Sikh Heritage Month - April 

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This year, to celebrate Sikh Heritage Month throughout April, Langara is proud to greet everyone with a Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. This salutation expresses the bond of fellowship between members of the Sikh community and means “The Khalsa belongs to Waheguru (Lord, God), The Victory belongs to Waheguru.” Langara thanks the Sikh community for their ongoing connection with the College and recognizes all the accomplishments achieved by Sikhs on our College community, across British Columbia, Canada, and the globe.

Canada’s first Sikh heritage month was first officially celebrated in BC in 2018 (the event was celebrated prior to that in the Sikh community), with the province being home to about half of Canada’s Sikh population. Langara’s international student population’s largest demographic is from India, of which, many are Sikh. Langara is, additionally, uniquely honoured to be neighbours with the Punjabi Market at our main campus. As an educational institution, Langara is grateful for the beautifully distinct and inclusive perspective Sikhs bring to our College community, and learning as well as the rich culture and history passed on from generation to generation.

This year’s observance of Sikh Heritage Month is centered on Chardi Kala, a Sikh concept that refers to a state of high spirits, optimism, and resilience in the face of adversity. 2024 marks significant anniversaries for the Sikh community in Canada and abroad:

  • 120 years since the first Sikh immigrants arrived in BC 
  • 110 years since the Komagata Maru incident  

These hardships inform the Chardi Kala of 2024’s Sikh Heritage Month, but the following Sikh-Canadian achievements are buoyed by it as well: 

  • The resistance of Baltej Singh Dhillon whose bravery to insist on religious accommodations for RCMP officers resulted in a national conversation and greater acceptance of the Sikh religion and its obligations to wear a turban and have a beard
  • The best-selling explorations of feminism, immigration and Sikh identity through Rupi Kaur’s poetry
  • Jagmeet Singh’s continued role as leader of a federal political party and the contributions of Harjit Sajjan, a current Cabinet Minister, both representing ridings in BC
  • Palbinder Kaur Shergill’s work as a judge on the Supreme Court of British Columbia as well as her involvement in community associations like the Fraser Health Authority, World Sikh Organization and Sikh Feminist Research Institute

Countless other Sikh individuals have made significant contributions to the local and global community, which Langara recognizes, is endlessly thankful to benefit from, and provides a platform to support the work of the Langara Punjabi Association (lpa.langara@gmail.com).  

We also have a list of materials and the Library's literature guide (video and literature) related to Sikh identity included below. 

Video Guide 

Events 

Resources