Third Exhibition Opening at the Sikh Heritage Museum

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On Sunday, January 20th, many community members, both young and old alike, as well as local politicians and dignitaries came to take part in the official opening of the third exhibition at the Sikh Heritage Museum. Located on the ground floor of the National Historic Site Gur Sikh Temple, the Sikh Heritage Museum’s third official exhibition is called Canadian-Sikh Identity: The Turban Challenge and the Evolution of the Sikh Turban of Pagri.

The exhibition contains three parts. The first part of this exhibition –on the evolution of the Pagh’s- detail the evolution and history of the paghs from the time of the Sikh Gurus, to the various styles we see today. The second part of the exhibition contains copies of Vancouver-based newspaper articles from the year 1906, highlighting some of the discriminatory views and viewpoints many turbaned Sikhs were faced with when they first arrived to BC. On display there is the Army Dress outfit with pagh, and the RCMP Serge with pagh – which serve as examples of great accomplishments by Sikhs in Canada.

The third part of the exhibition can be seen in the media room. Each new exhibition highlights a pioneering Sikh family. This third exhibition highlights Baba Dharm Singh Gill and his family through some beautiful archival images.

After visitors took part in the viewing the exhibition, everyone was invited into the darbar hall to take part in some speeches. Those speaking included: MLA John Van Dongen, and Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman.

The highlight of the opening was a keynote address provided by Staff Sergeant Baltej Singh Dhillon. Mr. Dhillon provided an inspiring and thoughtful address, highlighting his struggles to maintain his kesh and his pagri while serving in the RCMP, but also highlighting the amazing changes in Canadian society in terms of acceptance, and not just mere tolerance.

Following ardas, the entire sangat was invited to take part in guru ka langar across the street at the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara.

The Sikh Heritage Museum is open seven days a week from 10am-5pm. We invite any and all to visit this beautiful exhibition which also serves as a great learning experience.

 

4 thoughts on “Third Exhibition Opening at the Sikh Heritage Museum”

  1. It is an excellent beginning. Must be considered as a foundation stone. Hereafter every effort be directed to build upon this foundation. Collectively we can do wonders and let us make this project as vibrant in the Fraser Valley as our community is known for. I have no doubt our community will make it a wonder worth seeing.

    • Dear Colonel Harnek Singh Toor,

      Thank you so much for your kind words. We are so very proud of our pioneering Sikh Heritage here in the Valley. We look forward to creating more fascinating exhibits in the future!

  2. Madam ,

    Sikh Regiments took part in WW1 and WW2 but I have not seen any

    photographs of the INDIAN soldiers fighting in these Wars. Sikh soldiers fought in WW1 with Canadian Army in the battle of Vimy Ridge but none of their photographs ever shown in any Newspaper or any famous magazine .Sikh regiments fought many battles in WW1 while under BRITISH rule but no
    publicities shown anywhere.May I request you to give me any best website where
    I can search such brave soldiers who actually fought various battles ?

    COL DARSHAN SINGH SIDHU

    • Hello Uncle Ji,

      Thank you so much for your email. My suggestion would be to connect with David Gray. He has done extensive research on Sikhs in the World Wars and he has also just released a new movie: Canadian Soldier Sikhs. You can can email him at grayhound@xplornet.com.

      Thank you,

      -sharn

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