Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with Bill Gruenthal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19636

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business,…

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: 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Bill Gruenthal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 31, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 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 Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business, his knowledge and interest in Judaism, places that he and his wife lived before moving to Burnaby, family life in Burnaby and his political involvement in running for the Burnaby school board. 00:27:02 – 00:42:50 Bill Gruenthal talks about the Burquest Jewish Community Association, it’s background and his involvement, experiences of discrimination in his career, a brief history of the Jewish people and some cultural traditions. 00:42:51 – 00:56:04 Bill Gruenthal mentions some of the charities that he supports including Burnaby Hospital, his volunteer work within the community and community organizations including the Nikkei Place Foundation and shares more details on his insurance career. 00:56:05 – 01:14:37 Bill Gruenthal shares information about his Burnaby neighbourhood and Jewish funeral customs and provides his impressions of new development at Brentwood, Burnaby Council and other development projects in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Bill Gruenthal was born in the British Mandate of Palestine, now Israel, in 1935 after his parents had fled Germany in advance of the then worsening political situation. Bill’s father died in 1942; some years later his mother remarried to an Irish-born senior civil servant in that government. He had a difficult and somewhat dangerous job. Soon after marriage, the family, including Bill’s older brother, Martin, immigrated to Canada in January 1947 on the strength of his step-father’s British Passport. They traveled via New York, where Bill’s uncle and his family resided and who put up the family. Later that month, the parents travelled by CP rail from Montreal to Vancouver, followed by Bill and his brother in March 1947 who travelled from New York to White Rock on an American railroad. While passing through the Fraser Valley Bill’s parents took an interest in Silverdale, a small hamlet west of Mission where the four eventually settled. Bill finished High School in Mission and soon joined the insurance industry. Bill connected with the Jewish Community in Vancouver where he met his soon-to-be wife. Upon marriage they were transferred to Calgary; after five years suffering its cold weather they were transferred back to Vancouver. They settled in Burnaby in 1966 as an affordable neighbourhood with easy access to his office downtown Vancouver. Outside work, Bill helped raise his family of three daughters who all graduated Burnaby High School (Alpha). They joined Temple Sholom in Vancouver, and he volunteered and still volunteers for a number of non-profits, including The Jewish Museum and Archives and Nikkei Place Foundation (Burnaby). He was an early long-term supporter and a past president of Burquest Jewish Community Association, mostly involving persons from Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Tri-Cities area (hence the name). He ran for political office in Burnaby in 1976 but was not elected. He delivers food in Burnaby for the Food Bank and is a donor to many worthy causes including Burnaby General Hospital. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Migration; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Transportation; Transportation - Rail; Religions - Judaism; Cemeteries; Organizations; Elections

Names: Gruenthal, Bill; Gruenthal, Noemi Yadlow; O'Connor, Herta Ingrid Gruenthal; O'Connor, John; Burquest; Jacobson, Max Alec; Temple Shalom; Brentwood Shopping Centre; Brentwood Park School; Alpha Secondary School; Burnaby School Board

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Planning Study Area: Brentwood Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0014_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Bill Gruenthal, [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0014_003.mp3

Digney film 1 - Outdoor Christmas display

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10592

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1954 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (25 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of an outdoor Christmas display with a mechanical Santa, his sleigh and two reindeer with "Merry Xmas Happy New Year" in behind. Reindeer part of the display rotates on a motor. This could be in Burnaby outside of the Digney's home on Kaymar Drive. The wooden display was created by Andy D…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (25 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of an outdoor Christmas display with a mechanical Santa, his sleigh and two reindeer with "Merry Xmas Happy New Year" in behind. Reindeer part of the display rotates on a motor. This could be in Burnaby outside of the Digney's home on Kaymar Drive. The wooden display was created by Andy Digney.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas

Names: Digney, Andy

Geographic Access: Kaymar Drive

Accession Code: BV019.18.3.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1954 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)

Images

Video

Digney film 1 - Outdoor Christmas display, [between 1954 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0003_001.mp4

Digney film 1 - Digney family in Burnaby, Okanagan, Vancouver, Victoria, California and Seattle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10593

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1954 and 1965] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (23 min., 34 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film footage is a compilation of twenty eight short segments taken at different times in various locations. The film footage documents family events, gatherings and vacations. The film opens with an outd…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (23 min., 34 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film footage is a compilation of twenty eight short segments taken at different times in various locations. The film footage documents family events, gatherings and vacations. The film opens with an outdoor Christmas display and is followed by several other film segments taking place in Burnaby at 7749 Kaymur Drive; 6521 Bonsor Street and Brentwood Mall as well as Okanagon Lake Resort; California; Seattle; Vancouver and Victoria.

