Hello readers!
So I have been in Canada for a while now, and I can truly say that life would be much more difficult in Canada compared to in the past. I want to dedicate this blog post to reflecting on what has happened over the years to make this country an overall better place for us. Sikhs have changed Canada and have impacted the culture and society greatly. Sikhs make up about 1.4% of Canada's population, which is minimally less than Hindus and more than Buddhists and Jews. This makes it the 3rd largest religion in Canada, behind Christianity and Islam. It obviously started smaller than it is now, as it grew over the years. Back then, they would not have the luxury of having a large following, but we do. This allows us to have an opinion as a community. We have the ability to stand up and have a say. The influx of Sikhs and those of foreign religions forced Canada to become more multicultural and accepting of others.
Sikhs had to fight hard to get to where we are now. They were constantly under scrutiny for being different. They got less wages, were discriminated against, and more. However, progress was made. For example, in WWI, Buckam Singh, one of the only Sikhs to fight as a member of the Canadian Army, died in 1919 due to tuberculosis when recovering from injuries. He is now a Canadian hero, not just a Sikh hero.
Throughout the years between then and now, there have been conflicts, but the overall motion is positive. Canada has been shaped to an overwhelmingly accepting country, which Sikhs did have an impact on. However, recent major conflicts have put this topic in question. The International Sikh Federation is an organization of Sikhs that wish to establish Khalistan. However, their methods include terrorism, violence, and assassinations. They are now listed on Canada's counter-terrorism list. Other controversies such as turban use in the RCMP or the banning of religious daggers in Quebec affect Sikhs' relationship with Canada.
Overall, Sikhs have indefinitely helped Canada become the country it is today. It helped with issues such as racism, discrimination, and overall acceptance of others. Multiculturalism is such a large part of who Canada is, and it wouldn't be the same without Sikhs' contributions to the country. I am thankful for what our ancestors have done for us.
- Amrit Grewal
So I have been in Canada for a while now, and I can truly say that life would be much more difficult in Canada compared to in the past. I want to dedicate this blog post to reflecting on what has happened over the years to make this country an overall better place for us. Sikhs have changed Canada and have impacted the culture and society greatly. Sikhs make up about 1.4% of Canada's population, which is minimally less than Hindus and more than Buddhists and Jews. This makes it the 3rd largest religion in Canada, behind Christianity and Islam. It obviously started smaller than it is now, as it grew over the years. Back then, they would not have the luxury of having a large following, but we do. This allows us to have an opinion as a community. We have the ability to stand up and have a say. The influx of Sikhs and those of foreign religions forced Canada to become more multicultural and accepting of others.
Sikhs had to fight hard to get to where we are now. They were constantly under scrutiny for being different. They got less wages, were discriminated against, and more. However, progress was made. For example, in WWI, Buckam Singh, one of the only Sikhs to fight as a member of the Canadian Army, died in 1919 due to tuberculosis when recovering from injuries. He is now a Canadian hero, not just a Sikh hero.
Throughout the years between then and now, there have been conflicts, but the overall motion is positive. Canada has been shaped to an overwhelmingly accepting country, which Sikhs did have an impact on. However, recent major conflicts have put this topic in question. The International Sikh Federation is an organization of Sikhs that wish to establish Khalistan. However, their methods include terrorism, violence, and assassinations. They are now listed on Canada's counter-terrorism list. Other controversies such as turban use in the RCMP or the banning of religious daggers in Quebec affect Sikhs' relationship with Canada.
Overall, Sikhs have indefinitely helped Canada become the country it is today. It helped with issues such as racism, discrimination, and overall acceptance of others. Multiculturalism is such a large part of who Canada is, and it wouldn't be the same without Sikhs' contributions to the country. I am thankful for what our ancestors have done for us.
- Amrit Grewal