Mission City Record: Cycling for Diversity 2011

Cycling for Diversity 2011

There is hope for federal Liberals in the Fraser Valley..

Pounding pavement and painting police cars

By Ken Herar, The Times April 22, 2011

Who says Abbotsford has always been politically blue?

Looking into the history books, the 1960s and '70s federal elections were always a three-way battle between then Social Credit, Liberal and the New Democrats. Only a few thousand votes separated each party from victory.

In fact, Abbotsford elected a Liberal member of Parliament to Ottawa in 1968.

Gerry Pringle served one term from 1968-1972 as the Fraser Valley East representative. He was later defeated in 1972 and 1974 by long-time Social Credit and Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament Alex Patterson, who regained his seat from Pringle.

I applaud candidates from all political stripes, who let their names stand for public office. Many people talk about it, but very few actually follow through. Little appreciation comes along with the enormous responsibilities.

I had the opportunity to experience this firsthand and go door-knocking with one of the federal candidates. For the most part, people were welcoming when we came to their door. Looking back, we only had one bad experience, where the lady basically slammed the door in our face. Little did she know, I reside a few doors down. If candidates come to your door, take the time to meet and greet them, and ask questions. It's a fabulous opportunity to be politically engaged face- to-face at your own door step with the candidate who may be representing you in Ottawa.

Looking for perfection can be nearly impossible in politics. Finding a candidate who best represents you is a much better method. There will be someone for everyone on the ballot May 2. In public life almost everything can be fair game, including one's personal life.

It's occurring more frequently and candidates are being fired or forced to resign for silly behaviour. Mandeep Bhuller, who is the Liberal candidate for Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge/Mission, recently had his drinking and driving conviction from 2003 thrown into the spotlight. Speaking with Bhuller recently, he expressed sorrow for the incident and claims he has learned from it.

"I am humbled that my friends, supporters have stood with me despite my mistake. Liberals believe that mistakes should result in help, not prison. Liberals believe that people can, and should, make amends, but should also have second chances," said Bhuller.

"I decided to run despite my DUI because I think our riding deserves an MP, who believes in these values."

Driving past the political colours on our streets, notice any other changes around town? Speaking with Abbotsford Deputy Constable Rick Lucy, he shared some interesting insights into these changes.

In 2005, it represented the 50th anniversary of the Matsqui/Abbotsford Police.

To mark this special occasion the department decided to have two cars appear with a 'retro' black and white look.

Lucy said: "At around this time, there was also some discussion about updating the overall appearance of our marked vehicles. Our awareness that a number of policing agencies in North America had been returning to the traditional black and white colour scheme, combined with the public feedback on the black and white cars that we had patrolling the community, had us embark on a design review based on a black and white scheme."

"The end result was the decaling [much of it reflective] and black and white markings that now exists on half or more of our marked fleet. We will continue to phase in the 'new' look as marked vehicles require replacement, so that cost is not a factor."

n Ken Herar is a columnist for the Abbotsford-Mission Times. Kenherar@gmail.com.

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

Meeting and interviewing Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney

Speaking with Christina Reid from MSA Museum

Are South Asians creating a cultural chasm?

By Ken Herar, The Times March 31, 2011

"Diversity would be working better if East Indians participated more within the community."

As much as I hate to admit it there is some validity to that point. For multiculturalism to survive in Canada and to be an effective government policy for future generations, there has to be equal participation from all people.

Unfortunately, I have heard it too many times: that we're working in separate silos and those walls are getting harder to penetrate.

Abbotsford in many ways is leading this discussion as evidence by the many brilliant groups of individuals working diligently to address this issue.

When we examine cultural divide issues, they not only exist within mainstream society, but also within ethnic communities. For example, the South Asian comedy show incident in Abbotsford where the police cancelled the popular show in addition to making a few arrests.

This particular incident raised comments from various members of the South Asian community. For example, I heard comments such as this: "It's the newer immigrants from India that are ruining it for the rest of us."

It's loud and clear that the cultural divide within the South Asian community is also growing parallel with the mainstream. Being born and raised here my values are often different than someone coming from India.

I don't speak fluent Punjabi and some members from my community find that hard to believe. Not all members from the South Asian community are the same, as one might believe. There are South Asians who have been here for several generations - more than 50 years.

