Midge Ayukawa About the Day She Was Sent to Internment
Midge Ayukawa (1930-2014) grew up on the 700 block of East Georgia St., in the centre of Strathcona. Midge and her family …
Former East Van MLA Bob Williams on his Childhood Days at the Cabin
Local politician Bob Williams (b. 1933) remembers days of bottle-picking to make money, making immigrant friends and spending summers at his grandmother’s …
Bruce Macdonald, the Accidental Genius
Bruce Macdonald (b. 1948) is a Vancouver historian and author of the city’s first visual history book. He is also one of …
Bill Lightbown: “I Always Worked Against the Laws and Rules and Regulations”
Bill Lighbown (b. 1927) shares compelling memories of standing up for his Aboriginal rights, going to jail and meeting the love of …
Shirley Chan: “I Cried Because I Lost My Library”
Shirley Chan (b. 1952) grew up in Strathcona. She reminisces about her childhood games and the pain of losing her beloved neighbourhood …
Ruth Kozak: Life, Love and Work for a 1950s East Van Girl
Historical fiction writer Ruth Kozak (b. 1934) offers a very detailed picture of post-war East Vancouver through the eyes of a hopeful …
Tom Durrie: “Anybody with Any Brains Will Not Be Able to Stand School”
Tom Durrie (b. 1931) came to Canada in 1960 to run an alternative school, and he agreed to share his refreshingly honest …
Chef Albert McKewan Survived a Tragic Shipwreck
Before becoming a restaurateur, Albert McKewan (b. 1929) worked as a chef on boats and tankers- including one job that that ended …
Sprinter Barbara Howard on Life as an East Van P.E. Teacher
Barbara Howard (b. 1921) was the first black female athlete to represent Canada internationally. Today, at 94, she shares her East Van …
Olive Cairns: ‘They Did Dumb Things with Women in Those Days’
Olive Cairns (b. 1916) remembers her youth as a Nabob factory girl and her struggles to keep a job and run a …
