South Asian Studies Institute
Writer: Antoinetta Holierhoek The SASI and UFV’s Library partnered together in the Langar Project and created a thoughtful exhibit on the history of Langar. Special Collections Librarian Mary-Anne MacDougall arranged the display with a culturally sensitive eye for design and detail. Langar… I’m ashamed to say that I only learned about the deeper meaning of … Read more
Mr. Walter Foreman, Associate Director of International Relations, University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), visited the Institute of Indian Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), on October 5, 2022. He held meetings with Prof. Chanwahn Kim, Director of the Institute of Indian Studies, and Prof. Rajiv Kumar, Research Professor at the Institute of Indian … Read more
SASI’s traditional ‘EHSAAS Readers and Writers Festival’ was reinstated after a long hiatus on October 13th, at 6pm. A diverse group of brilliant writers, poets, and authors joined in person at the SASI and read their poetry in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and English. In his ground-breaking debut collection Tariq wove together history and myth with his … Read more
On October 1st, the South Asian Studies Institute hosted another very successful screening of Rails, Jails, & Trolleys, a documentary on the largest farmer’s protest movement in partnership with Abbotsford Tourism as part of Taste of Abby Festival. Rails, Jails and Trolleys documents history’s largest farmers’ protest and the Canadian diaspora’s response to it. This … Read more
In 2004, a group of visionaries got together and brainstormed the ideas of engaging the South Asian Community in academia, research, and community building for the benefits of bringing equity, diversity, and inclusion for all on common grounds. In 2016, the CICS “Centre” took a wider turn to change into an “Institute” and was named … Read more
SASI Director, Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains is amongst several scholars, historians, archivists and activists featured in a new National Film Board (NFB) film called ‘Unarchived.’ The world premiere of the film took place at this years (2022) Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF). The NFB states, “For too long, the past has been the exclusive domain … Read more
For more than 11 years, the SASI has been managing and curating exhibits at the National Historic Site of Canada, Gur Sikh Temple and Sikh Heritage Museum. We have provided tours to local community leaders, seniors group, educators, teacher education students, elementary, middle, and high school students across the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland. The … Read more
About 30 years ago, during a home renovation, several workmen used our guest toilet. When they left, I could not bring myself to clean it. I stood in my guest bathroom, tears welling, throat constricting, self-pity rising. And I was shocked at myself. As a Sikh, I’m not supposed to have a caste, leave alone … Read more
The film screening of Rails, Jails, & Trolleys received an overwhelmingly positive response at a sold-out screening by a diverse audience on a busy Wednesday evening of August 24th. More than 150 people from all walks of life came to the premiere screening from BC, Alberta, and Ontario. The audience included social activists, academics, researchers, students, … Read more
We are proud and excited to launch a new documentary on the historic Farmers’ Movement in India from 2021-2022. We cordially invite you to join us at the premier launch of the film. Rails, Jails and Trolleys documents history’s largest farmers’ protest and the Canadian diaspora’s response to it. This ground-breaking documentary captures the electric … Read more