Echoes of Home: Tracing Girmitiya History 🌺
Presented by the Nameless Collective Society and No Ties 1879 Cultural Society in partnership with Canadian Heritage
Echoes of Home is a community event that honours the lived histories and legacies of our Girmitiya ancestors—indentured labourers stolen from India and taken to Fiji under British colonial rule.
The evening features a partial screening of the powerful BBC documentary Coolies: How Britain Reinvented Slavery, which uncovers the realities of the indenture system and one person’s search for their roots. The evening will include live classical music, bidesia poetry, and a panel discussion which will invite reflection on the legacy of our ancestors, our shared identity, and resistance. Guests will also experience a cultural exhibition of community-submitted photographs and immigration documents, as well as traditional appetizers and refreshments.
This event is more than just a film screening—it’s a space to reflect, connect, and honour the stories that have shaped the Indo-Fijian diaspora. Whether you are part of this community or simply curious about an often-overlooked chapter in history, this event promises to leave you informed and inspired.
Echoes of Home shines a light on a lesser-known chapter of global migration history, fostering awareness about Indo-Fijian heritage. Themes of migration, survival, and cultural preservation resonate universally, connecting past challenges to present-day conversations on identity and diaspora.
📽️ Echoes of Home: Tracing Girmitiya History
🗓️ Friday, June 13, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Surrey City Hall (13450 104 Ave, Surrey, BC)
Join us for an evening of remembrance and reflection featuring:
🎞️ Screening of Coolies: How Britain Reinvented Slavery
🎙️ Panel discussion on girmit & diasporic identity
🎶 Live classical Indian tabla music
🖼️ Cultural exhibition of community-submitted photographs and documents
🍛 Traditional Indo-Fijian refreshments
Presented by the Nameless Collective Society and No Ties 1879 Cultural Society in partnership with Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada.
📌 All are welcome | Admission $10.00