Announcing the South Asian Legacy Project: NFB’s “Unarchived” Documentary
The project aims to restore information about the positive impacts of the South Asian minority group in Canada
Vancouver, BC – March 18, 2024
The South Asian Legacy community is thrilled to announce the launch of a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) – the South Asian Legacy Project. This visionary endeavor aims to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of South Asian communities across Canada, ensuring that the stories and experiences are remembered and cherished for generations to come. The project aims to document the history of South Asians in Canada, showcase their impact, and fight racism. As part of this project, the community is excited to unveil the release of “Unarchived,” a documentary film directed by Hayley Gray & Elad Tzadok.
“Unarchived” explores the untold narratives and contributions of South Asian immigrants and their descendants in Canada. Through interviews, archival footage, and compelling storytelling, the film delves into the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of South Asian Canadians throughout history. “My South Asianness also informs who I am and it’s beautiful information that I carry with me”, – says the Director of the South Asian Studies Institute, Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains. Documenting information about the minority group is important, according to Dr. Bains, as it showcases the development of the culture and educates others about it.
From the pioneering individuals who paved the way for South Asian settlement in Canada to the vibrant voices shaping the Canadian cultural landscape today, “Unarchived” showcases the breadth and depth of the South Asian legacy in Canada. It explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural preservation, offering a reflection on the enduring spirit of the community. The industrial town of Paldi is a great example of a multinational community living and working together. People from India, China, Japan, Ukraine, Scotland, and other countries worked, studied, celebrated, married, and enjoyed living together with a strong sense of community. Workers came and lived there from 1950 to around 1970, according to the movie, and the experience was unforgettable. Like parts of one big puzzle, people helped each other and spent time together to reach a common goal.
The release of “Unarchived” marks a pivotal moment in the collective journey to preserve South Asian heritage in Canada. By releasing the movie, NFB attempts to reach mass media with a message to stop promoting hatred towards the minority groups who impact the development of Canada and, in this case, specifically BC. It is vital to be educated and reminded that Canada is a multinational place where everyone is equal.
The South Asian Canadian Legacy Project aims to collect knowledge about the development of the South Asian community in Canada, its history, and its impacts on Canada’s economy, society, and culture. Being a parent organization of the project, the University of Fraser Valley is proud to provide all the needed resources to make the project successful.
Artem Zhurakovskii
Public Relations Coordinator
zhurakovskiia20@mytru.ca