Creator: Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney, Andy

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas

Names: Digney, Andy

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue

Accession Code: BV019.18.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1954 and 1965] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film; Digitized film is a copy from original 8 mm film; 12 film segments from this compilation with Burnaby content are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby; Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content

Digney Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10597

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1954 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of compilation of six films (including film clips) created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film content includes footage of members of the Digney family and friends in Burnaby; the Digney homes on Bonsor Avenue and Kaymar Drive; construction of the Digney Bowling Alle…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps

Material Details: Films were digitized in 2019 from original 8 mm format

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of compilation of six films (including film clips) created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film content includes footage of members of the Digney family and friends in Burnaby; the Digney homes on Bonsor Avenue and Kaymar Drive; construction of the Digney Bowling Alley and the Simpsons-Sears building; Lawn bowling at Central Park as well as various family events, gatherings, vacations and trips.

History: Andy Digney was born in London, England on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles and in 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore Saskatchewan and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty Saskatchewan where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry Manitoba where Andy worked selling lightening rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife, traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns showing movies. Eventually, he purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba where he purchased a restaurant which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1936 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945 he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a house at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (after 1959-6521 Bonsor Ave.) on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association, who were looking for a good location to race the smaller, racing cars, popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948 with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of midget racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951 Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over forty cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Ernest Digney (also known as Dig) worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce returned to Burnaby in 1953 moving into a 550 square foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954 Simpsons-Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19,1955 and Andy Digney, his wife Alice, son 'Dig' and daughter in law Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the Bowling Alley. In 1956 Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son 'Dig' which he paid for over time. 'Dig' and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in England in 1964 while on his world tour. His wife Alice died on June 3, 1982 and their son, Ernest ('Dig') died November 27, 2009.

Creator: Digney, Andy; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"

Accession Code: BV019.18

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1954 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Related Material: See also City of Burnaby Archives Digney Family fonds Photo/MI catalogue 562

Arrangement: Films are arranged and described at item level along with film clip segments. Master film footage numbered BV019.18.3 through BV019.18.8 were described in original order at item level. Digitized film content within the master film footage was also broken down into shorter film clips according to natural breaks within the original content and described separately as film clips (accession parts) in their original order: BV019.8.3.1 to BV019.8.3.28; BV019.8.4.1 to BV019.8.4.16; BV019.18.5.1 to BV019.8.5.7; BV019.18.6.1 to BV019.18.6.8; BV019.18.7.1 to BV019.18.7.15; BV019.18.8.1 to BV019.18.8.20

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds

Digney film 2 - Family in Burnaby, Construction of Simpsons-Sears building and wedding

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10598

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1954 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (26 min., 51 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film compilation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film opens with scenes of different dogs playing outside; exterior of Andy and Alice Digney’s house on Kaymar Drive; interior of the Digney bowling alley with pins being reset; interior of Andy Digney’s greenhouse at his h…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (26 min., 51 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film compilation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film opens with scenes of different dogs playing outside; exterior of Andy and Alice Digney’s house on Kaymar Drive; interior of the Digney bowling alley with pins being reset; interior of Andy Digney’s greenhouse at his house on Kaymar Drive; construction of the Simpsons-Sears building in 1954 behind the Digney home at 3698 Bonsor Street; unidentified outdoor wedding attended by the Digney's and Swans; Campbell family gathering in Victoria; gathering of friends and family inside Alice and Andy Digney’s home on Kaymar Drive before they leave for their World tour in 1964.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Sports - Bowling; Buildings - Commercial - Stores; Buildings - Recreational - Bowling Alleys

Names: Digney, Andy; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue; Kaymar Drive

Accession Code: BV019.18.4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1954 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Andy; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"

Notes: Title based on contents of film; Digitized film is a copy from original 8 mm film; 9 film clips from this compilation are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby; Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content

Digney film 2 - Construction of Simpsons-Sears

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10640

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1954] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (5 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Short Film clip of a view from the Digney's backyard at 3698 Bonsor Avenue (address changed to 6521 Bonsor Ave. after 1958) of the construction of the Simpsons-Sears building on Kingsway in Burnaby.

