More like 'A History of the first ten years of the South Burnaby Men's Club'
mug
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87491
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.97
- Description
- mug, Girl Guide; white glazed ceramic mug; "GIRL GUIDES OF CANADA / GUIDES DU CANADA" in navy blue; "70 / 1910 - 1980" in navy and copen blue on sides. Navy blue trefoil inside "0".
- Object History
- Mugs previously owned by May Aikenhead (Elizabeth May). May was a member of the Burnaby Royal Trefoil Guild for many years.
- Category
- 04.Tools & Equipment for Materials
- Classification
- Food Service T&E - - Drinking Vessels
- Object Term
- Mug
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
- Food Service Tools and Equipment
Images
mug
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87493
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.98
- Description
- mug, Brownie; white glazed ceramic mug; "BROWNIES" in brown; orange maple leaves.
- Object History
- Mugs previously owned by May Aikenhead (Elizabeth May). May was a member of the Burnaby Royal Trefoil Guild for many years.
- Category
- 04.Tools & Equipment for Materials
- Classification
- Food Service T&E - - Drinking Vessels
- Object Term
- Mug
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
- Food Service Tools and Equipment
Images
mug
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87494
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.99
- Description
- mug, Girl Guides; white glazed ceramic mug; "GIRL GUIDES" in copen blue; copen blue maple leaves.
- Object History
- Mugs previously owned by May Aikenhead (Elizabeth May). May was a member of the Burnaby Royal Trefoil Guild for many years.
- Category
- 04.Tools & Equipment for Materials
- Classification
- Food Service T&E - - Drinking Vessels
- Object Term
- Mug
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
- Food Service Tools and Equipment
Images
name tag
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87454
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.62
- Description
- name tag, Trefoil Guild; rectangular, white plastic name tag with blue top layer. "Girl Guides / of Canada / Guides / due Canada" printed on front in gold. "ELEANOR GALBRAITH / BURNABY NORTH TREFOIL GUILD" is engraved on the front. The pin fastener is embedded in the back.
- Object History
- Note from donor: These items belonged to Eleanor Galbraith, a longtime Guider who came to B.C. from New Brunswick.
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Clothing
- Clothing - - Clothing Accessories
- Adornment
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Clothing - Accessory
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
Images
pen stand
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87488
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.94
- Description
- pen stand; desktop pen stand/holder; rectangular wood base; white plastic and metal ball joint pen holder mounted to top; brass trefoil logo mounted to top; green foam adhered to bottom. Engraved metal plaque adhered to top reads: "VAN HEIGHTS DISTRICT / 1964".
- Object History
- This item was previously owned by May Aikenhead (Elizabeth May). May was a member of the Burnaby Royal Trefoil Guild for many years.
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Accessories
- Object Term
- Holder, Pen
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Written Communication Tools and Equipment
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
Images
ribbon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87453
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.61
- Description
- ribbon, Trefoil Guild; purple satin ribbon with "TREFOIL GUILD" printed on it in gold. Ten (10) lapel pins are attached: 1) Original trefoil pin with red banner, 2) BP pin, 3) World pin, 4) Thank-you badge (silver ring around blue enamel Trefoil with three white enamel swirls), 5) Long Service badges for 20, 50, 55 and 60 years, 6) Division Commissioner (red enamel trefoil) and 7) Silver Commissioner Pin (silver with blue enamel trefoil and ring, beaver at bottom) on cloth Commissioner Lapel Badge
- Object History
- Note from donor: These items belonged to Eleanor Galbraith, a longtime Guider who came to B.C. from New Brunswick. The “Trefoil Guild” ribbon was an official ribbon that could be worn to vertically display Guiding pins and badges. The ribbon is no longer used. 1) Original Trefoil Guild pin with red banner (poss. awarded to Eleanor in New Brunswick), 2) BP pin (100th anniversary of Baden-Powell’s birthday – an earned pin), 3) World pin, 4) Thank-you badge (silver ring around blue enamel Trefoil with three white enamel swirls - poss. a thank-you from New Brunswick), 5) Long Service badges for 20, 50, 55 and 60 years - 50, 55 & 60 years awarded here (55 & 60 were awarded by Pauline Hall herself) – all earned pins) 6) Division Commissioner (red enamel trefoil) – an earned pin & poss. given in New Brunswick (it is older than the pin removed from the white camp hat that was not retained) 7) Silver Commissioner Pin (silver with blue enamel trefoil and ring, beaver at bottom) on cloth Commissioner Lapel Badge (silver ribbon of courage tied into reef knot, text “GIRL GUIDES” and outline in white stitching.) - cloth badge poss. to indicate Provincial Commissioner - this pin and cloth badge were removed from the bottom of the ribbon due to excessive weight.
