Showing 14 results

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): John Hassan Halani : a Ugandan-Asian's impressions of Canada RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: A Ugandan-Asian's immigration to and resettlement in Vancouver, B.C. His experiences in Canada, including jobs, Lions Club, chairmanship of King George Secondary School consultative committee, and Ismaili welfare committee involvement. Views expressed regarding Canadian politics, reasons for mixing with many different groups of people in Vancouver (not just Ismailis), and the standard of education here. Most of this is discussed on the basis of a comparison to Uganda. Also discussed are dairy framing and cattle diseases in Uganda, differences in attitudes between Canadian and Ugandan society, opinions of the Canadian upbringing of children, and the beneficial and detrimental effects of television on young people. Mr. Halani also mentions the contact he has had with Ugandan friends (still in Uganda) since the crisis, and who now own his house, belongings and business there.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Noorjahan Pirani RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Noorjahan discusses jobs and depression about various things. Travels to England, Sweden and Holland. Court reporting, and what the job involves. Anger at Immigration for not warning about cost from Montreal to Vancouver. No more contact with Uganda. How social structure changed in Uganda in the 1960s and 1970s. The rise of the African. Opinions of schools in Canada. Differences in attitudes of teachers and students in Canada and Uganda. TRACK 2: Problems her sister had in adjusting to school here. Friendships with Canadians. Level of English here compared with Uganda. Interests in painting, camping, hiking, travelling. Travels in B.C. and the U.S.A. Her roots in India. Subjects taught in Uganda. Influence of British school system. Ali Khan (father of Aga Khan) and his trouble trying to enter upper class English society. Caste systems. Discrimination in jobs but not residences. Pace of life in Canada compared with Uganda.

CALL NUMBER: T0118:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Mohamed Akberally Virjee RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mohamed Virjee discusses the jobs he has had since coming to Vancouver: Fuller Brush salesman, Simpson Sears employee, and since January, 1973, with the Bank of Commerce. He is now (1977) an assistant inspector in the Regional Office Credit Department after taking a three year management training program. Courses at Simon Fraser University towards the Diploma of the Fellowship of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. Mohamed Virjee also discusses his reasons for not pursuing his teaching career here. The influence of Canadian society on his two daughters. The sad state of Canadian native Indians and the parallels between them and the native Africans of Uganda. His travels around B.C. and the Yukon. TRACK 2: Mohamed Virjee discusses the organization of the Ismaili community in Canada; generally, and his own involvement with the Ismaili community in Vancouver, particularly the youth group. He describes the activities of Ismaili youths in Vancouver: drama, sports, volunteer organizations; and lectures given by eminent intellectuals such as Ali Mazrui. He also mentions his own involvement with writing and drama. He also comments on the general lack of feeling on the part of Canadians compared to people from Uganda due to lack of time for anybody other than themselves. He closes by describing the effect of women's lib on his wife. CALL NUMBER: T0118:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Mohamed Akberally Virjee RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mohamed Virjee discusses his involvement with sports in Vancouver. Experiences with racial discrimination. Main differences between Uganda and Canada. His father-in-law who is still in Uganda. Why he wanted to leave Uganda, whether or not Amin ordered him to leave. What things he misses about Uganda and the effect Canada has had on his wife.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hassan Ali Abdul Rasool : a Ugandan-Asian's experience in Canada PERIOD COVERED: 1972-1977 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: Mr. Rasool discusses his problems finding work in Vancouver; the course he studied in real estate; his involvement with Boy Scouts, the Lions Club, and the Ismaili volunteer organization. The discussi;on also includes his views on the upbringing of children in Canada; his impressions of the the Canadian Rockies; the titles he has held as a bridge player (including the Uganda National Championships ;for two years); and the psychological effect that unemployment had on him.;

