Birak, Sohan Singh

Interview with Sohan Singh Birak. Sohan Singh Birak came to Canada on May 3rd, 1960. His sister Kashmir Kaur Johal, who had arrived in Canada in 1956, sponsered him. When Sohan first came to Canada, he lived in Lake Cowichan for 6 months, then in 1960, he moved to Abbotsford. Sohan worked in a farm, Marris Growers on Townline Road from 1960-63. Sohan Singh Birak married Bachni Kaur Mander at the Paldi Gurdwara on July 13, 1969. He sponsored her from India before marriage and she arrived in Canada on June 23, 1969. In this interview Sohan Singh describes his experiences moving to Canada and the type of work he did once he arrived.

Transcription of an interview with Sohan Singh Birak. Sohan Singh Birak came to Canada on May 3rd, 1960. His sister Kashmir Kaur Johal, who had arrived in Canada in 1956, sponsered him. When Sohan first came to Canada, he lived in Lake Cowichan for 6 months, then in 1960, he moved to Abbotsford. Sohan worked in a farm, Marris Growers on Townline Road from 1960-63. Sohan Singh Birak married Bachni Kaur Mander at the Paldi Gurdwara on July 13, 1969. He sponsored her from India before marriage and she arrived in Canada on June 23, 1969. In this interview Sohan Singh describes his experiences moving to Canada and the type of work he did once he arrived.

Narrative of an interview with Sohan Singh Birak. Sohan Singh Birak came to Canada on May 3rd, 1960. His sister Kashmir Kaur Johal, who had arrived in Canada in 1956, sponsered him. When Sohan first came to Canada, he lived in Lake Cowichan for 6 months, then in 1960, he moved to Abbotsford. Sohan worked in a farm, Marris Growers on Townline Road from 1960-63. In this interview Sohan Singh describes his experiences moving to Canada and the type of work he did once he arrived.

Group photograph of the Birak family. From left to right: Harvinder Singh Birak is standing wearing a blue sweater and blue jeans, next to him is his mother Bachni Kaur wearing a yellow suit with golden earrings. Next is Sohan Singh Birak in a brown suit and white shirt, and Kulwinder Kaur wearing a white and brown outfit with her one hand resting on Sohan Singh's shoulder.

Photograph from Sohan Singh wedding's cake-cutting ceremony. Sohan is wearing a dark suit with a light pink turban. Next to him is Bachni Kaur in a pink Punjabi suit with a matching chunni covering her head. The couple is cutting a three-tire white cake. Unidentified family members and wedding guests are surrounding the couple.

Photograph taken outside a gurdwara during a wedding. A crowd stands on the steps of the gurdwara and the groom is visible, wearing a pink turban and a haar. There are young children standing around and some of the girls are seen holding small floral bouquets.

Photograph of Sohan Singh Birak standing with an unidentified man. They are both standing next to a light-coloured car that is out of view. There are trees and a body of water in the background.

Photo of Sohan Singh Birak standing outside a shop.