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Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20395
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronak…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Details
- Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Alex Chronakis and Georgia Chronakis Location of Interview: Fraser Wilson Room, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:17:12 Digital master recordings (wav) were converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronakis, including their Greek background, migration to Canada, marriage, children, Louis’ career as a mechanic and gas station owner and owning restaurants in White Rock and Burnaby. 00:08:40 - 00:13:59 Georgia and her son Alex recall the great memories of owning and operating their restaurant Mionas Taverna and share details of their family life in Burnaby and White Rock. 00:14:00 - 00:19:15 Alex and Georgia talk about Louis Chronakis' work experience and how he became involved in the restaurant business. They share their experiences of operating Minoas Taverna including their opening in 1986. 00:19:16 - 00:36:59 Alex and Georgia describe some of the foods that were on the menu of Minoas Taverna, the design of the restaurant, the Minoan history that it’s based on, memories of running the restaurant and why they decided to close. 00:37:00 – 00:41:52 Alex talks about his involvement with Greek festivals in Vancouver and Alex and Georgia reflect on their life in the future now that the restaurant has closed.
- History
- Interviewees biographies: Georgia Giannias Chronakis was born in Selassia, Sparta, Greece in 1941 and when she was sixteen years of age she moved to Athens. In 1964 Georgia immigrated to Canada and lived in Montreal before moving to Vancouver a few years later. In 1966, while living in Vancouver, she met and married Ilias "Louis" Chronakis who was born in Crete, Greece. Soon after marrying, Georgia and Louis Chronakis bought a house located at 3823 Kingsway and welcomed their first child, Anna. Four years later, Georgia and Louis moved to White Rock but continued to own their house on Kingsway and rented it out. While living in White Rock, they had three more children named Virginia, Alex and Ellie. Louis was a trained mechanic working independently and for various companies including CP Air, BC Ferries and Esso before deciding to get into the restaurant business. He partnered with another businessman to open a Mr. Mike's franchise and later a cafe and Greek restaurant in White Rock. In 1986, Georgia, Louis and family moved back to Burnaby and moved into a house on Sandall Street and began converting their former home on Kingsway into a restaurant which they named Minoas Greek Taverna (Minoas Taverna). They opened the restaurant on May 1, 1986, just one day before Expo '86 was opened. In 2023, after 37 years of running their restaurant they sold their business but continued to own the land and building on Kingsway. Alex Chronakis is the son of Georgia and Louis Chronakis and was born in 1972. Alex has spent time working with his family running their restaurant and has been involved in the Greek Day Festival in Vancouver. 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
- Foods
- Occupations
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Mechanics
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations
- Migration
- Persons - Greek Canadians
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Smith Avenue
- Street Address
- 3823 Kingsway
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.21
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis, [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023
Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis, [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0021_002.mp3Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married his wife, Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Clothing
- Foods
- Indigenous peoples
- Buildings - Religious - Temples
- Food Processing Tools and Equipment
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Migration
- Occupations
- Organizations - Unions
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
- Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)
Audio Tracks
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19635
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (87 min.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (86 min., 51 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks on July 26 2023. 00:00-12:02 Interview opens with introductions. Jenny Siormanolakis shares details about her parents Eugene and Europe Siormanola…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (87 min.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (86 min., 51 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis Location of Interview: Prado Cafe, 4321 Still Creek Dr., Burnaby Interview Date: July 26, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:26:60 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Ambient sound from cafe in background of interview