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Abdul G. Pirbhai : segregation of integration for the Ismaili community PERIOD COVERED: 1972-1977 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Abdul G. Pirbhai discusses jobs in the real estate business. Lion's Club. Treatment of elderly in Canada and in Uganda. Comparison of teaching in Canada and in Uganda. Comparison of society i;n general, between the two countries. Reasons for non-involvement with Ismailis in Vancouver. Comments on standard of education in Canada and in Uganda, and poor pronunciation of English in Canada. In;stances of discrimination. TRACK 2: Sports activities: Hollyburn Country Club. Music: sitar, classical music. Children's musical education. Missing warm ocean waters. Thinks of himself as East Africa;n rather than Ugandan. North American "Indian" a misnomer. Affluence the main difference between Canada and Uganda. Why Ismailis refuse to go on welfare in Canada.;

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Zoolfikaraly A. Meraly RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-06-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Zool Meraly discusses jobs; reasons for not teaching in Canada; involvement in Ismaili Association as a "Kamadia"; chairman of Aga Khan Sports Club in Vancouver; cricket in Uganda compared wi;th in Canada; other sports in Uganda; travels to California; discrimination as faced by he and his children; contact with African students in Uganda. TRACK 2: Zool Meraly discusses the school system in Canada, as compared with Uganda, variety of subjects offered in Canada; opinions about present-day (1977) Uganda; differences in attitudes of students; misses the "easy" life he had in Uganda and t;he nicer working hours he used to have there.

CALL NUMBER: T3719:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Jessie Lam Ross : Chinese at work in B.C. : The Hong Wo Store and the Richmond Gardens Farm PERIOD COVERED: 1890-1930 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1980-07-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Family arrived in B.C. in the 1890s. Her father, Ling Lam, arrived and worked first in Victoria then settled in Steveston. Hong Wo Store started in Steveston, 1895. Ling Lam died 1939. By 1939 he owned a mixed farm, general store and operated a fish contracting business to hire labour for the canneries. Jessie and her brother John bought-out other family members in the business after 1939. The company had contracts with vegetable/fruit canneries such as Empress Factories, Grower's Canneries (Royal City Brand), and to some wholesalers in Vancouver Chinatown. The farm hired full-time Chinese workers who lived on the farm and Japanese women and their families as day labourers. Description of Chinese farm workers' living and working conditions on the farm. Details of father and mother's family background prior to immigration to Canada. Description of second store after the first store burnt in 1904. Store built on stilts over water, and warehouse on wharf over deep waters for boats/fishermen to shop and pick-up supplies. Location of farm. Description of father as a "gentleman farmer" wearing three-piece serge blue suit. TRACK 2: Discusses veg/cannery contract with Empress Factories. Description of their farm's Chinese foreman and his sons who worked on the farm all their lives. Ling Lam did not permit swearing or gambling on the farm, or by any family members. Details of Ling Lam's children's education. Description of farm workers' meals. Ling Lam's invention of cucumber grader and his introduction of the Utah green celery to the area. Ling Lam was head of the Chinese Growers' Association, the group against B.C. Coast Marketing Board. Making boxes for farm produce.

CALL NUMBER: T3719:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Jessie Lam Ross : Chinese at work in B.C. : The Hong Wo Store and the Richmond Gardens Farm PERIOD COVERED: 1900s-1960s RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1980-07-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Farm produce on consignment to wholesalers up until the 1960s. Ling Lam supplied all Occidental and Oriental labourers to the Phoenix Cannery (ABC) until the 1930s; then just Oriental labourers. Ling Lam was active with the clan organization the Lum Association. Jessie Lam comments on the difficulties of her contemporaries in finding professional jobs after receiving post-secondary education. Describes some neighbouring farms. The credit/accounting system with farm workers on wages. Jessie Lam's summer vacation work experience on the farm. Shipping/transportation of pickles by railway to Eastern Canada. Chinese women day labourers working on the farm in the 1950s. The end of the fish contracts with B.C. Packers (Phoenix) in 1968. Sugar rationing during WW II. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T3719:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Jessie Lam Ross : Chinese at work in B.C. : The Hong Wo Store and the Richmond Gardens Farm PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1973 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1980-07-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mother had Caucasian cleaning ladies to help with the household. Jessie Lam went to chaperoned parties/social functions during her teens. Talks of the soup kitchens in Vancouver Chinatown during the 1930s Depression. Marriage of brother John and sister Mary. Talks of the family motorcar holiday trip to Oregon in 1928. Recalls mother's prized baking, and father's vegetable competition at the PNE. An anecdote of father's temperament. Refers to the community of Eburne on Sea Island. Attending church on Sundays at the Methodist Chinese Church in Vancouver Chinatown. Describes her typical Sunday activities with her family. Going to Chinese language school after regular school day. Jessie Ross was "Miss China" during WW II as part of the Allied countries effort to raise money for the troops. Helped sell government bonds during the war. Involved with the Chinese community's effort to raise funds for the "Rice Bowl" campaign. Chinese professionals in B.C. could only attract Chinese clientele in the 1920s-50s. TRACK 2: Chinese vegetable and fish peddlers in Jessie Lam's neighbourhood (as a child) and Jewish junkmen. Milk delivered by horse and carriage until WW II. Speaks of various prominent Chinese families in Vancouver during her youth. Refers to Chung Chuck, Delta farmer who fought with her father against the B.C. Coast Marketing Board (to the Privy Council). Problems farmers, especially the Chinese, had with the Board. The closure of the farm and store in 1971 and liquidation of the property and business in 1973. Lists of goods sold at the store. Anecdote of Jessie Ross and brother John rowing out to Steveston Island.

