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The Vote: The South Asian Franchise in Canada
₍₂₀₁₇₎

Komagata Maru Centennial Commemoration
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South Asian Canadian Heritage

Building K
33844 King Road
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 7N8

(604) 851-6325
sasi@ufv.ca
www.ufv.ca/sasi

ufvsasi

Today, Saturday Nov 23, at the Surrey Art Gallery

Today, Saturday Nov 23, at the Surrey Art Gallery
the Media Arts Symposium: Roots of Resilience! With presentations of Dr. Satwinder Bains will and media artist Craig Berggold.
Satwinder Bains will speak to the South Asian Canadian labour history and the struggle of labour activists and leaders in the 70s and 80s. Craig Berggold will share his photographs used to campaign against discriminatory health and safety laws excluding farmworkers.
Free event from 1 - 4:30 pm
For the full event program visit Surrey Art Gallery
The South Asian Studies Institute at UFV and Indian Summer Festival are community partners for this event.

November is the time to celebrate Hindu Heritage M

November is the time to celebrate Hindu Heritage Month and the rich culture, traditions, and values of Hinduism. Appreciating the enrichment of Canadian society with significant contributions of art, culture, science, teaching and history to Canadian society.

The SASI is thrilled and proud to announce that it

The SASI is thrilled and proud to announce that it has been awarded by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) for the project Histories of South Asians in Canada: A Visual Ethnographic Documentation of renowned South Asian Canadian photojournalist, Chandra Bodalia remarkable collection.
The Digitizing Hidden Collections: Amplifying Unheard Voices Awards are generously funded by the Mellon Foundation which focuses on thematic digitization efforts, prioritizing materials that deepen public understanding of historically marginalized communities and unrecognized perspectives.
The project is a collaboration with several key institutions, including the Royal BC Museum, Sikh Heritage Museum, Poetic Justice Foundation and the University of the Fraser Valley’s Library and Department of Information Studies.
This initiative aims to bring South Asian Canadian histories to the forefront, fostering greater public awareness, promoting education, and encouraging cross-institutional collaboration and community engagement.
Read more on the CLIR 2024 awards, link in Bio.
Our Project partners:
Poetic Justice Foundation
Royal BC Museum
Sikh Heritage Museum
University of the Fraser Valley, Department of Information Studies
University of the Fraser Valley, Library
#mellonfoundation
#councilonlibraryandinformationresourses
#digitizinghiddencollections
#CulturalPreservation
#hiddencollections
#digitization
#inclusivehistory
#sikheritage
#bodalia

The SASI received over 3 million photographs taken

The SASI received over 3 million photographs taken by the legendary BC photojournalist, the late Mr. Chandra Bodalia. These extraordinary images have been entrusted to SASI for stewardship and preservation.
As part of its key initiative, the South Asian Canadian Digital Archive, at the SASI, plans to digitize, preserve, and provide open access to these invaluable photographs. This important project is a collaboration with the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) and BC Archives, ensuring that the rich visual history captured by Bodalia is safeguarded and made accessible for future generations.
Read more about our plans to preserve and share this impressive legacy, find the link in our bio
https://blogs.ufv.ca/sasi/2024/11/14/bodalia/
@sacda.sasi
@royalbcmuseum
@goufv
@ufvresearch
#bodalia
#bcarchives
#southasiancanadian
#preservingsouthasianheritage
#photojournalists

The SASI is proud to be a partner in the media art

The SASI is proud to be a partner in the media arts symposium Roots of Resilience, where Dr. Satwinder Bains will be one of the speakers.
This event at the Surrey Art Gallery will speak to the history of the farmworkers movement, working conditions of migrant workers, and sustainable practices in the face of climate change in the Lower Mainland from the 1970s to present. An afternoon of presentations, music, poetry, and ... an opportunity to create flower eco prints!
November 23, 2024 from 1- 4:30 pm, Free Admission
See the full program at https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/events/roots-of-resilience-media-arts-symposium Link in Bio
University of the Fraser Valley
Surrey Art Gallery
UFV Research Office
Indian Summer Festival
#ModernBiology
#FarmersMovement
#sustainability
#farmingbc

What a beautiful opening of the Haq and History ex

What a beautiful opening of the Haq and History exhibit today at Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby! The exhibit shares recent research on the intersection of South Asian and Japanese Canadian communities in Paldi on Vancouver Island.
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, until January 25, 2025.
University of the Fraser Valley
South Asian Canadian Digital Archive
Royal BC Museum
#Paldi
#japanesecanadian
#southasiancanadian
#SouthAsianHeritage

✨ Happy Diwali from SASI! SASI wishes you a brig

✨ Happy Diwali from SASI!
SASI wishes you a bright and joyful Festival of Lights filled with love, peace, and harmony! 🌟

