Grewall an unknown hero, former premier Barrett says
By Ken Herar,
Special to the News
Last of a series.The last three weeks, I covered some interesting events that shaped the forest industry in B.C. during the 1950s, an era of corruption where people lobbied the government for change.The struggle was far deeper than this. There is very little written about Canadian history and the struggles people faced.I had the opportunity to speak with former BC NDP Premier Dave Barrett and asked him to share his views. Barrett was first elected in 1960 as a CCF MLA for the Dewdney riding where his predecessor Naranjan Grewall ran unsuccessfully in 1956. The first thing Barrett states during our conversation is Naranjan Grewall is a "first class hero". Barrett acknowledges he never met Grewall but heard many great things about him. Still, to this day he regrets not meeting him and states, "Grewall accomplishments are far greater than mine".Barrett came to Canada in late 1957 and Grewall died in July of that year. When Barrett first ran for public office in 1960 he states, "following in Naranjan's footsteps was difficult he was a icon and I didn't think I had a chance of getting elected". He further adds, "Grewall had done amazing things and I did I was the new kid on the block".The former Mayor of Mission City and CCF candidate was a successful businessman and was well regarded by many. Barrett adds, "the IWA and the CCF party loved Grewall for his honesty and generosity as a businessman".Grewall became a major broker in the lumber industry operating six companies in the Fraser Valley. People referred to him as a "public spirited person" always donating to the wealth of humanity. Grewall was a national figure and a philanthropist to the highest degree. In 1955, Grewall and his wife went to India to built a school for the children in his hometown called the Colombo Plan". Grewall became the first Indo Canadian to be elected in Canada in 1950 as a city councillor in Mission City. He later became Mayor in 1954 and in 1955 became the first Indo Canadian to be nominated by a political party in Canada. The Indo-Canadian population at that time was very small compared to now so these accomplishments were valued as great achievements for that time.When Grewall was nominated as a candidate for the CCF party in the Dewdney riding in 1955 this drew excitement from all walks of life. But, according to Barrett, he faced open discrimination on the campaign trail in 1956. Barrett states, "the former mayor knew the risk he was taking and many people were surprised he took this risk to enter the race".Some members and groups of our society openly opposed his candidacy strictly on the basis he was an Indo-Canadian, he explains. Barrett also states, "Grewall was the best candidate by far in 56 with amazing knowledge and a dynamite speaker who knew all the issues facing this province particularly with the crisis in the forest sector".This open discrimination against him didn't deter Grewall. He ran a successful campaign with many well- wishers offering their support in his bid but open discrimination during certain moments of his campaign became a concern. During the campaign police provided Grewall with protection. Barrett states, " Grewall overcame many of these racial insults with his dynamite personality and every kid who thinks he or she is being discriminating against should read the Grewall story and the challenges he faced".But, at the same time people had a great deal of respect for him, states Barrett. Grewall strong showing in the 1956 election silenced his critics and he proved a point to everyone that colour has no boundaries. Barrett adds, "he lost the election but won the hearts of many." His candidacy was more than politics, it was about the ruthless desire for change in this province a vision which many politicians today don't seem to have.When Barrett became premier in 1972 he was invited to the Sikh Temple in Vancouver he was presented with a ceremonial sword. "When I received this I announced to the audience this isn't for me, this is for Naranjan Grewall, he is our true hero!"If there is one regret Barrett has over his political career, he wishes he had met Grewall. In 1995, the District of Mission named a residential street in his honour called Grewall Terrace‚ something as a Mission resident I am very proud of. If there is something I have learned from this series is that as Canadians we don't talk enough about Canadian history. We are too busy learning about American history. Canadian kids in school should be learning more about modern day Canadian history. I have enjoyed sharing with you the story of a man who helped open the area of politics for visible minorities in Canada.
KenHerar@gmail.com
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