Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

South Asian dance performance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16424

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: July 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a women in south asian dress dance performing on a stage under a tent during a Canada Day event at Burnaby Village Museum.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Marketing photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a women in south asian dress dance performing on a stage under a tent during a Canada Day event at Burnaby Village Museum.

Subjects: Holidays - Canada Day; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Performances

Names: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV020.4.776

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: July 1997

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 2400

Scan Date: 19-Jan-2021

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Printed on slide frame "97-07-02" and "028"

Images

South Asian dance performance, July 1997 thumbnail

South Asian dance performance during a Canada Day event

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16425

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: July 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a crowd of visitors watching a women in south asian dress dance on a stage under a tent during a Canada Day event at Burnaby Village Museum.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Marketing photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a crowd of visitors watching a women in south asian dress dance on a stage under a tent during a Canada Day event at Burnaby Village Museum.

Subjects: Holidays - Canada Day; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Performances

Names: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV020.4.777

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: July 1997

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 2400

Scan Date: 19-Jan-2021

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Printed on slide frame "97-07-02" and "029"

Images

South Asian dance performance during a Canada Day event, July 1997 thumbnail

Stepping over the barrier: Expanding Diversity at the Burnaby Village Museum

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18877

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 22 Sep. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (91 min., 5 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps

Scope and Content: Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke with presentations and discussions by Megan Innes, Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra and Denise Fong. The webinar is titled "Stepping over the barrier: Expanding Diversity at the Burnaby Village…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Burnaby Neighbourhood Speaker Series series

Subseries: Neighbourhood Speaker Series - Fall 2022 subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (91 min., 5 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps

Material Details: Host: Jane Lemke; Presenters: Meagan Innes; Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra; Denise Fong; Date of Presentation: Tuesday, September 22, 2022. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Total Number of tracks: 1; Total Length of all tracks: 91 min., 5 sec.; Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform; Original recording of 91 min., 5 sec.was edited to 79 min., 2 sec. for viewing on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Jane Lemke with presentations and discussions by Megan Innes, Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra and Denise Fong. The webinar is titled "Stepping over the barrier: Expanding Diversity at the Burnaby Village Museum". The webinar is the fourth in a series of six webinars presented in partnership by Burnaby Village Museum and Burnaby Public Library. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions during the interactive online sessions. In this webinar speakers and host discuss what it takes to bring more diverse stories into the Burnaby Village Museum and explore the history of discriminatory practices and museological trends at the Burnaby Village Museum and other museums. Speakers highlight recent projects taking place at Burnaby Village Museum to ensure that other diverse stories of communities are being represented and told. Speakers each provide a ten minute presentation followed by discussions. The first speaker in the webinar is Meagan Innes. When talking about place, Meagan talks about her ancestral ties to certain places including the site where Burnaby Village Museum now stands and what it means to her Indigenous ancestors. Meagan shares stories from her grandfather John Cordocedo of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation and how her grandfather, her great grandfather and ancestors have lived, hunted, gathered and traveled on this land. Meagan talks about the work that she’s been involved with at the Burnaby Village Museum including the development of the Indigenous Learning House, the Matriarch’s Garden, the Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide and development of Indigenous educational programing and projects. Meagan reflects on the collaboration and relationships that have developed during this work with Indigenous artists and Indigenous knowledge keepers. The second speaker in the webinar is Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra “Sharn”. Sharn's presentation is titled “From Orientalism and Colonialism to hope and future possibility”. Sharn speaks of her personal experience visiting the Burnaby Village Museum’s Chinese herbalist exhibit with her son and his school in 2019. Sharn expresses the racist impressions that she witnessed from the young students who visited the exhibit and her reaction re-visiting the exhibit in 2021 after the exhibit was revitalized. Sharn describes the much more positive aspects of the revitalized exhibit which transformed it from “Nostalgic Colonialism” to a place of meaningful belonging for racialized communities that includes faces and personal stories. Sharn looks forward to being a part of Burnaby’s next venture which looks at the history of Burnaby’s South Asian Canadian Community and shares some of her research while working on this project. The third speaker in the webinar is Denise Fong. Denise’s presentation is titled “Chinese Canadian History in Burnaby”. Denise provides some background regarding her work as a researcher working for the City of Burnaby. Denise takes us on a journey of her research in compiling non white experiences in Burnaby as well as uncovering personal stories from Burnaby families living and working in Burnaby. Denise points out discriminatory practices within Burnaby including the Chinese and Japanese Exclusion Bylaw in 1892 and the history of Chinese immigration to Canada including the Chinese Head Tax. Denise reflects on her own work, the work of students from UBC and volunteers from the Chinese Canadian History Advisory committee in building relationships with Chinese Canadian families within Burnaby to obtain stories and family records. Denise points out the various projects that these relationships and research have contributed to including; Heritage interpretive plaques installed at the Riverway Golf Course and in the Big Bend area of Burnaby, an award winning exhibit at Burnaby Village Museum “Across the Pacific”, new Chinese Canadian resources available on “Heritage Burnaby”, the revitalization of the Chinese Herbalist shop exhibit “Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee and Co.” at Burnaby Village Museum, the Chinese Market Garden at Burnaby Village Museum, the creation of a "Burnaby Farm Tour" map highlighting Chinese farms in the Big Bend area and a publication titled "Chinese Canadian History in Burnaby Resource Guide". Following the presentations, host Jane Lemke enters a conversation with Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra and Denise Fong. Jane intiates the conversations with questions regarding further work that is necessary for Burnaby Village Museum and other museums to move forward in readdressing the narratives beyond white colonial settler perspectives to include stories of marginalized and racialized people who are under represented and often forgotten.

