The British Columbia Historical Federation has provided a collective voice for its member societies since 1922.

This issue of the Buzz is archived at https://tinyurl.com/y8vwjc9u

 

MEMBER NEWS

Conference Information

Johnson Belaire Direct Insurance Named Title Sponsor for BCHF Conference

The conference host committee is pleased to announce that Johnson Belaire Direct Insurance is again our title sponsor for the BCHF Annual Conference being held May 1-4 in Williams Lake. Johnson Belaire Direct has supported the BCHF for over ten years, providing group rates for BCHF members on private insurance.

Super 8 Hotel Williams Lake is Host Hotel for Williams Lake Conference

The Super 8 Hotel Williams Lake is offering delegates attending the 2025 BCHF Conference a special rate. The Super 8 is withing walking distance to the main conference venue – the Cariboo Chilcotin Museum and BC Cowboy Hall of Fame. Don’t delay, there are a limited number of rooms available.

  • Address: 1712 Broadway Ave South, Williams Lake, BC
  • Rate is $129 plus taxes for a standard room (2 queen beds)
  • Includes complimentary breakfast
  • Book by April 25, 2025 to secure room rate
  • Book using the code: BCHFC or via this direct link. 

Visit our conference website to view other details of the conference and look for registration information and pricing early in the new year.

Winter issue of British Columbia History explores Chinatowns

The winter edition of British Columbia History magazine is on its way to mailboxes and is currently available digitally! Megan Koyanagi is the guest editor and the theme is Chinatowns. Stories include:

• Beyond Chinatown: The Chinese and English Phrase Book; by Imogene Lim
• A Match Not Made in Heaven, by Catherine Clement
• A Sense of Belonging: Chinese Societies, by Larry K.F. Chin
• Canned Salmon and China Lily: Chinese and Indigenous relations in Small-town British Columbia, by Sarah Ling
• Remembering Smithers Chinatown, by Kira Westby and Eric Holdijk
• Not So Uncommon an Oath: The “Chicken Oath” in BC Chinese Canadians’ Testimonies, by Andrew R. Sandfort-Marchese
• Sharing Stories of My Chinese Community, by Elwin Xie

Plus we have regular contributions from Front Words columnist Mark Forsythe, writer-in-residence Spencer Legebokoff, and books editor Dalys Barney. Dalys also looks at The Longest Shot, a recent book celebrating the legacy of Larry Kwong, the first player of Asian descent in the NHL.

To subscribe or order individual copies click the button below!

Click Here

Front Words with Mark Forsythe

Click the button below to read an excerpt from the Winter 2024-25 issue of British Columbia History, written by Mark Forsythe.

Read Here

Beyond Chinatown: The Chinese and English Phrase Book and Dictionary

An excerpt from the Winter 24-25 issue of British Columbia History, written by Imogene Lim.

When someone says the word “Chinatown,” a certain image comes to mind. In British Columbia, it is of Vancouver or Victoria’s streetscapes of narrow laneways or buildings of two- or three-storeys in height, recessed balconies, “Chinese” businesses and associations, as well as a gateway to signal to the visitor that they have arrived. Each of these Chinatowns holds a distinction in the Canadian context: Victoria as the oldest, Vancouver as the largest. Both are in populous urban centres. Historically, they were a hub for migration (or destination) and dispersal, as well as commerce. 

But many early immigrants to Canada sought opportunity and fortune outside Vancouver and Victoria (the reason that those early Chinese referred to their destination as Gold Mountain, Gum Saan). Their existence is represented in the historical record through physical remains, including cemeteries; oral history; and ephemera. In BC, where did the early Chinese find work or home—a place of belonging—besides Vancouver or Victoria?

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Canada's first national meeting of historical societies is a success

In 2022, at the suggestion of the research project Agents mémoriels, un engagement citoyen d’hier à aujourd’hui, the Canadian Historical Association (CHA) and the Fédération Histoire Québec (FHQ) launched a call to national, provincial and territorial historical societies to initiate a conversation on common issues. The result was the Bridging the Gap initiative, which produced a report on the current state of historical societies in Canada.

