BCHF BUZZ

Lytton museums destroyed

All that remains of the Lytton Chinese History museum are the rock walls seen here in the background. Lorna Fandrich photo

The BCHF extends its sympathies to the Lytton Museum and Archives and Lytton Chinese History Museum, both destroyed in last week’s devastating fire. Only their online databases remain. We stand by to assist the volunteers. BC’s heritage sector will do everything it can to help in a meaningful way.

$3,255 raised for Centennial Legacy Fund

Marco Verch/Flickr

A sincere thanks to all who donated to the BCHF annual fundraising campaign through Canada Helps, which raised $3,255 for the Centennial Legacy Fund. The fund supports projects that encourage historical research in regards to BC’s history, its communities and its diverse peoples.

BCHF welcomes three new directors

At our AGM on June 5, the BC Historical Federation welcomed three new directors-at-large to the board: Anna Irwin, Kira Westby, and Refano Evan Lumempouw (pictured above). Click the button to learn more about them.

The Hidden Photographs of Yucho Chow: A presentation

Chinatown Through a Wide Lens: The Hidden Photographs of Yucho Chow, written by Catherine Clement and published by the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia won the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing. Catherine presented at the BCHF conference gala awards evening.

Underneath a Hood or Covered in Soot: An interview

Olivia Daniel, a University of the Fraser Valley student, is the recipient of a BC Historical Federation scholarship for her essay Underneath a Hood or Covered in Soot: The Ku Klux Klan and Ritualized Racism in Abbotsford, B.C. During the Early 20th Century. Her instructor, Dr. Ian Rocksborough-Smith, interviewed Olivia about her essay.

We Have Our Man: A presentation

One of the most moving presentations of the recent BCHF conference was by Baltej Singh Dhillon, the first member of the RCMP to wear a turban. Dhillon went on to spend nearly 30 years with the police force. You can watch his presentation by clicking the button below.

The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway: A virtual tour

The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society introduces you to their rolling stock, station and volunteers through two video productions presented at this year’s BCHF conference. Your hosts John Sprung, Michael Gibbs and Stephen Plant take you through a question and answer period and introduce the videos. 

Traditional Boat Building: A presentation

Métis artisan Pat Calihou introduces you to his heritage by way of a 40 foot traditional bateau he built in 2019-20 at Fort Langley National Historic Site. Pat shares his struggles and triumphs of building a full size bateau, in the winter, using hand-forged nails and hand-bent planks. The presentation was delivered as part of the BC Historical Federation’s 2021 virtual conference.

Adventures in Digital History: A presentation

How can historians use new digital tools to enliven and deepen our study of the past? In this presentation, Dr. Kyle Jackson and students introduce the field of digital history on a global scale, as well as several local experiments underway. This presentation was originally delivered at the 2021 BCHF annual conference.

Surrey City Cemetery: A virtual tour

Surrey Centre Cemetery sits above Mud Bay, overlooking farm land and the surrounding area for the last 135 years. We can find jewels of local history in the stories of pioneer families in their final resting place. Sue Bryant took us on a tour as part of the 2021 BCHF annual conference.

Forgotten Stories, Silenced Voices: A presentation

Surrey’s past Poet Laureate Renée Sarojini Saklikar has explored history, science, and poetry, among other subjects, in her work. She spoke to these areas during the recent BCHF conference.

The Francophones of Surrey: A presentation

Maurice Guibord, director of the Société historique francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, will engage you with his presentation which incorporates his research on the Francophone heritage of Surrey. The presentation was delivered at the 2021 BC Historical Federation conference.

The Peace Arch at 100: A presentation

This virtual field trip of Surrey’s Peace Arch will take you on a tour through history to look at the origins and construction of this impressive monument and surrounding parks and gardens. The presentation was delivered by Barb Hynek during the 2021 BCHF annual conference co-hosted by the Surrey Historical Society.

MEMBER NEWS

Canoe Cultures: Building a legacy

The Vancouver Maritime Museum has partnered with Canoe Cultures to present a display featuring early images of canoe racing on the west coast and highlighting the recent activities of the Canoe Cultures program. It’s on view from June 17 to Aug. 2. 

HISTORICAL NOTES

Royal BC Museum apologizes for racism, discrimination

The Royal BC Museum has publicly apologized to a former staff member who pointed to a culture of racism and discrimination when she resigned last summer, as a report and survey found Indigenous staff have experienced discrimination and leadership failed to effectively manage the work environment that fostered the behaviour. See the full report here.

Royal BC Museum and Sisters of St. Ann make record-sharing deal

From left to right: Sister Judi Morin, canonical co-leader, Sisters of St. Ann; Sister Marie Zarowny, president of the Sisters of St. Ann; Dr. Dan Muzyka, board chair and acting CEO of the Royal BC Museum; Sister Joyce Harris, canonical co-leader, Sisters of St. Ann.

The Royal BC Museum and the Sisters of St. Ann announced have signed a memorandum of understanding that will provide enhanced access of the Sisters of St. Ann’s private archival records to the Royal BC Museum and to the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC.

Chinese immigration documents sought for exhibition

C.I.45 June 1924 showing Mary Quan (later known as Mary Lee).

A nation-wide hunt is underway for historic Chinese immigration identity documents (known as C.I. certificates). The project invites families to find and share these aging identity documents which will become part of a major exhibition and archive to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.

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 Greg Nesteroff: greg@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)

BC Historical Federation
Box 448, Fort Langley, BC, V1M 247 • info@bchistory.ca

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