History: Jane Lemke has worked in various museums in the Lower Mainland and has been the Curator at Burnaby Village Museum since 2019. Her educational background includes a Master of Arts degree in History and a Master of Museum Studies degree. Her research focus has been on trauma and memory and its role in shaping Canadian identity. She loves sharing memories and stories of Burnaby with the public. Jane sits on the Council of the BC Museums Association and is the Chair of the BC Museums Association Professional Development and Education Committee.; Meagan Innes is from Xwmélts'tstn úxwumixw (Capilano Village). She is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh First Nation Educator and a multidisciplinary Artist. Meagan completed her Masters of Education around examining connection to place, kinship and to spén´em (plant) s7ek_w’í7tel (siblings) pén´em (plant things). She is an emerging artist who is waking up her Ancestral skills and practicing the ways of her Ancestors. She is exploring reshaping pedagogy to embody traditional ways of knowing and being, more specifically Sḵwx̱wú7mesh traditional ways of learning, knowing and being. She had recently completed the First Nations Language Program at Simon Fraser University to become a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh langauge speaker which is the language of her Ancestors.; Dr. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra (Sharn) is Coordinator of the South Asian Studies Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley, co-curator of exhibits at the Sikh Heritage Museum, located in the National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford, BC, and a sessional faculty in the Department of History at UFV. Sharn’s PhD looks at the affective experiences of racialized museum visitors through a critical race theory lens. She’s a passionate activist, building bridges between community and academia through museum work. She is a past member of the BC Museums Association, and currently a Director with the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre - Museum of Migration.; Denise Fong is a historical researcher with the City of Burnaby and Ph.D. candidate at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on Chinese Canadian identity and meaning making in heritage spaces. Since 2009, Denise has coordinated a number of historical research and public history projects, including SFU’s From C to C: Chinese Canadian Stories of Migration and UBC’s Chinese Canadian Stories: Uncommon Histories from a Common Past. She co-curated two award-winning Chinese Canadian exhibitions locally — Burnaby Village Museum’s Across the Pacific exhibition and the Chinese Canadian Museum of BC/Museum of Vancouver’s A Seat at the Table exhibition. She is a UBC Public Scholar and currently serves as the research director for UBC's Initiative for Student Teaching and Research in Chinese Canadian Studies

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Indigenous peoples; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Food; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - First contact with Europeans; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Social life and customs; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Art; Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Languages; Indigenous peoples - Canada - , Treatment of; Plants; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Buildings - Civic - Museums; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Burnaby Village Museum; Fong, Denise; Innes, Meagan; Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation; Sandhra, Sharanjit Kaur "Sharn" Dr.

Responsibility: Lemke, Jane

Accession Code: BV022.27.4

Date: 22 Sep. 2022

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

Video

Stepping over the barrier: Expanding Diversity at the Burnaby Village Museum, 22 Sep. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2022_0027_0004_002.mp4

Interview 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 …

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

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

2022_0029_0003_005

Audio Tracks

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

Actors performing in play "Maluka"

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19280

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1988]

Collection/Fonds: Dr. Sadhu Binning fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of actors from Vancouver Sath performing in the play "Maluka" at J. W. Sexsmith Elementary School in Vancouver. Three actors are identified as Billa Takhar (seated on chair), Paul Binning (standing in centre) and Manjit Lehl (standing on the right). The play is an adaptation based on the…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Dr. Sadhu Binning fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of actors from Vancouver Sath performing in the play "Maluka" at J. W. Sexsmith Elementary School in Vancouver. Three actors are identified as Billa Takhar (seated on chair), Paul Binning (standing in centre) and Manjit Lehl (standing on the right). The play is an adaptation based on the novel "Maluka" written by Sadhu Singh Dhami.

Subjects: Performances - Dramatic Performances; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Names: Binning, Paul; Lehl, Manjit; Takhar, Billa; Vancouver Sath

Accession Code: BV023.7.17

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1988]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-03-30

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

Actors performing in play "Maluka"

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19281

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1988]

Collection/Fonds: Dr. Sadhu Binning fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 15 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of actors from Vancouver Sath, Sukhwant Hundal (front centre) and Billa Takhar (behind to right) performing in the play "Maluka" at J. W. Sexsmith Elementary School in Vancouver. Both men are Sikh and are wearing turbins. The play is an adaptation based on the novel "Maluka" written by S…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Dr. Sadhu Binning fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 15 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of actors from Vancouver Sath, Sukhwant Hundal (front centre) and Billa Takhar (behind to right) performing in the play "Maluka" at J. W. Sexsmith Elementary School in Vancouver. Both men are Sikh and are wearing turbins. The play is an adaptation based on the novel "Maluka" written by Sadhu Singh Dhami.

