Audio

Audio interview with Raghbir Singh Dhaliwal conducted by SB. Raghbir Singh Dhaliwal is a Canadian citizen who immigrated to Canada in 1972. Dhaliwal discusses his working conditions in sawmills and living conditions. He also mentions accidents that occurred at sawmills. Dhaliwal concludes by mentioning the advantages of working at a unionized sawmill, and notes that he had to leave the sawmill industry early because of health complications.

Audio interview with Piara Singh Dhillon conducted by MBa. Piara Singh Dhillon is a Canadian citizen who immigrated to Canada in 1969. Dhillon discusses his immigration history, his various roles, and the working conditions in sawmills. Dhillon also mentions his co-workers, wages, and eating in cookhouses. He concludes by mentioning the challenges he faced in Canada and his living expenses.

Audio interview with Nazar Singh Gill begins with him discussing how his health complications required him to leave working in sawmills. This led him to purchasing a berry farm. He concludes by discussing the people he worked with in the sawmills and the advantages of working in the industry.

Audio interview with Nazar Singh Gill conducted by MB. Nazar Singh is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1963. Gill began working as a cleaner at Harman Sawmill in Mission, B.C. before started working as a sawmill labourer. He also discusses his thoughts about Canada and the various roles he had a sawmills.

Audio interview with Mohinder Singh Gill conducted by SB. Mohinder Singh Gill is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1962. Once in Canada he began working at the Nicola Valley Mill in Merritt, B.C. Gill discusses his personal history, his life in Canada working in sawmills and his experiences. He also discusses why he eventually left working in mills, his memories of working in sawmills and he mentions the weather conditions in Topli, B.C.

Audio interview with Mohinder Singh Gidda conducted by MB. Mohinder Singh Gidda is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1970. Gidda began working at the Snowcrest Canary in Abbotsford, B.C when he arrived in Canada. He discusses his work experience in both farms and sawmills. Gidda also discusses the people he worked with, his experience living in bunkhouses, his unions experiences, and the racism he faced over the years.

Audio interview with Mohinder Singh, the Paldi gurdwara granthi. Mohinder Singh tells the story of Mayo Singh. Mayo Singh Manhas came to Canada in 1906. Mayo Singh began working in sawmills during the first world war. Mohinder Singh discusses how he purchased an at-risk-of-closing sawmill with other men. He was able to build a profitable business and used those profits to purchase 1300 acres on the island . Mayo Singh partnered with Kapoor Singh and began to develop a town on the land which they named Paldi. Mohinder Singh also mentions how Mayo Singh was seen as a very generous man as he donated money to many people in need. Several generosity stories are mentioned. The interview concludes with Mohinder Singh mentioning Mayo Singh's family and legacy today.

Audio interview with Manga Lagah conducted by MB. Manga Langah is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1954. Lagah discusses working in a mill factory, the difference between union and nonunion mills, as well as his family and marriage. Lagah mentions the celebrations he attended in his leisure time such as Lohri, Vaisakhi, and the Nagar Kirtan. He also speaks about cooking, challenges he faced with racism, and his wages.

Audio interview with Malkit Singh Sidhu conducted by MB and Dr. Kusum Soni. Malkit Singh Sidhu is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1959. He began working in a sawmill in Mission, B.C. In part two, Sidhu discusses what it was like when he first landed to Canada.

Audio interview with Malkit Singh Sidhu conducted by MB and Dr. Kusum Soni. Malkit Singh Sidhu is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1959. He began working in a sawmill in Mission, B.C. In part one Sidhu discusses his immigration history and his experience working sawmills. Sidhu also discusses buying groceries, the economy and his co-workers. He also discusses what it was like working in a unionized mill.