Historic sites

Photograph of a plaque being presented in a Gurdwara. Left to right: Abbotsford mayor George Ferguson, an unidentified man, Indar Singh Gill, and Heritage Minister Sheila Copps. They are standing inside the Gurdwara's Darbar Sahib, the praying hall. George Ferguson and the unidentified man are wearing formal suits and rumāls. Indar Singh Gill is wearing a formal grey suit with a light-blue turban. Sheila Copps is wearing a red outfit, and her red head-covering is a chunni. In the background, people are sitting on the ground, covering their heads with turbans or rumāls.

On July 31, 2002, Abbotsford's Gur Sikh Temple was declared a National Historic Site of Canada. Indar Singh Gill (front row, second to the left) is outside the Gurdwara wearing a light-blue turban, a formal suit, and a yellow-and-blue "Khalsa Diwan Society VIP" ribbon. Right to Indar Singh is Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, wearing a pink salwar suit with a scarf, called chunni, around her shoulders. Indar Singh was the President of the Sikh temple in 1951 and then again in 1979. There are several South Asian Canadian men crowding around them. In the background, there is a yellow pole called a Nishan Sahib, a yellow Sikh flag that marks all Gurdwaras.

Prime Minister Chrétien visited Abbotsford's Gur Sikh Temple to declare it a National Historic Site of Canada. Prime Minister Chrétien is inside the Gurdwara wearing a head covering, called rumāl, and a formal suit. This was the first time a Canadian Prime Minister came to the Gurdwara. South Asian Canadian men are surrounding him with formal suits. On the left of Prime Minister Chrétien is Minister of Natural Resources, Herb Dhaliwal, who has a dark-blue rumāl on. Indar Singh Gill is on the right of the Prime Minister in a light-blue turban and light grey suit. Indar Singh was the President of the Sikh temple in 1951 and then again in 1979. Everyone is covering their head, some with rūmals and others with turbans. The background has two pictures of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Information brochure on the Abbotsford Sikh Temple including details about its location and a brief history with the timeline of its establishment and recognition as a National Historic Site in Canada.

Newspaper article written in Punjabi about the Abbotsford Gur Sikh Temple opening ceremony event.

Newspaper clipping written by Christina Toth, about the reopening of the Heritage Gursikh Gurdwara, Abbotsford. The article provides details about funding that was provided by the provice of British Columbia, and how that money would help to restore the temple.

Newspaper clippings of the reopening of the Heritage Gursikh Gurdwara, Abbotsford on 1st April, 2007. The clipping includes a picture of the ribbon cutting ceremony and features Gurdarshan Singh, Sheila Copps, Gordon Campbell, Sukh Dhaliwal, and George Ferguson.

Newspaper clipping titled, "Restoring Temple Pride," written by Sheena Jackson. The article highlights the significance of the reopening on April 1st, 2007 of the Gur Sikh Temple in South Fraser Way, Abbotsford for the Indo-Canadian community members, especially the members of the Khalsa Diwan Society. According to them, the temple was built in 1911 from their pioneers: the Abbotsford Lumber Company Sikh Workers. The article continues by stating that these workers, despite their struggles, worked hard to keep their faith alive and thus, the temple continues to carry their history.

Newspaper article written by Umendra Singh titled, "The Abbotsford Sikh Temple to become a national historic site of Canada on Sunday." The article provides details on the history of the Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford, as well as information on the reopening ceremony.

The first page of a two page newpaper article about the reopening of the Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford as a heritage building.