Subjects: Performances - Dramatic Performances; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Names: Hundal, Sukhwant; Takhar, Billa; Vancouver Sath

Accession Code: BV023.7.18

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1988]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-03-30

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

Interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19603

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (93 min., 7 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (92 min., 57 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, founders of Vancouver Sath conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview is taking place at the Burnaby Village Museum's exhibit "Truths not Often Told: Being South Asian in…

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) (93 min., 7 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (92 min., 57 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:1:33:07 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together into one track and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, founders of Vancouver Sath conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview is taking place at the Burnaby Village Museum's exhibit "Truths not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby". The interview focuses on the history of "Vancouver Sath" as well as literary works created by Hundal and Binning and the Punjabi literary magazine "Watno Dur" and "Watan". 00:00 - 13:30 Interview opens with brief introductions and information on Sadhu Binning, Sukhwant Hundal and Vancouver Sath provided by the interviewer, James Binks. Interviewees Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal describe how they met and what they were focused on prior to the formation of the organization Vancouver Sath. Binning briefly describes how he became involved as a writer in the literary world and recalls how he published his first poem in an Indian literary magazine in 1972. Hundal describes how he immigrated to Canada from Punjab in 1975, the various industries that he worked in as a new immigrant and his interest in literature with a focus on social issues. Hundel describes how he developed a relationship with Sadhu Binning after his short story was published in "Watno Dur" literary magazine which in turn lead to his involvement with the Punjabi Literary Association and becoming co-editor of "Watnu Dur". 13:31 – 27:44 Hundal provides more background on his life as a South Asian immigrant, working in sawmills and completing a diploma in Power and Process Engineering and how he first became interested in literature while living in India. Binning and Hundal both share their insights into the formation of Vancouver Sath and provide details on their involvement with the Punjabi literary publication “Watnu Dur”. Binning describes how the inspiration for the formation of the Vancouver Sath organization came from India and that Binning, Hundal and some other members of the Punjabi Literary Association decided to form their own group where they could have more informal discussions around social, political and literary issues. 27:45 – 43:31 Binning describes how the political issues that were happening in Punjab between 1978 and 1983 influenced discussions in the South Asian community whereas prior to 1978 there was more focus on local issues that new immigrants were facing. Binning conveys how their work with Vancouver Sath endeavored to focus more on local issues and Hundal conveys how they made the decision to begin producing theatrical works rather than just written works to reach a wider audience. Hundal and Binning share names of the people that were involved with Vancouver Sath and describe some of the early plays that they performed. Binning describes the foundations of the organization where they worked together as a collective making decisions in producing and performing the works with Binning and Hundal taking on the responsibility for the written work. They talk about their first paid experience being invited to perform a few of their plays at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. 43:32 – 55:17 Hundal and Binning describe how they continued to support themselves financially since they weren’t making money from Vancouver Sath. Binning and Hundal provide further details on how their collective worked with the process of writing the plays and presenting and discussing details with the Vancouver Sath community before performing to an audience. Hundal talks about the transition that the magazine “Watno Dur” took in 1986 which lead to renaming it “Watan”. Hundal and Binning discuss how in 1992 and 1993 they decided to try to get more young people involved and began publishing a magazine in English called “Ankur”. They describe the content and list some of the authors who contributed to the magazine. 55:18 – 1:20:12 Hundal and Binning provide background details on the author of “Maluka”, Sadhu Singh Dhami and describe the details that lead them to translating the book into Punjabi, touring with the author and adapting the novel into a play which Vancouver Sath performed. Binning and Hundal describe and discuss other plays that Vancouver Sath performed including some plays that were recorded and broadcast over local radio stations. 1:20:13 – 1:32:57 Binning and Hundal reflect on what lead Vancouver Sath to discontinue theatrical performances in the mid 1990’s. Binning and Hundal state how they are both still very involved in publishing literary works but no longer perform theatrical works. Binning and Hundal describe some of their literary works and projects that they’ve been involved in and also reflect on and describe the current theatre scene in the South Asian community. Hundal conveys that even though they no longer call themselves “Vancouver Sath” they continue to enjoy working as a collective discussing literary works and ideas.

History: Interviewees' biographies: 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 purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Suhkwant Hundal is a founding member in the group known as Vancouver Sath and has spent a lot of time in Burnaby rehearsing and writing plays. Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal co-wrote the Vancouver Sath's first play, "Picket-Line" and many others. This play was staged in November 1984. He's authored and edited pieces for the various newsletters and magazines including "Watno Dur" and "Watan". Through the 1980's and early 1990's Hundal has been active in South Asian advocacy in Burnaby and the Lower Mainland. In his retirement years, Hundal has been a lecturer on Punjabi language at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Asian Studies. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Occupations - Writers; Organizations; Organizations - Unions; Migration; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Social Issues; Social Issues - Discrimination; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Vancouver Sath; Binning, Dr. Sadhu; Hundal, Sukhwant; Dhami, Sadhu Singh; Pritam, Amrita; Rampuri, Gurcharan; Tut, Mukhan; Thobani, Sunera; Hoss Mushroom Farm; Deol, Jeevan; Dulai, Phinder; Dhillon, Sital; Bhangoo, Bhavna; Rai, Gurmail; Punjabi Lekhak Manch; Di Awaz, Samay; Johal, Balinder; Sara, Amanpal; United Farm Workers Union; Canadian Farmworkers Union

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal, 1967-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0007_003.mp3

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

Chinese New Year envelope

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact89950

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV019.16.3

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV019.16.3

Description: Chinese New Year envelope; red paper with gummed, fold closure at top; text in Chinese and English in gold reading: "Jagmeet Singh / Leader of Canada's NDP / Burnaby South NDP Candidate / www.jagmeetsingh.ca / Paid for and authorized by official agent of the candidate."; contains a small, square orange-flavoured candy and a thin card; card has the candidate's name and photograph on one side, and the Chinese zodiac on the other.

