New Surrey museum draws fire

October 25th, 2005 by admin

Vaheguru ji ka khalsa,
Vaheguru ji ki fatheh!

It’s very interesting that there is an exhibition of Sikh heritage taking place for the next few weeks in Seattle, a place where the Sikh population is relatively small; and the city of Surrey, which has a large number of Sikhs, does not adequately reflect the contributions of Sikh community in its new museum.

Somebody in the Surrey Museum neglected to consult with the Sikh community and this is what happens when intercultural communications are not appropriately managed. We request the Surrey Museum to appoint a 13th member to their community advisory board specifically from the Sikh community. A great choice would be a practicing, initiated Sikh who is involved in the Surrey community and lives in Surrey.

Surrey Museum Details:
17710 - 56A Avenue, Surrey, B.C.
(next to the 1912 Municipal Hall)
Telephone: (604) 592-6956 / 502-6456

All City of Surrey Council Members can be contacted by telephone at the following locals:
Mayor Doug McCallum 604.591.4126
Councillor Judith E. Higginbotham 604.591.4633
Councillor J. Marvin Hunt 604.591.4635
Councillor Barbara Steele 604.591.4623
Councillor Gary D. Tymoschuk 604.591.4626
Councillor Robert Bose 604.591.4624
Councillor Penny Priddy 604.591.4622
Councillor Judy A. Villeneuve 604.591.4625
Councillor Dianne L. Watts 604.591.4634

Vaheguru ji ka khalsa,
Vaheguru ji ki fatheh!

By CBC News
Oct 24, 2005, 20:57

Some people in Surrey’s Indo-Canadian community are upset because they say the city’s new museum doesn’t adequately reflect their history.

They feel the museum doesn’t have enough exhibits specifically devoted to the Sikh community, in a city where up to 35 per cent of the population is South Asian.

The largest permanent exhibit does showcase traditional Indian clothing. And the Sikh community is mentioned in some other displays dealing with food, newspapers and immigration.

But Punjabi radio talk show host Sukhminder Cheema says his lines have been buzzing – that his listeners want more recognition in the form of permanent displays showcasing Sikh pioneers and temple history.

“The Sikh community has been residing here for 50 to 60 years and they have made a lot of contributions in the development of the city,” he says.

Museum spokesperson Laurie Covin says the Indo-Canadian community was consulted before decisions were made on the permanent exhibit. And she says more of South Asian culture will be reflected in a series of temporary, rotating exhibits.

In the year leading up to the museum’s opening, there were lots of public hearings and other consultations about what should be on display.

Now that it’s open, there is a 12-person community board to provide advice to the curators. Currently, none of the 12 members is Indo-Canadian.

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