An interactive, exploratory and heartfelt conversation between South Asian mothers and daughters with Masters of Social Work student, Harnaaz Kaur Grewal

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Meet the Project Curator

Hi!
I’m Naaz Kaur Grewal 👋🏾

I am a Master of Social Work student at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus and a Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Warrior.

About the Project

I am currently completing my Master of Social Work degree at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan campus and enrolled in SOCW 514 – Diversity and Critical Reflexive Practice taught by Dr. Rachelle Hole. Our final assignment presented the opportunity to put together a creative project related to a topic centering on factors of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice in a reflexive way. My mind started to race, thoughts and ideas flowing and so I made a cup of chaa and…eureka! I had my final project idea! I was reminded of how some of the most heartfelt and personal conversations I’ve had have been with my mother, Rupinder Kaur Grewal. When I go to Tsawwassen to visit the family, we purposely get up early before everyone else, make a cup of chaa with toast or paranthas, sit outside, and talk about life. Our topics range from gossip about the local aunties and uncles, romance, domestic violence, struggles my mom has faced as an immigrant woman, and much more. This is why I chose to dedicate my final project to my mom and all our Chaa da Cup sessions over the years.

The Chaa da Cup project is centRed around providing a platform for South Asian women to speak their truth in a safe space.

It is a way to document the trials and tribulations of immigrant and Canadian-born South Asian women who grew up in the Canada we know today. Interviews were conducted with generations of South Asian women about their experiences immigrating to, or growing up in Canada.

The conversations focus on their experiences with racism, discrimination, the integration of South Asian culture and the dominant Canadian ideologies and culture, internalized racism and so much more. We then end off with discussing the importance of allyship, how someone can be an ally for the South Asian community, what is needed to address racism in Canada, and messages of hope for the future generation.

So, grab a cup of tea and sip some chaa with me as we go on this adventure!

About NAAZ

After completing high school, I enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree at UBCO with the ambition to become a family doctor, but fate had another destiny in mind for me.

On July 20, 2020, I entered the doctor’s office expecting a routine check-up. Instead, my doctor uttered the words “Naaz I am so sorry, but you have cancer”. Yep, you heard that right…the person studying to become a doctor had become the patient. What followed were years of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, numerous surgeries, hair loss, mental distress, a sense of loss of identity…oh… and let’s not forget a global pandemic!

What helped me throughout all of this was the connections I felt with the people around me, my fellow cancer warriors, my family and friends, my fiancée, and the medical staff. The medicines kept me alive, but it was human connection that helped me survive. It was within that journey that I discovered the field of social work. While I was on my own path towards medicine I somehow tripped, was spun around and planted into this new field.

As a prospective social worker, I am committed to providing a space where voices can be heard and amplified, to advocate for equitable and fair access to public services, and to challenge injustices, especially those that affect the vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.

 

I am so excited to have you join us on this journey as we sit together, sip on some chaa, and bare witness stories of heartbreak, new experiences, adventures, loss, and hope. I am incredibly lucky to be able to celebrate the strength of our women and humbly thank each and every one of them for letting me share their stories.

Acknowledgements

01. I would like to acknowledge that my work was created and developed on the traditional, and unceded territory of the sqilxʷ/syilx (Okanagan) peoples. I offer my gratitude to the Syilx people for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honor those teachings.

02. I would like to thank my dear friend Juggi for supporting me in making this vision come to life. None of this would be possible without you! (We love you, Naaz! – J)

03. I would like to thank the project participants for believing in me and sharing their stories with the world. I love you all!

04. I would like to thank Dr. Rachelle Hole and Robin Metcalfe for their guidance throughout the making of this project

THE RESEARCH

Resources

Godley, J. (2018). Everyday discrimination in Canada: Prevalence and patterns. Canadian Journal of Sociology, 43(2), 111-142.

Koehn, S. (2022). Intersections of gender, ethnicity and age: Exploring the invisibility of older Punjabi women. South Asian Diaspora, 14(1), 39-54. https://doi.org/10.1080/19438192.2021.1949669

Malhi, R.L., & Boon, S.D. (2007). Discourses of “democratic racism” in the talk of South Asian Canadian women. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 39(3), 125-149. https://doi.org/10.1353/ces.0.0026

Minhas, R.S. (2020). The elephant in the Zoom: Recognizing and reconciling my internalized racism. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(40), 1169-1170. doi:10.1503/cmaj.201737

EMERGING THEMES

  • Internalized & externalized racism, culture

  • Immigration and first-generation Canadian struggles 

  • Intergenerational trauma 

  • Resource development

  • Lack of diversity in small towns 

  • Brown on brown hate in large cities 

  • Culture shock & stereotypes

  • Misogyny / Patriarchy

  • Sexism 

  • Domestic violence 

  • Model minority myths

  • Strength & Resilience 

  • Amplification / Allyship / Power 

  • Education 

The Women & Their Stories

(swipe for each profile)

  • Grewal Women

    Participants: Rupinder Kaur Grewal, Saaya Kaur Grewal and Sahiti Ayala, honorary Grewal and Queen

    Read Now

  • Saini Women

    Participants: [Nani-ji] Harbhajan Kaur Banwait, Harjit Saini & Jasmine Kaur Saini

    Read Now

  • Gill Women

    Participants: Sarabjit Gill & Ravneet Dhadli-Gill

    Read Now

  • Asia Nijjar

    Participants: Asia Nijjar & Harnaaz Kaur Grewal

    Read Now

  • Dhadli Women

    Participants: Ravinder Kaur Dhadli & Jagreet Dhadli

    Read Now

Naaz’s Learnings

Interested in Naaz’s take on her experience developing this project? We sat down with her and dug deep.

FINAL ACKNOWLEGEMENT

I want to dedicate this project to my mom, Rupinder Kaur Grewal. Thank you for teaching me how to be loud and proud and to never let others stunt my growth.

Thank you for teaching me to never let anyone belittle me because of the color of my skin.

Thank you for working hard to give us the life you dreamed of.

There are a million more things to thank you for. These are just a few of the ones that are overdue.


Love,

Naaz

To all my immigrant mothers: We see you, we hear you, we love you, and we thank you for your sacrifices ♥️

Contact

For more information, media inquiries, or to get in touch with Harnaaz about Chaa da Cup, send an email to info@chaadacup.ca

Thank you