Object History: Jagmeet Singh is a Canadian lawyer and politician serving as leader of the New Democratic Party since 2017. He was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Burnaby South in a February 25, 2019 by-election.

Category: 05.Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

Classification: Merchandising T&E

Object Term: Envelope, Money

Subjects: Advertising Medium; Holidays - Chinese New Year; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Officials - Elected Officials; Celebrations

Names: Singh, Jagmeet

Images

Duraisamy family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97702

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 4 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the Duraisamy family, who moved to Canada from Sri Lanka, displaying how they blend Christian Christmas and Hindu traditions in their home.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2001]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 4 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2977

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the Duraisamy family, who moved to Canada from Sri Lanka, displaying how they blend Christian Christmas and Hindu traditions in their home.

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas; Religions - Christianity; Religions - Hinduism; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a December 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-2977-1: "Siva and Kanges Duraisamy, originally from Sri Lanka, have been gradually melding their Hindu and Christian Christmas traditions."; Caption from metadata for 535-2977-2: "The Duraisamy family, originally from Sri Lanka, have been gradually melding Hindu and Christian Christmas traditions since moving to Canada in 1999."; Caption from metadata for 535-2977-3: "Niroo Duraisamy, 8, shows off the letter to Santa Claus he composed on his home computer. Since moving to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1999, his family has gradually incorporated western Christmas traditions into their holiday."; Caption from metadata for 535-2977-4: "Siva Duraisamy tries to figure out why the family's Frosty the Snowman decoration won't light up."

Images

Nadeem and Surjeet Parmar in their home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19283

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [Dec. 1975] (date of original), copied [2023]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. print ; 13 x 17.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar and his wife Surjeet inside their home located at 131 South Fell Avenue, Burnaby. Nadeem is seated in an armchair and Surjeet is seated on a sofa, both have upholstery with a floral design. There is a silver Christmas tree behind them.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. print ; 13 x 17.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar and his wife Surjeet inside their home located at 131 South Fell Avenue, Burnaby. Nadeem is seated in an armchair and Surjeet is seated on a sofa, both have upholstery with a floral design. There is a silver Christmas tree behind them.

History: Kalwant Singh Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (Old India before 1947). He was given his writer's name ("Nadeem", which means 'friend' in Persian). He holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.)and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. Nadeem emigrated to Burnaby in 1973 and worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi.

Subjects: Persons - South Asian Canadians; Holidays - Christmas

Names: Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"

Accession Code: BV023.8.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [Dec. 1975] (date of original), copied [2023]

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: See also: Suitcase used by Nadeem in his migration to Canada- BV023.8.2 and books authored by Nadeem Parmar BV023.8.3 & BV023.8.4

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-04-14

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph is a reprint of an original photograph taken in 1975; Note in ink on verso of photograph reads: "131._SOUTH_FELL_AVE / BURNABY_._B.C. / c.1975"

Images

Nadeem and Surjeet Parmar in their home, [Dec. 1975] (date of original), copied [2023] thumbnail

North Burnaby High School Graduates 1954

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription163

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1954

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 36.5 x 58.5 cm mounted on board 76 x 101.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of graduates of North Burnaby High School in 1954 with all names of graduates scripted on mounting board by E.Skrypec. Row 1: L. Fox, S. Johnson, R. Larson, B. Milaney, J. Watson, D. Spring, G. Calder, J. Forester, A. Nash, J. McGiveron, M. Meikle, T. Brooks, J. Meikle, S. Hill, B. Bil…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 36.5 x 58.5 cm mounted on board 76 x 101.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of graduates of North Burnaby High School in 1954 with all names of graduates scripted on mounting board by E.Skrypec. Row 1: L. Fox, S. Johnson, R. Larson, B. Milaney, J. Watson, D. Spring, G. Calder, J. Forester, A. Nash, J. McGiveron, M. Meikle, T. Brooks, J. Meikle, S. Hill, B. Bilson, F. Stewart, M. Slavin, H. Trayling, B. Bourne, M. Mothe, M. Bazylevich, S. Yorston, E. Underwood, S. Sandberg, A. Craig, A. Holzman, M. Cranston, W. Pendygrasse and L. Holland. Row 2: S. Willimas, S. Anderson, G. Burgess, I. Radill, J. Jopling, J. Wong, K. McNicol, D. Gallie, W. Brigden, I. Frank, J. Elliott, P. Wooldard, D. Drummond, E. Murray, K. Nelson, B. Smith, J. Purser, D. Lister, N. Husband, A. Ryder and G. Olafson. Row 3: B. Beaumont, W. Judyski, B. Chamberland, R. Dyck, H. Lunow, R. Morris, N. Trtan, S. Gill, K. Elliott, D. Demchuk, D. Wilson, H. Philbrook, D. Connorton, D. Panton, G. Monk, G. Kubicek, J. Christian, H. Pendygrasse, D. Norman and H. Peterson. Row 4: C. Allen, J. MacDonald, H. Siddoo, G. Boyd, G. Norgard, P. Iannucci, R. McDonnell, B. Mills, R. Ostby, K. Bennett, F. McAuley, G. Topham, G. Clapp, H. Rink, T. Scuffi, B. Dolman, L. Armstrong, W. Cross, E. Matiash and B. Miles. Row 5: V. Cinnamon, T. Saunders, E. Skrypec, S. Bonettemaker, G. Barr, W. Greba, B. Asleson, B. Launder, F. Punko, J. Maxwell, J. McTaggart, D. Allen, W. Plevy, J. Bailey and R. Zacharias.