Then there are families who fit somewhere in the middle with 20-30 years of Canadian residency, followed by the newest group who may have been here less than 20 years. Consequently, members maybe at diverse stages along the Canadian experience spectrum.

There was a time decades ago, when you could fit everyone in the same room. This has become virtually impossible now as the community continues to grow.

I heard an interesting fact: If South Asians all came together and were to form their own city in Canada it would be the third largest city in our nation.

South Asian leaders should take a closer look at these subtle divisions and attempt to address them in order to create unity, understanding and respect not only within the South Asian community, but the larger mainstream of Canadian society.

Christina Reid from the MSA Museum contacted me about an upcoming event they are hosting at the Trethewey House on May 14. They've put together a program to answer the following question: "If you were a pioneer who had just arrived to Abbotsford 120 years ago, what skills would you [need] to have or learn to survive here?"

The idea is for the public to be invited to the site, which we will have set up as a working homestead for the day, and to have people who are engaged in the activities that would have taken place when our pioneers were settling. Reid is requesting for more South Asians participation to gain insight.

"I have tried in many different ways to provide opportunities for participation for the Indo-Canadian community. It has become painfully obvious to me that when we ask for Indo-Canadian participation at our events, we invariably ask for Bhangra dancers and demonstrations of how to wrap a turban," said Reid.

"Now is the time to decide if you want Canadian culture to be one that includes your ethnic heritage, or if your heritage should be something that sits isolated in a part of town where only those kinds of people live.

"There are no streets named for Sikh pioneers. There are few donated artifacts from Sikh families in my collection, and no photos."

Many settlers were here long before the Anglo-Saxon/German/Dutch-Scandinavian families who do have streets and schools named for them.

"Typically speaking, we all know that Indo-Canadians live in our community. But if you all were sucked up into a gigantic vortex and disappeared tomorrow, how would the next generation know you had ever been here?", Reid asked.

n Ken Herar is a columnist with the Abbotsford-Mission Times.

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

Speaking with Justin Goodrich on 101.7 FM CIVL Radio.

Clocking in from all four corners of the community

By Ken Herar, Special to the Times March 18, 2011

I realize that changing your clock an hour ahead can be a daunting task, which requires a special skill.
Especially, when it comes to my vehicle, and searching through the driving manual with pictures. So, if I am an hour late for our next meeting, you the reason why.
I would like to extend my congratulations to all the recipients and nominees at the 9th Annual Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards, held two weeks ago. I heard from many who attended that the evening went smoothly and guest speaker Nehal Azab shared a compelling talk about her experiences in her native homeland of Cairo, Egypt.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in the 4th Annual Mission Writers & Readers Festival. This was my third time attending and it just gets bigger and better.
Kudos to the organizing staff. It was an action-packed day and I had the fortunate opportunity to participate in Speed Networking, where I met many interesting people. In the hour, a dozen or so people signed to come to my table and have a little chat. They expressed an interest possibly getting published as a columnist.
I had an opportunity to return to the University of the Fraser Valley campus in Abbotsford and be a guest on The Way I See It, an hour-long program with host Justin Goodrich on 101.7 FM CIVL Radio.
The focus of our discussion was local diversity and some of the issues around it. We touched on many aspects throughout the segment from inclusion to whether diversity is really working in our community. One remark that I do recall making is we need to mainstream our diverse communities. This should be the focal point of our campaign and discussion in the years to come. As the population grows throughout the decades we need more initiatives for people to be involved in mainstream activities - something we have moved away from.
There is no hiding the fact that our communities are experiencing isolation issues in schools, neighborhoods, workplace and how we communicate with each other on a daily basis. One way to conquer this is through building awareness. I don't believe people do it intentionally, but need to be reminded of some of the challenges we're facing. I also shared their many fabulous citizens who are working to bridge this cultural gap and are making a difference.
I had lunch with Abbotsford Member of Parliament Ed Fast recently, and he said something that stuck with me. He spoke positively about our local diversity. It's going to take a few generations for people to blend into the community and we're still early in that process. Great point, Ed. Station Manger Aaron Levy from CIVL Radio liked my point about mainstreaming our communities and invited me to come back to explore more topics.
- Ken Herar is a columnist for the Abbotsford-Mission Times. Contact him via e-mail at: kenherar@gmail.com.

