South Asian Canadian Historical Places

Engagement Summary

Heritage BC, a not-for-profit, charitable organization, was contracted to administer the public nomination process for places of historical significance to South Asian Canadians in British Columbia.
The project focused on the places associated with stories and experiences of individuals who identify themselves as having heritage based in the South Asian regions of India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Recognition serves as an opportunity to celebrate British Columbia’s diversity, and acknowledge the contributions of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia – both past and present – to the prosperity and development of the province. Recognition of this kind is purely commemorative, acknowledging the values associated with the historic places nominated by members of the public.

The public was invited to submit nominations via email, website and hardcopy. Project partners such as the Royal BC Museum and the University of the Fraser Valley also promoted the nomination process. Nominators were informed a selection of the nominated places would be formally recognized by the Government of British Columbia and placed on the BC Register of Historic Places and the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

An evaluation team made up of community members, historians and others with subject matter expertise reviewed the nominations and provided recommendations for final selection.

Timeframe: 

Nomination Period: September 16, 2016 – November 30, 2016
 

Input received:

Overall, 35 submissions were made representing 26 places to be considered for recognition. A wide range of nominations were received, from places of worship, to cultural landscapes and places of business.

Input leads to action:

As a result of the public nomination process, 15 places have been recognized for their high significance to South Asian Canadian history in British Columbia under section 18 of the Heritage Conservation Act.

The 15 sites are:

• Akali Singh Sikh Temple, Vancouver

• Burrard Inlet – Coal Harbour, Vancouver

• Mahal Cranberry Farm, Richmond

• Golden Sikh Temple, Golden

• Gur Sikh Temple, Abbotsford

• Guru Nanak Mining & Trust Co. – Commercial Building, Vancouver

• Joginder Bains Park, Lake Cowichan

• Kapoor, Sooke Lake

• Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara, Vancouver

• Paldi, Vancouver Island

• Punjabi Market, Vancouver

• Simcoe Park, New Westminster

• Tod Inlet, Vancouver Island

• Topaz Street Sikh Gurdwara, Victoria

• Youbou Mill, Lake Cowichan

A complete list of nominated sites is available on a Heritage BC interactive map.