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks on July 26 2023. 00:00-12:02 Interview opens with introductions. Jenny Siormanolakis shares details about her parents Eugene and Europe Siormanolakis who were both born in Greece and immigrated to Vancouver. Jenny provides details about the history of Romana Pizza restaurant including; the restaurant partners, the various locations, her father’s work ethics of running the restaurant and the staff who worked there. Jenny provides details about her father's life, his ancestral background and family relations which lead him to immigrate to Vancouver. Jenny shares childhood memories of helping out in her parents’ restaurant and later working there. 12:03 – 26:41 Jenny describes various food dishes that have been on the menu of Romana Pizza and Steak House and Romana Pizza, how they've evolved over time, how her father learned to cook traditional Greek food and develop his own recipes and where he sourced his restaurant food supplies. Jenny conveys how they used social media to advertise the restaurant, describes the election pizza poll that Romana Pizza held during the federal and provincial elections and a baby poll that was held at the restaurant to guess the weight of her and her sister’s babies. 26:42 – 31:47 Jenny talks about her marriage and recollects how she got married in a civil ceremony at Romana Pizza. Jenny talks about her family life while her family was running the restaurant, their decision to sell the restaurant and describes the last days of running the restaurant. 31:48 – 46:33 Jenny conveys the background story of her business “Granpa J’s”. Jenny describes how her uncle Jimmy Voulides, created his own seasoning salt product and after he died in 2003, Jenny and her sister Nora purchased the business. Jenny describes how they developed their business, created new products, their struggles and how they became successful. Jenny describes how their products have been developed from family recipes and recalls how the actor Ryan Reynold’s helped their products become even more successful overnight. 46:34 – 55:38 Jenny talks about different community festivals and events that she’s been involved with including; Greek Day on Broadway (Vancouver) and the Hats Off Day event in North Burnaby. Jenny shares the background history of Greek Day in Vancouver and information about other Greek community events. Jenny talks about the importance of bringing the community together and the importance of knowing the history of your ancestors and where they came from. 55:39 - 1:04:35 Jenny talks about her involvement with the Greek community newspaper “Gnome” and provides details about; the former creator and editor Kostas Karatsikis, the newspaper's content, it's importance in the Greek community and the distribution. Jenny describes some of the articles that she’s written for the Gnome newspaper. 1:04:36 - 1:14:12 Jenny describes some pivotal moments that occurred over the years at Romana Pizza including; placing second in the Vancouver Sun newspaper contest for Best Pizza (1986) and having members of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team frequent their restaurant. Jenny conveys how the restaurant benefited from having a website and using social media as a marketing tools. 1:14:13 - 1:22:42 Jenny talks about her involvement with Kolanki Group West, Euro Find foods and her passion for Greek food and other European foods. Jenny describes some traditional Greek recipes, family recipes, talks about marketing Grandpa J's products and reflects on the menu of Romana Pizza. 1:22:43 - 1:26:51 Jenny reflects on the role of the Greek community, how food plays a roll, the future of the Greek community in Vancouver and Burnaby and the importance of engaging the younger generation. In closing Jenny provides a quote from an article that she wrote “Forgive the mistakes of the past, let it go and realize that we are all equals...”.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Eugenia "Jenny" Siormanolakis is the daughter of Eugene and Europe Siormanolakis. Jenny’s father, Eugene Siormanolakis immigrated to Canada from Greece in the late 1960’s and her mother Europe Siormanolakis immigrated in 1973. In April 1973, her father and five partners opened the restaurant “Romana Pizza and Steak House” (later renamed "Romana Pizza") located at 4660 Hastings Street in the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood. Jenny and her sister Eleanora Iliakis spent much of their childhood in the family owned restaurant and also worked at the restaurant as they become older. Jenny’s parents continued to own and operate the restaurant until 2014 when they decided to retire from the business. In 2004, an opportunity arose for Jenny and her sister Eleanora to buy their recently deceased uncle’s business Grandpa J’s Seasoning Inc. They launched their business of “Grandpa J’s” seasoning first selling to local restaurants and eventually adapted their product line to include other Greek seasoning products which they developed from their own recipes. They expanded their clientele to include retail outlets and in 2020, they got a boost to their sales when actor Ryan Reynolds promoted their seasoing product "Vancity Grind" on Instagram. Since launching their business they have been featured in many culinary and business publications and were nominated in 2022 as finalists for Product of the Year by BC Food and Beverage. Jenny is extremely passionate about food, her Greek heritage and is an advocate for food security for children and seniors and mental health. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Businesses
- Elections
- Foods
- Migration
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Persons - Greek Canadians
- Names
- Gnome Publications
- Iliakis, Eleonara Siormanolakis
- Karatsikis, Kostas "George"
- Siormanolakis, Eugenia "Jenny"
- Nikolaidis, "Eleni"
- Nikolaidis, Stelios
- Romana Pizza
- Siormanolakis, Eugene
- Siormanolakis, Europe
- Voulides, Demetrios "Jimmy"
- Responsibility
- Binks, James
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Street Address
- 4660 Hastings Street
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.13
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis, [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023
Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis, [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0013_003.mp3Interview with Lizette Pappas
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20334
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 7 Nov. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (137 min., 12 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (137 min., 12 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lizette Pappas conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 7, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:41:04 Lizette provides details on her family background in Greece, recalls her early childhood in Naxos, her families’ migrati…
