This issue of the Buzz is archived at https://tinyurl.com/38semrk4

MEMBER NEWS

Register now for the BCHF Conference!

BCHF Seeking a Membership Coordinator

The British Columbia Historical Federation is seeking a Membership Coordinator to join the board of directors to take on the volunteer position that coordinates and registers membership of the non-profit society. 

The position would be ideal for someone who has a computer and an hour or so a week to answer email inquiries, undertake light data entry, process payments, and manage the membership database. 

As part of the role, the Membership Coordinator serves on the board of the Federation and contributes to the decision-making process of the Society. The Membership Coordinator works as part of a team, and enjoys interacting with individual and society members from around the province. 

The BCHF is an entirely volunteer-led Society that promotes the rich and diverse history of British Columbia. This mandate is delivered through the hosting an annual conference, publishing a quarterly magazine, delivering a small granting program, and recognizing excellence in public history through a number of awards and scholarships. 

Interested applicants should contact Shannon to learn more: shannon@bchistory.ca.

Celebrating Nikkei Artists: "Umami" Exhibition at NNMCC

From the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre:

"In our 25th anniversary year, the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (NNMCC) celebrates the vibrant and diverse artistic expressions of Japanese Canadians with the "Umami: Savouring Artistic Nikkei Identity" exhibition from February through September in the Karasawa Gallery.

Just as “Umami” represents the complex layers of flavour in cuisine, this exhibition delves into the depth and richness of Nikkei artistic identity. Featuring a diverse range of artists, from emerging to established, including Japanese Canadian Legacies Art fund awardees. From traditional to contemporary art practice, the Umami exhibition shares the rich essence of our Japanese Canadian creative community.

Anchoring the exhibition is the interactive and thought-provoking Kintsugi installation by Annie Sumi and Brian Kobayakawa. This contemporary multimedia piece, inspired by the traditional Japanese art of mending ceramics with gold, conceptually mends broken and shattered experiences of what it means to be Canadian of Japanese ancestry. It utilizes a Singer sewing machine that survived the era of Japanese Canadian internment and dispossession. By manually manipulating the machine, visitors can activate original music and spoken word, creating a unique and moving experience.

Part 1 of the Umami exhibition also showcases the work of Todd Inouye, Ken Mizokoshi, and Wendy Tanaka, each offering unique perspectives on the Japanese Canadian experience through their distinct artistic styles. Inouye's work focuses on materiality and healing. Mizokoshi takes an archival approach to photography. Tanaka combines portraiture of both family members and treasured objects. Inouye, Mizokoshi, and Tanaka will be in attendance at the Exhibit Opening + Artists’ Conversations on February 13.

Experience the Umami exhibition and explore the rich tapestry of Nikkei artistic expression. Visit the NNMCC from February to September 2025.

Ushering Agassiz's history into the digital age

On a chill day in early January, the sometimes-bustling interior of Agassiz’s historic train station-turned-museum is quiet and empty. The banner for a half-finished Lunar New Year display hangs on a wall between two windows. But on the second floor, museum manager Maria Martins is busy working. Around her, tucked away inside closets, cupboards, and shelves throughout the Agassiz-Harrison Museum are thousands of physical reminders of the community’s history. 

Martins is ready to usher those artifacts into the digital age. 

“The amount of information that has been able to be captured here over the years is incredible, but it's just not accessible to the public,” Martins told The Current during a visit to the historic train station that houses the museum and its archives. The goal is to change that. 

Digitization. System alignment. Volunteer development. Those activities may not sound glamorous, but they form what Martins believes are the most important responsibilities of her position. And her work is already showing fruit.

Sooke Region Museum launches Survey and New Logo

From the Sooke Region Historical Society:

"The Sooke Region Historical Society invites the community to play an active role in shaping the future of the Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre.

“As the museum approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, we’re looking for input from residents and visitors from East Sooke to Port Renfrew to reflect the needs, values, and stories of the region and create a shared vision for the future,” said Doni Eve, Society president.

Residents are invited to respond to a community-wide survey on the museum’s current offerings and provide new ideas. You can access the survey at sookeregionmuseum.ca

“Your ideas belong in a museum,” said Michelle Richard, Museum executive director. “We’re also excited to use this opportunity to reveal a new logo. We asked local designer Jen Eckert to update the best elements of the former logo, and local artist Shelley Davies added Indigenous elements.”

Jen's design is inspired by the tin roof of the museum, the lighthouse, and the tree that symbolizes the Sitka and Western Red Cedar, so important to our local history and an integral part of our natural heritage.

Shelley describes her inspiration, “I chose the Bald eagle “Qelensen” for its wisdom .  Known to be highly regarded by Coast Salish as it flies high and close to Creator.

I also chose the Raven (SQTO) not because he is a trickster but because he is also known to bring back higher knowledge from the Creator. Raven has also been referred to as a storyteller which I feel represents the Museum well as they tell the story of the community.” 

“Your input will help us grow with the changing needs of the region ensuring the museum remains a vibrant hub of culture, education, and connection for generations to come,” Richard said.

Since its founding in 1977, the Sooke Region Museum has been dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich human and natural history of the Sooke region. From exhibits and archives to community programs, the museum celebrates stories and heritage that make the region unique. Follow the museum’s Facebook and Instagram or visit www.sookeregionmuseum.ca."

Chemainus Valley Museum plans special exhibit on Japanese Canadians

The Chemainus Valley Historical Society is planning to examine the historical experience of Japanese Canadians living in the community.

In a letter to North Cowichan, society president Ron Waller said a special exhibit on the subject is being planned at the Chemainus Valley Museum from late July to early October, 2026.