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (5 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Short Film clip of a view from the Digney's backyard at 3698 Bonsor Avenue (address changed to 6521 Bonsor Ave. after 1958) of the construction of the Simpsons-Sears building on Kingsway in Burnaby.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Malls

Names: Simpsons-Sears Limited

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue

Street Address: 6521 Bonsor Avenue

Accession Code: BV019.18.4.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1954] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.4)

Images

Video

Digney film 2 - Construction of Simpsons-Sears, [1954] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0004_009.mp4

Digney film 2 - Construction of Simpsons-Sears building

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10644

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1954] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (1 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film segment documenting the construction of the Simpsons-Sears building located at 3660 Kingsway in Burnaby (address changed to 4750 Kingsway after 1958). The film footage is shot by Andy Digney from his backyard at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address changed to 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958).

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (1 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film segment documenting the construction of the Simpsons-Sears building located at 3660 Kingsway in Burnaby (address changed to 4750 Kingsway after 1958). The film footage is shot by Andy Digney from his backyard at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address changed to 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958).

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Malls; Buildings - Commercial - Stores

Names: Simpsons-Sears Limited

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4750 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV019.18.4.13

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1954] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.4)

Images

Video

Digney film 2 - Construction of Simpsons-Sears building, [1954] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0004_013.mp4

Digney film 1 - Digney family Christmas

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10618

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (41 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of Digney family gathered in the basement of Andy and Alice Digney's home on Kaymar Drive for Christmas dinner. Family members are identified as: Andy Digney, Alice Digney, Joyce Digney, Sydney Swan, Connie Swan, Bruce Digney, Paul Digney, Mel and June Arthur.

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (41 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of Digney family gathered in the basement of Andy and Alice Digney's home on Kaymar Drive for Christmas dinner. Family members are identified as: Andy Digney, Alice Digney, Joyce Digney, Sydney Swan, Connie Swan, Bruce Digney, Paul Digney, Mel and June Arthur.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas

Names: Digney, Alice Swan; Digney, Andy; Digney, Bruce; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney, Joyce; Digney, Paul; Arthur, Malcolm "Mel"; Arthur, June

Accession Code: BV019.18.3.15

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)

Images

Video

Digney film 1 - Digney family Christmas, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0003_015.mp4

Digney film 1 - Christmas tree

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10619

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (21 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of a silver foil Christmas tree decorated with lights and balls. The tree is on display in the living room of Andy and Alice Digney's home on Kaymar Drive. The tree is spinning slowly on a motorized stand.

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (21 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of a silver foil Christmas tree decorated with lights and balls. The tree is on display in the living room of Andy and Alice Digney's home on Kaymar Drive. The tree is spinning slowly on a motorized stand.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas

Geographic Access: Kaymar Drive

Accession Code: BV019.18.3.16

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)

Images

Video

Digney film 1 - Christmas tree, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0003_016.mp4

Digney film 2 - Great Dane

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10632

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1955 and 1958] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (2 min., 2 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of Andy Digney's Great Dane playing in the yard of the Digney home at 6521 Bonsor Street. The elaborate dog house was built by Andy Digney.

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (2 min., 2 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of Andy Digney's Great Dane playing in the yard of the Digney home at 6521 Bonsor Street. The elaborate dog house was built by Andy Digney.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Animals - Dogs

Names: Digney, Andy

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue

Street Address: 6521 Bonsor Avenue

Accession Code: BV019.18.4.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1955 and 1958] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.4)

Images

Video

Digney film 2 - Great Dane, [between 1955 and 1958] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0004_001.mp4

Digney film 2 - Five pin bowling

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10638

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (7 min., 11 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film close up of five pin bowling at the Digney Bowling Alley at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. Footage cuts everytime pins are reset. The Digney Bowling Alley opened in 1955.

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (7 min., 11 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Material Details: Poor quality - dark

Scope and Content: Film close up of five pin bowling at the Digney Bowling Alley at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. Footage cuts everytime pins are reset. The Digney Bowling Alley opened in 1955.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Sports - Bowling

Names: Digney Bowling Alley

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue

Street Address: 6521 Bonsor Avenue

Accession Code: BV019.18.4.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.4)

Images

Video

Digney film 2 - Five pin bowling, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0004_007.mp4

Digney Film 3 - Construction of Digney Bowling Alley

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10648

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1955 (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (8 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film segment documenting the construction of the Digney Bowling Alley in Burnaby. The bowling alley was built on the west side of the Digney family home located at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address became 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958). The film documents Ozzie Cavello using his bulldozer to clear the la…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (8 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film segment documenting the construction of the Digney Bowling Alley in Burnaby. The bowling alley was built on the west side of the Digney family home located at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address became 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958). The film documents Ozzie Cavello using his bulldozer to clear the land followed by construction workers laying cinder block walls, a large crane helping to lay steel girders and lumber for the roof. The opening footage is taken from the parking lot of the Simpsons-Sears store on Kingsway. The Film segment closes with large flower arrangements gathered around the entrance of the Digney Bowling Alley in honour of the grand opening with Andy Digney and his brother in law Sydney Swan at the entrance.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Buildings - Recreational - Bowling Alleys; Sports - Bowling

