While temperatures sweltered, warmth and pride filled the air as special guests, residents of the community and members of the Sangha family gathered in front of Lake Cowichan Kaatza Station Museum on Aug. 15 for the plaque unveiling to honour International Woodworkers of America (I.W.A.) union organizer and officer Darshan Singh ‘Canadian’ Sangha.
READ MORE: Plaque honouring labour leader to be unveiled in Lake Cowichan
The Kaatza Station Museum which houses the International Woodworkers of America (I.W.A.) Archives hosted this momentous event, and just outside their doors will be the new forever home to the the 24th plaque which was produced through B.C. Labour Heritage Centre’s Plaques Around the Province Project with sponsorship of the Hari Sharma Foundation.
Harinder Mahil of the Hari Sharma Foundation shares that even if he was not involved in making this special day come together, he would still be present because of its significance and all it represents.
During a time where racism was prevalent Sangha played an active role in organizing workers in the I.W.A. from 1941 to 1947. His contributions were invaluable for both the struggles of South Asian workers and immigrants from India in Canada during the 1940’s. Under Sangha’s leadership, South Asian Canadian union members became vital to the strength and diversity of British Columbia’s labour movement. United Steelworkers District 3 director Scott Lunny sees the impact Sangha made within the I.W.A. though his efforts but know there is still more work to be done going forward.
Several special guests spoke with much eloquence and pride on the connections they had to Sangha, and the postie impacts he made within the I.W.A. to what it has become and stands for today.
Sangha also convinced the labour movement to speak out on issues of importance to the community such as independence for India and the right to vote. Upon returning to India in 1948 Sangha was elected to the state legislature of Punjab, and went by the name Darshan Singh “Canadian”.
Unfortunately Darshan Singh Sangha was assassinated in Punjab, India by ultra-nationalists 1986. His memory and contributions lives on, and the plaque erected in front of their museum in his honour will be a continuous reminder of the difference and impact one individual can make.
This historic day was an important one to all who attended and B.C. Federation of Labour secretary-treasurer Hermender Singh Kailley spoke to this while expressing deep gratitude to all in attendance and made this day possible.