- Reference
- http://www.girlguides.ca/WEB/Documents/ON/Girl%20Program%20Resources/Pins%20and%20Badges%20Other.pdf
- http://www.girlguides.ca/web/Documents/ON/Archives/Honours_Awards.pdf
- http://www.girlguides.ca/WEB/Documents/ON/Archives/Insignia_Commissioners.pdf
- http://www.girlguides.ca/WEB/Documents/ON/Archives/Service_stars.pdf
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Clothing
- Clothing - - Clothing Accessories
- Adornment
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Clothing - Accessory
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
Images
scarf
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87452
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.60
- Description
- scarf, Trefoil Guild; lavender cotton scarf; triangular; rectangular crest sewn at lower point with "British Columbia / Trefoil Guild" stitched on in black, along with an image of a Stellar's Jay, some dogwood flowers and a gold trefoil. Gold metal Trefoil Guild pin with black or navy blue banner attached.
- Object History
- Note from donor: These items belonged to Eleanor Galbraith, a longtime Guider who came to B.C. from New Brunswick.
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Clothing
- Clothing - - Clothing Accessories
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Clothing - Accessory
Images
teacup and saucer
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87482
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.92
- Description
- teacup and saucer; white bone china with swirl pattern; gold and navy blue scattered trefoil pattern on a light blue background; "AYNSLEY / ENGLAND / BONE CHINA / 2B" on bottom in green; "2495 F" in gold on bottom of teacup; "2495" in gold on bottom of saucer.
- Object History
- Teacups and saucers previously owned by May Aikenhead (Elizabeth May). May was a member of the Burnaby Royal Trefoil Guild for many years.
- Category
- 04.Tools & Equipment for Materials
- Classification
- Food Service T&E - - Drinking Vessels
- Object Term
- Teacup
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs
- Food Service Tools and Equipment
Images
membership card
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact83550
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV013.24.1
- Description
- Annual membership card for Burnaby Village Museum Association. this is card number 411 The card is silver on the face with black text and the BVM logo of a street lamp. The corners are rounded and the card is 8.5 cm wide X 5.5cm high. The early contact information is telephone, 294-1231 and address 4900 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby, BC, V5G 3T6.
- Object History
- The Burnaby Village Museum Association was the volunteer group that developed from the Century Park Museum Association (CPMA) that operated the Heritage Village from 1971-1992.
- Marks/Labels
- "BURNABY VILLAGE MUSEUM ASSOCIATION / Governing Body / NAME / MEMBERSHIP TYPE / For Year / No 411" text in body of card. "Burnaby / Village / Museum / 294-1231 / 4900 Deer Lake Ave. / Buranby, B.C. V5G 3T6" contact information in the logo printed on the card.
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
badge
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact48258
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV005.13.41
- Description
- Badge, cloth, circular; yellow, green, white, red, blue; scene of mountains, river and field with a yellow bar across bottom with red lettering.
- Object History
- Scouts Canada
- Marks/Labels
- "BURNABY LAKE (smaller) DISTRICT", stitching, red
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Organizations - Boys' Societies and Clubs
- Personal Symbols
- Personal Symbols - Badges
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Lake
Images
![Big Brothers, [1999] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-3297.jpg?width=280)
Big Brothers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98219
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1999]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified adult and child, who are part of the Big Brothers of Burnaby organization, playing on a tire swing.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1999]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-3297
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of an unidentified adult and child, who are part of the Big Brothers of Burnaby organization, playing on a tire swing.
