Sub-Series 1.1 : 75th anniversary

Yellow commemorative button from the Komagata Maru 75th Anniversary, depicting an image of passengers on the Komagata Maru, and the dates 1914-1989

White commemorative button from the Komagata Maru 75th Anniversary, depicting an image of the Komagata Maru, and the dates 1914-1989

Enamel pin with the outline in the shape of the Komagata Maru ship, with the details, "Komagata Maru Anniv. 1914-1989." more

Pamphlet detailing the history of the Komagata Maru tragedy

Record detailing the dates of the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy.

Program for the Komagata Maru 75th anniversary event held in Vancouver, B.C. on July 23, 1989. The program is printed on white paper and there is a photograph of the Komagata Maru printed on the cover. The program details the schedule for the event and provides a copy of an official proclamation from the province of British Columbia announcing the establishment of "Komagata Maru Memorial Day… more

Program for the Komagata Maru 75th anniversary event held in Vancouver, B.C. on July 23, 1989. The program is printed on pink paper and there is a photograph of the Komagata Maru printed on the cover. The program details the schedule for the event and provides the lyrics for the Canadian anthem as well as the Sikh national anthem.

Flyer detailing information about a food drive hosted by the Khalsa Diwan Society, Ross Street Gurdwara from July 9-16, 1989, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. The back of the flyer includes information about an the gurdwara's open house, inviting people to tour the gurdwara, view its exhibits on the Komagata Maru, and partake in langar. more

Flyer detailing information about events in the Metro Vancouver area pertaining to the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. Events detailed include a historic gathering at Burrard Street, a plaque unveiling, a community food drive, as well as the Ross Street gurdwara's open house. There are two photos of the Komagata Maru at the top of the flyer and a map… more

Record contains the agenda, minutes, and contact sheet from a meeting held on April 23, 1989 regarding the commemoration events in Vancouver, B.C. for the Komagata Maru tragedy.

Record detailing the activities that were included as the main projects to commemorate the Komagata Maru tragedy in Vancouver, B.C. The record details the activities which included organizing functions and events for the public to attend, educating the public about the Komagata Maru, and making donations to the food bank. The document is printed on white paper with the Khalsa Diwan Society… more

Meeting agenda for May 22, 1989 regarding the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy commemoration events in Vancouver, B.C.

Meeting agenda for June 11, 1989 regarding the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy commemoration events in Vancouver, B.C. Record contains some handwritten notes.

Budget details for the events surrounding the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy in Vancouver, B.C.

Meeting agenda for June 25, 1989 regarding the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy commemoration events in Vancouver, B.C. Record contains some handwritten notes.

Handwritten notes regarding the planning of the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru events in Vancouver, B.C.

Copy of a letter written to Wendy Carter, Regional Director of the Department of Secretary of State. The letter was written on October 2, 1989 and details a request for her approval on the wording for a plaque commemorating the Komagata Maru tragedy, and for a statement regarding financial contribution for the plaque. There is an appendix following the letter detailing the participants in the… more

Copy of a news release from July 21, 1989, from the Province of British Columbia announcing the establishment of July 23 as Komagata Maru Memorial Day. The record also contains a copy of the official proclamation from the Province of British Columbia.

Copy of a letter written to Bikar Singh Dhillon, the president of Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver from Bill McKnight from the Minister of National Defense. In the letter, McKnight writes that despite feeling compassion, he had to deny the request for a 21 gun salute for the Komagata Maru commemoration event. He explains that salutes are reserved for certain events. He ends the letter by wishing… more

Notice giving details for the historic gathering on July 23, 1989 for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. The notice provides information on the date, time, and location of the event. Through the notice, the Komagata Maru Historical Society calls upon its members to attend the event to bear witness to the gathering and to witness the Vancouver Mayor, Gordon… more

Letter written by Hari Sharma from the Komagata Maru Historical Society inviting organizations to join the Society. The letter outlines some goals of the committee and some of its principles. At the top of the page, written in hand, is the addressee, Kanwal Singh Neel from Khalsa Diwan Society. At the bottom of the page is a handwritten note with an invitation to the Society's next meeting… more

Document detailing the establishment of the Komagata Maru Historical Society. The guiding principles, goals, and objectives of the Society are also outlined.

Notice detailing an event hosted by the Progressive Indo-Canadian Community Services Society, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. The notice provides information about the time, date, and place of the event, as well as information regarding the speaker and other event presentations. The notice is printed on yellow paper and is in written in both English and Punjabi.