October marks Islamic History Month, a time to hon

October marks Islamic History Month, a time to honor the profound contributions of Muslim scholars, artists, and leaders that have shaped Canada.
The South Asian Studies Institute’s (SASI) and the South Asian Canadian Digital Archive’s (SACDA) goal is to be inclusive and representative of all South Asians diasporas in BC. We therefore hope to gather materials incorporating South Asian Muslim heritage to our archival collections. We invite anyone interested in contributing materials to get in touch and email us at sacda@ufv.ca
We are in the process of developing a website for our project, South Asian Muslims in BC. This initiative highlights historic and contemporary presence of Muslim communities, whose contributions to Canadian society deserve recognition.
#IslamicHistoryMonth #CulturalHeritage #UnityInDiversity #MuslimHeritage #HistoryMatters #Inspiration #CommunityVoices #ExploreCulture

The South Asian Studies Institute is tremendousl

The South Asian Studies Institute is tremendously proud; the travelling exhibit Haq and History, The Punjabi Canadian Legacy Project, opens Saturday October 19th at Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby!
The Nikkei National Museum added recent research to the exhibit on the intersection of South Asian and Japanese Canadian communities, focusing on the Toyota, Urabe, and Yano families in Paldi on Vancouver Island.
This exhibit, which debuted at the Royal B.C. Museum in 2020, offers visitors the chance to reflect upon stories from and about South Asian Canadian immigrants, including details about work, home life, and keeping cultural traditions alive. On its travels the exhibit grows, adding local history at every stop.
Please share and join the celebratory opening on November 2nd.
Exhibit dates: October 19, 2024 - January 25, 2025
Opening Reception: November 2, 1-3pm
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Everyone welcome. Admission by donation.
@ufvsasi
@ufvresearch
@goufv
@sacda.sasi

SASI invites you to join us for the online lecture

SASI invites you to join us for the online lecture with Ms. Karimah Rahman on Decolonial Resistance of a Muslim Indo-Caribbean Woman on October 22nd.
Ms. Rahman's lecture will be followed by a Q&A session
Location: Online via Zoom
Date & Time: October 22, from 3:30-5:00 PM
RSVP link can be found in our bio.
The Zoom link will be sent to you a few days before the event.
@karimah__kr
@muslimindocaribbeancollective
@ufvsasi
@goufv
@ufvresearch

What an honour it was to take part in the ceremoni

What an honour it was to take part in the ceremonies that recognized the long and committed journey by Dr. Joan Mayo (93 years old) of Paldi by Vancouver Island University as she received her Honorary Doctorate. Singlehandedly and with great foresight she saved the historical records of Paldi for all of us.
Today the records are archived for public access as part of the South Asian Canadian Digital Archive at the South Asian Studies Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Paldi is the first intercultural town in Canada established by enterprising South Asian men in the early 1900’s as a bustling logging town. Joan was married to Mr. Mayo Singh’s son Rijindi Mayo and today her sons Robin, Devinder and daughter Sherri (along with family) celebrated her with great affection and love.
#southasianstudiesinstitute
#southasianstudies
#universityofvancouverisland
#ufv
#paldi

We thank Dr. Hassan Javid for his amazing, in dept

We thank Dr. Hassan Javid for his amazing, in depth lecture on the 2024 elections in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh at the South Asian Studies Institute last night. Giving the attendees insight in the various factors and historic events that shape the sometimes surprising outcomes!

Join SASI on Oct 15 for the film; I’m Not The R

Join SASI on Oct 15 for the film; I’m Not The River Jhelum.
Dive deep into the heart of Kashmir, and follow the poignant story of Afeefa, a young girl grappling with the trauma and uncertainty of her homeland. This visually stunning and emotionally charged film, produced by Sukriti Khurana and directed by
Prabhash Chandra, reveals the stark realities of Kashmir through a personal lens.
Date: October 15, 2024
Location: Room K167 (or online),Building K (Behind the Event Centre), University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford Campus.
Time: 4:00-7:00 PM
RSVP NOW using the link in bio
@prabhashchandra8 @goufv
#SASIufv #SASIEvents #FilmScreening #Kashmir #Cinematography #SocialIssues #CulturalAwareness #SouthAsia #Documentary #FilmDiscussion #Storytelling #CinematicExperience #EmotionalJourney #CulturalIdentity #KashmirStory

Take the time this weekend to check out SASI's FAL

Take the time this weekend to check out SASI's FALL SERIES of lectures and film screenings!
On Tuesday October 8, Dr. Hassan Javid comes to SASI for a special lecture, 'Challenging Authoritarianism: The 2024 Elections In South Asia'.
Dr. Javid will analyze election dynamics, highlighting the role of civil society, independent institutions, and economic factors in shaping surprising outcomes. Explore the 2024 elections in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh and their impact on authoritarian power and democratic forces.
October 8, from 4 pm-6 pm
Room K155, building K University of the Fraser Valley
Please rsvp: (link in bio)
This is a FREE event.
UFV Research Office
University of the Fraser Valley
UFV International
UFV SCMS
South Asian Canadian Digital Archive
#elections #southasiancanadian #southasia

