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Golden Gurdwara is recognized for its historical significance

The Golden Sikh Temple has been recognized under B.C.’s Heritage Conservation Act
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In the fall of 2016 a new point of interest sign was erected on Highway 1 to recognize the historical importance of the Golden Sikh Temple, or Gurdwara, as well the the town’s South Asian Community. Star Photo

Golden has been chosen as one of 15 locations in the province to receive a special recognition status as a place of historical importance to the South Asian Canadian community.

“Over here at the museum we are pretty pleased with the announcement,” said Colleen Palumbo, executive director of the museum, as well as the nominator.

“We have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure the cultural interests of all of Golden’s citizens are recognized. Golden had the first Sikh Temple in Canada and we are so proud that the interests of the South Asian Community in Golden are being recognized around the province.”

The Province of B.C. along with the Royal BC Museum and the University of the Fraser Valley launched the South Asian Historic Places Project in the fall of 2016, asking for nominations from around the province for places that represent a historic value to the community.

They received 34 nominations representing 26 places, and after an evaluation process, 15 historic places were chosen, including the Sikh Temple right here in Golden.

The original temple sat on the corner of a lot, which is now owned by Gurmit Manhas, at the end of the street past the School Board Office looking towards the Rona. Plans are being put together to erect a kiosk there that would share information about the original building, the first South Asian people to Canada, the importance of the Gurdwara to the Sikh people and the history of why they left and what brought them back.

The largest influx of men came from South Asia in about 1905-06, which would be the time period that the Temple would have begun services.

In 1926 a fire burned the timber limits of the Columbia River Lumber Company, where all the South Asian men worked and the men left for the coast having no work to do. When the forest started to grow back the men came back and soon it was necessary to build the present Gurdwara on 13th Street South.

As a chosen site, the Gurdwara, or Sikh Temple, will be included on the BC Register of Historic Places, and will be put forward for inclusion on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

The Province hopes the acknowledgement of the heritage values associated with these places will broaden understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures that are part of British Columbia’s heritage, as well as honour values related to immigration, fighting for equality and justice, building community, and celebrating cultural diversity.