Historica Canada has a new teaching resource entitled “Think like a Historian: the Battle of Vimy Ridge” in English and “Pensez comme un histoirian” in French. Designed for middle and high school students, they should be a useful support for teachers to explore the curricular concept of evidence with its videos and lesson plans for studying photographs, letters, and newspaper articles of the time. They do not, however, support teaching the controversy around the interpretation and mythologizing of Vimy.
BC HERITAGE FAIRS NEWS & EVENTS
Rivers to Sea Regional Heritage Fair
My name is Lorenda Calvert and I am the regional coordinator for the Rivers to Sea Regional Fair hosted at the Burnaby Village Museum. The Rivers to Sea Regional Fair hosts students from Burnaby, New Westminster and Port Coquitlam. This year we are hosting our 13th annual Regional Fair. My first introduction to Heritage Fairs […]
The Many Stories of Vimy Ridge
The 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9-12 April, has yielded a rich collection of stories and controversy that can both engage students and give them opportunities to “do history” as they tackle the competing narratives.
Regional Fair Series
Starting Friday April 7th we will be debuting a new blog series called ‘Getting to Know Us’ where we will be introducing you to our regional fairs and their coordinators. Keep checking in every Friday to get to know our regions, fairs and coordinators better.
Imagining Futures
The Heritage Fairs program will play an important part in Heritage BC’s annual conference in Victoria, May 4-6. The conference title asks participants to imagine futures. So it is fitting that it should feature the BCHFS that has amongst its core principles encouraging “young people to see history around them” and “forging connections between youth […]
BC Heritage Fairs Society Seeks a New Coordinator
The BCHFS is seeking a Provincial Coordinator who will be an inspiring leader, an effective administrator, and a proponent of the leadership potential in young people. This contract position will commence as soon as possible and no later than April 30, 2017.
BC Book Prize Nominees Announced
It is Spring Break and time to read one of the great non-fiction books on the BC Book Prizes shortlist (see it here). The seven prizes are presented annually at the Lieutenant Governor’s BC Book Prizes Gala in the spring, as well as a presentation to the winner of The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary […]
Conference Registration for the BC Historical Federation is Open
From May 25 to 28 the annual conference of the BC Historical Federation, Chilliwack: Land, Water, People, takes place in the Fraser Valley city.
Celebrated educator Gwen Point, chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley, gives the keynote. Workshops include former Heritage Fairs coordinator, Jane Watt.
Blog of the Month of March: The Otter – La Loutre
For March the history blog of the month is The Otter – La Loutre. Any website that mixes articles on the history of the guinea pig with one on pipeline history is hard not to like. The Otter fills a real gap for social studies teachers. There is so little readily available that gives nature […]
What do You Know about Canada’s HERstory?
We are a few days late for International Women’s Day but any day is a good one to shine a light on women’s history. The creator of the quiz What do You Know about Canada’s HERtory? is Merna Foster. She was awarded the 2016 Governor General’s History Award for Popular Media (Pierre Berton Award) for her work promoting women in history. You may know her for her go-to website and books for Heritage Fairs projects on women’s history.
Thinking Historically about Canada 150: Summer Institute
From July 17 to 22, the Historical Thinking Summer Institute will take place at the Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa. Teachers, museum educators and historians are invited to explore the theme of “Thinking Historically about Canada 150” with dynamic presenters.
Introducing the 2016 Governor-General’s Award Winners
Video interviews of the 2016 winners of the Governor-General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History are now on-line. Topics range from family and school history projects to national history such as Vimy Ridge and Indigenous issues with an emphasis on historical thinking.
Interview with New BCHFS President Britney Quail
Britney Quail, the new president of the BC Heritage Fairs Society, talks about the importance of the Fairs and her vision of the future.
Canada’s History: a Shared History
ELL students find value in Heritage Fair projects.
Unwritten Histories: February Blog of the Month
The winner of the history blog of the month for February is Unwritten Histories. Blog creator and historian Andrea Eidinger writes regular posts both entertaining and insightful on a variety of topics in Canadian history, some quirky, some quintessential. The main audience is adults interested in history, notably social studies teachers. However, the website’s weekly […]
Many Stories, One Country: Black History Month
The roots of Black history in Canada are deep. It was in the early 17th century that Mathieu da Costa, the first person of African descent to reach Canada, worked as an interpreter for Samuel de Champlain and other French and Dutch explorers. Canada Post is recognizing da Costa in its new stamp for Black […]
Seaweed and Fan Tan: the Provincial Fair Returns to Victoria
“We learned how to play Fan Tan. The history of Chinatown fascinated me.”
“It was interesting how much history can be in a cemetery.”
“The next place we visited was Government House where the left-handed governor lives.”
“Although it was tough to get over the nasty smell of rotting seaweed, the Fisgard lighthouse was awesome.”
What is a Heritage Fair? – PowerPoint
Looking for ideas on how to lead an inquiry project? Wondering how to start a Heritage Fair? The BCHFS is always working to improve its resources and the latest is called Inquiry in Action: A Heritage Fair Guide.
Thank you Michael Gurney
After 5 years as President of the BC Heritage Fairs Society, Michael Gurney has stepped down to become Past President. In recognition of his many contributions the Society has established a scholarship fund in his name.
2016 BCHFS Annual General Meeting
New Directions, New Directors at the BCHFS Annual General Meeting On a rare rainless Saturday in Vancouver, the BC Heritage Fairs Society held its annual general meeting, kindly hosted by the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Regional Fair Coordinators and members shared ideas, learned about the Society’s many initiatives and planned how best to work together to […]
Lieutenant Governor of BC, The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC