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The British Columbia Historical Federation has provided a collective voice for its member societies since 1922.
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Fall Issue of British Columbia History: Teaching & Learning |
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The latest issue of British Columbia History will be making its way to your inbox soon. The theme is teaching and learning, specifically about the province’s history. Stories include:
• “Saffron Threads Weaves a Tapestry of Diverse Study and Inquiry,” by Satwinder Bains
• “Denbei Kobayashi: Nurturing Japanese culture in the Okanagan,” by Jean-Pierre Antonio
• “Thinking Historically,” Lindsay Gibson in conversation with Aimee Greenaway
• Japanese-Canadian Educators During the Internment Years, by Megan Koyanagi
• “The Long Road to Full Collective Bargaining for BC Teachers,” by Ken Novakowski
• “British Columbia Black History Timelines,” by Jamila Douhaibi
• “Unveiling the Truth Behind ‘Hidden’ Histories,” by Stephanie Halmhofer
• “Peter O’Reilly’s Diaries,” by Misao Dean and Timothy Fitzthum
• “When did ’Textbook’ Become a Bad Word?” by Kelsey Beaudry
Plus there are regular contributions from writer-in-residence Spencer Legebokoff, Front Words with Mark Forsythe, Refracting History with Dalys Barney, and more. |
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SAVE THE DATE: Conference 2025 is May 2-3 in Williams Lake
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The BCHF is excited to announce that the Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin and the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame Society will be the host organization for the 2025 BCHF Annual Conference.
The BCHF Annual Conference is a much-anticipated event that brings anywhere from 40 to 80 local and academic historians, knowledge-keepers, heritage professionals, history enthusiasts, authors, collectors, and the interested public together in a different BC community each year.
The 2025 event runs over 2 days and offers networking opportunities, presentations of local and provincial history, a unique field trip, a silent auction of local history books, and an awards banquet where those working and writing in the BC historical sector will be recognized and celebrated.
The conference will include an evening reception at the Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame, historical and cultural presentations from historians and knowledge keepers about Cariboo-Chilcotin history, a unique history-themed field trip, the BCHF AGM, and the BCHF annual awards banquet.
Planning will take place this fall and registration will open online in early 2025.
The BCHF gratefully acknowledges that the conference will be held on the unceded traditional lands of the Secwepemc and Tsilhqot'in Peoples, neighbouring the T'exelcemc (Williams Lake) and Xat'súll (Soda Creek) First Nations.
If you are interested in being a sponsor, presenter, or vendor for the conference, please contact shannon@bchistory.ca. |
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In Memoriam: Ron Denman
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The BCHF was saddened to hear that Ron Denman of Hope, BC, passed away on June 26, 2024.
Ron was well known in BC's historical and museum community as a long time museum professional and community historian. He worked for the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert for some time before becoming the Manager of the Chilliwack Museum and Historical Society for several years.
Ron contributed to the historical record in Chilliwack, including editing a number of community history book project including: The Chilliwack Story, Memories of Sardis: The First 100 Years, 50 Years of Military Presence in the Fraser Valley: 1942 – 1991 Base Chilliwack, and Chilliwack's Great War: At Home and Oversees (Ferguson). Ron also led the development of many original exhibitions that explored local history in Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley including the award winning Brewer's Gold, an exhibit about hop farming. |
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Ken Blackburn reflects on a career at the junction of heritage and art
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As Ken Blackburn steps away from 19 years at the Museum at Campbell River, he took the time to reflect on its transformation from a dusty archive to a highly respected institution that is a key player in not only the cultural life of the community but also its economy.
Blackburn came onboard with the museum as it, like many others across the country, was stepping into a central role in incorporating heritage and culture into the economy and identifying the added value of culture and cultural institutions as partners in prosperity.
It has now established itself as a major player and that will serve Campbell River well in the coming years, said Blackburn the now-retired Programs Manager for the Museum at Campbell River.
Read the full article by clicking the button below. |
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Front Words with Mark Forsythe
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Mark Forsythe travels through BC and back in time, exploring the unique work of British Columbia Historical Federation members. He has compiled a fascinating section for the fall issue of British Columbia History. Read an excerpt by clicking the button below! |
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Unveiling the Truth Behind "Hidden" Histories
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An excerpt from the fall issue of British Columbia History.
