This issue of the Buzz is archived here.

MEMBER NEWS

Front Words with Mark Forsythe

Read an excerpt from the Summer 2025 issue of British Columbia History, written by Mark Forsythe.

Commercial Shipbuilding in the BC Interior

An excerpt from the summer issue of British Columbia History

By Robert G. Allan

When thinking of shipbuilding in BC, you’d probably picture coastal cities and towns where, indeed, most BC ships have been built. The last place you’d imagine is the rugged Interior. However, look at the extensive array of lakes and rivers that subdivide this province and the major north-south transportation routes they represent—there must have been local vessel construction to serve these important travel and trading routes.

Ship construction in the Interior has seen cycles of activity over time, beginning with the gold rushes in the Yukon and in BC in the late nineteenth century, and then again when the oil exploration boom and potential pipeline construction in the 1960s and 1970s in the Northwest Territories resulted in vessels being built for operation in the northern rivers of BC and Alberta as well as in the Mackenzie River system.

Maple Ridge history advocate passes away

A lover of history, who showcased and safeguarded the heritage of Maple Ridge for decades, has passed away.

Val Patenaude, who was the director of the Maple Ridge Museum from 1993 to 2020, passed away on Friday, May 16, at the age of 72, following a stroke.

A celebration of life will be held in the fall in Maple Ridge.

Greetings From Smithers!

This new exhibition explores the history of Smithers tourism and recreation through postcards, photographs, souvenirs, and ephemera from the permanent collection of the Bulkley Valley Museum. 

The many amazing sites and places featured in this exhibition that are enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike are located on the traditional territory of the Witsuwit'en people. The BV Museum is located on C'inulh K'it, Cas Yikh (Grizzly House) territory belonging to the Gidimt'en clan of the Witsuwit'en Nation. Other places visited by locals and tourists in regions surrounding Smithers may be located in the traditional territories of the Gitxsan and Nad'uten. 

Historic Walking Tours of Jewish BC

Join the Jewish Museum & Archives of BC for historical walking tours of Vancouver and Victoria this summer! Visit their website for tickets.

Names of a Sxweyxwiyam: How legendary historian Sonny McHalsie changed the Fraser Valley's understanding of itself

His colleagues say he is a man of integrity whose authenticity and genuine interest made his connections to Stó:lō elders possible. His family says his work was guided by their ancestors, and his acquaintances defer to his understanding of their shared history.

For more than four decades, Albert “Sonny” McHalsie committed himself to learning Stó:lō history and sharing it with both the Stó:lō and Xwelítem (the hungry people, the Halq'eméylem word for white settlers). Now, he is finally retired.

Cecil Dawson: Worlds Colliding

On August 1st the Alberni Valley Museum is opening their new exhibit, Cecil Dawson: Worlds Colliding.

The exhibition Worlds Colliding presents the evocative and multilayered works of Cecil Dawson, a renowned Kwakwaka’wakw artist and Hereditary Chief of the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation. Rooted in ancestral knowledge, cultural reclamation, and artistic innovation, the exhibition invites viewers into a world where Raven, ancient beings, and sea creatures coexist beneath coastal waters.

Dawson’s art is not only a reflection of his heritage but also a catalyst for dialogue. The exhibition foregrounds his collaborative efforts with non-Indigenous artists to explore the complexities of cultural exchange, Indigenous protocol, and the impacts of colonial contact. This cross-cultural engagement challenges and enriches the conversation around shared artistic practices, boundaries, and responsibilities.

The exhibition runs from August 1 – November 1, 2025

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

HISTORICAL NOTES

Conductorettes: The First Women to Drive Transit

When many men were in Europe during World War II fighting fascism, 200 women worked as streetcar conductors in Vancouver, later becoming motormen and drivers.

Unlike other women who worked during the war in shipbuilding and aircraft assembly, these women were able to keep their jobs after the war, thanks to their union.

The union insisted the women had the same rights, privileges, and wages as the men. It played an important role in supporting the women, including helping one get her job back after she was fired for becoming pregnant.

Listen to the full podcast by clicking the link below.