Names: Digney, Andy; Swan, Sydney; Digney Bowling Alley

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue

Street Address: 6521 Bonsor Avenue

Accession Code: BV019.18.5.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1955 (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Photographer: Digney, Andy; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.5)

Images

Video

Digney Film 3 - Construction of Digney Bowling Alley, 1955 (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0005_001.mp4

Digney Film 3 - Tournament at Digney Bowling Alley

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10649

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 12 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film segment documenting a bowling tournament at the Digney Bowling Alley at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address became 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958). Two male and female pairs appear to be competing against each other and a camera man and camera from Channel 8 - Chan TV are filming the event. One of the …

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 12 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film segment documenting a bowling tournament at the Digney Bowling Alley at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address became 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958). Two male and female pairs appear to be competing against each other and a camera man and camera from Channel 8 - Chan TV are filming the event. One of the couples are wearing shirts with "Digney Bowl" printed on the back. Ernest "Dig" Digney assists in handing out awards at the end. Joyce Digney is identified working in the kitchen. The camera pans outside where there are two "Channel 8 - Chan TV" buses parked in the parking lot of the Digney Bowl.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Buildings - Recreational - Bowling Alleys; Sports - Bowling

Names: Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney Bowling Alley; Digney, Joyce

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue

Street Address: 6521 Bonsor Avenue

Accession Code: BV019.18.5.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.5)

Images

Video

Digney Film 3 - Tournament at Digney Bowling Alley, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0005_002.mp4

Digney Film 3 - Inside Digney Bowling Alley

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10650

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (48 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film segment documenting the inside of the Digney Bowling Alley. Views of kitchen and counter staff working and serving customers who are gathered at the bar. The camera pans back outside and shows buses parked outside from "Channel / Chan TV. 8". Sign on roof of building reads: "BOWL" and "DIGNE…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (48 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film segment documenting the inside of the Digney Bowling Alley. Views of kitchen and counter staff working and serving customers who are gathered at the bar. The camera pans back outside and shows buses parked outside from "Channel / Chan TV. 8". Sign on roof of building reads: "BOWL" and "DIGNEY" sign hangs vertically out front.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Buildings - Recreational - Bowling Alleys; Sports - Bowling

Names: Digney Bowling Alley

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue

Street Address: 6521 Bonsor Avenue

Accession Code: BV019.18.5.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.5); Film segment may have been taken on the same day as BV019.18.4.2

Images

Video

Digney Film 3 - Inside Digney Bowling Alley, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0005_003.mp4

Digney Film 3 - Construction and opening of Digney bowling Alley, visit to Stanley Park and summer vacations

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10678

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1955 and 1979] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (20 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: File consists of a film compliation of short clips created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film compilation documents the construction, opening and a tournament of the Digney Bowling Alley located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby along with Digney family outings at Stanley Park in V…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (20 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: File consists of a film compliation of short clips created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film compilation documents the construction, opening and a tournament of the Digney Bowling Alley located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby along with Digney family outings at Stanley Park in Vancouver and vacations at Birch Bay, Washington State and Okanagan Lake.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Buildings - Recreational - Bowling Alleys; Sports - Bowling

Names: Digney, Andy; Swan, Sydney; Digney Bowling Alley; Digney, Drew; Digney, Joyce; Digney, Bruce; Digney, Paul

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue

Street Address: 6521 Bonsor Avenue

Accession Code: BV019.18.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1955 and 1979] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Notes: Title based on contents of film compilation; 4 film segments from this compilation are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby.; Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content

Interview with Shanaz Khan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20284

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1956-2023] (interview content), interviewed 24 Sep. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (65 min., 54 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (63 min., 54 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shanaz Khan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum registrar Rajdeep on September 24, 2023. 00:00:00- 00:09:59 Shanaz Khan shares information about herself, her family and life in Fiji before she immigrated to Vancouver in 1972 and her fi…

