Gordon J Kelly: Calm, Kind and Fair-Minded 1918 Pandemic Claims Beloved BC Labour Leader Researched and written by Donna Sacuta The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 hit BC in three waves. By the end of January 1919 at least thirty percent of the population had contracted the disease and almost 800 Read more…
This story is based upon a conversation between Pam Moodie, a volunteer at the BC Labour Heritage Centre, and Aime Antoshchuk. Pam and Aime met at a Burnaby assisted living facility where the 83-year old Antoshchuk lives. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to share Aime’s union organizing experience Read more…
by Rod Mickleburgh Esi Edugyan may have won the 2018 Giller Prize for her novel about the astounding exploits of Barbados-born Washington Black, but the story of William Fitzclarence “Fitz” St. John was the real thing. His long, remarkable life, which, like the fictitious Washington Black, also began in Barbados, Read more…
Born January 27, 1900 in Alberta, Clarence Clemens moved to British Columbia from Edmonton sometime in 1937. He soon found work on the docks as a longshoreman employed by Empire Stevedoring Co. and settled into the predominantly black neighbourhood of Strathcona in East Vancouver. The heart of this community was known as Read more…
Written and researched by Donna Sacuta JANUARY 18, 1893: A light snow fell on Nanaimo harbour. The British steamer Bawnmore – a coastal freighter carrying a non-union crew – was anchored at Esplanade Wharf. The crew had not been paid for months. Shortly after 11 pm a small boat pulled Read more…