Narrow Results By
Decade
- 2020s 18
- 2010s 15
- 2000s 17
- 1990s 19
- 1980s 17
- 1970s 18
- 1960s 17
- 1950s 14
- 1940s 13
- 1930s 8
- 1920s 7
- 1910s 4
- 1900s 5
- 1890s 2
- 1880s 1
- 1870s 1
- 1860s 1
- 1850s 1
- 1840s 1
- 1830s 1
- 1820s 1
- 1810s 1
- 1800s 1
- 1790s 1
- 1780s 1
- 1770s 1
- 1760s 1
- 1750s 1
- 1740s 1
- 1730s 1
- 1720s 1
- 1710s 1
- 1700s 1
- 1690s 1
- 1680s 1
- 1670s 1
- 1660s 1
- 1650s 1
- 1640s 1
- 1630s 1
- 1620s 1
- 1610s 1
- 1600s 1
Subject
- Accidents 5
- Accidents - Automobile Accidents 5
- Accidents - Train Accidents 15
- Adminstrative Groups - Committees 4
- Adornment 83
- Adornment - Jewelry 8
- Adornment - Lapel Pins 83
- Advertising Medium 94
- Advertising Medium - Business Cards 17
- Advertising Medium - Flyer 38
- Advertising Medium - Poster 18
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards 94
Person / Organization
- Alpha Secondary School 1
- Babey, Beverley 1
- The Bollywood Boyz 1
- Bridge Studios 1
- British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority 1
- Burnaby Central Secondary School 1
- Burnaby Multicultural Society 1
- Burnaby North High School 4
- Burnaby South High School 1
- Burnaby Symphony Orchestra 1
- Burnaby Village Museum 1
- Burquest 2
Oral history interview with Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19146
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 29 Jun. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, pla…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewees: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos Location of Interview: Home of Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos on Victory Street, Burnaby Date of interview: June 29, 2022 Total Number of Tracks: 3 Total length of all Tracks: 02:06:53 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto 3 separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, places of residence, education, career history, how they met, Jimmy's experience working in the film industry, their home in Burnaby and their neighbourhood, their political activism in Burnaby, Robin Chung Dip's work in Vancouver’s' Chinatown, the gambling scene in Vancouver prior to legalized forms of gambling and their memories of supper clubs in Vancouver. 00:00 - 5:57 Opening introductions where Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos provide information on their full names, their birth places and their ancestral background. Jimmy clarifies that his birth name is Hipman Chow but that he was given the English name “Jimmy” by his father when he came to Canada. Jimmy shares that he was born in 1948, in the Village of Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China and immigrated to British Columbia with his mother, Gim Gee Chow in 1950 to escape the Communist Regime and to join his father who had already immigrated to Canada. Jimmy imparts that many Chinese immigrated to British Columbia in search of a better life, referring to it as “Gold Mountain” and that even though they faced extreme racial discrimination that many stayed since they felt that it was better than returning. Donna Polos shares ancestral information on both her maternal and paternal sides of the family. Donna’s mother’s family came from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James Kostopolus (renamed Polos) emigrated as a 12 year old orphan from Sparta, Greece to the United States but was denied entry so ended up going to Halifax and eventually made his way to Vancouver. Once in Vancouver, he became a restaurant proprietor and over the years, he owned and operated three restaurants in Vancouver, including; “Jimmy’s Café” (next door the Astoria Hotel); “Home Apple Pie Café” (Princess Avenue & Hastings Street) and a restaurant that was located on Alma Street. 05:58 - 13:28 Jimmy recollects in further detail, the many places that his family lived over the years. Jimmy’s father Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Vancouver at the age of 14 years and worked and lived in Victoria and Vancouver. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother fled China, first to Hong Kong and then to Vancouver to join his father. Soon after arriving in Vancouver, for the next four years, he and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec City where his father, Robin had work in restaurants and hotels. Jimmy attended school while the family lived in these different places and began to learn English. After four years, the family returned to Vancouver, first living in areas of Chinatown and Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Jimmy shares his memories of growing up in Strathcona and the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, schools that he attended and the friendships that he made. Jimmy recollects details about the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church that he attended and describes the demands of the education required to become a Lutheran minister. 