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.

We acknowledge and respect that the Surrey Historical Society’s offices are located on the unceded territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayuaut and Tsawwassen Nations.

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, Lucas Akai 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.

Lucas Akai is a second-year student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University majoring in History. He is currently considering career options and/or law school.

Emily Deasy recently graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies. She received her Master’s degree in TCSOL (Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages) from University College Cork, Ireland in 2019. She plans to pursue a career in elementary school education in BC.

David Piraquive is a fourth-year student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University completing a Major in both Political Science and History. He plans to attend grad school or law school after finishing his undergraduate studies.

Dr. Kyle Jackson teaches global and digital history at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. His research on religion, environment, and empire in South Asia appears in journals such as Modern Asian Studies, History Compass, and Studies in History.

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.

Book Prize Gala

Attend the virtual 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s book prizes June 5, 7pm and help us recognize those working in BC history.

The Gala is sponsored by Johnson Insurance. Members of the BC Historical Federation received discounts on travel and health insurance through our partnership with Johnson.

New this year, we will have an opportunity for a “Johnson Insurance people’s choice” winner, selected by the audience in real time.

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.

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.

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

2020-2021 has been an intense year of problem solving and hard work for those working in BC public history. We need a chance to take a break from all that “doing” and connect to the passion we have for BC’s history. In this session, our hope is that you will be re-energized by meeting in small groups, sharing and listening to the stories of other members. This conversation will be designed and facilitated by Rosa Flinton-Brown and Shannon Bettles to ensure it is fun and inspiring. There will be absolutely nothing added to your “to-do” list! We look forward to seeing you there.

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!