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The BC Historical Federation was saddened to learn of the death of Gary Mitchell earlier this month.
Gary served on the council of the BC Historical Federation in a leadership capacity including as President and Honourary President. Gary was involved in setting up the Federation's Centennial Legacy Fund, a grant program to support grassroots historical projects in the province.
Here is his obituary, shared by Gary's family:
Gary died peacefully in Victoria Hospice on February 9, 2026, after a two-year ordeal with cancer, which he faced with grace and dignity.
Gary was born in Murrayville, Township of Langley, to Allan Ardiel Mitchell and Mary Teresa (née Kochmarski). He was raised on the family strawberry farm in Sperling District, Langley.
Gary attended the University of British Columbia, earning a BA (History) in 1976 and, in 1985, a Master of Archival Studies (MAS) degree from the university’s newly created archival school: the first in Canada. His post-graduate thesis, The Appraisal of Canadian Military Personnel Files of the First World War, offered a multi-national analysis of archival appraisal for military personnel case files. In his analysis, Gary examined issues that archivists still grapple with today: the strengths and weaknesses of different retention practices; the challenges of sampling; the potential of conversion to “machine readable” form, and the implications of destruction.
After receiving his MAS degree, Gary embarked on what became a lifelong career as a records and archives professional with the BC government. He served as a Senior Records Analyst from 1985 to 1988, then becoming Manager of Advisory and Training Services for the BC Archives, a position he held from 1988 to 1991. From 1991 to 1998, he was Deputy Provincial Archivist and Director of the BC Archives. In 1998 Gary became Provincial Archivist, leading the institution through many years of growth and change.
Gary initiated and led many innovations in records and archives services, including:
establishing protocols with the Office of the Speaker to allow public service support for parliamentary offices;
pioneering the application of standardized recordkeeping schedules across government;
introducing on-line search capabilities for archives;
negotiating the move of BC’s Sisters of St. Ann’s archives into the BC Archives
advocating for a common “pan-Canadian” federal, provincial, and territorial approach to the care of electronic archives.
Gary retired from government service in 2014 as Provincial Archivist and Vice-President, Archives, Collections and Research at the Royal British Columbia Museum. He was recognized for his decades of service with his appointment in 2014 as Provincial Archivist Emeritus.
As well as being a lifelong Canucks and Whitecaps fan, Gary pursued interests in Canadian history, vexillology, public administration, and heraldry. He volunteered with many heritage organizations, including the BC Historical Federation (President), the Archives Association of BC (President), Association of Canadian Archivists Foundation (Director and Secretary), the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada (Fellow) and the Royal BC Museum Foundation.
Gary’s commitment to the goals of heritage organizations was recognized with several awards, including the following:
Gary was actively committed to his Catholic faith and volunteered for many years at St. Patrick’s Parish and on the archives and records management committee of the Diocese of Victoria and the Sisters of St. Ann. At Mount St. Mary Hospital, he represented the Bishop and the Sisters as a member of the Marie Esther Society.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gary will be remembered for being a loyal, caring, selfless, and kind person who believed in a life of duty, integrity, and humility. He was proud of his agrarian roots in Langley, British Columbia and his Polish and Scottish ancestry. He felt deep love for his country, his province, his community, and, most of all, his friends and family.
After retirement, Gary and Irene travelled, gardened, and enjoyed many happy times with family and loved ones. His greatest joy was the arrival of Max Gary Kavan in 2020, the much-loved son of Annelies and Dan. Gary is survived by his wife, Irene; Annelies and Dan and grandson Max; his much-loved cousins Gail and Darlene; godson Matthew Isaac; and a wide circle of friends and family.
Donations in Gary’s memory are welcome to the BC Historical Federation Legacy Fund.
After eight months on view at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), the Tŝilhqot’in National Government has now released its film Qatŝ’ay: Bringing our spirits back home to the public.
Directed by Trevor Mack and Jeremy Williams, the film follows a Tŝilhqot’in delegation to the MOV for the historical repatriation of more than 60 ancestral belongings, including 29 qatŝ’ay—decorative coiled root baskets—an iconic Tŝilhqot’in art form.
The film is the centrepiece of the collaborative exhibition, Nexwenen Nataghelʔilh, with the MOV, on view from June 2025 to June 2026.
After its tenure at the MOV, the exhibition will begin traveling to other locations throughout BC.
Qatŝ’ay was nominated for the Short Documentary Award at the DOXA Film Festival in Vancouver in 2025, and was also screened at the Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles and the NatiVisions Film Festival in Arizona.
