Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Photograph of a float constructed by Pacific Vocational Institute students. The float is based on the movie "E.T." and features some young adults on bicycles on the float.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: ca.1983

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 cm x 20.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1390

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2009-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of a float constructed by Pacific Vocational Institute students. The float is based on the movie "E.T." and features some young adults on bicycles on the float.

Subjects: Events - Parades; Transportation - Parade Floats

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on recto: "E.T. going home by Pacific Vocational Institute students"; Note on verso: "Burnaby Today / A-8 / Going home / 100%"

Images

E.T. going home float by Pacific Vocational Institute students, ca.1983 thumbnail

Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 10

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory450

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1990

Length: 00:05:53

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Burnaby and New Westminster May Days and how geography and poor transportation affects municipal east-west and north-south connections

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Burnaby and New Westminster May Days and how geography and poor transportation affects municipal east-west and north-south connections

Date Range: 1930-1990

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012

Length: 00:05:53

Subjects: Events - May Day; Transportation

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 14, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 1:34:40

Interviewee Name: Lewarne, William A. "Bill"

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track ten of interview with Bill Lewarne

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_10.mp3

Allison Eades runs 100 metre hurdles

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45483

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 19 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Allison Eades of Burnaby Central competing in the 100 metre hurdles and winning.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 19 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-378

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Allison Eades of Burnaby Central competing in the 100 metre hurdles and winning.

Subjects: Events - Competitions; Sports

Names: Eades, Allison; Burnaby Central Secondary School

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: King, Basil

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "Burnaby Central's Allison Eades displays winning form in her girls' 100 metre hurdles heat."

Images

Allison Eades runs 100 metre hurdles, [1980] thumbnail

Barry Christie

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45462

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 23, 1980

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 23 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Barry Christie, then 21 years old, competing in the "open" class by swinging with his body fully extended in a complete rotation around the high bar. This swing is known as the "giant".

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 23, 1980

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 23 x 14 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-357

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Barry Christie, then 21 years old, competing in the "open" class by swinging with his body fully extended in a complete rotation around the high bar. This swing is known as the "giant".

Subjects: Sports - Gymnastics; Events - Competitions

Names: Christie, Barry

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Battistoni, Peter

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on recto of photograph reads: "BARRY CHRISTIE, 21 ON HIGH BAR COMPETES IN "OPEN" CLASS"

Images

Barry Christie, April 23, 1980 thumbnail

B.C. Summer Games hostesses

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15411

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1984

Collection/Fonds: Donald Copan collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 7.5 x 9.4 cm

Scope and Content: Group photograph of B.C. Summer Games hostesses. The hostesses are dressed in green and white uniforms, arranged in three rows with red and green streamers and British Columbia Summer Games flag hanging on the wall behind them.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Donald Copan collection

Series: B.C. Summer Games series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 7.5 x 9.4 cm

Scope and Content: Group photograph of B.C. Summer Games hostesses. The hostesses are dressed in green and white uniforms, arranged in three rows with red and green streamers and British Columbia Summer Games flag hanging on the wall behind them.

Subjects: Events - Competitions; Sports; Recreational Activities

Names: B.C. Summer Games

Accession Code: BV021.4.20

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1984

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: April 1, 2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

B.C. Summer Games hostesses, 1984 thumbnail

Dave McKeeman throws discus

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45481

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dave McKeeman of Burnaby Central Secondary School throwing a discus at a high school track and field event. He came in second.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 18 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-376

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dave McKeeman of Burnaby Central Secondary School throwing a discus at a high school track and field event. He came in second.

Subjects: Events - Competitions; Sports

Names: McKeeman, Dave; Burnaby Central Secondary School

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Braid, Tom

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on recto of photograph reads: "Dave McKeeman 2nd Place Finish - Burnaby Central/ Track High School"

Images

Dave McKeeman throws discus, [1980] thumbnail

Debbie Shaw

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45459

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 16.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Debbie Shaw of Omega Gymnastics Academy tumbling on the balance beam successfully at the North Shore gymnastics meet.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 16.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-354

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Debbie Shaw of Omega Gymnastics Academy tumbling on the balance beam successfully at the North Shore gymnastics meet.

