Darshan Singh Sangha, Plaque
This bronze plaque is located outside the Kaatza Station Museum at 125 Southshore Rd, Lake Cowichan, BC. It was developed with the support of the Hari Sharma Foundation and the Kaatza Historical Society.
The plaque was cast at Ornamental Bronze, a unionized foundry in Richmond which has operated since 1928. It was unveiled August 15, 2023.
This is one of many Plaques around the Province, a project of the BC Labour Heritage Centre which aims to recognize events, actions, episodes, movements, or experiences that played a significant role in the history of the labour movement and working people in all regions of British Columbia.
Darshan Singh Sangha
The plaque reads: “One of the greatest achievements of the I.W.A. was the uniting of all woodworkers...irrespective of race and colour.” Darshan Singh Sangha worked for the International Woodworkers of America (I.W.A) from 1941 to 1947 as a union organizer. His job was to sign up South Asian lumber workers into the I.W.A. throughout western Canada. His militant voice and unwavering determination were highly effective. South Asian workers joined and became vital to the union’s strength. Employers were forced to abolish discriminatory race-based pay, to meet and negotiate with the union, and to treat workers with dignity. Sangha also convinced the union to speak out on issues important to the South Asian community, including independence for India and the right to vote in Canada. BC Labour Heritage Centre 2023 Union Made Hari Sharma Foundation