The Bus!

Exciting times on the bus in the 1960's!
2 minutes 57 seconds

By Rosaria Cassano
Rosaria moved to Vancouver from Italy when she was just 18 years old.  She met her husband, Peter, in Vancouver.  It turns out that they grew up just kilometers away from each other in Italy.  Rosaria is an active member at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, where she organizes the weekly bingo. 

Silver Darlings To Silver Screens

The early days of movie theaters in Vancouver. 
2 minutes 57 seconds  

By Shirley Sutherland

As a history enthusiast and second generation Canadian, Shirley always has enjoyed hearing of her family’s roots in Scotland, lives in Canada and of the opportunities and challenges faced. As a member of one of Vancouver’s early movie theatre families, she enjoyed many benefits.  Childhood memories include having easy access to shows for herself and friends (some still fondly recall seeing A Hard Day’s Night seven times), home screenings at the family’s annual Halloween party, and witnessing the neon lights of Vancouver’s Theatre Row.  She recalls the impact and family concern that the arrival of television brought to the motion picture industry. 

Bouquet of Flowers

A romantic family story.

2 minutes 46 seconds

by Kathryn Murray

Kathryn Murray passes down one of her favourite stories told around the table at family gatherings. It explains why she has such a love of family history, seafarers and bouquets of flowers.

An Interesting Life

The challenges of re-starting life in a new country...

2 minutes 52 seconds

By Mildred Harris Slack

Mildred often shares her wonderful sense of humour at the Kerrisdale Seniors Centre. She enjoys gardening and her sunny sun room where she jots down her memoirs.
Originally collected for Kerrisdale Collective Memory

Granddaughters in Vancouver

Sarder lives with her family and lives a full life with her community and neighbours.

1 minute 51 seconds

Sarder Kaur

After coming to Vancouver in 2001, Sarder looks after her grandchildren and enjoys all her Fraser Street neighbourhood has to offer. 

Finding Normal

The meaning of soccer is more than mere play.

1 minute 30 seconds

By Jinny Lim

Jinny enjoyed editing her 2011 school annual and she was elected President of the whole school. She starts her term in the Presidential Office starting in Septemeber 2012. 
Jinny plans to be a doctor

New Beginnings

Married for the first time at age 54 and moving to Vancouver to start a new chapter in life.
3 minutes 21 seconds

By Carmen Handinero

Carmen moved to Vancouver when she was 54 years old.  It was not too late for her to integrate her skills into the Canadian workplace.  She was a counselor at the University of the Philippines and she became a counselor for new immigrants in Vancouver.  As coordinator of the Multicultural Helping House Society’s ‘Bamboo Network Host Mentoring Programme’ she encouraged new immigrants to be resourceful, and assisted them in the search for careers that matched the work they did in their home countries. 

Alternative Life

Playing in the late 1980's

Sometimes a person has to follow their own path...

3 minutes 52 seconds

By Takeo Yamashiro

Takeo was born in Hiroshima, Japan and was the first professional musician with traditional musical training to enter Canada. He has served as a judge for the 1994 and 1995 Juno awards, performed on two solo albums and created more than 10 film scores that include 6 National Film Board productions such as "Obaachan's Garden." Takeo's community work earned him a Minister of Foreign Affairs Award in 2003. Since his retirement in 2004, although he practices his shakuhachi everyday and still teaches one on one, he is enjoying his no pressure life. 

For the Love of Children

Harbjan never forgot the kindness of a landlord.
1 minute 26 seconds

By Harbjan Athwal 
Harbjan has lived in Vancouver for almost 50 years! She meets weekly at Moberly Arts and Culture Centre with a group of Punjabi women to socialize, dance, knit, eat, walk - you name it! She has three grown children whom she is very proud of.  

The Power of Woman

A bittersweet tale of love, loss and resilience
3 minutes 1 second


By Daljit
Daljit bravely shares her story of separation and how hard it was to lose custody of her children, whom she now sees regularly.  She misses her kids and loves them very much.  Daljit has learned to be strong, independent and have faith.

My Life in Vancouver

Finding Independence in a new city
1 minute 49 seconds



By Amarjit
Amarjit moved to Vancouver in 1970 and raised her family here.  
She worked on a farm when she first arrived, and is proud to own her own home.

Legacy of Action

Harjit with her Hibiscus

Being an active member of the community was a trait passed on in Harjit's family!

3 minutes 11 seconds

By Harjit Dhillon 
Harjit was born in Bahowal, a small village in the district of Hoshairpur in India. Once settled in Vancouver Harjit created a similar kind of home life as she had in India… one where everyone was welcome. She often had her extend family: nephews and nieces, family friends and political figures stay with her family. Her nephew is Ujal Dosanjh (former Premier of British Columbia) and even he stayed with the family when he first came from India. When Harjit wasn't immersed in politics she sewed a lot of her own and her children's clothing.

Settling In

Starting a new life in Vancouver with her husband and 3 children in 1971 was full of challenges.
3 minutes 5 seconds

By Mohinder Sidhu
Mohinder and her husband worked very hard when the first arrived in Vancouver.  Their hard work paid off and all of their 3 children were raised and educated well.  Since her retirement in 2000, Mohinder has been focusing on helping others through volunteer work.  She is an amazing community facilitator and has worked with the Canadian Diabetes Association, done workshops on Emergency Preparedness, started a walking club, and leads wellness groups and workshops on healthy living.

A Long Journey To Settle

The first man from his village in India to come to Canada shares part of his immigration story.

3 minutes 18 seconds

By Mohinder Singh Mahi

Born and raised in Punjab, India, 82 year old Mohinder has lived on Dumfries Street in East Vancouver for almost 40 years.