The conversation broadened on November 4, when the first national meeting of Canada’s historical societies was held. In addition to the members of the steering committee - the CHA, the FHQ, the Institut d’histoire de l’Amérique française (IHAF) and the British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) - the following societies took part:

· Canada’s History

· Newfoundland & Labrador Historical Society (NFLHS)

· Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society (RNSHS)

· New Brunswick Historical Society (NBHS)

· Saskatchewan History & Folklore Society (SHKS)

· Historical Society of Alberta (HSA)

· Yukon Historical & Museums Association (YHMA)

At the meeting, they discussed the contemporary issues they face in order to continue their work and remain relevant to their communities and Canadian society today. They agreed to continue the discussion, with the aim of maintaining this link and encouraging the sharing of experiences and successes. To be continued!

In memoriam: Bob Hayes

(1954-2024)

Kelowna's Bob Hayes, a recipient of a 2017 BCHF Certificate of Recognition, has died at 69.

Hayes was an elementary school teacher and regular history contributor to the Daily Courier.

His BCHF award was the result of a nomination from the Kelowna Museums Society, whose executive director wrote: "His approach is inclusive, he is an assiduous researcher, his demeanour is kind and humble, and his generosity is selfless."

Read More from Castanet

From Sen̓áḵw to Kitsilano to Sen̓áḵw Again: A Quick History of Kitsilano

Vancouver's beachside neighbourhood Kitsilano is examined and analyzed in this well-illustrated lecture to the Vancouver Historical Society by Michael Kluckner, beginning with the Sen̓áḵw indigenous village at the mouth of False Creek. Kitsilano's notable characters and housing are described over a century of development and returning to the mini-city now being built on a portion of the old Indian Reserve and the high-rises proposed for its the long-settled streets.

Watch the Video Here

New videos from B.C. Labour Heritage Centre

A new collection of short videos has been released by the B.C. Labour Heritage Centre.

B.C. Labour Heritage Moments showcase key topics in over 100 years of B.C.’s labour history. The nine videos are 3-4 minutes each. Titles include Indigenous Longshoremen, Ginger Goodwin, Injunctions and Collective Bargaining Rights.

The Centre used clips from its own extensive oral history collection, as well as other archival sources to illustrate the videos.

Each video was researched and written by staff members Natasha Fairweather and Donna Sacuta. Fairweather also narrates each episode. Video and sound editing was provided by Rob Leichner of the Canadian Labour Congress.

The collection was released at the B.C. Federation of Labour Convention in November. The Centre encourages organizations to use the videos at their events, in education programs and on social media.

Watch Videos Here

Canoe journey marks McMillan Expedition bicentennial

It was 200 years ago that a band of 41 men journeyed from the Columbia River to the Fraser River and back. They left Fort George (Astoria, Oregon) on Nov. 18 in three canoe-shaped Columbia River boats, led by Scotsman and Hudson’s Bay Company employee, James McMillan. In the face of depleted beaver stocks and advancing American settlement their mission was to find a site for a new fort north of the Columbia. Fort Langley was built three years later at Derby becoming the first European settlement in what is now the Lower Mainland. This at a time when Yale was the region's metropolis with its bounty of salmon, and an important meeting place for Sto:lo peoples.

The Livings Arts Society recently took to the river with the Fort Langley Canoe Club to commemorate the Voyageurs’ arduous journey. Songs, readings from expedition journals and a brisk paddle on the Bedford Channel made for a memorable day. Most 1824 expedition members were Canadien Voyageurs, but there were also Iroquois, Kanakas, an Englishman, an American and Metis, including Francis Noel Annance, a clerk, translator and hunter with the HBC who kept a journal.  When they were forced to wait out fierce winds at Bellingham Bay local Indigenous guides knew a route that eliminated the need to paddle around Point Roberts and they nosed into the Nicomekl River at Mud Bay.

“We find the little river very winding and full of brush, logs etc. Towards the evening we come to the worst place; Dragging our boat through willows, shrubs, briars and beaver dams til we come to the portage and encamped.” They made two miles the next day, dragging and carrying their boats to the Salmon River. “The portage is handsome prairie. The fish excellent.” On Dec. 16 they emerged onto the Fraser River across from today’s McMillan Island: Sto:lo country.

The Langley Heritage Society was one of the sponsors of the weekend event which also included presentations from BC and Washington State historians.

