Audio

Transcription of interview with Terry Gidda. Gidda is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1968. He began working at Cattermole Timber Mill in Mackenzie, B.C. In part two of his interview Gidda discusses attending community celebrations including Diwali, Vaisakhi, and weddings. He also mentions making sweets and the building of a new gurdwara on Ross Street in Vancouver, B.C.

Transcription of interview with Terry Gidda. Gidda is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1968. He began working at Cattermole Timber Mill in Mackenzie, B.C. In part one of his interview Gidda discusses his personal/immigration history, his experience working in sawmills, as a teacher, city councilor, and realtor. Gidda also discusses eating in cookhouses, his co-workers, and his hardships. He also mentions his time spent volunteering in the community. Gidda further discusses attending community celebrations including Diwali, Vaisakhi, and weddings. He mentions making sweets and the building of a new gurdwara on Ross Street in Vancouver, B.C.

Transcription of interview with Tarlochan Singh Rai. Rai is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1970. He began working at Sartre Sawmill located in Ladysmith, B.C. He discusses his personal history, his experience working in sawmills, and his co-workers. Rai also mentions his family, the food he ate, and hardships he faced. He concludes by discussing a sawmill incident and the differences of living in Canada versus India.

Audio of interview with Tarlochan Singh Lally. Lally is a Canadian citizen began working as a general labourer in Canada. He discusses his personal history, as well as his experience working as a general laborer and as a sawmill worker. Lally also discusses his job duties, accidents that occured at the sawmill and becoming a supervisor. He mentions his co-workers and the discrimination he faced. Lally concludes by discussing the advantages and hardships of working in a sawmill and his overall experience in Canada.

Audio interview with Tarlochan Singh Basra. Basra is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1968. He began working at Sardar Mohan Singh's mill in Victoria, B.C. He discusses his personal history, immigration history, and his experience working in sawmills. Basra also mentions his co-workers, his wages, and his hardships. He discusses the discrimination he faced living in Canada, his family, and the food he ate. He concludes by discussing his leisure time and celebrating Diwali.

Audio interview with Surjit Singh Tatla conducted by Meena Bolla and Kusum Soni. Tatla is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1970. He began working at a sawmill in Mission, B.C.. Tatla discusses his immigration history, personal history, and his experience working in Canadian sawmills. Tatla also discusses his co-workers, his hardships, and experiences in Canada. He mentions working in union versus non-union mills and living conditions. Tatla also discusses the South Asian community in Canada and celebrations he attended. He concludes by mentioning shopping in South Asian grocery stores, his retirement, and the benefits of government jobs in India verus jobs in Canada.

Audio interview with Surjit Singh Samra. Samra is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1954. He began working at Dahl-Johal Mill in Victoria, B.C. Samra discusses his personal background, living in bunkhouses, and his co-workers. Samra also mentions discrimination in Canada, his wages and family. He concludes by discussing the benefits of working in sawmills and experience with cookhouses.

Transcription of interview with Surinder Singh. Singh is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1987. He began working as a tree planter in Clear Water. Singh discusses his personal history, journey travelling to Europe and Halifax on a ship. Singh also discusses an incident where passengers on the ship were denied entry to Canada because they were illegally attempting to enter Canada. Singh mentions the various jobs he had in Canada once he obtained his work permit such as working in forestry to sawmills. He also speaks about his wages, opening his own construction company, immigration status, family, and marriage. Singh discusses working in union versus non-union mills as well as his co-workers. He further discusses his health complications, challenges living in Canada, the economy and memories in Canada. Singh concluded by discussing his participation in an Akhand Paath that focused on giving back to the community.

Audio interview with Surinder Singh Sandhu conducted by Dr. Kusum Soni. Sandhu is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1967. He began working at Plumper Bay Sawmill in Victoria, B.C. He discusses why he immigrated from England to Canada and his experience working in sawmills. Sandhu also mentions the various jobs he had at sawmills, his wages, and his co-workers. He concludes by mentioning the food he ate and his leisure time.

Audio interview with Sukhwinder Bolla conducted by Meena Bolla. Sukhwinder Bolla is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1984. He began working at Mission Shake and Shingle in Mission, B.C. He discusses his personal background, working in Canadian sawmills and the various roles he had in sawmills. Bolla also discusses his wages, his co-workers, discrimination in Canada and his hardships. He concludes by mentioning the advantages of working in sawmills and his life in Canada.