- 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
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (137 min., 12 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (137 min., 12 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Lizette Pappas Location of Interview: Fraser Wilson Room, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 7, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:17:12 Digital master recordings (wav) were converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lizette Pappas conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 7, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:41:04 Lizette provides details on her family background in Greece, recalls her early childhood in Naxos, her families’ migration to Canada and their experiences as new immigrants living in Penticton. Lizette shares information about her husband including his Greek origins, his migration story, and how they met as well as information about their careers and raising their family in Burnaby. 41:05 – 01:10:52 Lizette talks about living in Penticton and helping out in the family restaurant business. Lizette describes some of the challenges that they faced and describes some of the foods that they served and reflects on what it means to be a Greek immigrant in British Columbia. 01:10:53– 01:36:32 Lizette talks about her life in Burnaby, her involvement with the Ladies Philoptochos Society, a back to your roots group, the Hellenic Community, the importance of sharing Greek culture, traditions and food with the younger generation and her experiences celebrating Greek culture while attending university. 01:36:33 – 01:54:39 Lizette talks more about her families’ life in Penticton as Greek immigrants, their experiences and accomplishments, her experiences visiting Greece after immigrating to Canada and her husbands’ experiences living in Greece. 01:54:40 – 02:03:59 Lizette reflects on the impacts of COVID in the restaurant industry, community building and urban development in Burnaby and makes comparisons to communities in Greece. 02:04:00 – 02:17:14 Talks about the origin of her name, shares the story of how her name evolved over time after she immigrated to Canada and shares examples of some of the traditional family names that have been passed down through generations.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Lizette Pappas was born in Apeiranthos on the island of Naxos in Greece in 1948 to parents Florio Vassilakakis and Paraskevi Vassilakis. In 1956, Lizette immigrated to Canada with her parents and her two older brothers. With the help of Lizette’s uncle, her family settled in Penticton and in 1958, Lizette’s younger sister was born. Lizette’s birth name was Elisa Vassilakakis but when she immigrated to Canada she was given the first name “Alice” on her immigration documents. Soon after, when she was enrolled in elementary school, her aunt suggested that she use the name “Lizette” instead of “Alice” and Lizette became the first name she’s continued to use since. While living in Penticton, Lizette’s parents first worked doing manual labour in the fruit industry before buying their own restaurant in 1968. Lizette obtained her teaching degree from the University of British Columbia. In 1972, Lizette met her future husband Basile Pappas and they were married in 1975. After marrying, Lizette and her husband settled in the Brentwood area of Burnaby and began raising their two children. Lizette, her husband and children moved back to Penticton in late 1979 to join her family running two restaurants and a nightclub. After a number of years, Lizette, her husband and two children returned to their home in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Lizette has worked as a teacher with the Vancouver School Board and has been involved with various organizations including “Back to our Roots” and “Philoptochos Ladies Society”. 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
- Religions
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
- Persons - Greek Canadians
- Migration
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Names
- Pappas, Elisa Alice "Lizette" Vassilakakis
- Vassilakakis, Florio
- Vassilakis, Paraskevi
- Love, John Agapitos
- Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society
- Hellenic Community of Vancouver
- Responsibility
- Binks, James
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.20
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 7 Nov. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcript available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Lizette Pappas, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 7 Nov. 2023
Interview with Lizette Pappas, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 7 Nov. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0020_004.mp3![Yuen Sun Toy with grandaughters, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0025_0012_001.jpg?width=280)
Yuen Sun Toy with grandaughters
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20351
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [197-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Yuen Sun Toy standing together with her grandaughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina Toy outside of the Canada Way Food Market located at 4694 Canada Way, Burnaby. Sign for International Meat Market is visible in the background.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Series
- Harry Toy photographs series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Yuen Sun Toy standing together with her grandaughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina Toy outside of the Canada Way Food Market located at 4694 Canada Way, Burnaby. Sign for International Meat Market is visible in the background.