By Stephanie Halmhofer
“Maybe the History we’ve been told is a lie!” [1] “Their true history was covered up!” [2] “Hidden History!” [3] Beyond being in the short introductory paragraph I read on the r/Tartaria subreddit page, these are phrases I hear nearly every day as an archaeologist who studies pseudoarchaeology, or archaeological conspiracy theories.
History has long been a popular subject for conspiracism—its popularity can impact how people engage with history—especially in online spaces where the line between fact and fiction can become blurred. At first glance the idea of a technologically advanced Tartarian empire whose history has been hidden from us seems like a harmless conspiracy theory, but the blurring of the line can also open the gate to some very dangerous paths.
The terms misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theory are at times used interchangeably, but there are differences between them. Misinformation refers to false information that is shared whether or not there is intention to mislead. [4] Disinformation refers to false information that is shared with the intention to mislead. [5] And conspiracy theories are beliefs that an “organization made up of individuals or groups was or is acting covertly to achieve some malevolent end.” [6] Conspiracy theories rely on three principles: nothing happens by accident, nothing is as it seems, and everything is connected. [7]
Although conspiracy theories seem to be a relatively recent phenomenon, conspiracism has been part of North American culture since at least the 1890s [8] if not earlier. [9] However, following the 9/11 attack and subsequent advent of internet forums, [10] today conspiracy theories have become “normalized, everyday ways of understanding the world that are tangible in many different manifestations of contemporary culture.” [11]
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Read the full article by clicking the button below. |
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New BC Register of Historic Places launches
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The new BC Register of Historic Places (BCRHP) has been launched, with information on over 5000 registered sites across BC. The new site provides increased access to information about officially recognized or protected historic places in British Columbia, and showcases the diversity of historic sites across the province.
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Totem Pole in Vancouver's Stanley Park Moved
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One of the totem poles in Vancouver's Stanley Park has been moved to the University of B.C.'s Museum of Anthropology.
The Kakaso'las totem pole has been on loan to Vancouver's largest park since 1985, according to the city's park board. Now that loan has expired, it has been returned to the Museum of Anthropology (MOA).
It is six metres tall, and features many important figures in Kwakwaka'wakw culture: the thunderbird, a sea-bear holding an orca, a man holding a frog, Bak'was (the wild man of the woods), Dzunuk'wa (giant of the woods) and a raven.
Kakaso'las was carved by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Ellen Neel in 1955. The Alert Bay-born artist made waves at the time for being one of the first female carvers to find success in a traditionally male-dominated space.
Read the full article from CBC by clicking the button below. |
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Okanagan Archive is back in action!
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Okanagan Archive is excited to announce that they are back in action and more dedicated than ever to sharing the rich history of the Okanagan Valley with their community. In their own words: After overcoming the challenges of the pandemic, we’re thrilled to unveil several new initiatives aimed at reconnecting with history enthusiasts and the public.
One of our major highlights is the reimagining of Archivos, our magazine that has been a staple since 2005. We’re revamping Archivos to bring you fresh perspectives and enhanced content, starting with a newly designed fall issue. This updated version will continue to offer the in-depth articles, stunning visuals, and compelling stories that you’ve come to expect, but with a modern twist that reflects our evolving approach to documenting and celebrating local history.
In addition to the magazine, we are proud to present our newly redesigned website. This revamped site serves as a comprehensive resource for exploring our extensive collection, accessing digital archives, and staying up-to-date with our events and publications. We’ve worked hard to make it both user-friendly and rich with content, making it easier for you to engage with our historical materials.
At Okanagan Archive, we are passionate about preserving and celebrating our local history. As we continue to dig deep into our vaults and complete the scanning of valuable historical pieces, we look forward to sharing these discoveries with you. |
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Canadians of South Asian heritages museum survey
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The Province has launched a public engagement to inform the vision for a new museum or cultural centre in B.C. This museum or cultural centre will highlight the histories, cultures, and contributions to British Columbia from Canadians of diverse South Asian heritages. Have your voice heard by clicking the button below.
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Sooke Museum's summer team breathes new life into local history
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Summer is always a busy time at the Sooke Region Museum. Over the past four months, five students have played a crucial role in their ongoing projects at the Museum and Visitor Centre.
Read the full article by clicking the button below. |
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Cultural road trip to discover BC's Heritage Sites
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Our province is teeming with history, but many of us haven’t had the chance to visit the various heritage sites spread out across British Columbia because, well, let’s face it, our province is pretty big. While plenty of museums and exhibits can be found in our bigger metropolitan areas, there is so much more to discover once you get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.
