While temperatures sweltered, warmth and pride filled the air as special guests, residents of the community and members of the Sangha family gathered in front of the Kaatza Station Museum on Aug. 15 for the plaque unveiling to honour International Woodworkers of America (I.W.A.) union organizer and officer Darshan Singh ‘Canadian’ Sangha.
The Kaatza Station Museum which houses the International Woodworkers of America (I.W.A.) Archives hosted this momentous event, and just outside their doors will be the new forever home to the the 24th plaque which was produced through B.C. Labour Heritage Centre’s Plaques Around the Province Project with sponsorship of the Hari Sharma Foundation. Harinder Mahil of the Hari Sharma Foundation shares that even if he was not involved in making this special day come together, he would still be present because of its significance and all it represents.
During a time where racism was prevalent Sangha played an active role in organizing workers in the I.W.A. from 1941 to 1947. His contributions were invaluable for both the struggles of South Asian workers and immigrants from India in Canada during the 1940’s. Under Sangha’s leadership, South Asian Canadian union members became vital to the strength and diversity of British Columbia’s labour movement. United Steelworkers District 3 director Scott Lunny sees the impact Sangha made within the I.W.A. though his efforts but know there is still more work to be done going forward.
Several special guests spoke with much eloquence and pride on the connections they had to Sangha, and the postie impacts he made within the I.W.A. to what it has become and stands for today.
Sangha also convinced the labour movement to speak out on issues of importance to the community such as independence for India and the right to vote. Upon returning to India in 1948 Sangha was elected to the state legislature of Punjab, and went by the name Darshan Singh “Canadian”.
Unfortunately Darshan Singh Sangha was assassinated in Punjab, India by ultra-nationalists 1986. His memory and contributions lives on, and the plaque erected in front of their museum in his honour will be a continuous reminder of the difference and impact one individual can make.
This historic day was an important one to all who attended and B.C. Federation of Labour secretary-treasurer Hermender Singh Kailley spoke to this while expressing deep gratitude to all in attendance and made this day possible.
It was a truly special moment in front of the Kaatza Station Museum on Aug. 15, as special guests and members of the Sangha family gathered to unveil the plaque which will forever honour Darshan Singh Sangha who played an active role in organizing workers in the I.W.A. from 1941 to 1947, and combating the racism that was both present in the workplace and community during that time. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) It was a truly special moment in front of the Kaatza Station Museum on Aug. 15, as special guests and members of the Sangha family gathered to unveil the plaque which will forever honour Darshan Singh Sangha who played an active role in organizing workers in the I.W.A. from 1941 to 1947. He was instrumental in combating the racism that was both present in the workplace and community during that time. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) It was truly special to see members of the Sangha family gather with much pride around the plaque that will forever honour Darshan Singh Sangha in front of the Kaatza Station Museum on Aug. 15. Sangha played an active role in organizing workers in the I.W.A. from 1941 to 1947, and combating the racism that was both present in the workplace and community during that time. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) B.C. Labour Heritage Centre executive director Donna Sacuta, not only hosted, but spoke eloquently at this event and what an honour it was to have this plaque unveiling be the 24th as part of the Plaques Around the Province program. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) Harinder Mahil of the Hari Sharma Foundation spoke on the importance of this momentous occasion and the positive impacts that Darshan Singh Sangha made within the I.W. A. and his community. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) B.C Federation of Labour secretary-treasurer Hermender Singh Kailley speaks to the importance of this event, and honouring Darshan Singh Sangha and his contributions to the I.W.A. with this special plaque and thanked the Kaatza Station Museum with much sincerity for hosting the event. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) Minister of Forests and MLA Hon. Bruce Ralston spoke to the importance of this day, and shared a special connection that his own father had to Darshan Singh Sangha. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and MLA Hon. Raj Chouhan spoke on the significance of this event and the invaluable contributions that Darshan Singh Sangha made within the I.W.A. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) B.C. Labour Heritage Centre director John Mountain who was instrumental in bringing the I.W.A. archives into the Kaatza Station Museum spoke on the importance of this momentous event, and the positive impacts made by Darshan Singh Sangha. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) B.C. Labour Heritage Centre director John Mountain holds shades Kaatza Historical Society president Pat Foster as she spoke on the importance of the day, and the museum was honoured to be home to the new plaque that will forever honour Darshan Singh Sangha’s contributions to the I.W.A. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) B.C. Labour Heritage Centre executive director Donna Sacuta speaks to all those who attended the very special and moving unveiling of the plaque to honour Darshan Singh Sangha. MLA Alistair MacGregor, and his assistant Robert Martin stand off in the background. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette) Beating the heat, and keeping hydrated many members of the Sangha family, and the community attended the special unveiling of the plaque to honour Darshan Singh Sangha in from of the Kaatza Station Museum on Aug. 15. (Chadd Cawson/Gazette)
Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines.