Looking Back on 2024 at Revelstoke Museum & Archives

Photo: Laura VanZant, Assistant Curator, and Cathy English, Curator, at the Revelstoke Business Excellence Awards. Cathy English won "Employee of the Year" and the Gift Shop was a runner-up in the Retail Excellence category.

Revelstoke Museum & Archives declared 2024 as their "Year of Getting Things Done." They recently posted all of their changes, projects, and achievements from the last year on their blog.

Check out what they have been up to by clicking the button below!

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Are you a member society with news to share in The Buzz? Send it to laura@bchistory.ca

HISTORICAL NOTES

Oliver & District Heritage Society celebrates 2024 accomplishments

The Oliver & District Heritage Society has had a busy year and is celebrating their accomplishments!

The ODHS updated their Collections Management Policy in 2024 to better reflect the mission, mandate, and vision of the ADHS as well as changing attitudes in the Museum sector. There is a summary version available on their website, but a full version is available upon request.

The ODHS also completed making an interactive video that tells the fascinating story of the historic irrigation canal system that runs through their area. The ODHS worked with professional and local artists, and are very proud of the finished product! You can watch the video here.

You can visit the ODHS website here. Congratulations on a busy year!

Cumberland Museum publishes new book, "A Place Called Cumberland"

The Cumberland Museum & Archives announced the launch of their new book, "A Place Called Cumberland" earlier this month.

This beautifully crafted publication celebrates the rich history and vibrant stories of their community. It is the culmination of extensive research and collaboration that reflects the voices and experiences of Cumberland's diverse past and present.

Learn more on the museum's website here. Copies of the book can be purchased directly from them, or online here.

Nelson Izu-Shi Friendship Society receives 2024 city heritage award

The City of Nelson and its Heritage Working Group have presented present the Nelson Izu-Shi Friendship Society with the 2024 Heritage Award and a $1,000 honorarium for its Cottonwood Park signage project.

A non-profit volunteer group that supports the sister city relationship that has existed between Nelson and Izu-shi, Japan since 1987, the Nelson Izu-shi Friendship Society holds seasonal cultural events and workshops to introduce Japanese Canadian culture, arranges multigenerational exchange visits and stewards the Friendship Garden in Cottonwood Falls Park.

As part of their park caretaker role, the Society undertook a huge initiative to develop display signage telling the stories of Cottonwood Creek. Over a five-year span, it has worked closely with researchers, Indigenous leaders, local historians, Nelson families, and the Museum and Archives to research and develop this project, publicly launched in October of this year.

Ten signs in black steel frames and protected by tempered glass take us through the fascinating stories of the wildlife, the people and their histories, and the environment of Cottonwood Creek.

“The Nelson Izu-shi Friendship Society is surprised and very pleased by this unexpected honour,” says president John Armstrong. “We really appreciate the recognition of our work and the contributions of others over the past five years. We hope the signs will inspire greater interest in the little-known parts of Nelson’s history and lead to a new awareness of the value of Cottonwood Creek and the potential for its restoration as it flows through our community.”  

"The dedication and commitment of the Nelson Izu-Shi Friendship Society's members and volunteers to undertaking the Cottonwood Signage Project has been impressive,” said Berdine Jonker, chair of the Heritage Working Group. “The extensive knowledge imparted, the attention to historical accuracy and the engaging design of the signage makes the Nelson Society the ideal recipient for the 2024 Heritage Award.”

The city’s Heritage Working Group established this award in 2015 to recognize individuals, groups, businesses, or other organizations that have made an outstanding contribution towards the preservation and/or promotion of Nelson's heritage. Previous winners are the Hume Hotel, the Nelson Electric Tramway Society, Nelson CARES, the Nelson Museum & Art Gallery, Joern Wingender, Peter Bartl, Greg Scott, the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce and Cartolina.

Sidney Museum's 19th Annual LEGO® Brick Exhibition: A Hidden World

From The Sidney Museum:

"The Sidney Museum and Archives is delighted to announce the return of its annual LEGO® Brick Exhibition! Back for its 19th consecutive year, the exhibit will open to the public on December 20th and will run until March 30, 2025.