CALL NUMBER: T3719:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Jessie Lam Ross : Chinese at work in B.C. : The Hong Wo Store and the Richmond Gardens Farm RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1980-07-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: [No content summary available for this tape.] TRACK 2: blank.

CALL NUMBER: T3720:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hong Len Jung : Chinese at work in B.C. : shingle mill worker PERIOD COVERED: 1898-1920 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1980-06-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Describes background: born in Yen Ping, Kwantung, China, 1898; immigrated to Canada 1912 on merchant's visa. Description of voyage to Canada on Empress of India: living conditions, food, fellow passengers, gambling on board, staff sell "black-market" food. Description of Immigration Building in Vancouver: detention in the building for one month, "graft" by Chinese interpreter. Stayed with father in Nanaimo, where his father owned large dry goods grocery store. Went to public school for 3 months but his father removed him from the school because he was worried Hong Len would not return to China if he had too much education. Work as a houseboy in Shawnigan Lake District. Father sold business in Nanaimo and went into managing gambling houses. Refers to the murder of a white woman by her Chinese houseman; after this, no Chinese can get work in Victoria (ca. 1914). Went back to China to marry; marriage arranged by parents. Returned to Canada and soon worked in a shingle mill. [TRACK 2: blank.]; CALL NUMBER: T3720:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hong Len Jung : Chinese at work in B.C. : shingle mill worker PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1960 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1980-07-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Describes third trip home to China (1921-22), daughter was born; fourth trip home to China, second daughter was born; fifth trip home to China, purchased more property and business; sixth trip home to China, married a second wife in hope of producing a son. Present (second wife) left for Hong Kong after Chinese Civil War, 1949. Jung applied for Canadian citizenship and sent for his two "paper" sons and wife to come over. Purchased house on Gore Street. Wife worked as a farm day labourer and at the fish canneries. Shingle mill in 1950s had very little work for him; he was earning only $200-$300 a month. In 1954, purchased "paper son" papers and sent for nephew. In 1957 purchased 1st hotel/rooming house. Describes visit to village in mainland China, first since Communist take-over. Speaks of his father and grandfather, their work in Canada, and their subsequent retirement to China. Speaks of the domination of the shingle mill trade by Chinese of the Toy San and On Ping District. TRACK 2: Started in shingle mill in 1915. Talks about his work at the shingle mill: wages; accommodations; food; workmen's compensation and accidents at work; racial mix of workers; distance of mill from town. Saved money for trips to China and sending remittance home by dividing and budgeting wages into four equal portions. Unionization of shingle mills. Teamwork of shingle bolt cutter, sorter and piler. Comparison of wages earned by shingle mill workers, lumber mill workers and restaurant workers. CALL NUMBER: T3720:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hong Len Jung : Chinese at work in B.C. : shingle mill worker PERIOD COVERED: 1918-1949 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1980-07-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Worked 6 days a week at shingle mill. Leisure activities after work. Kept room in Chinatown even when out of town or in China. Soup lines in Chinatown during Depression. Description of "fong"; rooming/commune style of living. Victoria CCBA send destitute Chinese back to China at this time. Talks of head tax, poll tax, lasting until 1949. Description of voyages back to China on CPR Empress lines and Blue Funnel lines. Description of the Chinese Theatre and the Cantonese Opera company. Member of the Hung Ming (Triad) Society in China before he came to Canada, member of the Chinese Freemason in Vancouver. Active in Vancouver as a member of the Jung Family Association, Yen Ping Locality Association. In 1918, he listened to Sun Yet Sun speak. Was involved with Freemasons as executive and organizer. Purchased $1000 worth of Kuomingtang bonds. Sent money home to China via San Francisco during Sino-Japanese War. Voted in every election in Canada when Chinese were re-enfranchised. TRACK 2: Speaks of Tong fights between Kuomingtang Society and the Chinese Freemasons: explains the differences between the two fractions. Discusses mortgaging of Freemasons in Vancouver; buildings in Victoria and collection of money for the revolt against the Manchus. Speaks of Christian faith, Chinese ancestral worship, and his views of both. The Chinese were not as badly off during Depression as white community. Prosperous Chinese in Vancouver purchased homes outside of Vancouver Chinatown (prior to 194(). Chinese businessmen bringing "false" wives to Canada, and selling these women to other businesses, or into marriage. Looking after the "dead"- Ching Ming commemorates the dead. CALL NUMBER: T3720:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hong Len Jung : Chinese at work in B.C. : shingle mill worker RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1980-07-17 SUMMARY: [No summary is available for this interview.]

