Faith’s video tells the story of Residential Schools and their legacies with interviews of her family members who went to the Kamloops Residential School.
“Hogan’s Alley,” Abrielle (Vancouver)
The first Black community established in Vancouver was Hogan’s Alley. The neighbourhood consisted of a church, successful restaurants and other businesses. It was famous for the musicians who lived there and those who visited such as Jimmy Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong.
“Endangered Past: The Loss of Vancouver’s Heritage Homes,” by Huxley (Vancouver)
Endangered Past is about the demolition of Vancouver’s heritage homes. It asks the question: When we demolish heritage homes, what else do we lose besides buildings?
“The Roeddes,” by Seerit (Vancouver)
Have you ever thought how it was like to immigrate in the 19th century? How it was to open a business? The video introduces us to the family of Gustav Roedde, Vancouver’s first bookbinder, a middle class, immigrant family at the turn of the last century.
“Granville Island,” by Simone (Vancouver)
From sandbars to an industrial island, from making business in war efforts to the cultural oasis of today, Granville Island has changed over the last 100 years. What was behind the changes?
“Barkerville Stands the Test of Time,” by Samuel (Prince Rupert)
Samuel’s video is about how the gold rush city of Barkerville is still going strong after 153 years, bringing in people from all around but not to strike gold. Today they are coming to learn about the gold rush and the people who lived through it.
“The Empress of China and Her Captain,” by Madeline (North Vancouver)
The Empress of China was built in 1891 to carry passengers and cargo across the Pacific. Her captain was Madeline’s great great great grandfather who like Emily lived in North Vancouver.
“What made Port Essington a ghost town?” by Marine (Prince Rupert)
In 1871 Port Essington was the main port on the Canadian North Coast. The community had a population of several 1000 people during the summer season when the fish canneries were in full operation. Less than 100 years later Port Essington was a ghost town – what went wrong?
“The Komagata Maru Story,” by Sehrtaj (Vancouver)
In 1914 Gurdit Singh chartered a steamship called the Komagata Maru and set out to challenge Canada’s discriminatory immigration laws. After a 50 day voyage the steamship reached Vancouver but it was not allowed to dock and for two months all 376 Indian passengers were stuck on board. After a long legal battle, 24 passengers were allowed entry while the rest were escorted out of the harbour by the navy ship Rainbow.
“MY MOUNT PLEASANT: Vancouver’s First Suburb,” by Lauren (Vancouver)
Lauren’s video is a historical tour of Vancouver’s first suburb, Mount Pleasant. Through engaging narration and historical and modern images, she shares the history of the neighbourhood.
“The Gulf of Georgia Cannery,” Emily (Vancouver)
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is an important, yet little known part of Canada’s history. Emily’s video focuses on the struggles of the workers and the machinery they used.
“Arthur Laing: The Man Behind the Arthur Laing Bridge,” by Bronwyn (Richmond)
The Arthur Laing Bridge connects Vancouver to Richmond and the airport. Bronwyn’s video tells the story of the man after whom it is named, his personal and political accomplishments.
“What Happened To The Canadian Steam Engine?” by Jordan (North Vancouver)
From wars to funerals the steam engine was involved in almost every major Canadian event for the last 150 years. Today it is recognized in communities across the nation for its important role in our history and even in Jordan’s family history.
“My Heritage Home,” by Kristen (North Vancouver)
Kristen’s video traces the lives of the people who owned her home from 1926 until today. It includes research of the architectural elements and items which were found in her home as well as the various homeowners. It concludes with a discussion of the importance of preserving heritage sites.
Use a Metaphor and a Diagram for Your Interpretation – A Sea of Consequences
This grade seven student’s project explored the impact of his ancestor, Ezra Churchill of Hantsport, Nova Scotia. Merchant, shipbuilder, and politician, Ezra Churchill had a varied career in the 19th century and this student uses the engaging metaphor of the sea to help us understand its consequences. In the centre is the Port of Causes.
Why should we remember Japantown’s forgotten streets?
This project is noteworthy both for the engaging display and its historical thinking about evidence and significance. The title, lettering, illustration, and colour all invite the viewer to look and reflect. This student used a wide variety of evidence such as city directory of occupants of Japantown and photographs of buildings to tell the story of this forgotten part of the city’s history. We are encouraged to consider why some parts of history such as Japantown are forgotten.
What is the story of my home?
When this student’s parents bought a heritage home, the family found several historical artifacts. “I was inspired to do this project when my mum showed me some things she found in our house – an old glass bottle, an iron. I wanted to know who had owned them.”
How has my school changed?
Local history is common topic for Heritage Fairs and the themes of change and continuity are central to history. This student looked at how her own preschool had changed and built her research around photographs and interviews with former students and teachers.
Hockey Sticks from Yesterday to Today
This is a topic that may have been chosen for personal interest and may look to be unimportant but has the potential to explore some interesting aspects of change. For example, have the changes in hockey sticks been for the better or worse? (With the new composite sticks, players can shoot the puck harder but the stick costs a lot more and the cost of equipment is a problem for many Canadians.)
Larry Kwong: Discrimination was no Match for this Canadian Hero
Larry Kwong played for the Vernon Hydrophones before going to the New York Rangers where he was on the ice for one minute in a game in 1948, the first Asian-Canadian to play in the NHL. The student who did this project and went to the Provincial Fair in Barkerville was passionate about Kwong. His passion was reflected in his extensive research of which you can see a portion in the photo. In addition, he telephoned Kwong, now elderly and living in Edmonton, for an interview.