[Audio interview with Karm Singh Manak 1/2]

1994-05-12

Audio interview of Karm Singh Manak, an Indian Immigrant. Karm Singh Manak immigrated to Canada in 1921 from Banga in Punjab, India. In this interview, Karm Singh Manak is talking about his immigration to Canada, struggles, schooling and work. He also talks about his struggles with racism and how he countered it. Moreover, he talks about his work history, politics, wars and the labour union strikes.

Karm Singh Manak's Immigration : His father was the first one from his family to move to Canada. He bought Karm Singh Manak to Canada in 1921 and then Karm's mother came in 1924. They first used to live near Vancouver, and soon moved to Duncan. Karm Singh has been living in Duncan since 1929. He belongs from Banga, Punjab, India. Schooling in Canada : Karm Singh was the only Indian immigrant child in the school. He struggled in the beginning to socialize with other children but was very comfortable as per the studies. He joined the school in grade 1 and already knew more than his other class mates, because he used to go to school in India. Work Life : Karm Singh left the school within 6 years of his admission there. He went to work for the lumber mills. He has worked at mulitple locations like Duncan, Nanaimo and Hillcrest. After sometime he bought his own logging truck and started his own business. Marriage : He was arranged to get married to a punjabi women back in India. He married her in India and then she moved to Canada after some time.

Audio (1hr., 2 min., 46 sec.)

In copyright