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

Celebrating the 100-year milestone of the Heritage Gurdwara in Abbotsford

I'm honoured to contribute to this Heritage Gurdwara Centennial Celebration souvenir publication.

It’s a special time for the South Asian community as we prepare to mark this 100-year milestone.

The Heritage Gurdwara holds special meaning for me and my family. I recall visiting the Gurdwara in the 1970s for many weddings and prayer services.

It’s wonderful to see we’re celebrating this anniversary in a unique fashion with the entire community and with citizens from around the world.

The temple stands as a pillar of cooperation in how people from different walks of life came together here in the Central Fraser Valley to construct a safe place of worship.

As a columnist with the Abbotsford/Mission Times. I have profiled the Gurdwara’s remarkable journey and the important role it plays within our community.

In June, I will be celebrating 16 years as a writer and have been privileged to share so many amazing and compelling stories.

Former award-winning Abbotsford newspaper editor Rick Rake, who continues to be a passionate supporter of the South Asian community here, taught me an important lesson that I practice whenever I write.

He said: “Don’t make the story about yourself. Showcase the many deserving people in the community who are truly making a difference. A sign of a good journalist or editor is one who gets out there, engages with the people, talks to them, and focuses on their accomplishments. If they look a little deeper, and beyond their own experiences, writers discover a treasure of fascinating stories.”

I have never forgotten Rick’s meaningful and influential words.

Meeting people and hearing their stories is how we’re going to build an inclusive, diverse community. The moment we move away from this platform, voices gets unheard and the untold history is lost to future generations.

Being in the public eye, I make a huge effort to surround myself with positive people.

Lakbir (Lucky) Farwaha is one of those family members who have always been very supportive since I was a small child.

Actually, he claims I used to cry a lot as a toddler. Farwaha recalls going to the temple on many occasions often getting called at the last minute in the middle of the night.

“I remember the temple priest calling me in the middle of the night to fill in with prayer services.”

He also remembers a time where there was a small landslide in the temple parking lot.

“After a prayer service reading in 1976, I came to my vehicle, which was parked on the east side of the building. People were waiting around my car to tell me the ground had moved. The Lord works in mysterious ways and saved my car.”

Farwaha arrived in Canada in 1972 and worked for Meeker Cedar for 31 years. He has three children and has been involved in many community initiatives..

In 1988, he raised the largest amount of funds ever recorded by the Kinsmen Mother’s March.

Much of his time is currently occupied with the Abbotsford Community Policing office with the Citizens Patrol Division where he is the Lockout Auto Crime Coordinator.

“I like to help the public in a way to educate them to protect themselves from violence and crime.”

As the South Asian community continues to grows in all sectors, we should never forget the many sacrifices made by our pioneers.

One of the most inspiring stories I wrote and one of which the South Asian community can feel extremely proud, is that of former mayor of Mission City Naranjan Grewall.

Grewall became mayor of Mission City in 1954. Four years earlier, he was elected to city council, making him the first visible minority and South Asian to be elected to public office in Canada.

He was later nominated as a provincial candidate for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, which is now currently the New Democratic Party (NDP) making him also the first visible minority to run as a candidate in Canada. He was narrowly defeated by Socred Labor Minister Lyle Wicks in 1956. My father (Tok) assisted him in his 1956 election campaign, one that became of national significance.

It became apparent as I shifted through the old fragile papers from the late 1940s and 1950s that I was dealing with something historical that would inspire our nation.

In my 16 years as a newspaper columnist, I can say I’ve never come across such an inspiring and unselfish story.

It was not just his candidacy that inspired me; it was his commitment to changing how government does business in this province, paving the way for future generations. Grewall spoke at the Heritage Gurdwara on South Fraser Way on many occasions and was consider one of the many vibrant leaders within the local South Asian community.

It was also his generosity and philanthropic spirit toward various projects in Mission City, and abroad, that captured the imagination of Canadians, especially when he donated funds for a school to be built in his hometown village of Jodhan, India, called the " Colombo Plan."

During the much-heated 1956 provincial election, Grewall as a CCF candidate commonly addressed the issues of taxes, bridges, farmers and the forestry industry, which he claimed was being "monopolized" by a handful of large companies in the province.

Grewall referred to these stakeholders as "Timber Maharajahs."

Grewall said the system would revert to a "form of feudalism, which I left 30 years ago."