13:29 - 15:47 Jimmy tells of how his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow had to pay the Chinese Head Tax of $500 when he arrived in Vancouver at 14 years of age (1921) and how his father had to work hard pay off the head tax over the years. Denise Fong and Jimmy Chow, talk about the origin of a photograph portrait of Jimmy Chow that was taken around 1954 and speculate whether it might have been taken by well known portrait photographer, Yucho Chow. 15:48 - 19:33 Donna Polos recollects the many locations that her family lived while she was growing up in Vancouver. First residing at various locations in the downtown east side of Vancouver before moving to a home near Joyce Station where she lived until 21 years old. After 21 years of age, Donna moved in with roommates in Vancouver before moving in with Jimmy in North Burnaby in 1972. In 1976 Donna and Jimmy purchased their home on Victory Street. Both Donna and Jimmy talk about their careers after high school. Jimmy talks about how he worked at the Supervalu grocery store near his house. Jimmy planned to use his savings from his job to travel but instead he used his savings for a down payment on a house with Donna. Donna imparts that after obtaining her teaching degree she began working in Burnaby schools, eventually teaching at Burnaby South. 19:34 - 32:08 Both Jimmy and Donna share their educational background and experiences growing up. Jimmy first attended Florence Nightingale elementary in Strathcona, then Mount Pleasant Elementary and later high school at 24th Avenue and Main Street. Donna lists the schools that she attended including; elementary school in Strathcona, Carlton Elementary School at Kingsway and Joyce, Windermere High School, Vancouver City College (Langara) and the University of British Columbia. Donna and Jimmy reflect on public transportation that was available during the time they were growing up. Donna recollects her childhood growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station, the freedom that she experienced playing outside in nature and what inspired her to become a teacher. Jimmy reflects on some of his mentors and about his first experience seeing movies as a young child at a cinema in Asquith, Saskatchewan. Donna communicates her own experiences of sexism throughout her high school, college and university education (1968-1972). 32:09 - 36:18 Donna talks about her career history and some of her major turning points. Donna recollects starting out as a Chemistry lab assistant, marking math papers before working as a teacher on call and eventually being hired as a teacher at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. Donna shares a memory of her first experience working as a teacher on call at Gilmore Elementary School and the fire that occurred there. After starting a family (Jimmy and Donna had three children) Donna worked part time teaching while Jimmy worked full time in film. Donna, shares that in 1991, after a near death experience, she became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. With this experience, Donna experimented with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. Donna tells of how she retired from teaching in 2008 but continued to participate in the schools as an Artist in Residence. 36:19 - 58:18 Jimmy talks about his work and career history. He shares memories of his experiences as a young boy delivering newspapers, working at a local pharmacy, stocking shelves at the local supermarket, and his experience working with troubled youth and of how he thought that he might like to become a social worker. Jimmy tells of how he was uncertain of what to do until he got a job with the CBC in 1973 which eventually launched his career as a property master in the film industry, becoming a member of IATSE and a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures. Jimmy describes in detail what it means to be a property master and the work that is entailed in the film industry. 