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4694 Canada Way
- Accession Code
- BV023.25.12
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [197-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
- For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-01
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Yuen Sun Toy with grandaughters, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0025_0012_001.jpg)
Chinese Export Commodities Fair identification tag
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14794
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1978
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 identification tag
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a circular cardboard "CECF" tag that was used by "Western Commodities Ltd." as part of an identification tag to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 identification tag
- Material Details
- Text in both English and Chinese
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a circular cardboard "CECF" tag that was used by "Western Commodities Ltd." as part of an identification tag to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Documentary Artifacts - Identification Tags
- Personal Symbols - Ribbons
- Accession Code
- BV019.6.8
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1978
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 29-Sept-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on content of item
- Badge includes a silk ribbon (BV019.6.7) that was pinned to the top of the tag as an identifier for the Chinese Export Commodities Fair
- Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
Chinese Export Commodities Fair ribbon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14793
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1978
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 ribbon
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a pink silk ribbon that was used by "Western Commodities Ltd." as part of an identification tag to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 ribbon
- Material Details
- Text in both English and Chinese
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a pink silk ribbon that was used by "Western Commodities Ltd." as part of an identification tag to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Documentary Artifacts - Identification Tags
- Personal Symbols - Ribbons
- Accession Code
- BV019.6.7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1978
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 29-Sept-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on content of item
- Ribbon includes a "CECF" tag (BV019.6.8) that was pinned to the top of the ribbon as an identifier for the Chinese Export Commodities Fair
- Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14792
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1978
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p. (folded)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an invitation for "Western Commodities Ltd." to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p. (folded)
- Material Details
- Text in both English and Chinese
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an invitation for "Western Commodities Ltd." to attend the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
- Accession Code
- BV019.6.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1978
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 29-Sept-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on content of item
- Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
![Entry - Exit card, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Textual_Records/2019/2019_0006_0005_001.jpg?width=280)
Entry - Exit card
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14791
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [197-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a blank Entry/Exit Card.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Material Details
- Text in both English and Chinese
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a blank Entry/Exit Card.
- Accession Code
- BV019.6.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [197-]
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 29-Sept-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on content of item
- Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
![Entry - Exit card, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Textual_Records/2019/2019_0006_0005_001.jpg)
![Immigration department Hong Kong arrival and departure card, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Textual_Records/2019/2019_0006_0004_001.jpg?width=280)
Immigration department Hong Kong arrival and departure card
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14790
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [197-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 p.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a blank Immigration Department of Hong Kong Arrival and Departure Card.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 p.
- Material Details
- Text in both English and Chinese
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a blank Immigration Department of Hong Kong Arrival and Departure Card.
- Accession Code
- BV019.6.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [197-]
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 29-Sept-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on content of item
- Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
![Immigration department Hong Kong arrival and departure card, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Textual_Records/2019/2019_0006_0004_001.jpg)
![Immigration form, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Textual_Records/2019/2019_0006_0002_001.jpg?width=280)
Immigration form
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14788
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [197-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a blank immigration form requiring; full name; nationality; sex; date and room no.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Material Details
- Text in both English and Chinese
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a blank immigration form requiring; full name; nationality; sex; date and room no.
- Accession Code
- BV019.6.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [197-]
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 29-Sept-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on content of item
- Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
![Immigration form, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Textual_Records/2019/2019_0006_0002_001.jpg)
Registration form for visitors to the fair
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14795
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1978
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a blank registration form for visitors to the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 p.
- Material Details
- Text in both English and Chinese
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a blank registration form for visitors to the Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Spring) 1978, jointly sponsored by The National Foreign Trade Corporations of China, to be held April 15 to May 15, 1978.
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Documentary Artifacts - Identification Tags
- Personal Symbols - Ribbons
- Accession Code
- BV019.6.9
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1978
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 29-Sept-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on content of item
- Item is part of a scrapbook album created by Cecil Lee
Images
![Harry Toy at cash register inside Canada Way Food Market, [May 1972] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0025_0014_001.jpg?width=280)
Harry Toy at cash register inside Canada Way Food Market
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20353
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [May 1972]
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Harry Toy standing at cash register inside Canada Way Food Market located at 4694 Canada Way, Burnaby. Store products are visible behind him and hanging over his head.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Series
- Harry Toy photographs series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Harry Toy standing at cash register inside Canada Way Food Market located at 4694 Canada Way, Burnaby. Store products are visible behind him and hanging over his head.
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4694 Canada Way
- Accession Code
- BV023.25.14
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [May 1972]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
- For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-01
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Harry Toy at cash register inside Canada Way Food Market, [May 1972] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0025_0014_001.jpg)
![Harry Toy in front of Canada Way Food Market, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0025_0013_001.jpg?width=280)
Harry Toy in front of Canada Way Food Market
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20352
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [197-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Harry Toy standing next to display of fresh flowers outside in front of the Canada Way Food Market located at 4694 Canada Way, Burnaby.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Series
- Harry Toy photographs series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Harry Toy standing next to display of fresh flowers outside in front of the Canada Way Food Market located at 4694 Canada Way, Burnaby.
