Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby RCMP officer Doug Wright posing outside of the new community police station in the Metrotown neighbourhood, located in the bottom of a tower on Kingsborough Street. The station officially opened on October 6, 1999.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3344

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby RCMP officer Doug Wright posing outside of the new community police station in the Metrotown neighbourhood, located in the bottom of a tower on Kingsborough Street. The station officially opened on October 6, 1999.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic; Public Services - Policing; Occupations - Police Officers

Names: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a September 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Doug Wright, of Burnaby RCMP, says he'll face unique challenges policing the Metrotown area from the department's newest community policing office in The Crystal."

Geographic Access: Kingsborough Street

Street Address: 4501 Kingsborough Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Metrotown community police station, [1999] thumbnail

Mancatcher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4933

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Fossum, Jack, 1905-

Edition: 1st ed.

Publication Date: 1990

Call Number: 971 FOS

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV004.23.61

ISBN: 092176202X

Call Number: 971 FOS

Edition: 1st ed.

Author: Fossum, Jack, 1905-

Place of Publication: [Comox, B.C.]

Publisher: Lindsay Press

Publication Date: 1990

Printer: Friesen & Sons

Physical Description: 227 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.

Inscription: Bookplate on front pastedown reads "Property of Ted Brue" "from daughter" "Janette Jan-1992" [handwritten in blue ink]

Library Subject (LOC): Police; Biography

Subjects: Occupations; Occupations - Police Officers; Public Services - Policing; Public Services

Names: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Notes: "An immigrant's story of logging, policing and pioneering in the Canadian west" -cover

The way it was : fifty years of RCMP memories : early twenties to early seventies

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3856

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Saul, Don

Publication Date: c1990

Call Number: 971 SAU

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV004.23.62

Call Number: 971 SAU

Author: Saul, Don

Contributor: Hertzog, Ernie; Spalding, Frank; Willes, Ed

Place of Publication: [Victoria, B.C.]

Publisher: Victoria Division, RCMP Veterans Association

Publication Date: c1990

Printer: Hemlock Printers

Physical Description: 215 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.

Inscription: Bookplate on front pastedown reads "Ted Brue" "from Anita + Don" [handwritten in blue ink] "Oct - 1991" [handwritten in blue ink on title page]

Library Subject (LOC): Police

Subjects: Occupations; Occupations - Police Officers; Public Services - Policing; Public Services

Names: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Notes: "Edited by Don Saul" -T.p. "Illustrations by Ernie Hertzog, Frank Spalding, Ed Willes" -T.p. "The way it was 50 years of RCMP memories" -cover

Car accident scene

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79975

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: February 5, 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 22.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a head on crash on Canada Way involving two cars and rescue workers attending the scene.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: February 5, 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 22.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0589

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of a head on crash on Canada Way involving two cars and rescue workers attending the scene.

Subjects: Accidents - Automobile Accidents; Public Services - Policing; Occupations - Fire Fighters; Transportation - Fire Trucks

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "Mario Bby 281 / 76% BbyNW 3 02/05"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Car accident scene, February 5, 1997 thumbnail

Interview with Basil Luksun and Jack Belhouse by Kathy Bossort November 24, 2015 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory627

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1965-2015

Length: 0:09:54

Summary: This portion of the interview is about introducing the two interviewees Basil Luksun and Jack Belhouse. They talk about their education, how they became interested in their career paths as urban planners and what kept them interested in their work, how they were hired by the City of Burnaby, and th…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about introducing the two interviewees Basil Luksun and Jack Belhouse. They talk about their education, how they became interested in their career paths as urban planners and what kept them interested in their work, how they were hired by the City of Burnaby, and their working relationship in the Planning Department.

Date Range: 1965-2015

Length: 0:09:54

Names: Burnaby Planning and Building Department; Parr, Anthony L.

Subjects: Education; Occupations - Civic Workers; Public Services - Municipal Services

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: November 24, 2015

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Basil Luksun and Jack Belhouse conducted by Kathy Bossort. Basil Luksun and Jack Belhouse were two of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about the history of setting aside parkland by dedication on Burnaby Mountain, the 1974/76 delineation of the conservation area on Burnaby Mountain, and the dispute between Burnaby and Simon Fraser University over land ownership and control on Burnaby Mountain, as discussed by two retired participants in these events from the City of Burnaby’s Planning and Building Department, Basil Luksun and Jack Belhouse. They also talk about their interaction with the public in developing policies, particularly for the 1974 report “The Public Meetings - Phase One”, and the importance of a strong policy base for long range planning and the patience needed to assemble land for large parks. They talk as well about their careers, their close working relationship in the department, and the cooperation between City and SFU staff in the development of UniverCity.