- Subjects
- Organizations - Boys' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Charities
- Recreational Devices - Swings
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on original file name
- Collected by editorial for use in an August 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
![Big Brothers, [1999] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-3297.jpg)
Burnaby British Columbia : reference and year book 1931
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4882
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- HV978.48.11
- Call Number
- 317.133 BUR Copy 1
- Place of Publication
- Vancouver
- Publisher
- Burnaby Broadcast
- Publication Date
- 1931
- Physical Description
- 42 p. : ill. : 31 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--Statistics
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Booklets
- Advertising Medium
- Government
- Government - Local Government
- Organizations
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Notes
- Copy 1 of 2
Images
button pin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87602
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.143
- Description
- button pin, Girl Guides; dark teal and yellow; Enrolment Pin; used in early 1940's when brass pins were unavailable; paper label on back reads: "MADE BY / Manitoba Stencil / and / Stamp Works / Winnipeg".
- Reference
- http://www.girlguides.ca/WEB/Documents/ON/Archives/Guide%20Badges%20A%20to%20G%20v3.pdf
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols
- Personal Symbols - - Personal Identification
- Personal Symbols - - Status Symbols
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- Manitoba
- Site/City Made
- Winnipeg
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Adornment - Lapel Pins
- Personal Symbols - Pins
- Organizations
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Names
- Girl Guides of Canada
Images
cockade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87605
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.146
- Description
- cockade, Girl Guides and Rangers; navy blue grosgrain ribbon cockade; indicates position of Captain; worn on hat; in use 1919-1948
- Reference
- http://www.girlguides.ca/WEB/Documents/ON/Archives/Insignia_Commissioners.pdf
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols
- Personal Symbols - - Personal Identification
- Personal Symbols - - Status Symbols
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols - Ribbons
- Organizations
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Names
- Girl Guides of Canada
Images
cockade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87606
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.147
- Description
- cockade, Girl Guides and Rangers; navy blue grosgrain ribbon cockade; indicates position of Captain; worn on hat; in use 1919-1948
- Reference
- http://www.girlguides.ca/WEB/Documents/ON/Archives/Insignia_Commissioners.pdf
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols
- Personal Symbols - - Personal Identification
- Personal Symbols - - Status Symbols
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols - Ribbons
- Organizations
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Names
- Girl Guides of Canada
Images
cockade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87607
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.148
- Description
- cockade, Girl Guides; green grosgrain ribbon cockade; indicates position of Cadet Captain (District Guider); worn on hat; in use 1941-1948
- Reference
- http://www.girlguides.ca/WEB/Documents/ON/Archives/Insignia_Commissioners.pdf
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols
- Personal Symbols - - Personal Identification
- Personal Symbols - - Status Symbols
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols - Ribbons
- Organizations
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Names
- Girl Guides of Canada
Images
cockade
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact87608
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.149
- Description
- cockade, Girl Guides; Saxe blue grosgrain ribbon cockade; indicates position of District Commissioner; worn on hat; in use 1922-1948
- Reference
- http://www.girlguides.ca/WEB/Documents/ON/Archives/Insignia_Commissioners.pdf
- Category
- 03. Personal Artifacts
- Classification
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols
- Personal Symbols - - Personal Identification
- Personal Symbols - - Status Symbols
- Subjects
- Adornment
- Personal Symbols - Ribbons
- Organizations
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Names
- Girl Guides of Canada
Images
Diamond Jubliee Committee
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3184
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2 Jul 1927
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13.5 x 24 cm (sight) in matt 30.5 x 39.5 cm in frame 41.5 x 49.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of The Committee of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. Group portrait is composed of a group of men in two rows, five seated in front row, seven men standing in back fow with young girl standing next to man on the right. Man in centre of front row is holding a photograph and has a meg…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13.5 x 24 cm (sight) in matt 30.5 x 39.5 cm in frame 41.5 x 49.5 cm
- Material Details
- Photograph mounted in matt within an oak wood frame
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of The Committee of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. Group portrait is composed of a group of men in two rows, five seated in front row, seven men standing in back fow with young girl standing next to man on the right. Man in centre of front row is holding a photograph and has a megaphone between his legs. The group are assembled together in what might be a park in Burnaby. There are houses and telephone poles visible in the background.
- Accession Code
- BV985.5401.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 2 Jul 1927
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lloyd, Frank Ernest
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Annotations on bottom of matt in white ink reads: "The Committee _Diamond Jubilee of Confederation, Burnaby July 2nd 1927 / Lloyd Studio / McKay, B.C."
