This issue of the Buzz is archived at http://tinyurl.com/mr37tfpc

BC Historical Federation conference registration opens

Join us on May 4 for the BCHF annual conference being held in Ts'elxwéyeqw (Chilliwack). This year, the conference will be a one-day event featuring the annual general meeting, a keynote presentation, a guided bus tour of S'ólh Téméxw, and the BCHF awards dinner.

Aimee Greenaway named managing editor of BC History

Aimee Greenaway, who has been the books editor of British Columbia History magazine since 2018, is taking over from Jane Watt as managing editor. Aimee is also the curator of the Nanaimo Museum, where she has worked since 2011.

Last chance to nominate someone for a BCHF award

Just a couple more weeks to get nominations in for the BCHF Recognition Awards and Bright Light Awards (advocacy, cultural resource accessibility, and storytelling). The same deadline applies for applications to the Centennial Legacy Fund and for submissions to the W. Kaye Lamb Scholarship.

Join the BCHF team 

Looking for fulfilling volunteer work? We are looking for you! We’re seeking an administrative support person to help us with tasks related to finance, membership, and subscriptions. Time required? Two hours per week. Location? From home, but would be helpful to live in a place that has a Coast Capital bank. Start? April 1. Interested? Contact jane@bchistory.ca or rosa@bchistory.ca

VIDEO: Health and Pleasure Tourism at Harrison Hot Springs

In this presentation to the BC Historical Federation conference in Princeton last year, Lydia Kinasewich presented on her prize-winning essay entitled Nature's Health Giving Waters: Promoting Health and Pleasure Tourism at Harrison Hot Springs, 1920-1930. Kinasewich recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in history from UNBC.

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

HISTORICAL NOTES

Heritage Legacy Fund intake opens March 8

The 2024 intake period for the Heritage Legacy Fund opens on Friday, March 8. Heritage BC is now accepting eligibility checks for all potential projects and programs. The Heritage Legacy Fund supports a financial assistance program for heritage awareness, heritage conservation, and heritage planning.

Government apologizes to Sons of Freedom children

Sons of Freedom Doukhobor children at New Denver in the 1950s. (Royal BC Museum and Archives C-01739)

The BC government has formally apologized to Sons of Freedom Doukhobors removed from their parents and sent to residential school between 1953-59. The apology comes with a $10 million commitment and fulfills a recommendation first issued by the BC Ombudsperson’s office in 1999.

Tours of Hogan’s Alley offered during Black History Month

Throughout February, which is Black History Month, tours are being organized to teach people about Hogan’s Alley, a vibrant community in southwest Vancouver that was home to many Black families until they were displaced in 1972 by a viaduct.

30th anniversary of BC Black History Awareness Society marked

The BC Black History Awareness Society is marking its 30th anniversary with Black History Month events in Greater Victoria, including a panel discussion at the Royal BC Museum and a guided tour of 50 Black pioneer and descendant graves at Ross Bay Cemetery.

On Feb. 29 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. via Zoom, the UVic Committee for Urban Studies presents Civilizing the (Civic) Museum: Decolonial Work at the Museum of Vancouver with Vivian Gosselin (pictured), director of collections and exhibitions. Gosselin seeks to make the museum a more responsive, empathetic, and democratic public space.

K-12 Komagata Maru lesson plans introduced

Passengers from the Komagata Maru, 1914. (City of Vancouver Archives CVA 7-127) 

The Komagata Maru Lesson Plans Project was initiated in 2023. With six lesson plans, the project encourages students to examine key facts and events behind the Komagata Maru tragedy. Furthermore, it challenges students to engage in discussions and think critically about the event.

IN MEMORIAM

Fred Braches (1930-2024)

Fred Braches of Maple Ridge, who died Feb. 1, edited BC Historical News from Spring 1999 to Summer 2003 before the B.C. Historical Federation changed the magazine's name to British Columbia History. Later he won the BCHF Best Article Award for 2009 and the BCHF Website Award in 2008 for his Slumach website.

Mary Davidson (1930-2023)

Mary Davidson, who died Dec. 19, moved to Salt Spring Island in the early 1980s, where she joined the historical society and guided the establishment of the island’s archives in 1989. The collection includes photos and stories from her family homestead.

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)

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.