Sikh immigrants landing in Canada at the Vancouver,
B.C. Canadian Pacific Railway Pier - 1907 
(Vancouver Public Library, Special Collections, VPL 9426 )  

*See more images below             Visitors to this site: 

The Indo-Canadian community has existed in Abbotsford for over 100 years. The first Indo-Canadians arrived here about 1902, from the Punjab Province of India. Many Canadian cities attracted Indo-Canadian pioneers, such as Paldi and Golden, but the first community established itself in Vancouver. They were some of the early pioneers of this area, but have often been forgotten in published histories. These people came here and braved the trials of an unknown land and made this place their home. Supporting the Abbotsford Lumber Company (once B.C.’s third largest forestry employer), Indo-Canadian men made a significant contribution to our economy and to shaping our community. The 1911 Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) on South Fraser Way in Abbotsford is Canada’s, and perhaps North America’s, oldest extant Sikh Temple. It was built with materials donated by the Abbotsford Lumber Company and carried on the backs of Sikh men from Mill Lake to the site where the temple was built. The Gurdwara was recognized as a Canadian National Historic Site in July 2002. This site will introduce the history of Indo-Canadians in Abbotsford.

How To: Interpret the following table.

Within each subsection (Documents, Family, Economic, etc.)  of the Indo-Canadian site there are images that depict the subsection. In addition, the "Location" and "Year" of the images are stated. The "Photo Caption" either represents what is on the back of the photo or what we know of the photo. If you would like a high resolution copy of any of the images they can be identified to the MSA Museum by stating the "Photo I.D." number e.g. P11789.                  

Phone 604-853-0313 or  E-mail msamuseum@shawbiz.ca

Note: Click on the image to enlarge and the "Back" button to return.

N/A

Museum of Civilization

Celebration of a century of Sikh presence in Canada.

1999

VPL_3027 

Vancouver 

Hong Kong Regiment visiting Vancouver, enroute to London to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.(Courtesy Vancouver Public Library- VPL)   

1897 

VPL_6231 

Vancouver 

Sikhs on board the Komagata Maru May 23rd. to July 23rd. 1914.(Courtesy VPL)  

1914 

VPL_119

Vancouver

Sikhs aboard the Komagata Maru awaiting customs clearance to enter Canada. (Courtesy VPL)

1914

VPL_136

Vancouver

 Gurdit Singh (in the white suit, with binoculars) aboard the Komagata Maru,1914. He chartered the Japanese vessel to bring Sikh immigrants to Canada, to challenge the unfair immigration laws at the time. (Courtesy VPL)

1914