58:19 - 1:07:45 Donna Polos describes her art practice and her connection to Burnaby. Donna recollects how she first started working with textiles and fabrics from a young age and how this later inspired her to develop her own watercolour techniques of painting on paper, canvas and fabrics. Donna describes how she first got started by taking art classes in Burnaby and now has over 31 years of experience working in watercolour. Donna has worked as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools, been a member of the Burnaby Arts Council, had her first show in 1997 and has been involved in many art projects over the years. Donna describes the style of her work, first starting with more figurative work, social commentary and still life and that now most of her work is landscape based. Donna coveys that as a political activist in Burnaby, she was an active participant in the development of a tree bylaw, has petitioned to protect renters from demo-evictions and the impacts of future development on the local environment. 1:07:46 - 1:07:59 Background discussion between Denise Fong and Kate Petrusa re interviews. 1:08:00 - 1:26:36 Jimmy provides information on his connection to the local film industry and the changes that have occurred over the years. Jimmy describes the first studios on the North Shore and the eventual establishment of Bridge Studios on Boundary Road. Jimmy shares that in 1988, he and some of his colleagues in the film industry put a proposal together to buy the Bridge Studios but it didn't go through. Since the Bridge Studios and other film studios have been established in Burnaby and Vancouver, the industry has grown exponentially. Jimmy became the 54th member of the local IATSE union. Jimmy describes some of his experiences working on various productions including "Seven Years in Tibet", provides a description of what a film studio is, how it is used and the differences between working in the film industry in the United States and British Columbia. 1:26:37 - 1:32:46 Jimmy and Donna recollect how they first met, buying a house in Burnaby, getting married and starting a family. The two share memories of their wedding in White Rock and Jimmy talks about the Chinese hair cutting ceremony in recognition of their first born child that took place in Chinatown in Vancouver. Jimmy tells of how his parents had hopes of him marrying a Chinese woman and his mother began introducing him to a few young Chinese women from the time he was 16 years old. Jimmy mentions that his parents rarely used Western Medicine and relied on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Donna and Jimmy talk about Jimmy's parents, when they died and how happy his parents were to have grandchildren. 1:32:47 - 1:40:13 Jimmy and Donna talk about their house on Victory Street which they purchased in 1976. They share information on the history of the house, how it was built in 1939 by Norm Clark, how they fell in love with the design of the house and the neighbourhood. 1:40:14 - 1:58:31 Jimmy and Donna share information on their family life in Burnaby, their neighbourhood and favourite places in Burnaby. Donna lists the schools that their three children attended including; Nelson Avenue School, Burnaby South High School and Burnaby Central High School. Both Donna and Jimmy convey that all of their children played soccer and the benefits that the sport provided them. Donna and Jimmy talk about how the neighbourhood has changed over the years, the benefits of where they live, their fondness for built heritage and the many parks and trees in Burnaby. 1:58:32 - 2:02:50 Jimmy begins to share information on his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow's employment history. Jimmy recalls that his father, Robin worked in a variety of jobs over the years and as a young child, Jimmy was uncertain of what his father's job was but thought that he worked in accounting. He mentions that his father stopped working at 45 years of age due to a problem with his Achilles tendon. Jimmy describes his father as an intellectual who worked at gambling houses in Vancouver's Chinatown where people played mah-jong and fan-tan. Jimmy recollects that these were large clubs with lots of employees. His father never gambled but he was good with money so he worked on the management side. Jimmy mentions that while working in the film industry, his father took him and some of his film colleagues into some of the gambling houses in Chinatown to assist them with a production that they were working on. 2:02:51 - 2:06:58 Donna shares her own family history regarding gambling. She mentions that her uncle worked as a high end "bookie" in Vancouver and how in 1968, her uncle was arrested but got let go with just a small fine. Jimmy describes what gambling was like in those days with various sweepstakes, not under the jurisdiction of the government like it is today. Both Donna and Jimmy recollect the popularity of supper clubs their memories of Vie's Chicken and Steak House that was located in Hogan's Alley. Jimmy laments the destruction of Hogan's Alley and the other proposals that were brought forward that would change Chinatown and Strathcona.