Subjects: Sports - Gymnastics; Events - Competitions

Names: Shaw, Debbie

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Hodge, Craig

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "Debbie Shaw of Omega came up with a good performance at North Shore gymnastics meet."

Images

Figure skater Dee Dee Randorf

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45487

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sungod/Delta figure skater Dee Dee Randorf smiling as she laces up her skates for the pre-novice competition.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-382

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sungod/Delta figure skater Dee Dee Randorf smiling as she laces up her skates for the pre-novice competition.

Subjects: Events - Competitions; Sports - Skating

Names: Randorf, Dee Dee

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: King, Basil

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Figure skater Dee Dee Randorf, [1980] thumbnail

Figure skater Sandra Oben

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45486

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Golden Blades figure skater Sandra Oben sitting with her coach Dale Gorcak as they check over her results.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-381

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Golden Blades figure skater Sandra Oben sitting with her coach Dale Gorcak as they check over her results.

Subjects: Events - Competitions; Sports - Skating

Names: Oben, Sandra; Gorcak, Dale

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: King, Basil

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "...Blades talks to coach...(left), Dee Dee Randorf of Sungod/Delta laces skates and Coquitlam club's Jo-anne Nadalin and Lisa Company watch figure skating event."

Images

Figure skater Sandra Oben

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45488

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Golden Blades figure skater Sandra Oben sitting next to her coach Dale Gorcak and as they check over her results at a competition.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-383

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Golden Blades figure skater Sandra Oben sitting next to her coach Dale Gorcak and as they check over her results at a competition.

Subjects: Events - Competitions; Sports - Skating

Names: Oben, Sandra; Gorcak, Dale

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: King, Basil

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Notes on recto of photograph read: "Figure Skating / Burnaby Golden Blades Sandra Oben + Coach"; Photographer's stamp on verso of photograph

Images

Gail Connor

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45464

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1980

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 19.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gail Connor of Burnaby doing a back walkover during her floor excercise.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1980

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 19.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-359

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gail Connor of Burnaby doing a back walkover during her floor excercise.

Subjects: Sports - Gymnastics; Events - Competitions

Names: Boulanger, Helen

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Hodge, Craig

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note on recto of photograph reads: "Gail Connor Bby B.U.G.S. club"

Images

Helen Boulanger

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45461

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24.5 x 13.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Helen Boulanger of Burnaby doing a valdez (a back walkover from a seated position) along a balance beam.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24.5 x 13.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-356

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Helen Boulanger of Burnaby doing a valdez (a back walkover from a seated position) along a balance beam.

Subjects: Sports - Gymnastics; Events - Competitions

Names: Boulanger, Helen

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Hodge, Craig

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

High jumper Lisa Freshwater

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45485

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 24 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Lisa Freshwater performing a winning jump at the local junior track and field meet.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 24 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-380

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Lisa Freshwater performing a winning jump at the local junior track and field meet.

Subjects: Events - Competitions; Sports

Names: Freshwater, Lisa

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Braid, Tom

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "Lisa Freshwater of Burnaby was a winner at the junior track meet."

Images

High jumper Lisa Freshwater, [1980] thumbnail

Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19607

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 32 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 30 fps

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kanwal Singh Neel conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The interview was conducted and recorded on the Zoom platform. 00:00 – 00:06:47 Kanwal shares some of the mentors that influenced him in his life, education and …

1 image

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 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 32 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 30 fps