Biographical Notes: Basil Luksun was born and educated in South Africa, immigrating to Canada and Burnaby in 1972 to escape the harmful effects of apartheid. He holds a BSc degree from the University of Cape Town and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Town Planning from the University of Witwatersrand. He joined the City of Burnaby’s Planning and Building Department in 1973, working his way up through the organization to Director of the department before retiring after 39 years in 2012. When he started work in the 1970s, the City of Burnaby was focusing on green space planning projects and he takes great pride in these projects as well as the city’s focus on long-term planning. Basil lived in the Capital Hill area from 1972 to 1990. He currently resides in Vancouver and has two sons, Warren and Derek. Jack Belhouse was born in 1946 in Vancouver and attended UBC, York University and SFU (1965-1972), majoring in urban geography. He began working in Burnaby’s planning department as a summer student in 1968, and was offered a full-time position when he graduated from university. He became Director of the Planning and Building Department before retiring after 38 years with the city in 2006. He and Basil Luksun worked closely together in long range planning in the department. Jack lives in Coquitlam with his wife Linda and has two children, Brad and Lori.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 1:58:23

Interviewee Name: Luksun, Basil; Belhouse, Jack

Interview Location: Basil Luksun's home in Vancouver

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Basil Luksun and Jack Belhouse

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-012/MSS196-012_Track_1.mp3

Interview with Les Francis by Eric Damer October 16, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory330

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1979-2012

Length: 0:12:38

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby in the waterworks department and the changes he has noticed for present day workers.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby in the waterworks department and the changes he has noticed for present day workers.

Date Range: 1979-2012

Photo Info: Les Francis (far right) receiving a Burnaby Long Service Award at the Gai Paree Supper Club, 1964. Item no. 485-070.

Length: 0:12:38

Subjects: Occupations - Civic Workers; Public Services - Public Works

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 16, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Les Francis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 16, 2012. Major theme discussed: the role of the municipal worker in the nineteen-thirties through the war years.

Biographical Notes: Les Francis was born in London, England, in 1914 and came with his family to Burnaby in 1919. Except for a few years away on special projects, Les has lived in Burnaby ever since. After attending Kingsway West Elementary and Burnaby South High Schools, Les joined the municipal work force. He first worked as a clerk in 1930 and later joined the Engineering Department where he spent his career maintaining and extending the municipal water system. Les Francis retired in 1979 as the City of Burnaby's Work's Superintendent.

Total Tracks: 4

Total Length: 0:43:18

Interviewee Name: Francis, Les

Interview Location: Interviewee's residence

Interviewer Bio: Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Les Francis (far right) receiving a Burnaby Long Service Award at the Gai Paree Supper Club, 1964. Item no. 485-070. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Les Francis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-010/MSS171-010_Track_4.mp3

Bill Copeland with Wayne Brassington and Bob Fenske

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79136

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 21, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 21 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby mayor Bill Copeland with fire chief Wayne Brassington and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) superintendent Bob Fenske leaving the Canadian Cancer Society's annual "Jail 'n' Bail" fundraiser. The mayor and fire chief were handcuffed together as they left the fundraiser.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 21, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 21 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0273

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby mayor Bill Copeland with fire chief Wayne Brassington and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) superintendent Bob Fenske leaving the Canadian Cancer Society's annual "Jail 'n' Bail" fundraiser. The mayor and fire chief were handcuffed together as they left the fundraiser.

Subjects: Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Clothing - Uniforms; Public Services - Policing; Occupations - Fire Fighters

Names: Copeland, William J.; Brassington, Wayne; Fenske, Bob

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Ponne, Simone

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black and blue ink on recto of photograph reads: "1024 Bby Simone / 4/21 Bby pg. 1 78%"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Bill Copeland with Wayne Brassington and Bob Fenske, April 21, 1996 thumbnail

Car Accident

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription80600

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 10, 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of police, fire and ambulance on scene at a car accident on Marine Drive. One car in flipped over and there is a stretcher one scene.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 10, 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0868

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of police, fire and ambulance on scene at a car accident on Marine Drive. One car in flipped over and there is a stretcher one scene.