Subjects: Persons - Students; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Events; Buildings - Schools; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Names: Siddoo, Hardev; Wong, Jessie; Burnaby North High School

Geographic Access: Pandora Street

Street Address: 4375 Pandora Street

Accession Code: BV985.30.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1954

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Working on the green chain

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15193

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [194-] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: In the Shadow by the Sea collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of two unidentified Chinese Canadian men working on the green chain of Kapoor Sawmills Limited. Burrard Inlet and the north shore mountains are visible in the distance.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: In the Shadow by the Sea collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of two unidentified Chinese Canadian men working on the green chain of Kapoor Sawmills Limited. Burrard Inlet and the north shore mountains are visible in the distance.

History: Kapoor Singh Siddoo was born in 1885 in the Punjab village of Kharaudi, India. Kapoor was one of the pioneer South Asian Canadian Sikhs who immigrated to America in 1906 and onto Canada in 1912. Kapoor first arrived in San Francisco in 1906, along with twenty uneducated men from the Province of Punjab, India. Kapoor was the only one among these men who was educated so acted as their interpreter, manager and accountant. They worked along the Southern Pacific Railway line near Marysville, California, toward Reno and Nevada. Kapoor heard about the beauty of British Columbia and decided to travel to the west coast but times were tough with discrimination against all South Asians in British Columbia. With this information, Kapoor traveled east to Northern Ontario where he tried homesteading for a year but the extreme winter conditions didn’t appeal to him. Kapoor returned to British Columbia after receiving word from South Asian Canadians that they were in need of an educated accountant/manager for a sawmill. In 1923, with the change in immigration laws, Kapoor arranged for his wife, Besant Kaur to emigrate from India. Besant came to Canada accompanied by Kapoor’s older brother. Kapoor and Besant had two daughters, both born in Duncan B.C. Jagdis Kaur Siddoo was born in 1925 and Sarjit Kaur Siddoo was born in 1926. Both of their daughters graduated as doctors from University of Toronto medical school. His career in B.C. began as a lumberman for a large lumber mill on Vancouver Island until 1935. Following this, Kapoor established the Kapoor Lumber Company Limited and operated a mill at Shawnigan Lake before eventually purchasing 45 acres in 1939 of the eastern section of the former Barnet Mill site in Burnaby. He purchased the site from the Municipality of Burnaby under the name of Modern Sawmills Limited since there was a restriction on selling this piece of a property to a non-white person. Eventually the name was changed to Kapoor Sawmills Limited. Kapoor’s company was a financial success but was tragically razed on January 14, 1947 due to a devastating fire. A smaller mill was rebuilt on the site and Kapoor maintained a successful financial operation until 1959. In 1959, Kapoor Siddoo was considered one of Vancouver’s most influential men in the South Asian Community. In this same year, the family set up the Kapoor Singh Siddoo Foundation and with help from his wife and daughters opened a hospital in the Punjab village of Aur. In 1964, Kapoor died in India at the age of 79 years. Kapoor’s younger brother, Tara Singh Siddoo came to Canada from India in 1906 but after suffering discrimination, he returned to India in 1912. Several years later Tara returned to Canada joining Kapoor at a logging mill on Vancouver Island. Lesser shares of the mill were held by Tara and other family members. Tara and his wife, Beant Siddoo lived at Barnet between 1943 and 1945, with their family of five sons, Lakhbeer, Gurdeb, Gurcharn, Baldev, Hardev and three daughters, Harjeet (Sangha), Runjeet (Basi) and Buckshish (Sarai). One of Tara’s responsibilities was to oversee the logging camp and ensure that the logs arrived regularly from Cowichan Bay near Duncan to the Barnet logging mill.

Subjects: Industries - Logging/lumber; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Occupations - Millworkers; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Names: Kapoor Sawmills Limited

Geographic Access: Burrard Inlet; Barnet Marine Park

Accession Code: BV019.32.14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [194-] (date of original), copied 2004

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Working on the green chain, [194-] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail

Canada Day horse

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98161

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 teenager wearing a "Canada" T-shirt, posing with a horse.

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.: 535-3239

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified teenager wearing a "Canada" T-shirt, posing with a horse.

