South Asian Studies Institute
The hemisphere of caste is a multi-layered, multi-fold inter-woven tapestry which we tuck away in a filthy suitcase trying not to open in public domains as it feels like a tumor under the skin. We project the conversation of caste as a tough topic to discuss which often ends up leading into heated discussions and … Read more
Since June, the SASI has been awarded three new grants for projects over the summer and into the fall, 2021. The Heritage BC (Heritage Awareness Grant) was awarded in order to create an online interpretive historic walking experience at the National Historic Site, Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford. The Canadian Council of Archives Young Canada … Read more
The South Asian Canadian Legacy Project Partners and members of the Project Management Team met recently for a two-day retreat to prepare for the final year of work. Since receiving Provincial funding, the South Asian Studies Institute has been working with a dedicated team and partners to engage in six projects: Travelling Exhibit (in partnership … Read more
Since the founding of the SASI (formerly the Centre for Indo Canadian Studies) at the University of the Fraser Valley, there have been close to one hundred students, volunteers, research assistants, co-op placements, practicum placements, etc., who have been involved in our research. As such, the SASI will be featuring a new addition in its … Read more
The 2021 golf tournament was renamed the ‘Bajwa Dhami Building Bridges Community Golf Day‘ in honour of the philanthropy, passion and commitment of the golf tournament founders and Abbotsford residents – Dr. Amarjit Singh Bajwa and Dr. Malwinder Singh Dhami. Since 2018, the SASI has partnered with community leaders Dr. Dhami and Dr. Bajwa to … Read more
The SASI is pleased to share the names of two UFV students who were recipients of this years’ HSBC Endowment Award. The scholarship – provided to a student who has done work in connection to South Asian studies was awarded to Tanveer Saroya and Tricia Jensen. Tanveer Saroya, a UFV History student engaged in a … Read more
The SASI partnered with the Association of Critical Heritage Studies – Canada, the University of Alberta Kule Institute for Advanced Studies and Northumbria University to present a symposium entitled “Constructing Heritage in Canada’s South Asian Diasporas.” The June 16th symposium, which was attended by almost 50 people, featured panelists: Dr Satwinder Kaur Bains, University of … Read more
As a 37 year old, I now can call myself an anti-caste advocate. Or atleast someone who is constantly assessing and reassessing how I maintain being an anti-caste advocate through the conversations I have, the work that I do, how I raise my children and how I weave my academics into these conversations. My path … Read more
My father’s blood is mine, his story beats inside me……Jayli Wolf’s song – Child of the Government https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5gqZV7OsCM&t=33s My grandfather was taken away and put in residential schools when he was a kid. He was taught to forget his native language, his heritage, his culture and even his own name. He refused to speak about … Read more
The SASI, in collaboration with UBC Sociology and Professor Renisa Mawani, the BC Historical Federation and the BC History Magazine were recipients of the 2021 Heritage BC Award for Education, Communications and Awareness. The project paired 11 third-year UBC students with heritage organizations and historical research projects to assist community partners that had been impacted … Read more