A colour image taken at the plaque unveiling event at Portal Park, Vancouver, commemorating the Komagata Maru 75th anniversary. There is a crowd of people standing close together, amongst some greenery. On the left, in the crowd, Grace McCarthy, Social Credit M.L.A., is seen speaking at a podium. In the background on the left of the image, there are trains, as well as boats in the water and… more

A colour image taken at the plaque unveiling event at Portal Park, Vancouver, commemorating the Komagata Maru 75th anniversary. There is a crowd of people standing close together. Gordon Campbell, mayor of Vancouver, is seen speaking at a podium. There are reporters holding microphones to the podium. In the background, there are boats in the water and mountains in the scenery. In the foreground,… more

A colour image taken at the plaque unveiling event at Portal Park, Vancouver, commemorating the Komagata Maru 75th anniversary. The plaque is visible, placed in the ground among the greenery. Gordon Campbell, Grace McCarthy, and a third person, are seen helping to remove a sheet off the plaque. Behind them, in the background, there is a group of people watching.

A colour image taken at the plaque unveiling event at Portal Park, Vancouver, commemorating the Komagata Maru 75th anniversary. The plaque is visible, placed in the ground among the greenery. The plaque reads, "Komagata Maru 75th Anniversary - On May 23 1914, 376 British subjects (12 Hindus, 24 Muslims and 340 Sikhs) of Indian origin arrived in Vancouver Harbour aboard the Komagata Maru,… more

A colour image taken at the plaque unveiling event at Portal Park, Vancouver, commemorating the Komagata Maru 75th anniversary. A group of people are seen grouped together, looking forward. In the background there is a crowd of people.

A colour image taken at the plaque unveiling event at Portal Park, Vancouver, commemorating the Komagata Maru 75th anniversary. Kanwal Singh Neel is seen seated on a stone bench in front of the plaque with his family, including his wife Nancy and their two daughters. On the left of the photo are Gurdial Singh and Swarnjit Kaur Neel. In the background there is greenery and some people standing.

A colour image taken at the Ross Street Temple, showing Kanwal Singh Neel speaking at a wooden podium. In front of him, there is a low stage covered in white, with microphone stands on top. Behind him, on the left, Alderman Sandra Wilking is seated. On the right in the background is a table with floral arrangements. On the wall in the background, is a mirror decoration and and khanda, the symbol… more

Copy of a news release from May 12, 1989 from Vancouver Sath announcing a public exhibition created to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. The news release provides the date, time, and location of the event. On the top of the page there is a photograph of the Komagata Maru's passengers, as well as the contact information and logo for Vancouver Sath. more

Invitation from Vancouver Sath to their event, The Komagata Maru Photo Exhibition Release. The photo exhibition was created to commemorating the 75th anniversary for the Komagata Maru tragedy. The invitation includes information regarding the event date, time, and location.

Exhibit flyer detailing the photo exhibit held by Vancouver Sath commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. Flyer details event dates, time, and location. On the bottom of the flyer is Vancouver Sath's logo and contact information. more

Letter written by Moe Sihota, M.L.A., describing a day in the Legislature when he attempted to get a response from the provincial government on whether there were plans to commemorate the Komagata Maru tragedy. The inquiry was met with denial. Included is a copy of the exchange between Sihota and Reid, the Minister of Tourism, as well a copy of the news release Moe Sihota released following the… more

Letter written by Moe Sihota, M.L.A., describing a day in the Legislature when he attempted to get a response from the provincial government on whether the provincial government would consider providing funding for the Komagata Maru memorial. He was met with denial, and a debate among the members ensued. During the exchange, racial allusions and comments were made against Mr. Sihota by the… more

Letter written by Bikar Singh Dhillon, president of Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver. The recipient of the letter is an unknown president of an organization. In the letter, Dhillon requests the recipient to post a poster with the events surrounding the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy where the organization's members would be able to see it. The letter is written on a white paper… more

Letter written by Bikar Singh Dhillon, president of Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver, to B.C. Premier Bill Vander Zalm. Dhillon expresses his shock at the premier's treatment of M.L.A. Moe Sihota, as well as his refusal to support the placement of a commemorative plaque honouring the passengers of the Komagata Maru. Dhillon reminds the premier of the past actions of the provincial government… more

Notice written by B.C. Premier Bill Vander Zalm declaring the week of July 17-23, 1989, as "The 75th Anniversary of the Komagata Maru Incident" in the province of B.C. more

Invitation to the historical gathering on July 23, 1989, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy.

