Blog & News

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Jennifer Nell Barr of Victoria is a recipient of an Inspiration award for her continued work researching and writing the “This Old House” series.  
 
The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

A member of Victoria Heritage Foundation, Jennifer has devoted endless hours to the publication series for more than 20 years. Coordinating the work of volunteer writers, editors, researchers and more, Jennifer has continued to pursue the next volume during the COVID-19 pandemic, persisting with historic zeal and joy.  

In the words of her nominator, Jennifer “is happy to share her enthusiasm in what she finds along the way […] Some of the stories are hilarious, others very sad, but the social histories she brings to light about the occupants and the houses listed really help make past generations live again.”

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia is a recipient of an Inspiration award for the organization’s work to create face masks in partnership with Modernize Tailors during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

Early in the pandemic, members of the society did not hesitate to rally to support the local community. Working with local Chinatown business Modernize Tailors, the Society innovatively helped fill a need during the PPE shortage, selling hand-made cloth face masks.  

Continuing to champion the community throughout the initiative, a portion of the proceeds raised from the sale of the masks were donated to two of their community partners: the Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Lytton First Nations.  

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) announces that Christine Meutzner of Nanaimo is a recipient of an Award of Recognition. The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.  

The longstanding archivist and manager of the Nanaimo Community Archives, Christine has been advocating for Nanaimo heritage and history for almost 25 years. Christine’s career has been marked by professionalism and exceptional community service, allowing countless researchers and community members to gain increased perspective and appreciation for Nanaimo’s historic roots.  

A promoter of heritage and history, Christine has played an active role in the broader Nanaimo heritage scene, serving on the civic heritage advisory committee and a director of the Nanaimo Historical Society.

T.W. Paterson photographs the wreckage of a plane on Mount Benson.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) announces that T.W. Paterson of Cowichan Valley is a recipient of an Award of Recognition. The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.  

T.W.’s efforts in promoting an understanding of history are exemplified through his publications. Tireless in his pursuit of the past, T.W. has authored more than 30 books and countless articles on the history of British Columbia since his teenage years. His longstanding column, Cowichan Chronicles, ran in the Cowichan Valley Citizen for 23 years, serving as a notable avenue for the public to learn about the colourful and multifaceted history of the province.  

His nominator for the award comments: “Truth is, T.W. is exactly where he belongs, fulfilling an important role by explaining why history is so important and showing us how fascinating it also can be.”

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Tami Quiring of Alder Grove Heritage Society is a recipient of an Inspiration award for her efforts successfully hosting the Society’s Community Heritage Day during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

Designing an in-person event to be in keeping with COVID protocols, the Alder Grove Heritage Society, under Tami’s leadership, hosted a ‘heritage walk-thru’ event in September 2020. The event featured displays mounted on a socially-distanced one way course set up within Royal Canadian Legion Branch #265 Aldergrove.  

Safely mobilizing volunteers and members of the Heritage Society, the Community Heritage Day promoted safe in-person engagement and an increased sense of community during the pandemic while allowing visitors to learn about the history of Aldergrove.  

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Aman Johal of Surrey is a recipient of an Inspiration award for his work spurring camaraderie and shared collective learning for staff at Fort Langley National Historic Site.  
 
The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

A long-time site interpretation supervisor at Fort Langley, Aman developed and ran regular history and trivia quizzes virtually for colleagues as staff adapted to working from home during the early stages of the pandemic. Under his leadership, the quizzes sparked lively discussion, laughter and debate amongst participants, promoting a sense of togetherness and connection during a time of social disruption.  

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5. 

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Gabriel Newman of Vernon is a recipient of an Inspiration award for his work creatively capturing the reality faced by heritage organizations through the Loneliest Interpreter series at O’Keefe Ranch.  

The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.   

Without visitors or school programs taking place at the O’Keefe Ranch during the COVID-19 pandemic, interpreter Gabriel Newman launched the “Loneliest Interpreter” video series. The series focused on a variety of historical topics, such as crafting butter, which would be undertaken at O’Keefe Ranch and the realities of working at a heritage site during a pandemic.  

Gabriel’s videos were perfectly timed – raw, authentic and funny, the videos helped spur laughter, joy and a sense of community as people tried to make sense of the new reality spurred by COVID-19. You can watch one of them below.

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Al Donnelly is a recipient of an Inspiration award for his work documenting the Boundary region and maintaining the Boundary Historical Society’s cabin at Jewel Lake near Greenwood.   

The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations who have provided hope and optimism to the sector in British Columbia during the ongoing pandemic.  

An active member of the Boundary Historical Society, Al has undertaken deep research pertaining to the history of the Grand Forks and Greenwood areas. During the pandemic, Al worked ceaselessly to locate, collate, research and write stories about the Boundary region. The work has culminated into the production of the Boundary Historical Society’s 18th historical report publication.  

In addition to carrying out tireless research, Al is a stalwart steward of the Society’s 1899 cabin located at Jewel Lake. Tackling duties pertaining to security, cleanliness and ground maintenance, Al’s work help ensure that the public will be able to enjoy the cabin for years to come.  
 
