'The ceaseless flow of the river fascinated Maluka. The smooth silent movement of the water made him feel at home, for the Fraser was much like the Sutlej gliding through the plains of the Punjab. It was much easier to become intimate with the river than
with the unknown people in a strange country."
~ from Maluka by Sadhu Singh Dhami
Rivers, water, journeys and a sense of home bind all immigrants to writing the story of Canada. The authors of that story may change over time to include new perspectives that were previously marginalized but this ongoing, continuous journey reflects
how we see Canada and define what it means to be Canadian. One of the benefits of retelling the story of the Komagata Maru today is that it allows us to build upon the work of previous generations to make sense of one of the most symbolic
moments in Canadian history.
The story of the Komagata Maru resonates beyond 1914, linking to freedom movements in India and the right to vote for South Asians in Canada. It addresses how we build communities, understand official multiculturalism, how
we remember our past and develop multiple connections. Here you will find collected for the first time rare government documents, newspaper articles, academic texts, videos....and even a diary.
One of the unique features of this website is the active attempt to reframe traditional perspectives of this story to include a variety of Canadian Indian voices. This helps for a nuanced and multilayered look at history, while also communicating the
lived realities of Canadians - and those striving to be Canadians - over 100 years ago.
You can access the information on the website in a variety of ways. The headings at the top of the screen organize the content thematically across different types of media and texts. If you are looking for a specific type of
resource, use the left hand column to search through the various documents, visuals, or videos we have curated.