He spoke passionately before the provincial cabinet and testified at the Sloan Commission on behalf of small logging operators in B.C.

Just days before election day, Premier W.A.C. Bennett spoke in Mission City, which was supposed to be the last leg of the long summer campaign. During the premier's Social Credit address, many of the uninvited CCF supporters gathered and heckled Bennett from inside and outside the hall, making it one of the most memorable moments in B.C. political history.

Bennett spoke for more than two hours and amplifiers carried his voice to the crowd and those unable to squeeze into the hall.

During the first half of his speech, the premier's smile was well in evidence as he jibed back at his hecklers. Bennett however, showed no fear of his hecklers, combining humor and charisma to fight them. At one point he even called out: "I just love hecklers."

When Bennett announced there would be no debt by 1962, a heckler cried out: "You won't be here in 1962!"

The premier shot back: "I'll be here in '82!"

Later, another of the premier's promises was met with the succinct insult: "Oh, what a liar you are."

Hearing this, Bennett invited the heckler on stage, helping him up with his own hand. The man repeated the insult, but upon further questioning, admitted he was a supporter of the CCF.

Bennett said efforts were made to get the Mission High School auditorium for the meeting, but it was not available, "which shows that schools are not owned by the government and I am not a dictator."

At this point a voice was heard shouting out "baloney." The heckler was CCF candidate Grewall, who proceeded to enter the hall and began to seat himself on the stage, "to the accomplishment of mixed cheers and catcalls."

The premier continued his speech, as many cried out to hear Grewall speak. Bennett said that the CCF and Liberals could rent their own hall if they wished to address the gathering.

At this moment Grewall sprung to his feet and spoke angrily (to the premier) and shook his finger in Bennett's face.

When the excitement subsided, hecklers taunted Bennett to speak about former forestry minister Sommers' corruption case.

Bennett stated that under Canadian law a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Bennett later claimed he was hit in the arm during the scuffle and was escorted out of the Legion hall by the RCMP.

In British Columbia politics is commonly known as a "bloodsport" and this incident between the premier and Grewall truly demonstrated how fierce political battles were fought.

I spoke with former premier Dave Barrett in 2003, during a four-part series I was working on.

Barrett recalled hearing many incredible stories about Grewall, when he first arrived in Canada in 1957.

Barrett said during the interview: "He was an icon, I didn't think I had a chance of getting elected in his riding. He lost the election, but won the hearts of many."

When Barrett became premier in 1972, he was invited to the Sikh Temple in Vancouver and was presented with a ceremonial sword.

As he received the sword, he told the audience: "This isn't for me, this is for Naranjan Grewall. He is our true hero."

Barrett and Grewall never met, but he started his political career in Grewall's former riding of Dewdney, when he first got elected to the B.C. legislature in 1960.

When Grewall was nominated as a candidate for the CCF party in the Dewdney riding in 1956, this drew excitement. But, according to Barrett, Grewall faced open discrimination on the campaign trail.

"The former mayor knew the risk he was taking and many people were surprised he took this risk to enter the race," said Barrett.

Barrett said Grewall overcame many racial insults along the way.

"Every kid in the North Fraser, who thinks he or she is being discriminated against, should read the Grewall story and the challenges he faced."

Grewall was later found dead in a Seattle motel room with a gunshot wound to the head in July of 1957. He was 47 years old.

On a different note, myself along with a group of cyclist will be cycling through several lower mainland cities to celebrate, “ World Cultural Diversity Day” on May 21, a day proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.

I have been cycling, running and doing whatever it takes to get me through this five-day journey.

Our team will be stopping at several sites in Abbotsford, including the heritage temple.

Meeting and speaking with people is always fun and exciting. I am not planning doing this alone. If you believe in this message and would like to be part of this team, even if it's for only part of the distance, drop me a line. This has to be a group effort; we all have to make some sacrifices to make our communities better. I am looking for some outstanding talent to join my team and me.

The bike that I will be pedaling on has been generously donated by Wentings Cycle & Mountain Shop in Mission. During the trip, I would like to raise enough funds to buy the bike and donate it to an individual who is in need.

Stay tuned. I am looking forward to coming to a city or town near you.

Again, congratulations to the Khalsa Diwan Society of Abbotsford and South Asians across the globe on this anniversary.
KenHerar@gmail.com