- History
- Interviewees biography: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow immigrated to Vancouver from China with his mother, Gim Gee Chow to join his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow who'd immigrated to Canada at 14 years of age in 1921. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec before returning to Vancouver around 1954. Jimmy and his family then lived and worked in Vancouver eventually settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. In the early 1970s, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos and they married in 1981. Donna Polos was born in 1949 to Donald James Polos and Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana Polos and grew up in Vancouver. Between the age of 5 and 21 years, Donna lived in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. In 1976, Jimmy and Donna purchased and moved into a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they still live today. While living on Victory Street, they've raised their three children. Donna received her teaching degree and taught in elementary schools for many years. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna developed an interest in drawing and painting and began experimenting with water colour painting on fabric. Donna has since exhibited her work widely, participated as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Jimmy entered the film industry in 1973, gaining experience and recognition as a property master and has worked on many films over a 45 year career. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Buildings - Residential
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Education
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods
- Government - Local Government
- Industries - Film
- Migration
- Occupations
- Occupations - Artists
- Occupations - Grocers
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Teachers
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Social Issues - Racism
- Sports - Soccer
- Names
- Bridge Studios
- Chow, Gim Gee Dang
- Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
- Chow, Robin Chung Dip
- Polos, Donna
- Polos, James "Jimmy", 1898-1962
- Polos, Donald James
- Polos, Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana
- Geographic Access
- Victory Street
- Accession Code
- BV022.21.1
- Date
- 29 Jun. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of recording
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Audio Tracks
Oral history interview with Hipman
Oral history interview with Hipman
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0021_0001_004.mp3
Inkwells to Internet book launch
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15277
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 18 Feb 2021
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 14 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a virtual book launch titled "Inkwells to Internet: A History of Burnaby Schools" presented by Heritage Planner, Lisa Codd, co-author Janet White, and hosted by Museum Curator Jane Lemke. The book launch took place utilizing the Zoom video communication platfor…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 14 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 29 fps
- Material Details
- Presenters: Lisa Codd; Janet White
- Host: Jane Lemke
- Technical support: Kate Petrusa
- Date of Presentation: February 18, 2021
- Total Number of tracks: 1
- Total Length of all tracks: 50 min., 14 sec.
- Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a video recording of a virtual book launch titled "Inkwells to Internet: A History of Burnaby Schools" presented by Heritage Planner, Lisa Codd, co-author Janet White, and hosted by Museum Curator Jane Lemke. The book launch took place utilizing the Zoom video communication platform on February 18, 2021 and the live video recording was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. During the book launch event, Lisa Codd provides an overview of the history of Burnaby schools using six photographs from the book. Janet White shares ancedotes and stories from her and other co-authors experiences at Burnaby schools.
- History
- "Inkwells to Internet: A History of Burnaby Schools" was written by a group of authors including Janet White, David Carter, Rosemary Cooke, Harry Pride and Gail Yip. Publication of the book was supported by the City of Burnaby Heritage Commission, the Burnaby Board of Education and the B.C. Retired Teachers Association Heritage Committee.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Schools
- Education
- Names
- Codd, Lisa
- White, Janet
- Responsibility
- Lemke, Jane
- Accession Code
- BV021.7.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 18 Feb 2021
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of video recording
Images
Video
Inkwells to Internet book launch, 18 Feb 2021
Inkwells to Internet book launch, 18 Feb 2021
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2021_0007_0001_001.mp4
Inkwells to Internet: A History of Burnaby Schools
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7551
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 978-0-9781979-2-6
- Call Number
- 371 CAR
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- 2020
- Physical Description
- vii, 35 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
- Subjects
- Education
- Notes
- "Includes index"
- A history of the Burnaby school district and individual school buildings in Burnaby, BC, between 1893 and 2013.
- The “First Nations cemetery” described on page 109 in Mary Johnson’s recollections was originally written as “Indian” and may refer to the Khalsa Diwan Society’s Sikh cremations at the Vancouver Cemetery.
Images
Digital Books
Our heritage : a lesson for the future, teacher's guide to
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6687
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Call Number
- 971.133 BUR Copy 1
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- Corporation of the District of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- 1992
- Physical Description
- 34 p. ; 28 cm
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby Village Museum--History
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Burnaby (B.C.)--Social Life and Customs
- Subjects
- Education
- Names
- Haddon, Gordon
- Notes
- " a video journey into Burnaby's past:' -- Title page.
- " A Burnaby Centennial Project of Burnaby's Heritage Advisory Committee -- Title page.
- "The "Our Heritage " Video and Guidebook provide a focus for organizing learning experiences from various curriculum areas. The actitvites are merely suggestions and are intended as a starting point in exploring Burnaby's heritage." -- Content " ... Gordon Haddon...seen at the end of the video as the students are leaving." -- Content
- Cross-reference with the VHS tape 971.133 BUR VR
"Step back in Time" slide programme kit
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13703
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1978-1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 39 photograph : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists photographs from Heritage Village Museum Education Department "Step Back in Time" slide programme kit. Photographs document various Heritage Village Museum exhibits and programming.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 39 photograph : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists photographs from Heritage Village Museum Education Department "Step Back in Time" slide programme kit. Photographs document various Heritage Village Museum exhibits and programming.
