South Asian Canadian sawmill workers

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.

Transcription of interview with Nazar Singh Gill in which he discusses his immigration to Canada and his initial thoughts about life in Canada. Gill discusses how he first worked as a cleaner at Harman Sawmill in Mission, B.C and later once it opened, he began working as a sawmill labourer. He also mentions the health complications he developed later in life that prevented him from continuing to work in sawmills. Gill instead purchased a raspberry and blueberry farm which he sold a few years later. He concludes by mentioning the different jobs he held while working in sawmills and discusses the people he worked with.

Narrative of Nazar Singh Gill begins with hi, discussing his personal history in India before immigrating to Canada in 1963. When Gill arrived in Canada, he began working at the Harman Saw mill in Mission where he did cleaning work. Once the mill opened he began working in the lumber industry. Gill also discusses how he had to retire in 1993 due to health issues. He also mentions purchasing and selling a berry farm and his working conditions at sawmills. Gill concludes by discussing the people he worked with and were employed at sawmills.

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.

Transcription of interview with Mohinder Singh Gidda in which he discusses his personal history and immigration to Canada in 1970. Gidda began working at Snowcrest Canary in Abbotsford, B.C and worked in both farms and sawmills in Canada. He also discusses the people he worked with, his experiences living in bunkhouses, his union experiences, and the racism he faced over the years.

Narrative of Mohinder Singh Gidda discusses his personal work background, life in India, and immigration to Canada in 1970. Gidda mentions his marriage and working in both farms and various sawmills in B.C. He discusses his wages, working conditions and encounters with racism. He further discusses stories about union debates and his support for the International Woodworkers of America (IWA). Gidda concludes by reflecting on his past.

Photo of Mohinder Singh Gidda working in a sawmill. He is sorting wood. There is machinery visible in the background. The photo is taken from above.

Photo of Mohinder Singh Gidda working in a sawmill. There are two different images in the photograph. In both, he is sorting wood. There is machinery visible in the background.

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.

Transcription of the Mayo story told by the Paldi granthi, Mohinder Singh. Mohinder Singh discusses Mayo Singh Manhas' personal history and immigration to Canada in 1906. Mayo Singh began working in sawmills during the first world war. Mohinder Singh discusses how Mayo Singh purchased an at-risk-of-closing sawmill with other men. He used his entrepreneurial skills 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 a very generous man as he donated money to many people in need. Several generosity stories are mentioned. The transcription concludes by mentioning Mayo Singh family and legacy today.