A story of immigration, empire, politics, and human rights, which Canadians increasingly recognize as a critical moment in this country’s history.

A century has passed since the Komagata Maru arrived in Vancouver. Its arrival was a direct challenge to Canada’s immigration laws, which barred immigrants from India – yet the nearly four hundred Punjabi passengers on board the ship had been promised equality with all other British subjects, and they arrived to claim that right. For two months, the passengers were harassed by immigration officials and endured extreme physical hardship, until finally they were forced to return to India. Today the incident is a strong symbol of racist anti-Asian laws, policies, and social practices that Canada is still reconning with.