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): George S. Allen : the Sopron School of Forestry at UBC, 1957-1960 PERIOD COVERED: 1956-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1960-01-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: The story of mass immigration to Canada of the Sopron University School of Forestry, Hungary. Problems and logistics of the move. The condition of the refugees in Austria. Relocation at Powell River. Absorbing the Sopron School as part of UBC Faculty of Forestry. TRACK 2: Job placement for Sopron graduates. (End of interview)

The collection consists of oral history interviews with Chinese women about their experiences working in British Columbia from the 1920s to the 1950s. The interviews, with nine first-, second- or third-generation Chinese-Canadian women, were recorded in Vancouver, Victoria and New Westminster during the first half of 1984. The project focused on "women's work" (whether paid or unpaid), including work in the home and in family businesses. The interviews discuss the kind of work these women did; what they experienced; how they perceived their roles in the family and the Chinese community; and the legislative policies which affected their work and their lives. The interviewees are to remain anonymous, and should be referred to only by the assigned pseudonyms. In addition, two of the interviews are closed to public access.

SUMMARY: [No content summary or documentation available.];

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Life and work in the lumber industry in Terrace, B.C., 1940-1977 PERIOD COVERED: 1943-1977 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Greg M. Sieben (lumber industry production superintendent) was born in 1921. Saskatchewan background. Arrived in Terrace in 1943 with Army. Pohle Lumber. Major MacMillan. Salvus in 1948. Transportation. Honesty in the 1950s. Logging: falling with hand tools, late 1940s. Hand bucking. Early power saws. Handling large trees. Sawmilling, steam power. Mrs. Pohle's part in sawmill operation. Diesel machinery. TRACK 2: Second Pohle mill, 1950s: foundation, arrangement of steam-driven mill. Improvising parts. Steam engineers, atmosphere of old mill. Modern operators' booths. Electricity. Automation. Hiring practices in the 1950s. Employment of immigrants: language problems, Dutch immigrants, Portuguese immigrants, post-war and present work attitudes. Changes in life-values in past 20 years.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Sultan Habib Kassam : business differences - Tanzania and Canada PERIOD COVERED: 1929-1973 RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1973-02-04 SUMMARY: Sultan Habib Kassam was born in 1929 and discusses his childhood and business in Tanzania. Shareholders. Government expropriation in Tanzania. Departure for Canada. Difficulties in starting a business in Canada.

SUMMARY: This episode, from Vancouver, is a play by Sherman Snukal in which an Italian-Canadian man who is a boarder goes looking for a job. There is a talk about Canadian jobs and the competition from foreigners. The protagonist, Tony, tells the housekeeper his story.;