Images
Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18947
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 13, 2005
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:07:37 min)
- Scope and Content
- Track 1: This portion of the recording pertains to Cice Brown talking about growing up in West Burnaby near Central Park, between West Burnaby and McKay tram station. Cice describes the area in which she lived; talks about attending school at Kingsway West and highschool at Burnaby South. Interview…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:07:37 min)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Cice Brown Date of interview: May 13, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 7 Total length of all Tracks: 0:40:19
- Scope and Content
- Track 1: This portion of the recording pertains to Cice Brown talking about growing up in West Burnaby near Central Park, between West Burnaby and McKay tram station. Cice describes the area in which she lived; talks about attending school at Kingsway West and highschool at Burnaby South. Interviewer asks about the types of activities she was involved while growing up. Cice recalls being a member of the school choir at Kingsway West, the music teacher and winning a competition. Cice talks about attending Burnaby South highschool at the start of World War II, her involvement with cadets as well as the "Hi-Y" club and playing outside in the Central Park neighbourhood.
- History
- Recording of an interview with Cice Brown, interviewed by Tom Gooden on May 13 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1930s and 40s.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Organizations - Adolescents' Societies and Clubs
- Wars - World War, 1939-1945
- Organizations - Choirs
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Accession Code
- BV017.45.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Date
- 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 13, 2005
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Audio Tracks
Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 1, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 13, 2005
Interview with Cice Brown, May 13, 2005 - Track 1, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 13, 2005
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0003_001.mp3Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19348
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Anushay Malik Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Dr. Sadhu Binning Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 25, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:15:57) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future exhibits and for researchers to learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby. During the interview, Dr. Binning shares his ancestral background along with his relatives' and his own personal experiences as a South Asian immigrant living and working in British Columbia and Burnaby. Dr. Binning conveys that he’s a Burnaby resident who’s lived in Burnaby since 1973 and that his children were born here. Binning shares his ancestral heritage beginning with his uncle Dhana Singh who emigrated from Punjab to British Columbia in 1931 and began working in the forest industry. He explains how Dhana Singh and another partner owned, operated and worked in small sawmills in the vicinity of Kamloops, Williams Lake and also on Vancouver Island. Binning conveys that in the beginning Dhana Singh and many other South Asian immigrants were not legal residents until 1938. In 1938, about 350 South Asian immigrants (mainly Punjabi) gathered resources to hire a lawyer to obtain permanent residency. Binning mentions that one of the notable South Asians in the group who was also a close friend of his uncle, was Darshan Singh Sangha, a trade unionist who was a founding member of the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union and an active member of the Communist Party of Canada. Binning conveys how Darshan Singh Sangha returned to India in 1947 to be a part of the revolution, how he was very active in the communist movement in India. While in India, Darshan Singh Sangha, was known as Canadian and thereby adopted “Canadian” as his surname, becoming “Darshan Singh Canadian”. Binning further explains that his uncle Dhana Singh Sangha returned to India in 1951, married and came back to B.C. in 1957 bringing with him, his wife and children. In 1960, with the support of his uncle, Binning’s father, Jit Singh Binning immigrated to British Columbia and began working in sawmills in the lower mainland, Kamloops, Quesnel and on Vancouver Island. Binning clarifies that his uncle, Dhana Singh was able to immigrate to Canada with the support of his cousins from the Tarker Singh Bains family. Binning further describes Darshan Singh Sangha’s involvement with the Communist party and the IWA and how the majority of the members were from the forest industry. As an active and prominent member of the labour movement, Darshan Singh Sangha fought for the rights of South Asians and Chinese who working in the industry and facing racism, unfair wages and discriminatory practices. Binning describes how Darshan Singh Sangha wrote a book in English in 1943, titled “Rise of the New Asia”. Binning conveys how immigrants of Chinese and South Asian decent didn’t have the right to vote in British Columbia and how Darshan Singh Sangha was instrumental in obtaining the right to vote in British Columbia, although he was never given the credit. Binning describes his uncle Dhana Singh as a likeable guy with many friends, first living in Kamloops before moving to Vancouver. Binning imparts how the sport of wrestling is a popular Punjabi sport along with Punjabi kabaddi. He conveys that his uncle