Vancouver’s Favourite Umpire BC Black pioneer was lumberworker, athlete, soldier, storyteller and Hall of Famer Researched and written by Donna Sacuta On September 2, 1965, 75-year old Abe Mortimer bellowed “Pla-a-a-y B-a-a-w-w-l” before an audience of more than 2,500 at Capilano Stadium in Vancouver to kick off a two-inning Old-Timers’ Read more…
Written & researched by Bailey Garden Born October 29, 1926, in New Westminster, British Columbia, Donald (“Don”) Peter Garcia served multiple terms as the President for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canadian Area and his union local, a career which spanned 45 years. He also served on Read more…
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…