2011 Centennial Year of the National Historic Site, Gur Sikh Temple
In 2011, the community of Abbotsford, located on the unceded territories of Sto:lo people, commemorated 100 years since the Gur Sikh Temple and National Historic Site was built. The centennial year marked an iconic moment in Canadian history as community organizations came together with the Khalsa Diwan Society Abbotsford and the South Asian Studies Institute (then the Centre for Indo Canadian Studies) to commemorate the moment. Below you will see the timeline of commemorative events as well as related media during this significant year.
Photo Exhibition
January 10, 2011
Proclamation by Mayor at Abbotsford City Hall
South Asian Readers’ and Writer’s Festival
March 29, 2011
at Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
Vaisakhi Luncheon
April 13, 2011
Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association
Opening Reception of National Historic Site Sikh Temple Exhibition
April 13, 2011
at The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford
Opening Reception of “Transnational Punjabis in the 21st Century” Conference
May 5, 2011
at Centre for Indo Canadian Studies , UFV
Transnational Punjabis in the 21st Century Conference & Temple Tour
May 6, 2011
at Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford
Virasat Pioneer Gala
May 7, 2011
at Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
Constructs and Contradictions Undergraduate Conference
May 7, 2011
at Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
Starting Sri Akhand Path Sahib Prayer at National Historic Site
August 26, 2011
at Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford
Cultural Events
August 27, 2011
at Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford
Bhog Sri Akhand Path Sahib Prayer, Jore Mela, Nagar Kirtan
August 28, 2011
Outside Stage: Speeches by representatives/dignitaries of different faiths and different institutions VIP will address the audience and unveil Centennial monument Official opening and ribbon cutting by the chief guest of
Celebration of Punjabi Art and Culture Exhibition Opening Reception
September 23, 2011
at The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford
Diwali Celebration
October 26, 2011
Ehsaas South Asian Film Festival-Sikh Documentaries
November 15, 2011
at Centre for Indo Canadian Studies, UFV
Official opening of the Sikh Heritage Museum
December 17, 2011
at National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple, Abbotsford. Closing ceremony of Centennial year with Lieutenant Governor of BC the Honourable Steven Point Khalsa Diwan Society, Abbotsford