- Subjects
- Education
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.894
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1978-1979
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- September 1, 2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photographs
- Labels on original container read: "STEP BACK IN TIME / Slide Programme / 1978-79 kit / School Programs - new photos / Education Department / Heritage Village Museum / COPY 1" (container was disposed of and slides were rehoused)
- Slides are numbered BV020.5.894.1 to BV020.5.894.14 in the order that they were found at the time of the description.
Images
![Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel, [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0011_002.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19607
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 32 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 30 fps
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kanwal Singh Neel conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The interview was conducted and recorded on the Zoom platform. 00:00 – 00:06:47 Kanwal shares some of the mentors that influenced him in his life, education and …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (50 min., 32 sec.) : digital, col., sd., stereo ; 30 fps
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewee: Kanwal Singh Neel Interview Date: July 5, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 50 min., 32 sec. Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kanwal Singh Neel conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The interview was conducted and recorded on the Zoom platform. 00:00 – 00:06:47 Kanwal shares some of the mentors that influenced him in his life, education and career, how his three-year grandson has been an inspiration and how important it is to educate yourself in different ways. 00:06:48 - 00:19:02 Kanwal talks about the diversity in the schools that he’s encountered over the years as a student and as an educator and shares his experiences getting hired as an educator on public television and being known as "the math guy". 00:19:03 - 00:46:39 Kanwal talks about the “Friends of Simon” tutoring out-reach program and his involvement. 00:26:40 - 00:30:24 Kanwal shares his experiences officiating the Canada Summer Games, the Harry Jerome Track Classic, the Commonwealth Games and other world class sporting events. 00:30:25 - 00:38:58 Kanwal describes a typical day while working at Simon Fraser University as Associate Director of Professional Programs, as a sports official and his involvement with Friends of Simon. Kanwal speaks about the importance of finding a balance between staying connected, finding your purpose and carrying on the passions that you enjoy. Kanwal talks about some of his favourite places in Burnaby including Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake and Central Park. 00:38:59 - 00:43:31 Kanwal talks about the changes that he’s seen in the lower mainland over his life time including; diminishing agricultural land, the fishing industry, public transportation, housing and retail infrastructure and homelessness. 00:43:32 - 00:50:32 Kanwal talks about his involvement with the Punjabi Cultural Association, the introduction of Punjabi language courses in public schools and his involvement in a Bhangra event. Kanwal imparts a final message to youth of today emphasizing the importance of, building relationships, giving back to your community, learning through education and being respectful of your own journey and others.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Kanwal Singh Neel was born in Mombasa, Kenya in 1953 and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1969. For the first few weeks after immigrating the family stayed at the Sikh Temple on Second Avenue before moving into a house which they rented. Kanwal attended Kitsilano Secondary School and later transferred to Steveston High School when his family moved to Richmond. In 1972, Kanwal and friends formed a bhangra group "Punjab Cultural Association" and in 1974 they performed at the World Exposition in Spokane, Washington. The group performed at various venues including the Pacific National Exhibition and other cities in the Province. In 1973, Kanwal was an officiate during the Canada Summer Games at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. Kanwal obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from University of British Columbia in computer science and mathematics and got his first teaching job in 1977. In 1978, he was an officiate of the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the next ten years he devoted himself to becoming an educator and during this time he became more involved with the B.C. Math Teachers Association. Kanwal and his wife Nancy married in 1982 and have two daughters. In the early 1990's, Kanwal joined Simon Fraser University as a faculty associate to work, train and mentor student teachers. Kanwal became President of the B.C. Math Teachers Association and travelled throughout the province to help solve issues being faced by students. In 1993, he co-hosted a TV show "Math Shop" on The Knowledge Network and he later co-authored a textbook series titled "Math Makes Sense". Kanwal continued to advance his knowledge in the field of mathematics obtaining a Doctorate from Simon Fraser University in 2008. Kanwal developed his doctoral work in Haida Gwaii, studying the mathematics that the Haida peoples used in day to day life, applying the applications and integrating the mathematics concepts with their cultural knowledge. Kanwal also worked with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation and the Stó:lō Nation in helping to develop resources for them. Kanwal has been recognized with various awards and honours including being awarded an honorary doctorate by Kwantlen Polytechnic University and in 2017 as an inductee in the Sports Wall of Fame in Richmond for his outstanding contribution to amateur sport as an International Athletics Official. Since retirement, Kanwal continues to be involved in a project at Simon Fraser University "Friends of Simon" where university students go out and mentor and tutor immigrant and refugee children from South Asia and Africa and other countries. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Education