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewee: Kanwal Singh Neel Interview Date: July 5, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 50 min., 32 sec. Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kanwal Singh Neel conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The interview was conducted and recorded on the Zoom platform. 00:00 – 00:06:47 Kanwal shares some of the mentors that influenced him in his life, education and career, how his three-year grandson has been an inspiration and how important it is to educate yourself in different ways. 00:06:48 - 00:19:02 Kanwal talks about the diversity in the schools that he’s encountered over the years as a student and as an educator and shares his experiences getting hired as an educator on public television and being known as "the math guy". 00:19:03 - 00:46:39 Kanwal talks about the “Friends of Simon” tutoring out-reach program and his involvement. 00:26:40 - 00:30:24 Kanwal shares his experiences officiating the Canada Summer Games, the Harry Jerome Track Classic, the Commonwealth Games and other world class sporting events. 00:30:25 - 00:38:58 Kanwal describes a typical day while working at Simon Fraser University as Associate Director of Professional Programs, as a sports official and his involvement with Friends of Simon. Kanwal speaks about the importance of finding a balance between staying connected, finding your purpose and carrying on the passions that you enjoy. Kanwal talks about some of his favourite places in Burnaby including Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake and Central Park. 00:38:59 - 00:43:31 Kanwal talks about the changes that he’s seen in the lower mainland over his life time including; diminishing agricultural land, the fishing industry, public transportation, housing and retail infrastructure and homelessness. 00:43:32 - 00:50:32 Kanwal talks about his involvement with the Punjabi Cultural Association, the introduction of Punjabi language courses in public schools and his involvement in a Bhangra event. Kanwal imparts a final message to youth of today emphasizing the importance of, building relationships, giving back to your community, learning through education and being respectful of your own journey and others.

History: Interviewee biography: Kanwal Singh Neel was born in Mombasa, Kenya in 1953 and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1969. For the first few weeks after immigrating the family stayed at the Sikh Temple on Second Avenue before moving into a house which they rented. Kanwal attended Kitsilano Secondary School and later transferred to Steveston High School when his family moved to Richmond. In 1972, Kanwal and friends formed a bhangra group "Punjab Cultural Association" and in 1974 they performed at the World Exposition in Spokane, Washington. The group performed at various venues including the Pacific National Exhibition and other cities in the Province. In 1973, Kanwal was an officiate during the Canada Summer Games at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. Kanwal obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from University of British Columbia in computer science and mathematics and got his first teaching job in 1977. In 1978, he was an officiate of the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the next ten years he devoted himself to becoming an educator and during this time he became more involved with the B.C. Math Teachers Association. Kanwal and his wife Nancy married in 1982 and have two daughters. In the early 1990's, Kanwal joined Simon Fraser University as a faculty associate to work, train and mentor student teachers. Kanwal became President of the B.C. Math Teachers Association and travelled throughout the province to help solve issues being faced by students. In 1993, he co-hosted a TV show "Math Shop" on The Knowledge Network and he later co-authored a textbook series titled "Math Makes Sense". Kanwal continued to advance his knowledge in the field of mathematics obtaining a Doctorate from Simon Fraser University in 2008. Kanwal developed his doctoral work in Haida Gwaii, studying the mathematics that the Haida peoples used in day to day life, applying the applications and integrating the mathematics concepts with their cultural knowledge. Kanwal also worked with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation and the Stó:lō Nation in helping to develop resources for them. Kanwal has been recognized with various awards and honours including being awarded an honorary doctorate by Kwantlen Polytechnic University and in 2017 as an inductee in the Sports Wall of Fame in Richmond for his outstanding contribution to amateur sport as an International Athletics Official. Since retirement, Kanwal continues to be involved in a project at Simon Fraser University "Friends of Simon" where university students go out and mentor and tutor immigrant and refugee children from South Asia and Africa and other countries. Interviewer biography: 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: Persons - South Asian Canadians; Education; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Sports; Events - Competitions; Housing; Performances

Names: Neel, Kanwal Singh; Simon Fraser University; Friends of Simon; Canada Summer Games; Swangard Stadium; Punjabi Cultural Association

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area; Central Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.11

Date: [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel, [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023 thumbnail

Ken Soehn

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45460

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 23 x 16 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of gymnast Ken Soehn in the middle of an inversion in the straight position.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 23 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-355

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of gymnast Ken Soehn in the middle of an inversion in the straight position.

Subjects: Sports - Gymnastics; Events - Competitions

Names: Soehn, Ken

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Sandra Oben skating

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45490

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 13.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Golden Blades figure skater Sandra Oben in the center of the rink.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1980]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 13.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-385

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Golden Blades figure skater Sandra Oben in the center of the rink.

