Alice Basarke

October is Women’s History Month, so designated by the United Nations. In a an attempt to tell Her Story and to acknowledge her contributions, I have Looked back in time to see who were the first women pioneers who came to Canada from India, What was their story? ‘What hardships did they suffer? What adjustments did they make? What contributions did they make to Canada, their chosen land?

Sikhs first started coming to North America about the turn of the century, ‘The first to arrive were well received. No passports were needed in those days. ‘A medical checkup and the price of a ticket on an ocean liner was all that was necessary. Jobs were plentiful and employers welcomed the new comers, who were mostly Sikhs from Punjab, because they were good workers, not afra of hard labor and willing to work for lower wages than the local folks. Moreover, there was a strong racial prejudice against the Chinese and Japanese laborers who were pouring into British Columbia after the Railway construction jobs were drying up. These were the ‘good days before “continuous journey legislation,” heavy head tax, the Asian Exclusion League and ban on women. ‘The first bold adventurers came out from Punjab to make their fortune. They ‘were lured out by the promise of high wages. Most intended to work for a tow years, save their money and return to their families with a small fortune.

Beiween the years 1887 and 1910 only nine Sikh women immigrants came to Canada. Every new wave of immigrants faces countless adjustments and difficulties when leaving their homeland. Leaving family and friends, finding no support groups in way of social or religious groups, new climate, different food, no housing, etc. These adjustments are more bearable if the choice to make them was a conscientious free one, it is doubtful that women had much to say in this department. Men chose to £0, the women followed.

The first woman on record to arrive Was Bibi Bishan Kaur. She came to Vancouver by train from New York wither son and husband Teja Singh fk band, she was an edu. spoke English and Punjabi fluently Her skills as translator, and her advice and counsel was much needed by the com. munity, She was religious and bard working, with a husband and young child to care for, as well as always being ‘on call for community needs. Her husband was away a great deal, so she had to learn to be self-reliant and versatile. The political climate was very negative. Asians in general, were all despised and looked down upon. Sikhs were not permitted to have their families join them. ‘The battle for Rights was in full swing.

On April 4, 1909, a local Canadian lady by the name of Annie Wright took Amrit and was married to Munsha Singh as was recorded by the Khalsa Diwan Society in Vancouver, B.C. thus becoming the first recorded mixed marriage among the Sikhs in Canada. She and her husband took on new names of Labh Kaur and Gayan Singh. With so few women in the Sikh community, she endeared herself quickly by becoming a gracious hostess and cook for the many bachelors in the community. Her life cannot have been easy. There is not much recorded, but one can imagine the hardships and prejudices she must have had to endure.

The wife of Hira Singh arrived with child, Naranjan Kaur, after much hardship on July 21, 1911. She gave birth to the first Sikh child, a little girl born in Canada on the 13th of June 1912. Unfortunately neither the name of the mother or the daughter could be found. Hira Singh cameto Canada and worked hard for three years before returning to the Punjab to bring his wife and daughter to Canada. At that time there was nothing in the immigration laws to prohibit the arrival of Sikh women. However the laws were subject to interpretation by the transportation companies, which refused to book passage unless a return fare was paid, to secure the company against loss in case of deportation.

The transportation companies and the immigration officials were a law unto themselves. What they did was iftegat but it was done without question never the less I was under these provisions that Mrs. Hira Singh and her threes year old daughter, were passengers on the Montage. Anticipating problems they tried to disembark in on Francisco, They were not permitted to landing were deported back to Hong Kong in. stead. Prom there, after long delays they set out for Vancouver. On arrival in ‘Vancouver she was ordered.

The husband who could prove that he was a resident of Vancouver was allowed to disembark. The wife and child were sent off to Victoria, where they were held 28 illegal aliens and held as virtual prisoners. Two bonds of 1,000 each had to be paid before she and her daughter were released, while waiting for a further hearing. The story of Harnam Kaur was equally filled with hardship. Her husband, Bhag Singh came to Canada in 1905. In 1910 he returned to India to bring his wife back to join him. The delays and the hardships were horrendous it took them till Jan. 21, 1912 before they were per Mitted to come back. In the meantime, Harnam Kaur gave birth while in transit toJoginder Singh in Hong Kong. Within 2A months of entering Canada under such duress, she died on Jan. 30, 1914, shortly after giving birth to her second child Karam Kaur. The child was born in the local Gurdwara, because no doc tor could be found willing to assist her. Her husband Bhag Singh died shortly after on September 6, 1914afierasenseless shooting at the Gurdwara by Bela Singh. Their two orphaned children were taken by Bibi Kartar Kaur, wife of Bulwant Singh and raised withdrawn Kartar Kaur was the only lady present in the congregation at that time.

Pioneer women have had to suffer great hardships. Sikh women were no exception. During Women’s History Month perhaps we can all reflect on their sacrifices, which helped pave the way for coming generations.

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 13, 1995