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Sports
- Events - Competitions
- Housing
- Performances
- Names
- Neel, Kanwal Singh
- Simon Fraser University
- Friends of Simon
- Canada Summer Games
- Swangard Stadium
- Punjabi Cultural Association
- Responsibility
- Rajdeep
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Central Park
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.11
- Date
- [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Images
![Interview with Kanwal Singh Neel, [1973-2023] (interview content), interviewed 5 Jul. 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0011_002.jpg)
blackboard compasses
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact1167
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV971.26.2
- Description
- Blackboard compasses, large, wooden.
- Object History
- This item is on display at the Seaforth School in the Burnaby Village Museum.
- Classification
- Drafting T&E
- Object Term
- Compass
Images
teacher desk
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact1209
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV971.29.25
- Description
- Oak desk, 5 drawers, light colored wood, dove tailed joints
- Object History
- This item is on display at the Seaforth School in the Burnaby Village Museum. The desk was from the Burnaby School Board and assumed to have been used in a Burnaby school.
- Category
- 02. Furnishings
- Classification
- Furniture - - Storage & Display Furniture
- Object Term
- Desk
Images
chalk box
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact2408
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV971.148.2
- Description
- Wooden chalk box; dovetail joints; lid is missing (sliding type); "One Gross AMERICAN The `Old Faithful' Crayons STERLING WHITE", "The American Crayon Co. Waltham Mass. Sandusky Ohio Established 1835 Made in U.S.A"; picture of Old Faithful; "This Box Contains..."
- Object History
- This item is on display at the Seaforth School in the Burnaby Village Museum.
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Devices
- Object Term
- Chalk
- Country Made
- United States of America
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3589
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.16
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of British Columbia for 1915. The exam subject was on Canadian History and one and a half hours were allowed for completion. There are six main questions, all with multiple sections. Handwritten in pencil is "100 Associates". The exam page measures 19cm x 17.5cm.
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3590
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.17
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of British Columbia for 1915. The exam subject was on British History and one and a half hours were allowed for completion. There are five main questions, each with multiple sections. Handwritten in ink at the top of the page is "Charlie Moore". The exam page measures 19cm x 17.5cm.
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3591
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.18
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of British Columbia for 1915. The exam subject was on Dictation and Spelling and one hour was allowed for completion. There are three main sections to the exam. The exam page measures 18.5cm x 24cm.
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3592
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.19
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of Nature Lessons for 1915. The exam subject was on British History and one and a quarter hours were allowed for completion. There are fourteen questions on the exam. Question 1 to 5 have been circled and underlined in pencil. There are some handwritten notes on the back of the page in pencil. The exam page measures 19cm x 18cm.
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3593
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.20
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of British Columbia for 1915. The exam subject was on Arithmetic and two hours were allowed for completion. There are ten main questions, some with multiple sections. Answers to the questions have been written in ink. The exam page measures 19cm x 19cm.
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3594
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.21
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of British Columbia for 1915. The exam subject was on Grammar and Composition and two hours were allowed for completion. There are eight main questions, each with multiple sections. On the reverse side written in pencil is "Geography 8:45-10:45/ Canadian History/ Drawing 1-3/ Drawing Books & Setsquares, Compasses". The exam page measures 18.5cm x 24.5cm.
