Please click on the links below to read media articles related to the Centennial of the National Historic Site, Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford, BC.
In 1911, determined Sikh pioneers from India built this temple, or Gurdwara with lumber donated from the nearby sawmill where many of them worked. Blending traditional Sikh and western frontier designs, the temple included a langar hall and a prayer hall of worship. It also became a centre for the social and political life of South Asian immigrants, helping them forge a vibrant community. Today, this oldest surviving Gurdwara in North America reminds us of the immigrant experience of Sikhs in Canada, and continues to be a sacred symbol of their spirituality.
Completely renovated and beautified, this National Historic Site is being honoured by the community through year-long activities and events that we invite you to attend.
Abby Daily-January 7, 2011
Abbotsford Times-Museum Opening
Abbotsford Gur Sikh Temple
Asian Pacific Post
Burnaby Now- Decemeber 14, 2010
Burnaby Now- Jan 7, 2011
Burnaby Now-Aug 18, 2011
Centenary Celebrations
Global TV BC
Prime Minister Harper Visits the Sikh Temple
Prime Minister Harper's Official Speech
PM Harper's Website-Visit to the Sikh Temple, August 2011
Sikh Chic-A Precious Find
The Canadian Immigration Report-Centennial Article
The Link report
The Asian Journal
Sikh Foundation Coverage of Transnational Conference
Public commentary:
Views about the opening of the first Sikh museum in Abbotsford
Gur-Sikh Temple in NEWS:
Abbotsford Today-Sikh Temple & Societies
Abbotsford Times-First Sikh Museum Opens
Centennial Program, 2011
National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple
Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford, B.C
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In 1911, determined Sikh pioneers from India built this temple, or Gurdwara with lumber donated from the nearby sawmill where many of them worked. Blending traditional Sikh and western frontier designs, the temple included a langar hall and a prayer hall of worship. It also became a centre for the social and political life of South Asian immigrants, helping them forge a vibrant community. Today, this oldest surviving Gurdwara in North America reminds us of the immigrant experience of Sikhs in Canada, and continues to be a sacred symbol of their spirituality. Completely renovated and beautified, this National Historic Site is being honoured by the community through year-long activities and events that we invite you to attend. |
January 10 Photo Exhibition at Abbotsford City Hall Proclamation by Mayor
May 29
One Book, One UFV Reads Campaign
The Centre for Indo Canadian Studies at UFV presents the South Asian Readers' and Writer's Festival on Tuesday, March 29th. The headliner for the evening will be Anosh Irani, who will discuss and read from his latest book, Dahanu Road. Writers who will also be presenting include: Tariq Malik and Gurjinder Basran. Prior to the festival, the CICS is launching a "One Book, One UFV" reads campaign, where faculty, staff, students, and community members are encouraged to read Dahanu Road in anticipation of the event itself.
Ehsaas South Asian Readers and Writers Festival
The headliner for the evening is author Anosh Irani, who will be reading from his latest novel Dahanu Road, a tale about Zairos, a dissolute young landowner's son living in the town of Dahanu, just outside Bombay. Zairos's comfortable life is turned upside down when he falls in love with a former servant's daughter Kusum, as he eventually finds himself defying taboos with their relationship. At the same time his grandfather, Shapur, reveals to him the story of their family and of the land that Zairos stands to inherit.
Author Gurjinder Basran will be reading from her debut novel, Everything was Goodbye, which tells about Meena, a young Indo Canadian woman growing up in the lower mainland of British Columbia and traces her life as she struggles to assert her independence in a Punjabi community. Though a narrative moving between race and culture, it is ultimately a story of love, loss and self acceptance amidst shifting cultural ideals.
Author Tariq Malik will be reading from his recently released book, Chanting Denied Shores, which consists of the narrative threads of a disillusioned and dislocated passenger on the ill fated ship, the Komagata Maru. The book also includes the startling revelation of how some of the deported passengers walked the railway tracks from Calgary to Vancouver barely ahead the onset of winter.
Local Fraser Valley authors will also share their works.
Where: B101, Theatre Room, University of the Fraser Valley
When: Tuesday, March 29th at 7pm
Events
April 13-June 5
April 13 Opening Reception
National Historic Site Sikh Temple Exhibition
The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford
April 15
Vaisakhi Luncheon
Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association
May 5
Opening Reception Punjabis in the 21st Century Conference5pm
Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
May 6
Transnational Punjabis in the 21st Century Conference
Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
Tour, National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple
Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford
May 7
Constructs and Contradictions Undergraduate Conference 9am
Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
May 7
Virasat Pioneer Gala Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business AssociationCentre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
August 26
Starting Sri Akhand Path Sahib Prayer at National Historic Site Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford
August 27
OMNI TV LIVE On Location, Cultural Events, Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford
August 28
Bhog Sri Akhand Path Sahib Prayer at National Historic Site
Jore Mela
Nagar Kirtan (Sikh Parade)
Outside Stage:
Speeches by representatives/dignitaries of different faiths and different institutions
VIP will address the audience and unveil Centennial monument
Official opening and ribbon cutting by the chief guest of the Sikh Heritage Museum
October 20, SAPNA celebrates Diwali
Diwali Celebration
CICS & Reach Gallery Book Launch
Undesirables by Ali Kazimi
The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford
October 27th-January 8, 2012
Celebration of Punjabi Art and Culture Exhibition Opening Reception October 27
The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford
http://thereach.ca/
November 5-6
Sikhism Conference at Heritage Sikh Temple
All day event
Please visit the calendar for details
November 15
Ehsaas South Asian Film Festival-Sikh Documentaries
Opening Reception from 5 pm to 6 pm Room F125
Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
Please click here to view the detailed schedule
December 17
Official opening of the Sikh Heritage Museum
National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple, Abbotsford
Closing ceremony of Centennial year with Lieutenant Governor of BC
the Honourable Steven Point
Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford
www.canadiansikhheritage.ca