By Harinder Mahil
Last Saturday I had an opportunity to take part in the unveiling of the Golden Tree monument, erected in the memory of Amarjit Kaur Bal, Sukhvinder Kaur Punia, and Sarbjit Kaur Sidhu, the three farmworkers killed on the morning of March 7, 2007, while being transported to work by a labour contractor in an overloaded van. The monument was unveiled in the Friendship Garden, behind the Clearbrook Library in Abbotsford.
More than 150 people representing trade unions, community organizations, family members of the three farmworkers, city officials and government representatives took part in the ceremony.
The Golden Tree Monument Committee, led by the three workers’ families in coordination with Abbotsford Community Services, Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) and the BC Federation of Labour, has worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. The Golden Tree is the first monument in Canada to celebrate and honour farmworkers.
Jim Sinclair, the former president of the BC Federation of Labour, speaking at the ceremony said, “It has been a true honor to be part of the creation of the most amazing and powerful monument to farmworkers in Canadian history. Let it stand tall and beautiful as a reminder that all workers’ lives are equally important and that the rights of people who provide our food need to be respected.”
Irene Lanzinger, President of the BC Federation of Labour spoke at the event and stated that the Golden Tree monument is an historic achievement and a vital reminder of the challenges farmworkers face every day. “This remarkable monument stands as a legacy to three women so tragically killed, and a reminder that we can never again fail in our obligation to protect all working people”, said Lanzinger.
Raj Chouhan, NDP MLA and Deputy Speaker of the BC Legislative Assembly, who was the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers’ Union spoke at the ceremony and stated that the March 7, 2007 accident could have been prevented had the government agencies enforced the safety standards. He said, “This monument will inspire us to fight for equality for farmworkers.” He thanked the workers’ families for taking up the cause for safety standards and leading efforts to construct the monument.
Charan Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) said “The Golden Tree Monument is a befitting tribute to three hardworking farmworkers who became victims of a callous and negligent system.” He said he was pleased that after eight years of hard work and collaboration between families of the victims, labour organizations, service providers and the government; this monument is finally ready for the world to honour these women.
Manpreet Grewal, Director of the Abbotsford Community Services acted as the master of ceremonies at the event and stated that it has been a privilege for her organization to be a part of the journey of the making of this project. “It is not only the monument itself which is spectacular, but what it represents is heart moving,” said Grewal.
The Golden Tree was designed and built by local artists Dean and Christina Lauzé. The tree embodies the images of three women in the three stages of life – maiden, mother, matriarch. The Golden Tree is comprised of a 22’ tall, twisting apple tree that merges into three subtle female forms. Anchored by strong, thick roots, the tree rises and spreads gleaming gold limbs into a canopy of iridescent green leaves and golden apples.
I hope that the Golden Tree monument will remind us about the farmworkers’ working conditions to bring food to our table and will inspire us to improve their working conditions.
Harinder Mahil is a human rights activist and is a director of the Dr. Hari Sharma Foundation.