News article describing the history and legacy of the Komagata Maru incident.

Brochure from a photo exhibit held by Vancouver Sath commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. The brochure gives a brief history of the Komagata Maru event and includes photographs from the ship. The brochure also includes information about the organization, Vancouver Sath. Vancouver Sath's logo is printed on the bottom of the first page. The brochure is printed on… more

Invitation from the City of Vancouver inviting the recipient to the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy, on May 23, 1990. At the top of the invitation is the City of Vancouver's coat of arms. more

Letter from Alderman Sandra Wilking to Kanwal Singh Neel including minutes from the Vancouver City Council meeting on February 13, 1990.

Pamphlet about the history of the Komagata Maru and its legacy written by Simon Fraser University history professor, Dr. Hugh Johnston. There are two photos of the Komagata Maru on the pamphlet cover. The pamphlet was published to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy.

List with the names of the passengers aboard the Komagata Maru, including their place of origin.

Pamplet detailing the history of the Khalsa Diwan Society in Vancouver. The piece was written by Sarbjit Singh Neel. On the cover there are two photographs: one of the old gurdwara in Vancouver, the second, a photograph of the gurdwara located on Ross Street in Vancouver. On the last page, there are photographs of Bhai Mewa Singh and Bhai Balwant Singh.

Compilation of Canadian newspaper clippings surrounding the topic of the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru. Articles included are printed in English and Punjabi.

Satire piece written for Indo-Canadian Times newspaper criticizing Bill C-84, as well as the events surrounding the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy.

Report outlining the events for the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. The report also provides the program for the historical gathering held on July 23, 1989.

Document detailing the wording for the plaques the would be placed in Vancouver, made to commemorate the Komagata Maru tragedy.

Document detailing the proclamation from Gordon Campbell, the Mayor of Vancouver, declaring July 23, 1989 to be Komagata Maru Day.

A colour image of nine men seated behind a table, indoors. Behind them on the wall is a banner that reads in English, "Komagata Maru 75th Anniversary 1914-1989" and two framed black and white photographs of the Komagata Maru and its passengers. On the table there are microphones placed in front of Hugh Johnston and Kanwal Singh Neel. There are vases with flowers placed at both ends of… more

A colour image of eight men seated behind a table, indoors. Behind them on the wall is a banner that reads in English, "Komagata Maru 75th Anniversary 1914-1989" and two framed black and white photographs of the Komagata Maru and its passengers. On the table there are microphones placed in front of Hugh Johnston and Kanwal Singh Neel. Hugh Johnston appears to be speaking. There are… more

A colour image of nine men seated behind a table, indoors. Behind them on the wall is a banner that reads in English, "Komagata Maru 75th Anniversary 1914-1989" and two framed black and white photographs of the Komagata Maru and its passengers. On the table there are microphones placed in front of Hugh Johnston and Kanwal Singh Neel. There are vases with flowers placed at both ends of… more

A colour image of Gurnam Singh Pooni, Hugh Johnston, and Mr. Bal seated at a table. Hugh Johnston is in the middle of the two men with some papers in front of him. In front of the man on the right of the image is a stack of Johnston's book, "The Voyage of the Komagata Maru: The Sikh Challenge to Canada's Colour Bar." The man on the left of the image is seen writing in a book.… more

A colour image of food items collected during food drives hosted by Khalsa Diwan Society in July 1989, in order to commemorate the passengers of the Komagata Maru tragedy. In the background there is a banner tied in front of two windows that reads in English, "Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver B.C." more

A colour image of food items collected during food drives hosted by Khalsa Diwan Society in July 1989, in order to commemorate the passengers of the Komagata Maru tragedy. There are three men and a child behind a table of food in the middle of the photograph. In the background there is a banner partially obscured, tied in front of two windows that reads in English, "Khalsa Diwan Society… more

A colour image of six men standing outside. Behind them is a white truck that reads, "Food Bank." more

A colour image of food items collected during food drives hosted by Khalsa Diwan Society in July 1989, in order to commemorate the passengers of the Komagata Maru tragedy. There are five men and one woman standing behind a table of food in the middle of the photograph. In the background there is an obscured banner tied to two windows.

A colour image taken at the historical gathering commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Komagata Maru tragedy. There are two men in the foreground with their backs turned and Moe Sihota is seen stepping down from a stage.