coast Salish Peoples and its Role at the Museum, 20 Sep. 2022
Since Time-Immemorial: A Look at the Rich Culture of Coast Salish Peoples and its Role at the Museum, 20 Sep. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2022_0027_0003_002.mp4
Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15664
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 29 Apr. 2021
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (87 min., 17 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum curator, Jane Lemke. The webinar is titled "Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements" and is presented by Fancy Poitras, Indigenous Relations Manager for the City of Bu…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (87 min., 17 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Material Details
- Presenters: Fancy Poitras and Rebekah Mahaffey
- Host: Jane Lemke
- Date of Presentation: Thursday, April 29, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Total Number of tracks: 1
- Total Length of all tracks: 87 min., 17 sec.
- Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Recording Note: Film was edited from it's original recorded version (95 min., 34 sec.) to edited version (87 min., 17 sec.) for public viewing on Heritage Burnaby. This live recording experienced technical difficulties with the viewer window during the first few minutes of the presentation. This is resolved at 15:36.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum curator, Jane Lemke. The webinar is titled "Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements" and is presented by Fancy Poitras, Indigenous Relations Manager for the City of Burnaby and Rebekah Mahaffey, Social Planner for the City of Burnaby. The Zoom webinar is the second in a series of six "Neighbourhood Speaker series" webinars exploring a range of topics shared by Indigenous speakers and knowledge keepers that were presented and made available to the public between April 27 and May 12, 2021. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions during the interactive online sessions. The webinar opens with host, Jane Lemke providing a Land Acknowlegement "The land on which Burnaby now sits is the ancestral and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples". Jane explains that providing a land acknowledgement is part of the City of Burnaby's official policy and that the land is on the shared territory of many Nations including the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), Kway-quit-lum, Kwantlen, ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Understanding the definitions of language groups, Nations, shared territory and many of the importance words form a basis of the subject matter for this webinar. Fancy Poitras and Rebekah Mahaffey enter a discussion exploring this topic while posing thought provoking questions to each other. As Burnaby's Indigenous Relations Manager, Fancy Poitras conveys her own experiences and knowledge while providing historical references and recommendations for further educational resources around territorial land acknowledgment. Following their discussion, Fancy and Rebekah take questions from the audience that are moderated by the host, Jane Lemke.
- History
- Fancy Poitras was hired as the City of Burnaby's first Indigenous Relations Manager in 2021. Prior to her role, she worked for the First Nations Health Authority for more than five years, first as a Senior Policy Analyst, then as the Manager and Acting Director of Strategic Policy; throughout her time with FNHA, she worked on an extensive portfolio of health and wellness, and service design and delivery issues, including primary care, cancer, seniors and elders. Fancy has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Social Policy Issues from Simon Fraser University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Alberta. Fancy is a member of Mikisew Cree First Nation, Treaty 8 territory, and she grew up primarily in the Northwest Territories. Rebekah Mahaffey (she, her, hers) is a Social Policy Planner at the City of Burnaby. She is a settler on these lands, and is of mixed French-Scottish-Irish ancestry. She grew up in Indonesia, Libya and England and has called the west coast home for almost 15 years. Rebekah has degrees in International Development, Art History and Urban Planning. In her work she focuses on inter-culturalism, access and inclusion, anti-racism, and working with Burnaby’s 2SLGBTQQIA community. When not at work, she enjoys hiking, reading, and listening to podcasts. She lives in Vancouver with her young child.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Government relations
- Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Languages
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - , Treatment of
- Responsibility
- Lemke, Jane
- Accession Code
- BV021.17.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 29 Apr. 2021
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of video recording The following links wereshared at the end of the presentation:
- My Conversations with Canadians by Lee Maracle: https://bookhugpress.ca/shop/ebooks/essays-ebooks/conversations-with-canadians-by-lee-maracle/
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph: https://www.ictinc.ca/books/21-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-indian-act
- CBC documentary series 8th Fire: https://www.cbc.ca/firsthand/blog/8th-fire-wabs-walk-through-history ‘Whose Land’ App: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/whose-land/id1350310353
- “Unreserved” Podcast, Episode: January 20, 2019, ‘Hayden King’: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/redrawing-the-lines-1.4973363/i-regret-it-hayden-king-on-writing-ryerson-university-s-territorial-acknowledgement-1.4973371
- Guidelines for Indigenous Territory Acknowledgement http://www.burnaby.ca/Assets/Burnaby+Interagency/Guidelines+for+Indigenous+Territory+Acknowledgement.pdf
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action: http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Calls_for_Justice.pdf
Images
Video
Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements, 29 Apr. 2021
Traditional, Ancestral & Unceded: A Conversation on Territorial Acknowledgements, 29 Apr. 2021
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2021_0017_0002_002.mp4Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).
- History
- Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. 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
- Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
- Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
- Buildings - Industrial - Factories
- Education
- Employment
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Migration
- Occupations - Engineers
- Occupations - Millworkers
- Occupations - Teachers
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
- Kapoor Sawmills Limited
- Siddoo, Kapoor Singh
- Teja, Gurdial Singh
- Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
- Manhas, Ghania Singh
- Singh, Mayo
- Manhas, Kashmir Singh
- Manhas, Sher Singh
- Manhas, Budhan Kaur
- Manhas, Lashman Singh
- Responsibility
- Malik, Anushay
- Rajdeep
- Geographic Access
- Woodsworth Street
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Capitol Hill Area
- Related Material
- See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
- Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi
- Transcript of interview available upon request
Audio Tracks
Interview with Kalwant Singh
Interview with Kalwant Singh
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3