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) (65 min., 54 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (63 min., 54 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewee: Shanaz Khan Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: September 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:05:54 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Shanaz Khan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum registrar Rajdeep on September 24, 2023. 00:00:00- 00:09:59 Shanaz Khan shares information about herself, her family and life in Fiji before she immigrated to Vancouver in 1972 and her first experiences after immigrating to Vancouver including where her family lived, her work as an accountant for major banks in Vancouver, training and working as a chef and living in Surrey and Vancouver. 00:10:00 - 00:14:59 Shanaz shares experiences in her career as an accountant working in Vancouver and Tumbler Ridge and her experiences of racism that she faced in her workplace. Shanaz talks about her life after retirement and her volunteer work. 00:015:00 - 00:22:53 Shanaz talks about her life in Burnaby for the last 19 years and what she likes about living here. Shanaz recollects locations of stores in Vancouver where her family shopped to find traditional foods and where her family lived after immigrating. Shanaz shares some of her favourite traditional foods. 00:22:54 - 00:37:41 Shanaz recollects some of her childhood experiences growing up in Fiji and her experiences of swimming in Fiji, Hawaii and in Vancouver. Shanaz talks about her fitness regime and places that she likes to exercise in Burnaby including trails and green spaces and reflects on the changes to Burnaby with increased development, the cost of housing and the crime rate. 00:37:42 - 00:52:41 Shanaz talks about the traditional clothing and western clothing that she’s worn and accessed while living in Burnaby and Vancouver. Shanaz describes some traditional Islamic religious practices including the nikah (marriage), funerals, prayers, Eid, Hajj and her own personal practices as well as locations of mosques and cemeteries available to Muslims in the lower mainland. 00:52:42 - 01:05:54 Shanaz talks about her parent’s religious and ancestral background, her religious upbringing and the demographics of Fiji.

History: Interviewee biography: Shanaz Khan was born and raised in Suva, Fiji in the 1950's. In the early 1970's, Shanaz immigrated to Vancouver with her parents and younger brother. Shanaz attended John Oliver High School and took one year of accounting courses at Langara College. Over the years Shanaz worked as an accountant in major banks and for a mining company in Tumbler Ridge. Shanaz also worked as a chef at various restaurants and bakeries after completing training at a Vancouver Culinary School. Shanaz has made her home in Burnaby for the past 19 years. Following her retirement, Shanaz has volunteered for different organizations including the YWCA. 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: Buildings - Religious - Mosques; Cemeteries; Ceremonies - Funerals; Ceremonies - Weddings; Education; Housing; Migration; Occupations; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions - Islam; Religions - Christianity; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Sports - Swimming

Names: Khan, Shanaz

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Accession Code: BV023.16.18

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1956-2023] (interview content), interviewed 24 Sep. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0018_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Shanaz Khan, [1956-2023] (interview content), interviewed 24 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0018_002.mp3

Burnaby Mountain sod turning

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11934

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: October 7, 1957 (date of original), digitized in 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 film reel (1 min., 22 sec.) : acetate, b&w, silent ; 16 mm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a silent CBUT News item from October 7, 1957 titled "Burnaby Mountain Sod Turning". The film documents the memorable occasion of the Burnaby Mountain Centennial Project with Lieutenant Governor Frank M. Ross providing a brief address to the attendees before taking a shovel to turn…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Burnaby historical reference collection series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 film reel (1 min., 22 sec.) : acetate, b&w, silent ; 16 mm

Material Details: Label around film container reads: "CBUT NEWS ITEM of October 7, 1957 "BURNABY MOUNTAIN SOD TURNING" ( Duncan) on permanent loan to Burnaby Centennial Comm."

Scope and Content: Item consists of a silent CBUT News item from October 7, 1957 titled "Burnaby Mountain Sod Turning". The film documents the memorable occasion of the Burnaby Mountain Centennial Project with Lieutenant Governor Frank M. Ross providing a brief address to the attendees before taking a shovel to turn the sod. Other attendees identified include, Councillor Sam Hughes of the Centennial Committee and British Columbia Recreation Minister, Honourable Earl C. Westwood. This event marks the development of a portion of Burnaby Mountain park including the erection of a Centennial building which opened in 1958. The film footage captures views of Burrard Inlet from the mountain top as well as newly erected roads on Burnaby mountain. According to the Burnaby Adverstiser (Vol. 25 No. 27 - October 10, 1957 p.1), Lieutenant Governor Frank M. Ross provided a brief address for the sod turning ceremony which is quoted; "What Burnaby has undertaken is not merely to celebrate the Centennial observance, but it has started something which will last down through the years and provide a lot of pleasure for future generations."