Subjects: Persons - Adolescents; Animals - Horses; Holidays - Canada Day

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

BHS Photo Discs by Sid Cumbers 2004

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98460

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 2000-2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 205 photographs (jpgs and pdd) on 2 optical discs

Scope and Content: Photographs of various events in which the Burnaby Historical Society participated including bus trips, Christmas parties, 1223 interurban tram events, and Canada Day and other holiday celebrations.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 2000-2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Administration series

Physical Description: 205 photographs (jpgs and pdd) on 2 optical discs

Description Level: File

Record No.: 633-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2020-06

Scope and Content: Photographs of various events in which the Burnaby Historical Society participated including bus trips, Christmas parties, 1223 interurban tram events, and Canada Day and other holiday celebrations.

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas; Holidays - Canada Day

Names: Burnaby Historical Society

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Cumbers, Sidney

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from original disc envelope; Disc 2020-06-001 label reads: "Burnaby Historical Society 2004 / Content Description 1. BHS Bus Trip, 2000 2. BHS Xmas, 2001 3. BHS XMas, 2003 4. Canada Day, 2004 5. Victoria Day, 2004 6. Tram1223, 2001-2004 7. Tram1223BBQ, 2004 8. Tram1223 Volunteers, 2004:; Disc 2020-06-002 label reads: "Burnaby Village Museum Labour Day Fair / Monday September 6, 2004"; Contact sheet for photographs on 2020-06-001 available in accession file.

Images

BHS Photo Discs by Sid Cumbers 2004, 2000-2004 thumbnail

Barnet school class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15184

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1941 and 1942] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: In the Shadow by the Sea collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Barnet School elementary class, 1941-1942. The group of students are arranged outside in three rows with trees behind them. Students are identified from left to right as; front row: Kenny Marshall, unknown, Lakhbeer Siddoo, Gurdeb Siddoo, Bobby Karppinen, unknown, Hardev Siddoo; middl…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: In the Shadow by the Sea collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Barnet School elementary class, 1941-1942. The group of students are arranged outside in three rows with trees behind them. Students are identified from left to right as; front row: Kenny Marshall, unknown, Lakhbeer Siddoo, Gurdeb Siddoo, Bobby Karppinen, unknown, Hardev Siddoo; middle row: Moyra Foort, Rose Johnston, Doreen Karppinen, Deirdre Davidson, Freda Hall, Joan Lynch, Sheila Carey, Catherine La Favor, Beatrice Woolsey and Goglin; back row: Bobby Goglin, Jackie Marshall, Ken Murray, Gurmeet Gurdell, Florence La Favor, Diljeet Teja, Colin Simmons, Ronny Johnson.

Subjects: Persons - Students; Persons - Children; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Buildings - Schools

Names: Barnet School; Marshall, Kenny; Siddoo, Hardev; Siddoo, Lakhbeer; Siddoo, Gurdeb; Karppinen, Robert "Bobby"; Foort, Moyra; Johnston, Rose; Karppinen, Doreen; Davidson, Dierdre; Hall, Freda; Lynch, Joan; Carey, Sheila; La Favor, Cathryn Bernice; McMillan, Beatrice Woolsey; Goglin, Robert "Bobby"; Marshall, Jack Darrel "Jackie"; Murray, Ken; Gurdell, Gurmeet; La Favor, Florence Alice; Teja, Diljeet; Simmons, Colin; Johnson, Ron "Ronny"

Accession Code: BV019.32.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1941 and 1942] (date of original), copied 2004

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; see page 235 in the book "In the Shadow by the Sea - recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village". Caption with photograph reads: "Barnet School / Class 1941-1942 / Back Row:..."

Images

Barnet school class, [between 1941 and 1942] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail

Interview with Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19605

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1984-2023 (interview content), interviewed 5 Jun. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (47 min., 26 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (47 min., 27 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra interviewed by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 – 00:04:31 The interview opens with introductions and biographical details about Jag Nagra. The interviewer shares information about Jag Nagra…

1 document 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: 1 sound recording (wav) (47 min., 26 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (47 min., 27 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: June 5, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 47:27

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra interviewed by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 – 00:04:31 The interview opens with introductions and biographical details about Jag Nagra. The interviewer shares information about Jag Nagra’s art career and the many art projects and commissions that Jag has worked on. Jag shares information about her parents, providing details about their immigration to British Columbia from Punjab and the places that Jag and her family have lived over the years. 00:04:32 – 00:12:38 Jag talks about what inspired her to become interested in art, her art education and how her artistic practice and expression have developed over time. Jag describes how she first started in graphic design, how she’s become more involved in public art and her experience working in design. Jag touches on her experiences of being a South Asian growing up and living in a predominantly white neighbourhood and provides information about her parents, Avatar Singh Nagra and Rajwant Kaur Nagra and their migration to Canada. 00:12:39 – 00:20:03 Jag talks about her inspiration in creating her work, her involvement with the revitalization of the Punjabi Market in Vancouver, the Punjabi Market Collective and other public art projects that she’s been involved with focusing on the South Asian community and LGBTQ+ issues. 00:20:04 – 00:41:09 Jag talks about her involvement with the Burnaby Village Museum’s exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. The interviewer and Jag take a walk throughout the exhibit while Jag describes the art work that she created for the exhibit and her creative process. Jag reflects on her own experiences being involved in the exhibit. 00:41:10 – 00:47:27 Jag talks about her own experiences as a South Asian Queer artist reflecting on her experiences within the art community. In closing Jag reflects on the impacts of the exhibit that celebrates South Asian culture in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra is a queer Panjabi Visual Artist passionate about community development, making art accessible and ending stigma against LGBTQ+ people within the South Asian community. Nagra has worked with clients such as the Vancouver Canucks, Tim Hortons and Microsoft and is currently serving as Vice Chair of the Punjabi Market Collective. She is featured in the internationally acclaimed, award wining LGBTQ documentary Emergence: Out of the Shadows. Her artworks are part of the Museum of Vancouver’s permanent collection and have been commissioned for the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit "Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby". Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Migration; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Persons - LGBTQ+; Occupations - Artists; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues - Discrimination