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3595
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.22
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of British Columbia for 1915. The exam subject was on Geography and one and a half hours were allowed for completion. There are seven main questions, some with multiple sections. Written in ink at the top of the page is "CAM". The exam page measures 19cm x 18.5cm.
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3596
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.23
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of British Columbia for 1915. The exam subject was on English Literature and two hours were allowed for completion. There are two main questions, one based on the Fourth Reader with five related questions. The second section is based on various poems. The exam page measures 18.5cm x 31cm.
Images
examination; page
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3597
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV988.15.24
- Description
- Education Department - Examination Page -- [1915]. High School Entrance Examination for the Education Department of British Columbia for 1915. The exam subject was on Drawing and one and a half hours were allowed for completion. There are four main sections, each with multiple tasks or steps. In the middle of the page is an illustration of a butterfly. The exam page measures 19cm x 18.5cm.
Images
certificate
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact6307
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV985.33.1
- Description
- Second Class Teacher's Certificate - Certificate -- [1923]. Certificate issued by the Department of Education of the Province of British Columbia. The certificate was issued to Greta Muriel Partriquin for obtaining the qualifications for a Second Class Teacher's Certificate. The certificate is dated July 16th, 1923 and is signed by the Superintendent of Education and also the Minister of Education. There is an impression of the seal stamp for the Education Department of Victoria, British Columbia. In the middle of the stamp is a coat of arms.
Images
advertisement
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact6658
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV985.99.3
- Description
- Advertising Card -- [195-?]. Card for H.B. MacLean displaying his qualifications as a Handwriting Expert. The card states that H.B. MacLean was the Author of The MacLean Method of Writing. On the left side of the card is a photograph of H.B. MacLean.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Cards
- Advertising Medium
- Advertising Medium - Business Cards
- Education
Images
certificate
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact6663
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV985.99.8
- Description
- The MacLean Method of Writing - Certificate -- [19--?]. Blank certificate for the Junior course for the MacLean Method of Writing. The ceritifcate has the Official H.B. MacLean Seasl in red embossed on the bottom left corner. The certificate has blank spots for the student's name, teacher's name, and name of the school.
Images
invitation
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact6763
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV985.172.1
- Description
- Laying of the Corner Stone - Invitation -- [1923]. Invitation was sent out from the E.J. Ryan Contracting Company Limited on behalf of the Hon. J.D. MacLean, M.D.C.M., to the laying of the corner stone of the new Science Building at the University of British Columbia. The event was to take place on Friday, September 28th, 1923. The invitation is printed on a large piece of paper which has been folded in half. The invitation is rather crumpled.
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Classification
- Documentary Artifacts - - Other Documents
- Object Term
- Invitation
- Subjects
- Construction
- Education
Images
school desk
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact7082
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV985.396.6
- Description
- School desk, Globe brand; Waterloo, Ontario; #3, open scrollwork sides
- Object History
- This item is on display at the Seaforth School in the Burnaby Village Museum. The desk was from the Burnaby School District.
- Reference
- BV985.396.6 and BV985.396.7 are imaged together.
- Category
- 02. Furnishings
- Classification
- Furniture - - Storage & Display Furniture
- Object Term
- Desk
- Maker
- Globe
Images
school desk
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact7084
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV985.396.8
- Description
- School desk, Globe brand; #3
- Object History
- This item is on display at the Seaforth School in the Burnaby Village Museum. The desk was from the Burnaby School District.
- Reference
- BV985.396.8, BV985.396.9, BV986.83.13 are imaged together
- Category
- 02. Furnishings
- Classification
- Furniture - - Storage & Display Furniture
- Object Term
- Desk
- Maker
- Globe
Images
magazine
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact14952
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV984.51.38
- Description
- School and Home - Magazine -- [1917]. Magazine produced for 7th and 8th Grades called School and Home, Fourth Class Edition. The magazine provides stories, poems, geography and questions for study. This is Volume XXII, Number 2 for September 15, 1917. The magazine has been written on in pencil.
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- Ontario
- Site/City Made
- Toronto
- Title
- School and Home
Images