History: This event marks the beginning of a Centennial project to develop a park and erect a pavillion as part of the British Columbia Centennial in 1958. In October 1956, a Burnaby Centennial Committee was appointed to govern over the project with the Reeve and Council at the head of the committee. Councillor S.E. Hughes was appointed as Chairman and W.M. Morrison as Vice Chairman with the organizational structure to include the provision for Honorary Vice Chairman, secretary, treasurer, advisory staff and representative delegates from community groups and working committees. In September 1957, the Centennial Committee submitted detailed plans for a proposed building to be located on the Centennial site on Burnaby Mountain together with a recommendation to create a Building Committee as part of the Centennial Committee. In November 1957, the Burnaby Centennial Committee recommended that the new road from Badger Street and Hastings Street to the Burnaby Mountain site be named Centennial Way. January 1958, councillors Mather and Jamieson were appointed to the committee by council to replace former council members that were no longer in office. Councillor Mather was appointed as Vice Chairman. CBUT station was owned by CBC and was first broadcast on December 16, 1953. "In 1975, the CBC consolidated its Vancouver radio and television operations into one building. Prior to this, CBC's Vancouver radio properties – CBU (690 AM), CBU-FM (105.7) and CBUF-FM (97.7) – had operated from a separate studio facility at 701 Hornby Street, within the basement of the Hotel Vancouver. Together, those stations formed the basis of the Regional Broadcast Centre at 700 Hamilton Street, a few blocks east of its previous radio and television facilities.

Creator: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Responsibility: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Accession Code: HV971.30.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: October 7, 1957 (date of original), digitized in 2020

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title; Copyright is held by CBC

Images

Video

Burnaby Mountain sod turning, October 7, 1957 (date of original), digitized in 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/1971_0030_0002_001.mp4

Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19347

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share the…

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: 1 sound recording (m4a) (118 min., 39 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (115 min., 20 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Interviewees: Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence on Warwick Avenue in Burnaby Interview Date: November 11, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:58:39) Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill and their daughter, Prem Kaur Gill conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep. The interview is conducted in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. The three members of the Gill family share their ancestral background, their personal experiences immigrating to Canada, living in Burnaby and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants. 00:00 – 27:34 Santokh “Gurmail” Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill share their migration stories and experiences living and working in British Columbia as South Asian immigrants and their eldest child, Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences as a child of South Asian immigrants and growing up in British Columbia as a South Asian Canadian. Gurmail Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar and Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in Hoshiapur of the Indian state of Punjab. Gurmail describes how he moved from India to England with his family in 1957, immigrated to Canada from England in 1966, married his wife Mohinder in England in 1968 and brought his family (parents and two siblings) to Canada from England in 1970 and other relatives including his wife’s family in the 1970s and 1980s. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill recollect their arranged marriage in England in 1968, their immigration process and explain how they arrived in Burnaby residing with a cousin at 4649 Georgia Street until they were able to purchase their own home after a few years. Gurmail shares names and connections to the relatives that came to British Columbia before him. Gurmail and Mohinder tell how they lived in the basement of the house and rented out the upper floor to save money. The couple recall what they brought with them when they immigrated to Canada and Mohinder Kaur Gill tells of how before leaving India, she and her mother made a special rajai for her to take with her. Mohinder describes the process of making a rajai (a quilted blanket that was made by hand). Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about the challenges that they’ve experienced as new immigrants including not being fluent in English, the cold weather and not having very many family or friends nearby to provide support. They attended the Gurdwara on Ross Street or Akali Singh Sikh Society Gurdwara on Skeena in Vancouver. They explain how there was limited access to grocery stores that supplied Punjabi and Indian spices and other cooking supplies. They talk about how they used a food mill and mortar and pestle to grind their own spices and flour and how Mohinder often made traditional sweets like barfi and laddo and pakoras using pea flour when they couldn’t get Besan flour. 27:35 – 36:11 Gurmail provides more details on his family’s immigration story, including names of relatives, how his six siblings and parents all immigrated to British Columbia in 1970 and how in the early 1970s and mid 1980’s Gurmail and his family sponsored approximately 70 friends and relations from India (including Mohinder’s family) to immigrate to Canada. When Mohinder’s family arrived they lived with them in their house until they were able to purchase property next door and build their own home. Children in the families all attended elementary and high school in Burnaby which now amounts to three generations. 36:12 – 59:28 Gurmail and Mohinder Gill talk about their experiences of racial discrimination. Gurmail recalls members of the South Asian community, Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma, Harinder Mahil and Charan Gill starting the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism. Gurmail tells of how he got involved contributing some of his union dues as a member of CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Allied Workers Union- Local 15) and as a friend of Charan Gill and Raj Chouhan of the Canadian Farm Workers Union. Gurmail Gill explains how he was a founding member of CAIMAW and treasurer until the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union (in 1991). Mohinder and Gurmail tell of how people from the South Asian community were discouraged from wearing Punjabi dresses or head coverings for fear of being yelled at with racial slurs and how it was often scary to go outside. Many from their community often avoided attending the Akali Singh Gurdwara since a head covering was required and people were afraid of being a target. Gurmail provides details about his work with A1 Steel, how different unions were formed pertaining to various skillsets and jobs per company and how he became a member of CAIMAW Local 15 (foundry workers). Mohinder recollects her experiences as a mother, the daily tasks involved and friends that she made who’d also emigrated from Punjab. Mohinder describes how she designed and sewed many Punjabi dresses using her electric sewing machine and how she learned English by attending adult classes at a church on Commercial Drive. Mohinder and her mother attended the classes for two hours per day for six years at a cost of twelve dollars for ten weeks. Once Mohinder could speak a little English, she started working and was able to practice more. 59:29 – 1:06:08 Mohinder, Gurmail and Prem talk about some of their favourite traditional foods including corn roti and spinach curry and how they grow many of their own vegetables including peppers, eggplant, saag (spinach), onions, garlic, cilantro, zucchini, squash and fenugreek. Mohinder reflects on how access to Punjabi clothing and fabric stores in Vancouver has changed and that ready made food is now more available. Traditional foods were previously made from scratch with women gathering together and cooking for hours and now it’s gotten easier but more expensive and less of a community feel. 1:06:09- 1:55:20 Mohinder and Gurmail Gill discuss and share their perspectives and experiences on raising a family in the past versus today. Gurmail imparts that all of his siblings became educated and secured professional careers while he continued to work in the trades. Prem Kaur Gill shares her own experiences growing up and attending school in Burnaby. Gurmail and Mohinder Gill recall the type of suitcase that they brought with them when they immigrated and how they recently they got rid of it. Gurmail and the group reflect and discuss the confusion with racial identity terms that have been used in this country. They comment that South Asians were referred to as “Hindu” and “East Indian” and Indigenous peoples were referred to as “Indian” and the controversy and racism behind some of these terms. The group discusses the impact of the caste system and other discriminatory experiences and compare their experiences of living in England to living in Canada. Prem comments on how it’s just recently that South Asian customs, celebrations and practices have been recognized and celebrated here in Canada, like Diwali and yoga. They comment on how much of the language, culture and customs have been retained in Surrey where many can still communicate in Punjabi and don’t need to be fluent in English. The group discusses how many South Asians immigrants first lived and worked in Vancouver but with rising property prices many moved to Surrey expanding and establishing a much larger South Asian community with resources. The group discusses and compares the differing travel routes that many of them and their relatives took when immigrating and travelling between India and Canada. The group talks about Rajdeep’s ancestral village in India which is near the Gill village of Firozpur. Gurmail explains the origins and details behind his family name that was changed from “Shergill” to “Gill” and the name “Santokh” from his maternal side.