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4694 Canada Way
- Accession Code
- BV023.25.13
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [197-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
- For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-01
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Harry Toy in front of Canada Way Food Market, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0025_0013_001.jpg)
Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. 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
- Education
- Migration
- Occupations - Teachers
- Occupations - Grocers
- Organizations
- Organizations - Business Associations
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
- Names
- Toy, Christina
- Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"
- Babey, Beverley
- Canada Way Food Market
- Fraser Merchants' Association
- Responsibility
- Fong, Denise
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4694 Canada Way
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.19
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Related Material
- See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3![William Toy with grandaughters, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0025_0011_001.jpg?width=280)
William Toy with grandaughters
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20348
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [197-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 12.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of William "Bill" Toy standing together with his grandaughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina Toy in front of the Canada Way Food Market located at 4694 Canada Way, Burnaby.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Harry Toy fonds
- Series
- Harry Toy photographs series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 12.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of William "Bill" Toy standing together with his grandaughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina Toy in front of the Canada Way Food Market located at 4694 Canada Way, Burnaby.
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4694 Canada Way
- Accession Code
- BV023.25.11
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [197-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- See also BV023.16.19 - Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy
- For associated artifacts from Canada Way Food Market see Accession BV023.17
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-12-01
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![William Toy with grandaughters, [197-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2023/2023_0025_0011_001.jpg)
Burnaby Place
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93691
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 4, 1978
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a commercial mid-rise building at Patterson Avenue and Kingsway, near Central Park. A Shell gas station is next to the building and a Bank of Nova Scotia occupies the first floor. The photograph is taken from Patterson, facing east on Kingsway. Pedestrians are crossing at the intersec…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 4, 1978
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 556-648
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2017-57
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a commercial mid-rise building at Patterson Avenue and Kingsway, near Central Park. A Shell gas station is next to the building and a Bank of Nova Scotia occupies the first floor. The photograph is taken from Patterson, facing east on Kingsway. Pedestrians are crossing at the intersection.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial
- Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations
- Buildings - Commercial - Banks
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Chapman, Fred
- Notes
- Title taken from project information form
- Accompanied by a project information form and 1 photograph (b&w negative ; 9.5 x 12.5 cm)
- BPL no. 96
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Patterson Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Bakery Opposite Capitol Hill School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93647
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 20, 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior and the parking lot of a bakery on the corner of Holdom Avenue and Hastings Street, across from Capitol Hill Elementary School. The sign reads "Mackey Fine Foods." The photograph is taken facing north from the other side of Hastings Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 20, 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 556-604
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2017-57
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior and the parking lot of a bakery on the corner of Holdom Avenue and Hastings Street, across from Capitol Hill Elementary School. The sign reads "Mackey Fine Foods." The photograph is taken facing north from the other side of Hastings Street.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Chapman, Fred
- Notes
- Title taken from project information form
- Accompanied by a project information form and 1 photograph (b&w negative ; 9.5 x 12.5 cm)
- BPL no. 54
- Geographic Access
- Holdom Avenue
- Hastings Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Manna Natural Foods
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79117
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- September, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows Manna Natural Foods at 4521 Hastings Street. The Sunshine Kitchen Restaurant is located inside the health food store.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- September, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 556-164
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2013-13
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows Manna Natural Foods at 4521 Hastings Street. The Sunshine Kitchen Restaurant is located inside the health food store.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Campbell, Peg
- Notes
- Scope note taken directly from BPL photograph description.
- 1 b&w copy negative : 10 x 12.5 cm accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Street Address
- 4521 Hastings Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Marine Food Basket
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79097
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 14, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows a large truck going past the Marine Food Basket at 5886 Marine Drive and the Hawaii Cafe next door. The buildings were constructed around 1930.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 14, 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Public Library Contemporary Visual Archive Project
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 556-150
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2013-13
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows a large truck going past the Marine Food Basket at 5886 Marine Drive and the Hawaii Cafe next door. The buildings were constructed around 1930.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Campbell, Peg
- Notes
- Scope note taken directly from BPL photograph description.
- 1 b&w copy negative : 10 x 12.5 cm accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Marine Drive
- Street Address
- 5886 Marine Drive
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Big Bend Area
Images