VIEW THE FILM ON YOUTUBE
The BC Historical Federation was saddened to hear that Japanese Canadian heritage champion Laura Saimoto has passed away.
Laura was known in the historical community for her work as chair of the Japanese Canadian Legacy Signage Project from 2016 to 2018, working with the Ministry of Transportation to commemorate Internment and Road Camps across British Columbia. She also deeply loved working with seniors and local residents to create the East Lillooet Internment Camp Memorial Garden.
Laura served as President of the Tashme Historical Society from 2023 and joined the board of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation in 2024. Her most recent projects included the VJLS-JH Interpretive Centre, as well as the restorations of Miyazaki House and Hope Station.
You can read her obituary here.
You can view recordings of her 2019 presentation about the Japanese Hall with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation.
The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (NNMCC) is proud to announce Taste of Japan, an interactive workshop series celebrating Japanese food culture. Held in partnership with the Bite of Burnaby festival throughout March 2026, the series invites the public to explore Japanese food through a lineup of hands-on workshops.
The series kicks off on Sunday, March 1st, with a Japanese Tea Ceremony led by Junichi Ishii. Held alongside a display of Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) dolls in the Centre’s tea room, the ceremony offers a peaceful, sensory introduction to the world of matcha and the values of harmony and respect.
Taste of Japan offers a welcoming space for food lovers of all backgrounds. Participants will learn from local artisans, mastering time-honoured techniques and using seasonal ingredients.
The March 2026 Lineup includes:
Japanese Tea Ceremony (March 1): A ritual of harmony, respect, and peace.
Sake & Cheese Pairing (March 8): Discover Sake: A Guided Tasting & Pairing Experience.
Miso Making (March 14): Fermentation with Van Koji Foods.
Nerikiri Wagashi (March 14): The art of sculpting edible cherry blossoms with Megu Takahashi. (sold out)
Family Onigiri (March 15): A family-friendly session on the essentials of Japanese rice balls with Samurice.
Gourmet Chocolate (March 20): Spring break truffle making and bean-to-bar experiences with Coconama.
Ochazuke & Tea (March 21): Exploring the "whole leaf" philosophy in savoury rice bowls.
Artsushi (March 21): Creating decorative cherry blossom themed sushi rolls.
Sakura Mochi (March 22): Crafting traditional pink spring treats with Kintoki Sweets.
Handmade Soba (March 29): The rewarding process of kneading and hand-cutting buckwheat noodles with Kayo Bennett.
Visit the Museum's website to learn more and register.
The Vancouver Historical Society presents its recorded presentation with Greater Vancouver author Bob Muckle, a registered professional archaeologist who taught for many years in the Department of Anthropology at Capilano University.
Muckle shares his research from his new book, Once Upon This Land--Archeology in British Columbia (UBC Press), where he visits sites around the province to explain what archaeology is (and isn’t), how research is undertaken in this province, and what it contributes to our broader understanding of human history.
The book illustrates the layers of human habitation, creativity, resiliency, and loss found in what is left behind both in the past and the present.
Muckle has written several books, including The First Nations of British Columbia: An Anthropological Overview, Forgotten Things: The Story of the Seymour Valley Archaeology Project, and Indigenous Peoples of North America. He lives in the Greater Vancouver region.
WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
A demolition application for the old Brown’s Meat Market building has been submitted to the city, but council will be reviewing their options on how to at least preserve a piece of the historic building.
Brown’s Meat Market was established in 1926 and was a multi-generational family-owned business until 2021, when the property was sold.
The building is in rough shape and is considered unsafe.
Read more from MyEastKootenayNow.
February 1 marks the annual renewal date for organizational members of the BCHF. Soon, our membership coordinator will follow up with reminders to those not yet renewed.
This year, please be reminded of the increase in membership fees that was passed at the Society's previous AGM last May, 2025. The fee increase is reflective of the increased cost of printing and mailing the British Columbia History magazine.
Rather than a rate based on number of members, organizations now self-identify which category they feel they belong in (small, medium, large).
The suggested definitions of small, medium and large are not prescriptive, but used to provide an example of how to gauge the size of an organization (the honour system is used).
The fees are as follows
SMALL = $50 MEDIUM = $75 LARGE = $100
More information about how to determine your fee, memberships, and member benefits, visit our Membership Page.
For support with your membership renewal, email: membership@bchistory.ca
Photo Credit: Revelstoke Museum & Archives
Revelstoke Museum & Archives is highlighting the history of Japanese Canadians in Revelstoke and increasing collection accessibility with the launch of its latest online exhibit, Japanese Legacies.
