Communications Plan

Introduction

The goal of the Unarchived Online Campaign is to raise public awareness and participation in a project that draws inspiration from the events depicted in “Unarchived.” This campaign seeks to establish a connection with our target audience and stakeholders through strategic communication initiatives, promoting engagement, involvement, and support for the project.

Audience

Our target audience is made up of a variety of demographics, such as Millennials and Generation Z members who care about social justice and the preservation of cultural heritage. We also aim to reach scholars, historians, and cultural aficionados who are fervent about preserving and recording marginalized history. Diasporan South Asians, particularly those who have ties to the events depicted in “Unarchived,” make up another important portion of our viewership. To further spread our message, we also want to work with digital content producers and social media influencers that are interested in diversity, inclusiveness, and cultural representation.

Spokespeople

Principal spokespersons for the campaign include Dr. Tzu-I Chung, Curator of History at the Royal BC Museum, and Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains, Director of the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) at the University of the Fraser Valley. In addition, active young volunteers and community members who are either directly involved in the effort or impacted by its results will offer insightful and important viewpoints.

Research

Through focus groups, surveys, and social media listening, we do extensive audience analysis as part of our research efforts to better understand the interests, preferences, and issues of our target demographic and inform our message and content strategy. In order to place our campaign within the larger context and optimize effect, we also carry out market research to find trends in social justice movements, internet participation, and cultural preservation. Finally, in order to emphasize the significance of conserving South Asian Canadian legacy and strengthen the veracity of our narrative, we explore the historical background of the events portrayed in “Unarchived”.

Calendar

This blog post acts as an introduction to our campaign during its first phase, outlining our goals. We intend to publish a number of blog entries in the upcoming month, all of which will be carefully scheduled to optimize interaction and effect. Although the precise frequency of articles may fluctuate, our goal is to keep a steady pace, maybe publishing one blog post every week. With our audience’s attention and expectation sparked, this timeline enables us to lay a solid basis for our campaign. It also gives us plenty of chances to continuously improve our messaging and strategy in response to audience input and campaign performance indicators.

Conclusion

Engaging with a varied audience, the Unarchived Online Campaign offers a chance to emphasize the need of conserving and sharing South Asian Canadian heritage. By utilizing effective communication strategies and captivating material, our goals are to promote community engagement, meaningful discourse, and a more diverse and culturally rich society.

Media Assets

North Indian Immigrants landing in Vancouver, British Columbia ready to start a new life half way across the globe. (Photo: “Indian Immigrant in Vancouver, BC”). Author: The Canada West, Volume: V, No.3, January 1909.

Immigrants from all over working for the Columbia River Lumber Company in the hopes living the Canadian Dream. (Photo: “Workers of Columbia River Lumber Company 1910”). Author: Krebs Photo, Vancouver Public Library, Special Collections, VPL 14264.

Fact Sheet

South Asian Canadian Legacy Project: Unveiling a Tapestry of Heritage and History

Kamloops, BC 03/16/24

Contact: Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains, Director South Asian Studies Institute, University of the Fraser Valley ,satwinder.bains@ufv.ca ,604-854-4547

  • Founders: The South Asian Canadian Legacy Project (SACLP) was conceived and started by Dr. Tzu-I Chung, the history curator at the Royal BC Museum, and Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains, the director of the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) at the University of the Fraser Valley.
  • Geographical Scope: To ensure a thorough portrayal of South Asian Canadian experiences throughout the province, the project was implemented in seven regions located in British Columbia, Canada.
  • Objective: With a focus on the value of inclusivity and community involvement, the goal of SACLP was to record, conserve, and disseminate the history, heritage, and accomplishments of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia
  • Key Initiatives: The SACLP included six ground-breaking projects, including as a digital archive, labour history documentation, a travelling museum display, a public social history book, and a tour of historic locations.
  • Cultural Enrichment: By showcasing the many traditions, practices, and accomplishments of the South Asian Canadian community, SACLP programmes have helped to enhance the cultural landscape of British Columbia and promote a better understanding and appreciation of different cultures among the general public.
  • Community Engagement: With the active participation of a variety of stakeholders, such as community organisations and young volunteers, SACLP was propelled by the community’s desire to investigate, document, and disseminate South Asian Canadian history.
  • Collaborative Partnerships: In order to guarantee that a variety of viewpoints and experiences within the South Asian Canadian diaspora are represented, the initiative promoted cooperation between educational institutions, cultural institutions, and community members.
  • Youth Involvement: Young people who volunteered for SACLP were integral to many parts of the project. They brought their perspectives and ideas to research, event organising, and archive work.
  • Legacy and Impact: By providing educators, scholars, and the general public with essential educational materials, SACLP programmes help to build a more inclusive society in British Columbia and beyond by encouraging a greater knowledge and respect of the South Asian Canadian experience.
  • Continued Legacy: The South Asian Canadian Legacy Programme (SACLP) continues to have an impact on communities, educators, and politicians by working to preserve and promote South Asian Canadian history for next generations.

