This photo shows the Star Gang, a group of predominately First Nations longshoremen who worked the Moodyville waterfront.
Longshoring became associated with the First Nations of the North Shore. Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nation men commonly found jobs on the waterfront loading ships. Many of these men – such as Andy Paull, Joe Capilano (S7ápelek) and Dan George (Geswanouth Slahoot) – were prominent leaders in their communities.
In 1906, a core group of First Nations lumber loaders formed Local 526 of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The local, the Lumber Handlers Union, came to be called the “Bows and Arrows.”
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley is open by appointment only. Contact: archives@monova.ca
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
