Gill, Kartar Kaur

Audio recording of Nash Gill being interviewed by Rishi for the Canadian Sikh Heritage project. He was interviewed about his family's journey from India to Canada, where the interview primarily talked about his father, Indar Singh Gill. The interview revealed why the Gill family came to Canada, how Indar Singh earned money in Canada, and the Gill family's legacy in British Columbia.

This is a document about Indar Singh Gill's immigration journey told by his son, Nash Singh Gill. It explans why Indar Singh immigrated to Canada in 1930 at 17-years-old, while leaving behind his wife and young daughter. He was sponsored by Naranjan Singh Gill (Indar Singh's uncle), who was already in Canada. Because of the 1930s depression, Indar Singh found it hard to find work, but eventually found work in Kamloops for Sher Singh Aluwalia. After, he worked for sawmills on Vancouver Island. He spent a portion of his wages back to his family. Eventually, in 1949, his wife, Kartar Kaur, and son, Nachhattar (Nash) Singh Gill, travelled to Canada. Later the document talks about how he started his own business, Indar Fuel Company. Indar Singh became involved with other businesses and served as the President of the old Sikh temple in Abbotsford.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, possibly in 1946, from Punjab to Canada after WWII. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur writes about how the community taunts her about having no sons and her 20-year separation from her husband. Kartar Kaur expresses anger towards Indar Singh in this letter. She writes that Indar Singh is treating his family like dirt, and he only cares about his money. Further in the letter, Kartar Kaur states that the separation has been painful for her and that she needs her husband in her life. Kartar Kaur wants Indar Singh to give exact information about when he plans to return to India. Later, she laments why he punished her to his family's household while Indar Singh is enjoying his Canadian life.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, possibly after 1942, from Punjab to Canada. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur writes about how her separation from Indar Singh and their daughter, Gurcharan Kaur's death, devastates her. Further in the letter, Kartar Kaur writes about how her uncles always ask her for money, which she cannot give them. She explains how money has made her life difficult. Later, Kartar Kaur explains how she feels isolated as people taunt her about her sad circumstances and feels forgotten by Indar Singh. Finally, she states that Joginder Singh, Indar Singh's brother, must have told him about the household's circumstances.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, from Punjab to Canada possibly in 1942. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur writes about Indar Singh always giving her false hope about returning home (India) after 12 years. Further, Kartar Kaur writes about how it has been four years since their daughter, Gurcharan Kaur's death and how it still weakens her. Lastly, Kartar Kaur speaks about how the household members took all the money Indar Singh had sent and she had been left with nothing.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, on November 16, 1939, from Punjab to Canada. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur writes about her longing for her husband and hopes to reunite with him soon. Kartar Kaur explains how she has not been happy for a long time since their daughter's death. Also, Kartar Kaur tells her husband she received his letter on November 4, 1939, which made her very happy.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, possibly in 1939 from Punjab to Canada. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur wrote about her happiness when she received Indar Singh's last letter. Later in the letter, Kartar Kaur expresses her anger that she is still separated from her husband and how she is losing her will to live without Indar Singh. Also, Kartar Kaur tells Indar Singh not to write anymore to Ganga Singh (Indar Singh's cousin) because Ganga Singh's wife had been cruel to them. And there was an argument with Joginder Singh, Indar Singh's brother.

Kartar Kaur is writing to her husband, Indar Singh, possibly in 1939 from Punjab to Canada. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. Kartar Kaur explains she had not responded to Indar Singh's letters because her hand was infected, and it was very painful to write. As the letter progresses, Kartar Kaur tells her husband not to give her false hope because he previously had written about the possibility of making arrangements to bring her to Canada. Kartar Kaur says if it is not possible to make arrangements to please come back home (India). Also, Kartar Kaur speaks about how Indar Singh's older relatives are make her home life difficult. Then, she speaks about their daughter, Gurcharan Kaur's death, and how it devastates her every day. Kartar Kaur implores Indar Singh to not send money, because it will be difficult to get the money back from people.

First, Mahinder Singh is writing on behalf of a weakened Kartar Kaur, who is grieving the death of Gurcharan Kaur (Indar Singh and Kartar Kaur's daughter), to Indar Singh. Mahinder Singh implores Indar Singh to return to India from Canada to support Kartar Kaur. Second, Kartar Kaur expresses how Gurcharan Kaur consumes her thoughts. She tells Indar Singh to accept Gurcharan Kaur's death as God's wish and not to worry. Kartar Kaur tells Indar Singh to come back home.

Document is a letter written by Kartar Kaur. Kartar Kaur wrote to her husband, Indar Singh, on July 14, 1937, from Punjab, India. Indar Singh had been in Canada since 1930. In the letter, Kartar Kaur begins by expressing her pleasure that Indar Singh wrote to her, which eased her pain. However, Kartar Kaur is heartbroken that she has been separated from her husband for seven years; she talks about missing Indar Singh and requests he send her a photograph of him. Also, Kartar Kaur speaks about their daughter, Gurcharan Kaur, starting school and receiving money from Indar Singh.