Subjects: Events - Competitions; Sports - Skating

Names: Oben, Sandra

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19608

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on …

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:02:03 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 Photograph credit: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on where they were born and grew up (in Burnaby), names of their parents and provide details on their family history. They describe how their grandparents and other relatives continued to live in Punjab after their father and mother immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s, recall the reasons their parents decided to immigrate and details of their lives before and after arriving in Canada. 00:05:27 – 00:06:46 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe some of their experiences travelling through Vancouver airport and compare their experiences with their mother’s own experiences. Gurvinder and Harvinder describe the layout of the airport and how customs and immigration has changed over time. 00:06:47 – 00:09:21 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide details about their mother, Parveen Sihra. They share information regarding her education in India and how she was unable to get work related to her degree in biology after immigrating to Canada. They convey how she worked in the Burnaby City Hall cafeteria in the 1990’s and how she worked part time in order to take care of her children. They share how their parents were proud Canadians participating in events inside and outside the South Asian community and were both fluent in English but often spoke Punjabi at home. 00:09:22 – 00:16:06 Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their childhood experiences growing up in Burnaby. They talk about the sports that they were involved with including hockey and Taekwondo, family vacations spent travelling to India and their experiences attending Marlborough Elementary School and Moscrop Secondary School.They describe how they first became interested in watching wrestling and trying it out on their own in their family home. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their own experiences of discrimination while growing up and playing sports. 00:16:07 – 00:27:37 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect and recall events that lead them to their dream of becoming professional wrestlers. They talk about pivotal events including attending their first live wresting event at GM Place with their father in 1996, beginning their training in Calgary in 2004, travelling across the country to participate in minor wrestling events, wrestling in Rogers Arena in 2017 and 2020 and getting their first call to join WWE. They talk about the support that they’ve had along the way to getting them where they are today and comment on why they want to be wrestlers in the WWE. 00:27:38 – 00:29:25 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide background information on their various wrestling personas and names in the world of professional wrestling including the Singh Brothers and the Bollywood Boyz. 00:29:26 – 00:38:43 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their experiences wrestling in India and the support and expectations of family members in becoming successful. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall and reflect on the experience of being fired from the WWE when cutbacks were made during the COVID pandemic. 00:38:44 – 00:42:53 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe what a day in their lives looks like now. They talk about how they’re still very passionate and focused on their wrestling careers and describe their experiences of having support and enthusiasm from fans and their parents. They talk about travelling across the country to particpate in different wrestling events. 00:42:54 – 00:47:18 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their training regimen including exercise and diet and describe areas in Burnaby where they like to train in gyms and the outdoors. 00:47:19 – 00:49:49 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about neighbourhoods in Burnaby including Metrotown and Deer Lake and how they’ve seen them change over the years. 00:49:50 – 00:54:27 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their highest and lowest points in their wrestling careers, highlighting specific events. They talk about the physical stamina it takes for wrestling and compare their sport with the sport of Kabaddi (a contact team sport between two teams originating in India). 00:54:28 – 00:59:01 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect on what toughness means to them, and what keeps them motivated to do what they do. 00:59:02 – 01:01:31 Gurvinder and Harvinder impart their words of wisdom to younger kids in chasing their passions and dreams and talk about their favourite Bollywood films and actors.

History: Interviewees' biographies: The Bollywood Boyz are a Canadian professional wrestling tag team composed of brothers Gurvinder "Gurv" Sihra (born in 1984) and Harvinder "Harv" Sihra (born in 1987). The pair are best known for their time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where Gurvinder and Harvinder performed under the ring names Sunil Singh and Samir Singh. They were both born and raised in Burnaby by their parents Harjeet and Parveen Sihra and attended Moscrop Secondary School. Gurvinder graduated from Douglas College where he studied criminology and has worked in loss prevention and has a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. Harvinder attended Douglas College with studies in history and has worked as a model and an actor. Both Gurvinder and Harvinder Sihra are Sikhs. Interviewer biography: 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: Education; Migration; Pandemics - COVID-19; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions - Sikhism; Social Issues; Social Issues - Discrimination; Social Issues - Racism; Sports; Sports - Martial Arts; Sports - Wrestling; Sports - Ice Hockey; Travel

Names: The Bollywood Boyz; Sihra, Guvinder "Gurv"; Sihra, Harvinder "Harv"; Sihra, Harjeet; Sihra, Parveen; World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"; Moscrop Secondary School; Marlborough Elementary School; Metrotown

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.12

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Photographer: World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

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