Names: Nagra, Jagandeep "Jag"

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1984-2023 (interview content), interviewed 5 Jun. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby

Documents

2023_0016_0009_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Jagandeep

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0009_002.mp3

Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19600

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 mi…

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) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: Lachman Singh Gill and family members - Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence Interview Date: June 12, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:124 min., 8 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 min.) was conducted in English with family members, Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill. 00:00:00 - 00:05:35 This interview starts abruptly, and the interviewer was unable to introduce the interviewees and themself. There were also technical difficulties in the beginning, which led to the recording starting mid-sentence. Discussion begins with Lachman Singh Gill providing details on his spiritual practices and background. 00:05:35 - 00:13:38 Discussion continues with Lachman providing details on his birthplace in Punjab, his family home, family names and languages spoken while living in India (Punjabi and Urdu). Family members chime in to help with details. 00:13:39 - 00:18:00 Lachman Gill imparts information on his migration story from England to British Columbia and his experiences when he first came to England from India. Lachman shares his employment history in Vancouver and India. 00:18:01 - 00:23:34 Lachman talks about his marriage to Surjit Kaur (Ark) Gill in India in 1943 and shares the names of their seven children, including his youngest daughter Sarbjit who died tragically at a young age. Lachman shares the details of his daily routine at the age of 95 years old. 00:23:35 - 00:25:48 Lachman shares information on the Gurdwaras that he visits for prayers, weddings and events. 00:25:49 - 00:35:49 Lachman recalls his experience living in India at the time of Partition in 1947 including details on his family’s experiences of how they helped protect a Muslim family. 00:35:50 - 00:39:49 Lachman comments on his experiences of living in Burnaby from when he first arrived here. Lachman, Santokh, Prem and the interviewer recount the names and locations of gurdwaras in the lower mainland and how they’ve changed over time. 00:39:50 - 00:43:15 Lachman shares his employment history working in a foundry and driving a taxi. Santokh, Mohinder and Prem Gill provide information about Lachman’s wife Surjeet Kaur Gill. The group describes their family home in Burnaby which they've lived in since 1973 and their first home on Georgia Street in Burnaby. 00:43:16 - 00:49:19 Lachman, Mohinder and Santokh recall their experiences obtaining citizenship as British subjects and how they were able to buy a home in a year. Santokh Gill recalls how he and his brother took over his father’s taxi after he retired and later sold it for a profit. 00:49:20 - 01:04:19 Lachman describes in detail his daily routine as a 95 year old. The group shares some of their favourite types of roti and Lachman talks about using his hearing aid. The interviewer and group convey to Lachman how the information will be used. Lachman describes how his wife made oatmeal. 01:04:20 - 01:15:54 In this portion of the interview, Santokh and Prem Gill show the interviewer a book by Henry Bromley titled “Fire in the Blood: A History of British Columbia and Alberta Foundries”. The book was given to the Santokh when he was working at the foundry and contains photographs of Lachman Gill and the foundries they worked at. Santokh describes photographs within the book and the metal casting processes.

History: Interviewees' biographies: Lachman Singh Gill was born in 1928 in the village of Ferozepur near Lakhpur, Punjab. In 1943, Lachman married his wife Surjit Kaur Ark who was from the village of Malpur. Sometime after Partition in 1947, Lachman and his wife Surjeet immigrated to England. Lachman and Surjit had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Around 1973, Lachman's son, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill sponsored his father and mother and they immigrated to Canada joining him and his family in Burnaby, British Columbia. After arriving in British Columbia, Lachman worked as a steel worker at a foundry and drove his own taxi. Lachman retired in his ffities and continues to live with his son and family in Burnaby. Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. 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; Migration; Foods; Industries; Persons - Seniors; Religions - Sikhism; Transportation - Taxicabs

Names: Gill, Lachman Singh; Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh; Gill, Prem Kaur; Gill, Mohinder Kaur; Gill, Surjit Kaur Ark; Gill, Sarbjit Kaur

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Accession Code: BV023.16.4

Date: 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcript for master recordings available upon request - Contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0004_003.m4a