To discover some of lesser-visited spots, BC Living has compiled a list of a few key places you should check out on a cultural road trip, with stops in New Denver, Revelstoke, Wells, Prince George, and Prince Rupert. Each area pays homage to the key industries that shaped us as a province—just think logging, mining, and even fishing! |
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The Tumultuous Weeks Leading to the First Humiliation Day
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Creator and curator of "The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act", Catherine Clement, explores the tumultuous days leading up to July 1, 1924 – a day the Chinese community would christen "Humiliation Day." Discover the ways the community tried to halt the Exclusion Act's mandated registration, and hear how different cities in Canada reacted when it was clear that all hope was lost. This material is only lightly covered in "The Paper Trail" exhibition. So here is your chance, 100 years later, to learn and remember what our community went through on July 1, 1924. |
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Chinese Canadian Voices in Poetry
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How have Chinese Canadian stories and history been expressed through poetry? Moderated by Vancouver’s current Poet Laureate, Fiona Tinwei Lam, and joined by award-winning spoken word artist Christopher Tse and emerging poet James X. Wang, this combined poetry performance and panel discussion will explore how Chinese Canadian identity, including the history around the Chinese Exclusion Act era, has been upheld through contemporary works of poetry.
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Why is Heather Pavilion so Important?
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Former City councilor Marguerite Ford is interviewed about the importance of the Heather Pavilion that has served the health care needs of the people of Vancouver for over 115 years. Once thought lost in a series of additions, the Heather Pavilion still stands as a heritage designated building. Video recorded and produced by Elwin Xie in 2023 for the Heather Heritage Society. |
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Sidney Museum explores loss of liberties in new exhibit
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The Sidney Museum & Archives is excited to unveil a new travelling exhibit, Lost Liberties: The War Measures Act.
During the 20th century, the War Measures Act was enacted three times by the Canadian Government. During World War I, World War II, and the 1970 October Crisis, the civil liberties of Canadians were suspended in the name of national security. Lost Liberties focuses on minority groups who were targeted during these times including the instances of internment of Canadians of European origin, the forced relocation of Japanese Canadians, and the arrest of people in Quebec.
An additional display of local connections has also been created by Museum staff. Displacing Differences will present how these injustices happened right on the Saanich Peninsula by showcasing information on the D’Arcy Island lazaretto, the imprisonment of Doukhobors on Piers Island, Japanese Canadians who were forcibly uprooted from Sidney, and the forced displacement of W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples.
“Lost Liberties provides us with a unique opportunity to share historically under-represented narratives”, says Michael Goodchild, Executive Director of the Sidney Museum. “The impact of the War Measures Act over the 20th century is not widely known, and we are honoured to pair the exhibit’s national perspective along with examples closer to home.”
Lost Liberties: The War Measures Act is a travelling exhibition developed by the Canadian Museum of History and generously supported by a grant for the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund. It runs from August 5-November 29, 2024 at the Sidney Museum. |
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Online Exhibit highlights the history of Francophone Ranchers in BC's Interior Plateau
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A new online exhibit is highlighting the history of Francophone ranchers in BC. The Société historique francophone de Columbia-Britannique's exhibit with Digital Museums Canada explores this rich history through community stories and photos, bringing life to a topic many know little about.
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The BCHF offers a number of advertising opportunities in our e-newsletter, which is distributed to our entire membership monthly. Advertisements are jpeg images sized to 600 px wide for electronic distribution. To submit an ad, contact Laura Van Zant: laura@bchistory.ca Members enjoy discounted advertising rates. Choose 12 months for the best deal:
1-3 months = $100 each ($100-$300 annually)
4 months = $90 each ($360 annually)
6 months = $80 each ($480 annually)
8 months = $70 each ($560 annually)
12 months = $50 each ($600 annually)
Rates for non-members are as follows:
1-3 months = $150 each ($150-$450 annually)
4 months = $140 each ($560 annually)
6 months = $130 each ($780 annually)
8 months = $120 each ($960 annually)
12 months = $100 each ($1,200 annually)
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British Columbia Historical Federation
Box 448, Fort Langley, BC, V1M 247 • info@bchistory.ca The BCHF Secretariat is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish speaking Peoples. The BCHF is on Facebook. Join the conversation.  |