Please join us on Tuesday, October 8 for a special

Please join us on Tuesday, October 8 for a special lecture 'Challenging Authoritarianism: The 2024 Elections In South Asia'.
Dr. Javid will analyze election dynamics, highlighting the role of civil society, independent institutions, and economic factors in shaping surprising outcomes. Explore the 2024 elections in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh and their impact on authoritarian power and democratic forces.
October 8, from 4 pm-6 pm
Room K155, building K University of the Fraser Valley
Please rsvp: link in bio
UFV Research Office
University of the Fraser Valley
UFV International
UFV SCMS
South Asian Canadian Digital Archive
#elections #southasiancanadian #southasia

Devinder Kaur Johal is an 88 years old woman, who

Devinder Kaur Johal is an 88 years old woman, who immigrated to England in 1965 and later to Canada in 1977, where she worked to support her family. In her 60s, she began writing Punjabi poetry on themes like women’s empowerment and identity, which helped her cope with depression. In 2019, she won the Most Popular Vote at the PICS Golden Glam-Ma Beauty Pageant at 82. She has published eight poetry books, encouraging South Asian seniors to express themselves creatively.
Join us and Devinder on Thursday, September 19 from 4-6pm at Mehfil:
South Asian Folk Music evening at the K Building patio, University of the Fraser Valley (behind the Abbotsford Centre).
Producer: South Asian Studies Institute
Composer: Devinder Kaur Johal
Writer: Devinder Kaur Johal
Singer: Devinder Kaur Johal
Interviewer: Henna Mann
Videography: Thamilini Jothilingam
Studio: Civic Podcast Studio, Kwanthlen Polytechnic
University
Video editing : @_sadhik.__
Translation: @_sadhik.__

Since childhood, Daksh Kubba has found music to be

Since childhood, Daksh Kubba has found music to be his truest form of expression. Born and raised in Vijay Nagar, New Delhi, he moved to Delta, BC, at 18, where his passion for music deepened. A pivotal moment came when he picked up his guitar, Harold, and began to express himself more fully through sound. Daksh joined the band naQsh in 2007, where he learned the art of musical collaboration and harmony.
Over the years, Daksh has performed alongside renowned artists such as Junoon, Quratulain Balouch (QB), Saeen Zahoor, and Adnan Sami, and was honored to perform at the 2010 Winter Olympics. In 2018, he left his corporate job to focus solely on his passion, founding the ‘Koobook School of Arts & Performance’ to unite people through the transformative power of music and performance.
His debut solo album, Not Just a Singer, released in February 2022, explores themes such as inter-religion marriages, homophobia, love, and depression. Now, through his studio, ‘Kubba’s Kitchen,’ Daksh focuses on collaborating with local artists, helping to amplify their voices and stories through composition.
Join us and Daksh on Thursday, September 19 at Mehfil:
South Asian Folk Music evening at the K Building patio, University of the Fraser Valley (behind the Abbotsford Centre).
Producer: South Asian Studies Institute
Writer: Baba Bulleh Shah
Composer: Daksh Kubba
Singer: Daksh Kubba
Interviewer: Hamad Abdullah Nazar
Videography: Thamilini Jothilingam
Studio: Civic Podcast Studio, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Video editing: @_sadhik.__
Translation: @_sadhik.__

Some Panjabi wedding nostalgia here!! Harinder Sa

Some Panjabi wedding nostalgia here!!
Harinder Saini, has been immersed in singing folk songs since a young age. Now, she professionally delights audiences at various wedding events, through @raunkaanevents @hpksaini
Join us and Harinder Saini on Thursday, September 19 at Mehfil: South Asian Folk Music evening at the K Building patio, University of the Fraser Valley (behind the Abbotsford Centre).
Producer: South Asian Studies Institute
Composer: Traditional Panjabi folk song
Writer: Traditional Panjabi folk song
Singer: @hpksaini
Dholak: Lovely
Interviewer: Hamad Abdullah Nazar
Videography: Thamilini Jothilingam
Studio: Civic Podcast Studio,Kwanthlen Polytechnic
University
Video editing: @_sadhik.__
Translation: @_sadhik.__

Gurmukh Singh, born in Nangal, Rupnagar, and raise

Gurmukh Singh, born in Nangal, Rupnagar, and raised in Amritsar, Punjab, developed a deep passion for music early on, influenced by the legendary Mohammad Rafi and his father, who led his own orchestral band. After college, @gurmukh_singh_music formed his own band, Musafir, which performed over 500 shows across India, cementing his place in the music scene.
In 2022, Gurmukh moved to Canada, where the multicultural environment further inspired his artistic growth. He is now set to release his debut album Trapped, blending his Indian musical roots with contemporary sounds, marking a new chapter in his evolving career.
Join us and Gurmukh on Thursday, September 19 at Mehfil: South Asian Folk Music evening at the K Building patio, University of the Fraser Valley (behind the Abbotsford Centre).
Producer: South Asian Studies Institute
Composer: @gurdasmaanjeeyo
Writer: Panjabi folk song
Singer: @gurmukh_singh_music
Interviewer: @_sadhik.__
Videography: Thamilini Jothilingam
Sound Recording: Aaron Levy
Studio: CIVL Radio, University of the Fraser Valley
Video editing: @_sadhik.__
Translation: @_sadhik.__

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