Hundreds of LEGO® creations will be displayed throughout the Museum, many of which play into this year’s subtheme, A Hidden World. Walk through the gallery to see hidden details and unique angles that highlight the attention-to-detail employed in the creation of LEGO® sets. Visitors can anticipate returning displays drawing from themes such as Architecture, Star Wars™, and Lord of the Rings™ alongside new featured sets like Notre-Dame de Paris, Jaws, plants and animals, and much more!

Also new to the exhibit is a “Community Creations” display, where visitors can enter to display their custom LEGO® creations for everyone to enjoy for one month of the exhibit. The Sidney Museum is still accepting submissions. To learn more and enter a creation visit sidneymuseum.ca/programs/lego-community-creations

Interpretation throughout the Museum will highlight the history of the hobby, how it gained its widespread popularity, and fascinating facts about specific sets on display. Popular activities such as our Museum-wide scavenger hunt and “Guess the Bricks contest” will also be returning. Whether reconnecting with an old hobby or continuing your LEGO® adventures, Sidney Museum’s exhibition is sure to delight and inspire visitors of all ages this winter!"

The Sidney Museum and Archives is located at 2423 Beacon Avenue, in the lower level of the Olde Post Office building. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10:00am - 4:00pm, except December 25-26 and January 1st. Entrance is by donation. Please visit the Museum’s website to get up-to-date details on upcoming exhibits and events.

Royal B.C. Museum unveils new exhibits, including fresh look at some old ones

Stunning wildlife photography, Indian chintz textiles, migration journeys of Chinese Canadians and the music of resistance and change are among new exhibits coming to the Royal British Columbia Museum in 2025.

Tracey Drake, chief executive of the Royal British Columbia Museum, says this year’s exhibits span space and time, from 13th century India to 18th century Hong Kong, and from the natural world to the supernatural realm of music superstars.

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Director-curators at New Media Gallery bid farewell to New Westminster

Sarah Joyce and Gordon Duggan have curated works by more than 200 artists from dozens of countries around the world during their decade at the helm of the New Media Gallery – but they are getting set to embark on a new adventure.

In May 2014, the City of New Westminster announced that Joyce and Duggan would be the new director/curator team at the gallery, which was set to focus on contemporary art that uses new media and technology, including video art, sound art, light art, robotic art, and web art. The pair are wrapping up their work at the gallery and getting set to embark on their next challenge.

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New skateboarding exhibit lands at Vancouver Island pop culture museum

The latest exhibit at the Pop Cult Museum at PD's Hot Shop in Qualicum Beach follows skateboarding through the decades, from early homemade boards in the 1930s right to the present day.

Wheels of Freedom traces the evolution of skate culture, as well as the boards themselves — and how new technology influences the activity and vice versa.

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The Museum of Vancouver’s SAGE Toolkit paves the way for sustainable art and circular design

The Museum of Vancouver is leading the charge toward sustainability in arts and culture by launching the SAGE Toolkit: an initiative focused on decarbonizing the sector through practical, circular solutions. SAGE (Sustainable Arts and Green Ecosystems) offers guidance for museums, galleries, and theatres to reduce waste and integrate environmentally-conscious practices into their operations.

Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the toolkit emphasizes circularity, which aims to minimize waste and maximize the reuse of materials in exhibitions and theatre sets. The resource is the culmination of nearly two years of collaboration among designers, curators, and sustainability experts under the leadership of the museum’s director of collections and exhibitions, Viviane Gosselin, and sustainability consultant Maureen Cureton.

Read More & Access the Toolkit

EVENTS

2025 Heritage Week: Pastimes in Past Times

This year, Heritage Week celebrates the many ways people have spent their leisure time throughout history, highlighting how these activities have shaped the cultural fabric of today.

From February 17 to 23, 2025, culture and heritage organizations across the province are invited to host an event in their community to celebrate Heritage Week. Attend an event, spread awareness about Heritage Week on social media using promotional tools & resources, and encourage municipalities to advocate for heritage by issuing a proclamation formalizing the week.

Learn More

Online Programs through Vancouver Public Library

The Vancouver Public Library is offering 2 online programs in the new year that may be of interest to BCHF members.

January 23rd: "Chinese Canadian Genealogy Resources"

February 18th: "Family History and Genealogy" (with Library and Archives Canada)

Both programs are free, and are offered virtually so that anyone can attend! Click the links to register today.

ADVERTISING

 
 
 
 

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)

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.