Experience Japanese culture, food, music, and traditions at Nikkei Matsuri

The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre is excited to announce the 13th annual Nikkei Matsuri, an authentic celebration of Japanese culture. This year is extra special as we celebrate Nikkei Centre's 25th anniversary. Join us for a weekend of festivities at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby) on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 from 11am-7pm. Admission is free for those under 18 and over 65, and members. $15 ($12 advance) admission for adults.

The Transit Museum Society (TMS) has partnered with TransLink to take part in a new transportation-themed exhibition at the Museum of North Vancouver (MONOVA).

The exhibition, titled Are We There Yet?, is now open and will run until March 1, 2026. It offers fascinating insights into the history and future of transportation in Metro Vancouver.

Labour history in the Kootenays began in 1895 when Rossland became home to the first Canadian local of the Western Federation of Miners (WFM). Thanks to the WFM’s efforts, in 1899 the provincial government passed a law forbidding miners from working more than eight hours underground. In the West Kootenays, where 10-hour shifts were commonplace, mine owners and businessmen were outraged, and the WFM in Rossland were sharply criticized as “American agitators” and troublemakers. However, a petition signed by 3,000 district miners indicated widespread support among the workers, and several WFM union locals were established throughout the area.

Read the full article by Tressa Ford, Archives Assistant at the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, below.

From the BC Museums Association:

"We are pleased to announce that Jules André-Brown will be serving as BCMA’s new Executive Director starting Tuesday, August 5, 2025!

As President, I know that I speak for all that Ryan Hunt’s departure this spring left a huge gap in the organization. Ryan is a forward thinker and connector who dedicated his time to building the BCMA into a well-respected organization across the country – thank you Ryan!

After Ryan Hunt’s departure, Council, with the support of BCMA’s Acting Executive Director Lorenda Calvert, embarked on a search for an Executive Director that is experienced in strategic planning and sustainable funding, highly focused and organized, and will uphold the values of the BCMA: accountability, bravery, equity, innovation, relevance and respect.

Jules represents all of these. Through his 15-year career of community-based work Jules has a proven track record of leading with sound financial stewardship and is highly experienced in community-based cultural work and strategic planning. He has dedicated his career to empowering community and nonprofits through governance and program development. Indeed, many of you may have met Jules in the past as he has championed and participated in several BCMA programs, including those related to professional development and leadership.

The Port Hardy Museum and Visitor Centre is excited to announce the opening of The Carrot Campaign exhibit 'Do you Carrot All?’ at our Visitor Centre location (2520 Market Street). 

In honour of this year's Filomi Days theme, 'The Year of the Carrot', we have curated a quirky exhibition about the Carrot Campaign of 1976. This campaign advocated for a highway connecting Northern Vancouver Island to the rest of Vancouver Island. Promises of this road date back to the establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1840s. 

Before the creation of the highway, North Island residents could only travel by ferry to the South end of the Island and Vancouver. In the 1960s, treacherous logging roads opened for public use; this was not a solution. North Island residents came together to pressure the government to stop dangling the carrot (the highway) for votes, and to finally follow through and build it. As noted at the time by Campaign organizer, Roland Shanks, “That battered, half chewed, over-mature carrot that you clutch so tenaciously in your hand is mine! I want it now!” 

Assistant Curator Brie Watson notes that "The Carrot Campaign is a strong example of how the determination and resilience of small communities can create positive political change, and can be a source of community pride."

EVENTS

Music at the Cannery is back, with two shows remaining!

Friday, August 1st at 6:30pm – Shawnee Kish (Two-time Juno Nominee)

Friday, August 8th at 6:30pm – Halifax Wharf Rats

More information and tickets are available at the link below.

ADVERTISING

Johnson Group Benefits and Travel rebranding June 30

Effective July 1, Johnson Insurance Group Benefits and Travel operations will come together with belairdirect and rebrand as belairdirect group benefits and belairdirect travel insurance, respectively. To further support their system integration to belairdirect, their Group Benefits and Travel departments will be closed from Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. PST to Wednesday July 2 at 3:30 a.m. PST for planned system upgrades. All services resume on Wednesday, July 2.

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. This newsletter is drafted and sent from the traditional unceded territory of the Sinixt First Nation.

The BCHF is on Facebook. Join the conversation.