Conference & AGM

Virtual Conference 2021 — June 3-5

The 2021 BCHF conference is hosted in partnership with the Surrey Historical Society and will be held via videoconference over three days: June 3-5.

Annual General Meeting – June 5, 2021

Attend our virtual AGM June 5, 9am.

Societies are welcome to provide a short presentation on the highlights of their annual reports.

Virtual Presentations

ADVENTURES IN DIGITAL HISTORY, Kyle Jackson // June 3, 9am —How can historians use new digital tools to enliven and deepen our study of the past? In this talk, Dr. Kyle Jackson will introduce the field of digital history on a global scale, as well as several local experiments underway at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the City of Surrey Archives. Students Emily Deasy and David Piraquive will share their experiences as authors of a smartphone app tour comparing the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 pandemics in the Lower Mainland.

MEET Poet Renée Sarojini Saklikar // June 3, 11am —Meet Renée Sarojini Saklikar. As a poet and a writer she’s explored history (Children of Air India, un/authorized exhibit and interjections); science and poetry (Listening to the Bees); and forthcoming this spring, Book One of her epic fantasy in verse, Bramah and the Beggar Boy, that deals with history, science, bees, among other subjects. Renée, who was Surrey’s Poet Laureate 2015-2018, will speak to her work in these areas.

HISTORY OF SURREY’S FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY with Maurice Guibord // June 4, 9am —Maurice will engage you with his presentation which incorporates his research on the Francophone heritage of Surrey.

RCMP HISTORY with Baltej Dhillon // June 4, 11am —Hear Baltej Dhillon’s story from his first assignment in a small rural community to a long association with the RCMP and most recently the province’s task force on gang violence.

TRADITIONAL BOAT BUILDING with Patrick Calihou // June 4, 7pm — Métis Artisan Pat Calihou introduces you to his heritage by way of a 40 foot traditional bateau he built last year at Fort Langley National Historic Site. Pat’s great-great grandfather Michel Calihou was a river boat pilot for the Hudson’s Bay Company in Edmonton in the early 1800s and also built the large, heavy vessels, called York boats, that carried furs and goods between trading posts and forts.

Book Prize Gala

Attend the virtual 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s book prizes June 5, 7pm. New this year, we will have an opportunity for a “people’s choice” winner, selected by the audience in real time.

Virtual Silent Auction

Throughout the three-day conference we will be running a virtual silent auction. Bid on local history books online. Two years worth will be up for bid!

Virtual Field Trips

SURREY CEMETERY TOUR with Sue Bryant // June 3, 7pm —Surrey Centre Cemetery sits on the top of the hill above Mud Bay, overlooking farm land and the surrounding area as it has done for the last 135 years. As the local communities have grown and prospered, we can find jewels of local history in the stories of our pioneer families in their final resting place. Through granite, marble and even wood-carved stones that dot the historic grounds, we find those that forged a new home and built a community. The cemetery holds the stories of veterans of all conflicts, including the Boer and the US Civil War as well as the family of an emancipated US slave who came to call Cloverdale home. Other features of the cemetery include a butterfly garden and a tree descended from the fields of Vimy Ridge.

PEACE ARCH TOUR with Barb Hynek // June 3, 2pm —Even though we are unable to visit the Peace Arch, this virtual field trip will take you on a tour through history to look at the origins and construction of this impressive monument and surrounding parks and gardens. As the Peace Arch celebrates its 100th anniversary this program will also highlight many of the events and celebrations that have happened here.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY TOUR with the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society // June 4, 2pm — Ride the rails… virtually! The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway takes you on a ride back in time.

BCHF WORKSHOP // June 5, 11am —Following the AGM, attend a workshop designed to engage with and listen to members. More details to come.