South Asian Studies Institute
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
The South Asian Studies Institute is currently developing a digital archive known as the South Asian Canadian Digital Archive (SACDA). SACDA is intended to provide online access to heritage materials created by, or relevant to, the South Asian diaspora in Canada. Earlier this year, we launched the first phase of the project with 15 collections, … 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, … 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
After more than two years of no in-person exhibit launches, the SASI was pleased to host the latest exhibit at the Sikh Heritage Museum, National Historic Site, Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford. The exhibit, titled ‘An Ocean of Peace’ was originally displayed at the Anvil Centre by the New Westminster Museum and Archives in 2019. … Read more
Prabhpreet Singh Gill is a 16 year old student-athlete from Rick Hansen Secondary School. His passion for Sikh history and Punjabi culture led him to volunteer with the South Asian Studies Institute at UFV as an intern. When he isn’t working in building F, you can find him hiking, swimming or binge watching Netflix. He … Read more