South Asian Studies Institute
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
“I thought I had a good idea of what to expect. I received hundreds of calls, often just to cry. I can hear not only the pain and the anguish, but also the anger that no one believed the stories they had told. I can also hear their sense that they have lost some hope … Read more
The SASI was pleased to host renown political activist and intellectual Yogendra Yadav who spoke about India’s farmers movement. As the ongoing farmers struggle in India completes six months, it has attracted global attention. The Indian diaspora has taken special interest and played a key role in this movement. Focusing on extraordinary milestones and the … Read more
The SASI continues the work of the South Asian Canadian Legacy Project with the support of a range of dedicated community members as part of the Project Management Team and the Advisory Committees. Below are some important updates and milestones as we reach the one year mark since the Province funding announcement towards the work … Read more
“Wake up, work hard, be kind and consistent.” This mantra has been on repeat during my time and journey thus far while working at the South Asian Studies Institute at UFV. I began my studies at UFV India (located in Chandigarh) and later transferred to the University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford. I pride myself … Read more
(As seen in UFV Today) A visionary leader with an unshakable commitment to equality and cultural justice, Dr. Satwinder Bains is the 2021 recipient of UFV’s Faculty Service Excellence Award.“As a woman of colour, not only is she smashing glass ceilings of patriarchy within academia, but also in conservative cultural spaces,” says Anita Lal, co-founder … Read more
Dr. Bains, SASI Director is a part of the Academic Advisory Committee joining scholars, activists and professionals from across Canada to create a national strategy combatting hate. She will also speak on coalition building across Asian Canadian Communities. The conversation comes in light of the exponential rise in anti-Asian violence, hate and crime in British … Read more
The South Asian Studies Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley is pleased to be commemorating #AsianHeritageMonth in the month of May. This month has much deep resonance, meaning and purpose to us as Canadians as we shine a light on the many diverse and far reaching contributions and impacts of Asian Canadian individuals and organizations on life in … Read more