In recognition of the passing of 100 years since passengers of the Komagata Maru were denied entry into Canada, Boat People examines the stories and contributions of other Abbotsford immigrants who made their way to Canada via an ocean voyage.
The exhibition draws on The Reach material culture collections: artefacts, photographs and excerpts from oral histories.
The immigrants aboard the Komogata Maru were deemed “undesirable,” were denied entry into Canada and sent back to India. The immigrants aboard were also denied the opportunity to contribute to the social and cultural fabric of Canadian (Abbotsford) society or to support the development of Canada’s (Abbotsford’s) economy.
While The Reach examines the contributions of other cultures, the Sikh Heritage Museum in the National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple, is exhibiting Challenge and Denial – Komogata Maru 100 Years Later, 1914 – 2014.
