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From YouTube: APRIL 4 2022 Statements Todd Stone
Description
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
3rd Session
42nd Parliament
A
A
The
first
sikhs
arrived
in
the
fraser
valley
in
1905,
first
establishing
themselves
in
the
agriculture
and
forestry
industries
between
1904
and
1908,
around
5000
men
and
the
occasional
woman
settled
across
the
province
in
1906,
the
khalsa
diwan
society.
Canada's
first
sikh
organization
was
formed.
Two
years
later.
On
january
19,
1908
vancouver
became
home
to
north
america's
first
gurdwara
or
sikh
temple.
The
second
avenue
gurdwara
operated
out
of
a
stately
two-story
building
in
kitsilano
serving
a
community
that
numbered
around
2000.
A
In
its
first
year,
the
khalsa
diwan
society
would
later
oversee
the
construction
of
temples
in
victoria,
abbotsford
and
newest
minster.
During
this
time,
the
sikh
community
faced
significant
hardships,
including
disenfranchisement
violence
and
legislated
racism
that
sought
to
keep
them
out
of
our
province.
A
The
komagadu
meru
incident
exemplifies
the
discrimination
endured
by
sikhs
in
british
columbia
in
1914,
canadian
officials
refused
to
allow
a
ship
and
its
376
would-be
indian
immigrants
to
dock
officials,
ordered
passengers
to
stay
on
board
for
63
days
with
little
food
and
water
only
to
be
forced
to
turn
around.
But
despite
the
discrimination
and
the
challenges
faced
by
early
sikh
settlers,
the
community
persevered
and
seek
british
columbians
have
continued
to
make
outstanding
contributions
to
this
province
and
we
are
all
stronger
for
it.
This
year's
theme
for
sea
heritage
month
is
satsriyakaa.
A
This
is
a
popular
greeting
among
sikhs,
but
it
is
also
a
rallying
cry
to
bring
people
together.
This
is
a
very
fitting
theme,
as
we
recognize
the
incredible
selflessness
and
kindness
exhibited
by
the
sea
community
throughout
the
pandemic
and
last
year's
wildfire
and
flooding
events.
There
are
many
ways
to
celebrate
sea
heritage
month
and
I
hope
all
of
us
can
take
some
time
this
month
to
learn
more
about
and
celebrate
the
rich
history
of
sikhs
in
british
columbia.
Thank
you.