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Summary: This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s memories of the internment, separation of her father from the family to work on road camps, where she was born in Richmond at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, confiscation of home in 1942, eventual Redress, and lingering feelings of fear and dis…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s memories of the internment, separation of her father from the family to work on road camps, where she was born in Richmond at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, confiscation of home in 1942, eventual Redress, and lingering feelings of fear and distrust in her family. She also talks about visiting Hiroshima on her trip to Japan in 1980

Date Range: 1930-1990

Length: 00:13:56

Subjects: Wars - World War, 1939-1945; Persons - Japanese Canadians

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 27, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 01:34:10

Interviewee Name: Miyashita, Toki

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

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Toki Miyashita

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_7.mp3

Burnaby Lake Show / originals

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91683

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1962-1995

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 71 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for a slideshow presentation about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the American coot, green-winged teal, bufflehead, heron, american bittern, barn swallow, barn owl, painted turtle,…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1962-1995

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Physical Description: 71 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 618-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2015-15

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for a slideshow presentation about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the American coot, green-winged teal, bufflehead, heron, american bittern, barn swallow, barn owl, painted turtle, muskrat, Canadian goose, beaver, wood duck, bullrushes, yellow and white waterlilies, yellow iris, and loosestrife. Also included in the slideshow are photographs of the BC Wildlife rescue and fisherman working in the Brunette River.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Animals - Birds; Animals; Geographic Features - Forests

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lawson, Doreen A.; Chapman, Fred

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from sheets slides; Photographs contents are identified on many of the slide cases within the file.

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Burnaby Lake Show / originals, 1962-1995 thumbnail

Snow Owl / Burnaby Lake Snow Pictures

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91702

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1970 and 2001]

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: File consists photographs of a snow-covered Burnaby Lake and a snowy owl perched on a large tree stump.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1970 and 2001]

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Physical Description: 25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 618-020

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2015-15

Scope and Content: File consists photographs of a snow-covered Burnaby Lake and a snowy owl perched on a large tree stump.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Animals - Birds; Plants - Trees; Natural Phenomena - Snow

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lawson, Doreen A.

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from negative envelope

Geographic Access: Burnaby Lake

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Snow Owl / Burnaby Lake Snow Pictures, [between 1970 and 2001] thumbnail

Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory325

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1972-2012

Length: 0:11:59

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's involvement in the development of the Stream Preservation Bylaw in Burnaby. He discusses fish populations, air quality, and bird populations in Burnaby as well.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's involvement in the development of the Stream Preservation Bylaw in Burnaby. He discusses fish populations, air quality, and bird populations in Burnaby as well.

Date Range: 1972-2012

Photo Info: Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.

Length: 0:11:59

Subjects: Geographic Features - Streams; Animals - Birds

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 10, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.

Biographical Notes: Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:47:48

Interviewee Name: Fabian, Tony

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum

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

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Tony Fabian

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-009/MSS171-009_Track_4.mp3

Burnaby Lake slide show

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91684

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1976-1999

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 85 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for slideshow presentations about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the painted turtle, heron, American coot, coyote, barn owl, rainbow fry, Canadian goose, and beaver, as well as a v…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1976-1999

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Physical Description: 85 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 618-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2015-15

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for slideshow presentations about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the painted turtle, heron, American coot, coyote, barn owl, rainbow fry, Canadian goose, and beaver, as well as a variety of scenic photographs of the Burnaby Lake shoreline with mountains and the Metrotown skyline in distance. Also included in file are photographs of people canoeing, kayaking, feeding geese, and participating in conservation activities including fencing trees and testing water levels. Photographs also depict the pipeline leading into Burnaby Lake, lake dredging equipment, and an oil slick.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Animals - Birds; Animals; Geographic Features - Forests

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lawson, Doreen A.

Notes: Title based on contents of photographs; Note in black ink on recto of slide sheet photographs 618-002-1 : 618-002-9 originally housed in read: "Burnby Lake Slideshow"; Note in black ink on recto of slide sheet photographs 618-002-10 : 608-002-19 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Rejects (My Fav!)"; Photographs contents are identified on many of the slide cases within the file.