Subjects: Public Services - Policing; Occupations - Fire Fighters; Accidents - Automobile Accidents

Names: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black and pink ink on recto of photograph reads: "Bby Mario 1791 56% / Bby p.5"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Car Accident

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription80784

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 17, 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 24 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a car accident on Willingdon Avenue, in front of Brentwood mall involving a 1998 Volvo that collided with a British Columbia Transit bus, two sign poles, and a light pole. Royal Canadian Mounted Police and firemen are on scene.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 17, 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 24 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1041

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of a car accident on Willingdon Avenue, in front of Brentwood mall involving a 1998 Volvo that collided with a British Columbia Transit bus, two sign poles, and a light pole. Royal Canadian Mounted Police and firemen are on scene.

Subjects: Accidents - Automobile Accidents; Public Services - Policing; Occupations - Fire Fighters

Names: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Ponne, Simone

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "53% 2823 Bby Simone "in colour" / Bby p. 20"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Car Accident

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription81292

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1995 and 1998]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of first responders at the scene of a car accident.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1995 and 1998]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

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

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1436

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of first responders at the scene of a car accident.

Subjects: Accidents - Automobile Accidents; Public Services - Policing; Occupations - Fire Fighters

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Blissett, Rebecca

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on recto of photograph reads: "3608 A Bby Rebecca"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Car accident

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78828

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 24, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 x 21.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an automobile crash on an overpass. A police officer, firefighter and an unidentified woman are standing by the wrecked vehicles. The exact location of the crash is unknown.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 24, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 x 21.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0144

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of an automobile crash on an overpass. A police officer, firefighter and an unidentified woman are standing by the wrecked vehicles. The exact location of the crash is unknown.

Subjects: Accidents - Automobile Accidents; Natural Phenomena - Snow; Public Services - Policing; Occupations - Fire Fighters

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Langdeau, Brian

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black and red ink on recto of photograph reads: "Bby 211 Brian / Bby 3 80%"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Car Accident

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78858

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: February 14, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 23 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an automobile crash with a John Deere grader. Police and firefighters are standing behind the wrecked vehicle. The crash occurred in the 8400-block Winston Street, Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: February 14, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 23 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0169

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of an automobile crash with a John Deere grader. Police and firefighters are standing behind the wrecked vehicle. The crash occurred in the 8400-block Winston Street, Burnaby.

Subjects: Accidents - Automobile Accidents; Public Services - Policing; Occupations - Fire Fighters

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Cooke, Bill

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "02/14 422 - Bby - Bill Cooke / BNW p. 3 / 89%"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Car Accident, February 14, 1996 thumbnail

Evacuation drill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98135

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 3 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of an evacuation drill of an unidentified children's health centre. Photographs depict the nursing staff evacuating children from rooms on blankets and out of the building.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 3 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-3214

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of an evacuation drill of an unidentified children's health centre. Photographs depict the nursing staff evacuating children from rooms on blankets and out of the building.

Subjects: Occupations - Nurses; Buildings - Civic - Hospitals; Persons - Children

Media Type: Photograph

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

Images

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory466

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1927-1990

Length: 00:04:05

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.

Date Range: 1927-1990

Length: 00:04:05

Names: Waddell, Gordon

Subjects: Public Services - Fire Protection; Buildings - Civic; Transportation - Fire Trucks

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 21, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:43:35

Interviewee Name: Nixon, Al

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 computerization in business 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.

Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Al Nixon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_3.mp3

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

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0012_003.mp3

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory465

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1936-1990

Length: 00:04:08

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the location of the North Burnaby Fire Department fire hall and the location of the six fire halls subsequently built for the combined north and south department. He also talks about Fred Blake, Lewis Auvache and Henry Chapman, early member…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the location of the North Burnaby Fire Department fire hall and the location of the six fire halls subsequently built for the combined north and south department. He also talks about Fred Blake, Lewis Auvache and Henry Chapman, early members of the department who were also interested in the department's history.

Date Range: 1936-1990

Length: 00:04:08

Names: Blake, Fred; Auvache, Lewis; Chapman, Henry H.

Subjects: Public Services - Fire Protection; Buildings - Civic

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 21, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:43:35

Interviewee Name: Nixon, Al

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 computerization in business 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.

Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Al Nixon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_2.mp3

Police officer at Royal Oak and Kingsway

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98180

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 a Burnaby RCMP officer wearing a reflective vest and standing on the sidewalk by a bus stop on Kingsway, across the street from a Safeway, at the intersection of Royal Oak Avenue and Kingsway.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1999]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-3258

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of a Burnaby RCMP officer wearing a reflective vest and standing on the sidewalk by a bus stop on Kingsway, across the street from a Safeway, at the intersection of Royal Oak Avenue and Kingsway.