became involved in wrestling while working in sawmills. South Asian immigrants had to do physical labour working in sawmills, the work could be tough and could often lead to physical fights. A number of South Asian immigrants working in the mills already had experience as wrestlers from back home. Dhana Singh later left the lumber industry to work in the agriculture sector. Binning explains how immigration rules changed in the 1960s which lead to larger numbers of South Asians immigrating to Canada. Many of these new immigrants were educated and politically conscious. All of these new immigrants faced racism but being politically conscious from an independent India and with the ability to speak English they organized themselves to fight for their rights. Binning imagines the items that his uncle and his father may have brought with them in their suitcase when immigrating to Canada. Binning describes three items, including a rajai (a blanket with cotton inside that is sewn together), a bistra (small attaché case or trunk) and a piece of cloth to lie on. Binning further describes the roles in Indian society as caste divisions and that it was usually women’s work in making the rajais. Binning recollects the locations that his father and his family lived after coming to Vancouver. Binning explains that a few years after living together in Vancouver, he and his family moved to Burnaby in 1973 to be closer to his Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish Binning’s family. Dr. Binning and family lived in a house in Burnaby located on Irmin Street near Royal Oak between 1973 and 1987. While living at this house their children attended McPherson Park Junior High School and later Burnaby South Secondary School. Binning reflects on some of the racism that he and his family have faced while living in Burnaby which led him to write a poem that he published in 1994 titled “No More Watno Dur”. Binning explains the meaning of the title “Watan” meaning “country and everybody” “a country far way from the motherland”. Binning explains the origins of the magazine “Watan” that was started by a friend in 1973. The magazine got its roots in Vancouver in 1973 from an organization called the “Punjabi Literary Association”. Binning became the editor of the magazine in 1976 and his friend joined him as assistant editor in 1978. Binning continued to work as editor until 1983 or 1984 when he returned to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. Binning describes the origins of the “Vancouver Sath” that was formed by a small group of South Asians around 1982. Binning was a founding member of the organization and held meetings and rehearsals at his house in Burnaby. Vancouver Sath first started out as an informal discussion forum by a group of politically conscious Punjabi writers and activists. Binning talks about issues and problems that Vancouver Sath addressed including; racism as well as domestic violence in the South Asian community. Binning explains how he and Sukhwant Hundal wrote articles on these issues and others that were happening in the South Asian community in Canada. Binning talks about how in 1983, the group was inspired to begin performing theatrical works after consulting with Gursharan Singh who was from a well known theatrical group from Punjab who were performing in Vancouver. In the beginning the Vancouver Sath’s plays were focused on the problems in Punjab but they soon decided to address social issues in their own South Asian community here in Canada. Binning summarizes and draws attention to, some of the plays that Vancouver Sath has written and performed including; “Picket Line”, about Punjabi women farmworkers’ rights; “Lattan de Bhoot”, about domestic abuse; “A Crop of Poison”; “Kihda Viah” (English translation- “Whose Marriage”) about arranged marriage and others about social issues in the South Asian community. The plays were performed in public schools and community centres in Vancouver and Richmond, Simon Fraser University and some were also performed in Toronto, Calgary and Williams Lake. Binning mentions some of the traditional foods that he likes to eat and where he and his family have shopped to find ingredients. He recalls how his mother, Gurmaje Kaur Binning did all of the cooking and was often cooking all day long. In the sixties, the Binning family address on 13th Avenue in Vancouver was also used as a postal address for many friends and family who’d recently immigrated. When these friends dropped by to pick up their mail, his mother often provided them with tea and food. After Binning and his wife, Jagdish moved to their own home in 1973, he shared in some of the shopping and cooking but his wife did the majority of the work due to his busy schedule. The interview closes with Binning providing an explanation of how “Watno Dur” magazine changed it’s name to “Watan” magazine. Binning reflects on how this came to be, when he made the decision to get an education in Canada and to stay here, not just as a “Canadian” but as a “Punjabi Canadian.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur’ (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife Jagdish purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Industries - Forestry
- Foods
- Migration
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Unions
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Performances
- Performances - Dramatic Performances
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Binning, Dr. Sadhu
- Binning, Gurmaje Kaur
- Binning, Jit Singh
- Binning, Jagdish
- Sangha, Darshan Singh
- Canadian Farmworkers Union
- Hundal, Sukhwant
- Sangra, Harjinder
- Singh, Dhana
- Vancouver Sath
- Responsibility
- Petrusa, Kate
- Malik, Anushay
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0003_004.mp3