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Burnaby Lake slide show, 1976-1999 thumbnail

Burnaby Lake birds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91685

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1982-1994

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 54 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs of Burnaby Lake birds compiled by Doreen Lawson. Species depicted include: American coot, pied-billed grebe, barrows and common goldeneye, green-winged teal, wood duck, mallard duck, dowitcher, bittern moved beak, pileated woodpecker, and pigeon.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1982-1994

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Physical Description: 54 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 618-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2015-15

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs of Burnaby Lake birds compiled by Doreen Lawson. Species depicted include: American coot, pied-billed grebe, barrows and common goldeneye, green-winged teal, wood duck, mallard duck, dowitcher, bittern moved beak, pileated woodpecker, and pigeon.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Animals - Birds

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lawson, Doreen A.

Notes: Title based on contents of photographs; Photographs contents are identified on many of the slide cases within the file.; Note in black ink on recto of slide sheet photographs 618-003-1 : 618-003-4 originally housed in read: "American Coots".; Note in black ink on recto of slide sheets photographs 618-003-5 : 618-003-26 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Duck-like Birds".; Note in black ink on recto of slide sheets photographs 618-003-27 : 618-003-31 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Duck-like Birds - Local".; Note in black ink on recto of slide sheets photographs 618-003-43 : 618-003-51 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Shore Birds / Long Billed Dowitchers".

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Cormorants

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91686

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1982-1991

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 4 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs of cormorants. In three of the photographs cormorants are perched on wooded structures on Burnaby Lake; in the forth a cormorant is depicted taking flight from the water. The cormorants are medium-to-large sized birds with dark feathers and long, thin yellow bills.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1982-1991

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Physical Description: 4 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 618-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2015-15

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs of cormorants. In three of the photographs cormorants are perched on wooded structures on Burnaby Lake; in the forth a cormorant is depicted taking flight from the water. The cormorants are medium-to-large sized birds with dark feathers and long, thin yellow bills.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Animals - Birds

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lawson, Doreen A.

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from note on slide sheet photographs were originally housed in

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Images

Fish

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91687

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1982-1993

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 37 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs of the Cariboo Dam situated along the Brunette River and Warner's fish lift located adjacent to the dam. Photographs depict the interior and exterior of the fish lift, the information sign for the lift, and a group of fisherman working in the river.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1982-1993

Collection/Fonds: Doreen Lawson fonds

Physical Description: 37 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 618-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2015-15

Scope and Content: File consists of photographs of the Cariboo Dam situated along the Brunette River and Warner's fish lift located adjacent to the dam. Photographs depict the interior and exterior of the fish lift, the information sign for the lift, and a group of fisherman working in the river.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds; Geographic Features - Rivers; Animals - Birds

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lawson, Doreen A.

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from binder divider photographs were originally housed behind.; Note in red ink on recto of slide sheet photographs 618-005-11 : 618-005-23 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Warner's Fish Lift".; Note in black ink on recto of slide sheet photographs 618-005-24 : 618-005-37 were originally housed in read: "Brunette River Dam".; One of the fishermen is identified as Joe Calks in photograph 618-005-4

Geographic Access: Brunette River; Burnaby Lake

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Research

Narrow Results By

Black-capped chickadee on Burnaby Mountain

Images

White-crowned sparrow a branch on Burnaby Mountain

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Evening grosbeaks on Burnaby Mountain

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Spotted towhee on Burnaby Mountain

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Song sparrow on Burnaby Mountain

Images

Varied thrush on Burnaby Mountain

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Downy woodpecker on Burnaby Mountain

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Northern flicker on Burnaby Mountain

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Band-tailed pigeon on Burnaby Mountain

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Flock of mallards

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Green-winged teal on Burnaby Mountain

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Blue heron on Burnaby Mountain

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Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 7

Audio Tracks

Burnaby Lake Show / originals

Images

Snow Owl / Burnaby Lake Snow Pictures

Images

Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 4

Images

Audio Tracks

Burnaby Lake slide show

Images

Burnaby Lake birds

Images

Cormorants

Images

Fish

Images