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19610

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Kate Petrusa and James Binks Interviewees: Rajinder and Raj Pandher Location of Interview: Love farmhouse, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 4 Total Length of all Tracks: (3:06:01 min) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto four separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview begins on January 10. Rajinder Pander provides information on where he was born and where he grew up and shares details regarding his family and his childhood including; his elementary and high school education and experiences and his involvement and interest in the sport of field hockey. 08:53 – 23:24 Raj Pander provides information on where she was born and shares details regarding her family and education. Raj recalls details of her family life in India including her family farm, her father’s service in the Indian National Army and other ancestor’s involvement in the military. Rajinder assists with the details regarding Raj’s father’s military service and explains how he was highly decelerated for his heroic actions. Rajinder conveys further information in reference to the Sikh Empire. 23:25 – 35:53 Rajinder and Raj share information on their formal education. Raj explains how she learned English and talks about the other spoken languages that her family used while she was growing up. Rajinder and Raj recall how they first met which lead them to marry in 1971. Rajinder provides information about his older brothers who left India before him. He explains how his elder brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1970 and provides details on his other brother who lived in Malaysia and England before coming to Canada in 1975. Rajinder conveys how after his brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher arrived in Canada, he lived in Campbell River and worked at the saw mill there. 35:54 – 1:01:38 Rajinder and Raj share their immigration stories including details of; what lead them to immigrate, their immigration route, what they brought with them and where they lived and worked. Rajinder and Raj tell of how they both faced discrimination in finding work that they were qualified for and describe some of the jobs that they worked at before obtaining their Real Estate licences. 1:01:39 – 1:13:09 Rajinder and Raj share information on where they’ve purchase traditional food supplies in Burnaby and Rajinder provides further details on his employment and recalls how they were able to purchase their first home in Burnaby. 1:13:10 - 1:19:33 Rajinder describes how he began writing for the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”. Rajinder shares how he first started printing small pamphlets of Sikh Cultural history in 1975 and how he’s been volunteering with the National Democratic Party (NDP) since 1973. 1:19:34 - 1:38:24 Second part of interview continues on January 24, 2023. Rajinder provides further information about the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”, provides an historical summary of the Sikh Empire and the Sikh religion and describes a book that’s he’s written about his culture and the village he lived in India. 1:38:25 - 1:52:24 Raj describes some of the traditional textiles that she’s created including a dury, embroidered cloth (pakha and pakhi) and clothing. Raj shares a story of a train derailment in India in which her father survived. 1:52:25 - 2:14:53 Raj Pandher talks about her father’s letters and diaries, Rajinder talks about receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service and they both talk about their daughter Amanjit’s education and career accomplishments. Raj describes her involvement in the community council of her children’s school and both Raj and Rajinder describe their involvement in multicultural education and events that they were involved with in Burnaby and New Westminster. Interviewer lists Rajinder Pandher’s many volunteer awards and accomplishments. 2:14:54 - 2:39:53 Raj and Rajinder describe some of their family photographs as well as personal items from India including decorative arts and textiles. They talk about celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary and the origin of their Sikh names. Rajinder describes a visit to Paldi in 1977 when the whole family was baptized at the Sikh temple and provides informaton about Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Sikh child born in Canada. Rajinder discusses what he thinks a cookhouse looked like, his friendship with former Mayor William J. Copeland and wages of South Asians working in sawmills. 2:39:54 - 3:06:01 Raj and Rajinder talk about food including where they’ve purchased traditional South Asian foods and what they grow in their home garden. Rajinder provides details about the Burnaby Multicultural Society, talks about South Asian work ethics and housing and shares some of the cultural and religious traditions of Sikhs and celebrations that take place in Vancouver and Burnaby.

History: Interviewees biographies: Rajinder Pandher was born five years prior to the Partition of India in the Village of Jhamat, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Raj Pandher was born in 1948 in the Village of Chapar, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Rajinder played field hockey while living in India and is passionate about the sport. Both Rajinder and Raj Pahndher attended college in India and were married in India in 1971. Rajinder Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1972 and his wife, Raj Pandher joined him in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Rajinder Pandher started working at a sawmill in Campbell River but didn't like the work and moved to Vancouver to find better employment opportunties. In 1976, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented until they could buy a home a year later. They raised two children who attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School in Burnaby. Rajinder and Raj Pandher were both very involved with multicultural efforts at their childlren's schools including turban tying and sari demonstrations and Rajinder was a founding member of the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Interviewers biographies: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013. James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Housing; Employment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Persons - Volunteers; Religions - Sikhism; Migration; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues; Celebrations; Sports - Field Hockey

Names: Pandher, Raj; Pandher, Rajinder; Copeland, William J.; Pandher, Harman; Pandher, Amanjit; Burnaby Multicultural Society; The Western Sikh Samachar

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate; Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.1.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcripts available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0002_003.mp3

Shafq-E-Gurlrung

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7626

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Parmar, Nadeem, 1936-

Publication Date: 2009

Call Number: 891.421 PAR

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV022.33.1

ISBN: 9788178835808

Call Number: 891.421 PAR

Author: Parmar, Nadeem, 1936-

Place of Publication: Ludhiana, India

Publisher: Chetna Parkashan

Publication Date: 2009

Physical Description: 150 p. : 23 cm.

Inscription: Title page has inscription and signature from author dated "6.12.2022"

Library Subject (LOC): Poetry; Panjabis (South Asian people)--British Columbia

Subjects: Persons; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Names: Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"

Object History: Kalwant Singh Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (Old India before 1947). He was given his writer's name ("Nadeem", which means 'friend' in Persian). He holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.)and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. Nadeem emigrated to Burnaby in 1973 and worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi.

Notes: Written in Punjabi

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