Vancouver Island

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.

Transcription of interview with Raghbir Singh Dhaliwal discusses his personal history and immigration to Canada. Dhaliwal discusses his working conditions in sawmills and living conditions. He also mentions accidents that occurred at sawmills. Dhaliwal concludes by the mentioning the advantages of working at unionized sawmills and says that he had to leave the sawmill industry early because of health complications.

Narrative of Raghbir Singh Dhaliwal discusses his personal history and immigration to Canada. Dhaliwal discusses the various roles he had while working in sawmills. He also mentions the benefits of working at a unionized sawmill. Dhaliwal concludes by discussing how he had to retire from sawmill work because of health complications.

Creator: Vancouver Island Photo-Graphic LTD.

Photo of Gurbakhsh Narang and Balbir Kaur. Narang is wearing a formal suit with a tie. Balbir Kaur is wearing a salwar kameez suit. The photograph was taken in a professional studio.

Photograph of sawmill workers from the Lake Cowichan and Duncan area. The men in the photo are from various ethnic backgrounds. There is a building and trees visible in the background.

Audio interview with Dyal Singh Gill conducted by MB. Dyal Singh Gill is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1942. His first job in Canada was in Honeymoon Bay on Vancouver Island. He also discusses his educational background, personal history, working in sawmills and his challenges. Dyal also discusses the foods he ate, as well as the treatment he received from the dominant European White settler community. He also mentions special occasions he attended such as Christmas, Vaisakhi, and Jor Mela at Paldi. Gill further discusses how the cost of living has increased from before.

Transcription of an interview with Dyal Singh Gill in which he discusses his educational background, personal history, working in sawmills and his challenges. Dyal also discusses the foods he ate, as well as the treatment he received from the dominant European White settler community. He also mentions special occasions he attended such as Christmas, Vaisakhi, and Jor Mela at Paldi. Gill further discusses how the cost of living has increased from before.

Dyal Singh Gill's narrative discusses his immigration to Canada, working in the lumber industry, his challenges and good experiences. Dyal also mentions the food he ate and his living costs compared to today.

Audio interview with Dogar Singh Bains conducted by KS. Dogar Singh Bains is a Canadian citizen who came to Canada in 1932. His first job in Canada was in a farm in Vancouver. He then later began working in mills on Vancouver Island. He also discusses his personal history, sponsorship to Canada and working in sawmills. He further discusses how the sawmill company built them a Gurdwara. Bains also mentions living in bunkhouses and the food that was served in the cookhouse. Towards the end of the interview he mentions his family and a special memory.

Transcription of interview with Dogar Singh Bains discusses his personal history, sponsorship to Canada and working in sawmills. He also discusses how the sawmill company built them a Gurdwara. Bains further mentions living in bunkhouses and the food that was served in the cookhouse. Towards the end of the interview he mentions his family and a special memory.