History: Interviewees' biographies: Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married his wife, Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Clothing; Foods; Indigenous peoples; Buildings - Religious - Temples; Food Processing Tools and Equipment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Unions

Names: Gill, Prem Kaur; Gill, Mohinder Kaur; Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh

Responsibility: Rajdeep; Malik, Anushay

Accession Code: BV022.29.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcript available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum; Indian Family System Reference notes: Baba = informal way to say grandfather; old man Bibi = informal way to say grandmother; old woman Dada= paternal grandfather Dadi= paternal grandmother Dadke= paternal family members; paternal side (Various spellings might exist for the following terms) Thaiyya= father’s elder brother (uncle) Thaiyyi= father’s elder brother’s wife (aunt) Chacha= father’s younger brother (uncle) Chachi= father’s younger brother’s wife (aunt) Bua= father’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Phuphar= father’s sister’s husband (uncle) Nana= maternal grandfather Nani= maternal grandmother Nanke/nanka= maternal family members; maternal side Mama= mom’s brother (older or younger) (uncle) Mami= mom’s brother’s wife (aunt) Maasi= mom’s sister (older or younger) (aunt) Maasard= mom’s sister’s husband (uncle)

Audio Tracks

Interview with Prem Kaur Gill, Santokh Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 11 Nov. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0002_002.mp3

Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19349

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant…

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: 1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Honourable Raj Chouhan Location of Interview: Residence of Honourable Raj Chouhan Interview Date: December 2, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (00:49:21) Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant and the organizations that he became involved with. Honourable Raj Chouhan recalls how he arrived in Burnaby with his family in 1973 and that his family worked in farming. Chouhan imparts his first hand experiences as a new immigrant working as a labourer in the farming industry and describes the unsafe and unfair working conditions that he and migrant workers faced. Chouhan conveys how this experience lead him to become an activist for better working conditions for migrant workers. This lead Chouhan and others to form the Canadian Farm Workers Union in 1980. Chouhan recollects his experiences flying from India to Canada with his wife, his first impressions after arriving in Vancouver and driving to Burnaby and what he brought with him. Chouhan explains his connections to Burnaby. Members of Chouhan's wife's family immgrated to Canada in 1957 and his wife and her three brothers joined them in 1970. Chouhan's father in law, Hardial Singh Grewal immigrated in 1957 and became president of the Sikh temple in New Westminster. Hardial Singh Grewal worked in a lumber mill in Vancouver and eventually bought a house in Burnaby. Chouhan married to his wife at the Sikh temple in New Westminster and lived in Burnaby for a period before moving to New Westminster where they could find more affordable housing. Chouhan shares that he first worked as a farm labourer in Abbotsford and then found a job in the sawmill which paid more. Chouhan describes the extreme racism and discrimination that he and other immigrants faced which lead to the formation of the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism under the leadership of Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma. Chouhan describes this organization that he was a part of and the Canadian Farm Workers Union that were both formed in Burnaby. Chouhan shares that he moved to Victoria in 1988 to serve on the Hospital Employee's Union and moved back to the mainland in 1993 and returned to Burnaby in 2001. Chouhan reflects on the history of South Asian immigration in Canada, how many of the migrants settled in the lower mainland including Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver establishing temples in Vancouver and New Westminster which became the centre for the South Asian community. He conveys how earlier occupations were limited to farming and millwork and how over time employment opportunities and education have broadened but there is still work to do. He imparts how second generation Canadians’ experiences differ from first generations providing examples of his own daughters’ and the occupations that they are working in. Chouhan provides his insights into the South Asian Canadian experience imparting “We make history every day and that history needs to be recorded and learned from.."... “People from different communities, different backgrounds who lived in Burnaby have contributed so much and South Asians are just like another community and participated in all aspects of social life, cultural, religious, economy. I'm so proud of our community, our forefathers who had that vision to fight for our rights. I'm inspired by people who struggled so much to gain basic rights, like the right to vote". Chouhan refers to these first immigrants as “Gadri Babbas” “revolutionary old people” who were also the main motivation that lead to India becoming a free country in 1947 and for fighting for basic rights here in Canada and how they made their contributions for future generations. Chouhan expresses what he imparts to students “Do not forget your past... if you remember your past then you are much more knowledgeable. Then we know what we need for the future. If we don't know the past, we don't know what the future is going to be like. To make a better future, you have to learn from the past and improve".

History: Interviewee biography: Honourable Raj Chouhan was born in the city of Ludhiana in the Province of Punjab in India and immigrated to Canada in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Raj's family settled in Burnaby. Raj grew up in Burnaby and attended schoool. Honourable Raj Chouhan was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on December 7, 2020. Honourable Chouhan is the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers Union and the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism and has served as a director of the Hospital Employees' Union, the Labour Relations Board of B.C. and the Arbitration Bureau of B.C. Honourable Chouhan has also served as the Vice President of B.C. Human Rights Defenders since 2003 and has taught courses in Human Rights, the B.C. Labour Code and Collective Bargaining since 1987. Interviewer biography: 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.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Occupations - Agricultural Labourers; Migration; Organizations - Unions; Rights; Rights - Human Rights; Agriculture; Agriculture - Farms; Government - Provincial Government; Government

Names: Chouhan, Raj; British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism; Sharma, Dr. Hari Prakash; Grewal, Hardial Singh; Canadian Farmworkers Union; Hospital Employees Union; Khalsa Diwan Society

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate

Accession Code: BV022.29.4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

Documents

2022_0029_0004_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0004_002.mp3

Digney film 1 - Newlyweds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10599

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1958] (date of original), copied 2019

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (25 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of what appears to be newlyweds standing outside houses in an unidentifed neighbourhood in Burnaby. The couple is unidentified. A group of unidentified men are looking on and standing near automobiles. Ernest "Dig" Digney can be seen in the foreground holding a camera.

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (25 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of what appears to be newlyweds standing outside houses in an unidentifed neighbourhood in Burnaby. The couple is unidentified. A group of unidentified men are looking on and standing near automobiles. Ernest "Dig" Digney can be seen in the foreground holding a camera.

Creator: Digney, Andy

Subjects: Ceremonies - Weddings

Names: Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"

Accession Code: BV019.18.3.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1958] (date of original), copied 2019

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Title based on contents of film segment; Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)

Images

Video

Digney film 1 - Newlyweds, [1958] (date of original), copied 2019

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0003_002.mp4

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