He said the exhibit is intended to coincide with plans initiated by the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society and the Festival of Murals Society to install a heritage mural commemorating the Japanese community in Chemainus, which was once prosperous and plentiful, on municipally owned land on Croft Street, just below Water Wheel Park, in August, 2026.

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

HISTORICAL NOTES

‘This is reclamation’; Tk’emlúps Kúkpi7 Casimir discusses historical designation for former residential school site

The Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was in the building now known as the Chief Louis Centre, was opened in 1890, and closed in 1978. Those who attended were between the ages of four and 18, from over 108 communities and at least 38 different Indigenous nations from across British Columbia.

Now the school, along with three other properties on the site have been designated as a national historic site by the Government of Canada and Parks Canada.

“Our survivors, and our intergenerational survivors and those not yet born, they are going to be able to take pride in that real collective history is what is being made today,” said Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir.

Nuxalk Strong exhibit to feature treasures not publicly seen in decades

“These treasures that were gifted to their grandfather and father are going to be in the exhibit and hadn’t been seen by the nation since 1923 when they left and went to Ontario…” — Dr. Jennifer Kramer, curator, Pacific Northwest at the Museum of Anthropology

Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is opened its doors on Feb. 21 to the very first exhibition dedicated to the Nuxalk Nation.

The year-long show titled Nuxalk Strong: Dancing Down the Eyelashes of the Sun, will feature 71 treasures, artwork, dances, and stories acquired from private collections, six different museums and from the MOA’s own collection.

The Nuxalk Nation have lived for more than 14,000 years on the central Northwest Coast located at Bella Coola, B.C. They are recognized for their distinct style of painting, carving and weaving. Additionally, many of the treasures from the community incorporate a unique colour of blue used in their masks and regalia.

Mary Ann Moore reviews "This and That: The Lost Stories of Emily Carr (Revised and Updated)"

Emily Carr (1871–1945) intended to call this collection of stories written in the last two years of her life (1943–1945): Hundreds and Thousands. That title was used though, in 1966, for the publication of selected passages from Carr’s journals.

Ann-Lee Switzer discovered the stories in the BC Archives of the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. Five previously unpublished stories have been added to the collection first published in 2007. Nearly thirty of Carr’s original illustrations are also included.

Exploration Place, BC Bob launch partnership for fundraiser

The Exploration Place is joining forces with BC Bob Kronbauer, one of British Columbia’s most popular content creators, for a limited-time fundraiser featuring exclusive merch inspired by Mr. PG, the local museum and Loki the Magpie.

Kronbauer, is known for his engaging storytelling about provincial history and fun facts, has built a dedicated following of 150,000 on TikTok and 85,000 on YouTube, where he shares fun stories about the province’s past and present.

He hosts a new show, “Now You Know BC” on CHEK in Vancouver Island. His content highlights the quirky, unexpected, and iconic elements of our province. He’s referred to The Exploration Place as his favourite charity in Prince George.

The merchandise collection includes hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts, t-shirts, toques, tote bags, and a limited-edition Mr. PG neon sign.

B.C.'s legendary Martin Mars water bomber makes final journey to its permanent home

The Philippine Mars water bomber, a legendary aircraft that fought wildfires in B.C. for nearly 50 years, has completed its final flight.

The massive plane left its longtime base at Sproat Lake in Port Alberni, B.C., on Sunday, bidding farewell to B.C.

After a brief stop in San Francisco, the aircraft landed in Arizona's Lake Pleasant on Monday evening.

Toddler's $4k offer ends apple pie bid war in support of Salmon Arm heritage site

Three-year-old Goldie Gustard got to savour the apple-pie flavour of success after entering a $4,000 winning bid in the Best of the Shuswap Pie Baking Contest and live pie auction. 

A local B.C. Heritage Week tradition hosted by and in support of R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum, this year's pie baking contest (for apple, fruit or berry pies), held at the Mall at Piccadilly on Saturday, Feb. 22, drew fierce competition with wide variety of mouth-watering creations to challenge the palates of participating judges. In the end, Bonnie Peterson once again took the red first-place ribbon, her ninth, this time for a tart cherry pie. Coming in second was Norma Harish for a Pink Lady apple pie. The third-place ribbon was won by Kate Korda for her Fresh B.C. apple pie. 

The competitive spirit grew more intense during the live pie auction, with 17 pies on the block for the Haney fundraiser. A couple of local kids wound up getting involved in the auction action including Goldie who, with father Glen (the two representing Tech-Crete Processors), wound up in a bidding war with developer Bill Laird over a classic apple pie made by Missy Blair. Goldie's persistence and a $4,000 bid brought an end to the philanthropic battle, which had been entertaining for all involved. 

VIDEOS

"Fundraisers, Axe-Wielders, and Star Witnesses" with Aimee Greenaway

Women played essential roles as activists in a divided community during the Great Vancouver Island Coal Miners' Strike, 1912-1914. Join Aimee Greenaway for stories about women in Extension BC and Ladysmith, BC - from axe-wielding Minnie Axelson to Charlotte (Maffeo) Schivardi who was nicknamed a "non-union Joan of Arc" by the press. Stories are drawn from archival sources, give women back their names and voices, and highlight the integral role they played in the drive for justice and woman's rights.

EVENTS

"When History Meets the Environment"

This year’s Canada’s History Forum explores how history and education can help us understand and address environmental challenges. Join us on Thursday, March 20th from 6 pm until 9 pm to explore how learning from our environmental past can inspire action toward a sustainable future.

The event is free , but pre-registration is required.

CLIPPINGS

Click to Read: New operator named for Fort Steele

Click to Read: Energizing the Golden Museum and Archives: A Solar Project

Click to Read: B.C.’s oldest colonial-era cemetery is now an unassuming park in downtown Victoria

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.