This issue of the Buzz is archived at https://tinyurl.com/2ns2emyx

British Columbia History spotlights Indo-Fijian history

The summer edition of British Columbia History, now on its way to your mailbox, is guest-edited by new BCHF board member Rizwaan S. Abaas and looks at how Indo-Fijians have challenged and changed BC society. Stories include “Indo-Fijians: Our long journey Home”; “Decolonizing the Culture: Reclaiming May 14,” both by Abaas, and “Violence and Profit: Canada's debts to the Girmitiyas of Fiji,” by Donica Belisle.

Front Words with Mark Forsythe

A giant anvil was a collaboration between artist Maskull Lasserre and George Third & Son, a steel fabrication company that originated as a blacksmith shop in 1910. Photo: Courtesy Rob Third

In this excerpt from the summer issue of British Columbia History, Mark Forsythe looks at a massive anvil acquired by the BC Farm Museum; plans for the new Lytton Chinese History Museum; the move of the Hope Station House; a video by the Na̲nwak̲olas Council that asks visitors to tread carefully near important archaeological sites; and the restoration of the SV Dorothy, an 1897 sloop that won countless races off Vancouver Island.

VIDEO: Reconciling Stó:lō Place Names

This presentation was delivered by Dr. Si:yémia Albert (Sonny) McHalsie and Dr. Keith Thor Carlson at the BC Historical Federation conference. Si:yémiya shares Hal'qeméylem place names and tells some sxwōxwiyám (ancient stories) that shape Stó:lō culture, history and people. Dr. Carlson explains how place-naming is an integral component of the settler colonial process, and suggests ways to move towards decolonizing, re-Indigenizing, and re-naming places known to have original Indigenous names.

VIDEO: The Curious Passage of Richard Blanchard

Global maritime and naval historian Barry Gough speaks with British Columbia History magazine editor Aimee Greenaway about his most recent book The Curious Passage of Richard Blanshard: First Governor of Vancouver Island. Barry provides insight into his research methods into the province’s early colonial history, provides tips for approaching and writing histories, and delves into the subject matter of his book. 

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

HISTORICAL NOTES

Snuneymuxw artifacts repatriated from Royal BC Museum

Nearly 100 objects, many likely thousands of years old, have been returned to the Snuneymuxw First Nation by the Royal BC Museum, including carved stone bowls, spindle whorls, and food processing utensils. 

Roberts Creek Community Hall celebrates 90 years

The Roberts Creek Community Association marked the 90th anniversary of the Roberts Creek Community Hall with the celebratory photograph seen above, taken by Nancy Shields. This milestone celebration was particularly special to the association because, as part of its reconciliation efforts, it also unveiled the new name of the hall. It is now the Xwesam-Roberts Creek Community Hall.

VIDEO: Hockey Night in Chinatown

An inspiring evening on hockey from a Chinese Canadian perspective. Highlights from Hockey Night in Chinatown features author/teacher Chad Soon recounting Larry Kwong’s historic debut on NHL ice and Jenny Lee-Gilmore introducing her hockey-playing mom, Kelly, on film and in person. Recorded at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre in Vancouver.

Revelstoke adopts heritage management plan

Revelstoke city council has approved a new heritage management plan to “safeguard the valued features of Revelstoke and its natural and cultural heritage.” The plan represents a commitment by the city and wider community to increase efforts to sustain all aspects of Revelstoke’s heritage as a fundamental part of the city’s future.

Historic Parksville water tower may be relocated

(Google Street View)

Parksville council has voted to look into moving an historic E&N Railway watertower to Victoria. The tower escaped demolition in 2020, but a group that wanted to restore and relocate it to a spot nearby has faced challenges. 

‘Crucial consultation’ planned on BC’s South Asian Museum

Conversations continue about the creation of a museum in BC to celebrate Canadians of South Asian heritage. What is described as a “crucial consultation session” will be held June 13 in Surrey.

Walhaschindig keeps ghost town’s history alive

View of upper ranch and river bench, Wallachin. (Image D-08188 courtesy Royal BC Museum and Archives)

Since 2016, an annual event called Walhaschindig has drawn people to Walhachin, a community built in the 1910s between Cache Creek and Kamloops that was supposed to be an orchardist’s paradise. The museum in the community's historic Soldiers Memorial Hall will be open five days a week through the end of September.

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 Laura Van Zant: laura@bchistory.ca

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.