Press Release

South Asian Canadian Legacy Project: Unveiling a Tapestry of Heritage and History

Kamloops, BC, 03/16/24

The South Asian Canadian Legacy Project (SACLP), which unveiled a number of programmes aimed at preserving and honouring the rich legacy of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia (BC), shines as a light of cultural preservation and education. Leading the charge on this joint project to document the complex path of South Asian immigrants and their offspring in the province are Dr. Tzu-I Chung, Curator of History at the Royal BC Museum, and Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains, Director of the South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) at the University of the Fraser Valley.

Over the last seven years, SACLP has explored seven locations of British Columbia in order to thoroughly document the historical, cultural, and social contributions made by South Asian Canadians. Driven by a common goal to uncover and disseminate the unseen tales of the South Asian Canadian community, Dr. Bains and her team painstakingly chronicled stories of migration, settlement, and advocacy.

The six innovative projects that make up SACLP are all aimed at amplifying the experiences and voices of South Asian Canadians:

1.The bilingual travelling museum display “Haq and History” explores topics of family life, labour experiences, community festivities, trans-Pacific travel, and campaigning for rights and justice. The exhibit, which is currently on view at the Surrey Centre Library, will travel the province adding local content to enhance the historical narrative.

2. Public Social History Book: Diverse viewpoints on South Asian Canadian experiences throughout British Columbia are provided by the publication of an extensive social history book. The book is an essential tool for comprehending the nuances of South Asian Canadian identity, with contributions drawn from the research and archives of the South Asian Studies Institute.

3. K–12 Teaching Resources: “Saffron Threads” offers instructors a collection of materials that delve into the history, culture, and heritage of South Asian Canadians for use in K–12 classrooms. These tools, which were created in partnership with Open School BC, support inclusive learning environments and are in line with provincial curriculum standards.

4. Digital Archive: From early immigration to modern experiences, the South Asian Canadian Digital Archive (SACDA) is a searchable online resource highlighting the history of the South Asian Canadian diaspora. The purpose of SACDA is to promote a better understanding of South Asian Canadian heritage through images, records, and personal stories.

5. History of Labour: SACLP, in collaboration with the BC Labour Heritage Centre, records the labour movements’ impact on South Asian Canadians. This culminates in the release of “Union Zindabad!” and an online display that is showcased in SACDA. The contributions made by South Asian Canadians to labour action in British Columbia are highlighted by this project.

6. Tour Historic Sites: This interactive map gives you an overview of important monuments and communities in British Columbia by highlighting historic sites that are recognised by the province and are connected to South Asian Canadian heritage.

A significant turning point in the preservation and promotion of South Asian Canadian history and heritage has been reached with the introduction of SACLP projects. According to Dr. Bains, “Our goal is to ensure that South Asian Canadian stories are not only preserved but also celebrated and shared widely.” This statement highlights the significance of community involvement in crafting the project’s narrative.

SACLP’s influence is expanding beyond provincial lines as it develops, igniting important discussions and fostering cultural appreciation across the country. The South Asian Canadian community’s tenacity and vigour are demonstrated by the legacy of SACLP, which guarantees that their historical legacies will be preserved for many more years.

Please visit South Asian Canadian Legacy Project (SACLP) – South Asian Canadian Legacy Project (southasiancanadianheritage.ca) to learn more about the projects of the South Asian Canadian Legacy Project. Or contact us

Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains

Director South Asian Studies Institute

University of the Fraser Valley

satwinder.bains@ufv.ca

604-854-4547