Spanning over 100 years of history, the exhibit is the cumulation of project manager Harumi Sakiyama’s hours of work piecing together the various Japanese Canadian stories rooted in Revelstoke.
The online exhibit will also help the museum showcase more of its collection without having to navigate the limited space the brick-and-morter provides.
“We’ll continue to gather material on this topic, so this feels the best way to showcase that material,” Cathy English, lead curator told Revelstoke Mountaineer.
The online exhibit is also part of the museum’s work to make its collections as accessible as possible. Audio tours, accessible language guides, sensory supports and a growing list of online exhibits are all accessibility strategies the museum has been implementing over the years.
Read the full article from The Revelstoke Mountaineer here.
Explore the exhibit here.
Afrofuturism is a powerful force in art, literature, and music- but what is it, at its core? Learn about how it has served as a catalyst for social change by and for people of African descent around the world.
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026, 4-5pm Where: Online via Microsoft Teams Cost: Free How to Register: Call/Email the Museum of Surrey: 604-592-6956 | museum@surrey.ca OR register here (Course ID 00486806)
More About Ruby Smith Diaz
Ruby Smith Díaz (B.Ed) is an afro latina person born to Chilean and Jamaican parents in Edmonton – amiskwaciy, Treaty 6. Her experiences of marginalization as a youth has inspired her to dedicate her life's work to social justice and exploring issues of equity and identity through art. She is the author of the top-selling book, Searching for Serafim, about the life and legacy of Serafim “Joe” Fortes, a trailblazing Black lifeguard, who became a cultural icon in a racist society.
Her artistic work has been featured in the Vancouver International Film Festival, The Contemporary Art Gallery of Vancouver, The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Mount St Vincent University Art Gallery in Halifax, and Truck Contemporary Art Gallery in Calgary.
Ruby is also an award-winning body positive, access centered personal trainer and the founder of Autonomy Fitness. In her free time, she loves going on long bike rides, making art, and spending time on the land.
120 years ago a tragic, historic, event occurred on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The SS Valencia was a 252-foot, iron hulled passenger steamer ship built in Philadelphia in 1882 and was owned by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. The ship was inspected on 6 January 1906 and had the capacity to carry 286 passengers, 7 lifeboats, 368 life preservers, all of which was found to be in good working order. The SS Valencia departed San Franciso on 20 January 1906, bound for Victoria, BC and Seattle, Washington. Due to the deteriorating weather with rain, fog, and strong winds, they missed the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and ran aground just south of Cape Beale on 22 January 1906. There were only 37 survivors and 136 lives were lost.
This event marked history because so many lives were lost so close to shore and the government of Canada was compelled to make major improvements to its West Coast Marine service. This included new lighthouses, detailed charting, improved rescue facilities, and better land and sea communications. But this shipwreck was only one of so many that happened in this place that has come to be known as the Graveyard of the Pacific.
The evening will begin at 7pm with a reading of her original poem, Wreck of the SS Valencia by Doni Eve. DK Eve is an award-winning poet and author, and part of the Sooke Writers’ Collective. The author talk will follow the poetry reading.
In his new book, Wrecked: Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific, author Coll Thrush retells shipwreck stories to include colonial ambitions and Indigenous perspectives, using stories of maritime misfortune to consider larger themes of history in this place. In Wrecked, Thrush uses the tides as a metaphor for the comings and goings of empire, ending with “Is the tide still coming in, or is it going out?” as a way to think about what might come after the interruption of settler colonialism.
Wrecked was recently selected as a winner in the 2026 Pacific Northwest Book Awards. The awards committee noted ‘Meticulously researched, these stories tell of seafaring settlers and the personalized aftermath of disaster, exposing territorial ambitions and a shaping of the truth that the spoils may go to the victors. This is a groundbreaking and compassionate work and a valuable contribution to the historical canon of the Pacific Northwest’.
Coll Thrush is a professor of history at the University of British Columbia and founding co-editor of the Indigenous Confluences book series at the University of Washington Press. He is the author of Native Seattle: Histories from the Crossing-Over Place, a 2008 Washington State Book Award winner, and Indigenous London: Native Travelers at the Heart of Empire.
The Museum Gift Shop & Visitor Centre will be open 9:30am to 7pm on Thursday 22 January, prior to the event that will take place fireside in the Events Pavilion.
Thank you to Woodside Farm for sponsoring this event and to BC Community Gaming and BC Arts Council for funding support.
Learn more here.
British Columbia Historical FederationPO Box 448, Fort Langley, BC, Canada, V1M 2R7Information: info@bchistory.ca
With gratitude, the BCHF acknowledges that it carries out its work on the traditional territories of Indigenous nations throughout British Columbia.
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