The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5.

The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Natalia Deros of Heritage Abbotsford Society is the recipient of the Best News and Media Award for the society’s recent Stories to Spaces: Local Community Places social media campaign.  

The award offers a certificate and cash prize of $250 for published news and media resources generated by BCHF members and can include newsletters, social media campaigns, podcasts and more.  

Fusing built heritage with storytelling, digital heritage imaging, archival research and interviews, Natalia’s work brings Abbotsfordians together and draws upon the knowledge of the community to bring about dialogue on racism, inclusivity and heritage practices.  

The Stories to Spaces: Local Community Places campaign helps bridge the generational gap between younger and older audiences, promoting knowledge exchange and inspiration. Currently, the campaign features posts about the Punjabi Patrika, Lekw’óqwem (Mill Lake), the Fraser Valley Regional Library system, Gifford and more.  
 
The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala online on June 5. 

Snunéymuxw Reserve in downtown Nanaimo, circa 1900. Photo: Nanaimo Museum A1-80

By Mark Forsythe

And they’re off! When the ferry docks at Departure Bay, so begins a frantic race for the Island Highway, and Nanaimo is quickly in the rear-view mirror. This summer, why not visit the city’s historic downtown to see what you’ve been missing?

Also known as the “Hub City” (the downtown streets are laid out like the spokes on a wheel), Nanaimo is very walkable and easy to explore. Hoof it along the Harbourfront Walkway, then drop into the Art Gallery or Vancouver Island Military Museum. Both are just around the corner from the landmark Hudson’s Bay Company Bastion that’s been standing guard above the harbour since 1853.

The downtown is loaded with quaint shops, restaurants, and pubs — one of them inside a restored E&N Railway station. There are other impressive heritage structures, including the Nanaimo Courthouse that was designed by Francis Rattenbury. Built from granite and sandstone, it speaks to the prosperity of Nanaimo’s coal, lumber, and fishing industries, and the unbridled optimism of the era when it was constructed, in 1895.

For a strong sense of place and history, the Nanaimo Museum is an essential stop. Exhibits are numerous and varied: a coal mine, settler-era classroom, Snunéymuxw cultural artifacts, and a Hall of Fame dedicated to the city’s persistent love affair with sports, from soccer to track and field and hockey.

Manager Sophia Maher says she’s proud that the museum is part of a vibrant downtown. In addition to adapting to the pandemic, staff have been focused on renewing gallery spaces and expanding an exhibit about Nanaimo’s earliest inhabitants, the Snunéymuxw (“Nanaimo” is derived from their name.) At a city reconciliation event, Sophia asked Elder William White to visit the Museum and help deepen their presence.

Downtown Nanaimo, 1890s. Photo: Nanaimo Museum A1-32

“We tell lots of European stories, but we want to know what’s missing from the Snunéymuxw point of view. We’re missing thousands of years’ worth of history.” William, with a degree in history and anthropology, accepted the invitation: “I fell in love with their model of the longhouse, people making blankets, the spindle whorls, the welcome figure, and the regalia case.” He’s also keen to help animate the exhibit. “What can we add to make it more exciting for the museum-goer? We could possibly hear people speaking, drumming, or singing Welcome Songs.”

He also sees a need for more stories about the impact of colonialism on his people, through the eyes of the Snunéymuxw themselves. “How do we work the Indian Residential School experience into this? The discovery of coal?” William adds that when the Hudson’s Bay Company first showed interest in mining coal, the Company didn’t reveal that they would sell it. “Our people traded; that was our currency.”

The museum plans to move a rejuvenated Snunéymuxw exhibit to the front of the gallery space. Curator Aimee Greenaway says this will give it the weight it deserves, and will “reposition these stories.” Aimee sees this as part of a larger, necessary shift. “Our internal wiring is to tailor to interests and research, but there are also overlooked histories, from Metis to Jewish and Black histories.”

Chinatown, circa 1958. Photo: Nanaimo Museum R5-13

During the pandemic, the museum is discovering new ways to share stories, whether through online programming, one-on-one visits developed through an innovative “Bubble Buddies” project, or self-guided tours. Challenging and exciting times are ahead for the seven full-time and five part-time staff members. Nanaimo is a key intersection for travellers going to or from Vancouver Island; the Museum itself could become an important crossroad to reconciliation and understanding.

For William White, collaboration with the museum will “give people voices who have not been heard before. This development is the first time in history that the songs, values, and images will be brought forward for a new time and place.” He remembers listening to recordings of the late Anderson Tommy, who grew up at what is now Departure Bay. “His old people taught him a Welcome Song, and he remembered his old people telling him — he almost cried — you will hear this song echo long after we are gone.”

Nanaimo Museum: https://nanaimomuseum.ca. Located at the corner of Commercial and Museum Way.

Q’Puthet Unwinus, Snuneymuxw cultural research project, 1970s. Left to right: Elder Hazel Good; Q’Puthet Unwinus project coordinator Kay George; Anderson Tommy; and Roy Aleck. Photo: Courtesy of William White