EDMONTON: The Sikh Heritage Association of Alberta held a very colorful and impressive banquet with a focus on minorities in Canada Inspite of an unexpected blizzard which dumped nearly a foot of wet snow in a period of less than 8 hours more than 200 brave souls congregated to take stock of the situation confronting our society.
After Ardas Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon the President of the Sikh Heritage Association welcomed the honored guests.
Speaking on the occasion Christie Mjolness and John McInnis the New Democrat MLAs from Alberta highlighted their support for the Sikh concerns and invited the Sikhs to take their rightful place in the political and public processes of the country. They said they were proud of and indebted to Mo Sahota from B.C. the only NDP legislature in the country for his commendable contribution to the party and the society
Mr. Sheldon Maerov the past president of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton emphasized the need for ‘networking’ among the minority communities for gaining the rightful place in our society. The need for getting the younger people involved and getting them to assume appropriate responsibility can never be over emphasized. He challenged the Sikh community to come out to the main stage of the society and lead the process of networking among various communities which comprise our society. He also mentioned that in his encounters with the provincial and the federal leaders on the issues of Turbans in the RCMP he heard more hollow and meaningless arguments than he had ever heard before.
Mr. Doug Tupper Chairman of the Public School Board indicated that there are nine heritage languages being taught in the school district and there is potential for adding more. He indicated strong support for the Sikhs wearing ‘Kirpan’ and hoped to complete the “unfinished” business of according formal approval for wearing of Kirpan by the baptized Sikh youth in the school system.
Mr. Henry Woo recipient of “Order of Canada’ an Ex-MLA a Canadian born Chinese and a veteran of Canadian Armed forces highlighted the societal problem by citing examples of peoples’ reluctances to accept him as a ‘Canadian’. He sought a change towards meritocracy and a departure from discrimination on the grounds of sex religion appearances or linguistic background.
Mme. Shirley Maheu M.P. and Official Opposition Critic for Multiculturalism came all the way from Montreal to participate in this function on behalf of Mr. Jean Chretien the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. She was very appreciative of the British Columbia decision to allow Sikhs to wear their Kirpan while on the premises of the Workers Compensation Board. She was critical of lack of adequate representation for the visible minority Canadians in the federal service. She highlighted a need for ‘emotional commitment’ to the country and her party’s commitment to Multiculturalism employment equity for all people.
Mr Zubair Kashmeri a journalist with Toronto Globe & Mail and a co-author of the best-selling book ‘Soft Target: How the Indian Intelligence Penetrated the Canadian Government’ was another keynote speaker from Toronto He pressed the need for networking among minority and ethnic groups to avoid recurring problems of racism discrimination and intolerance. He cited numerous examples of inexplicable intolerance towards the Arabs and Muslims asa result of American military adventures in the middle-east. He said that the Arabs and Muslims are facing the same negative reaction now what the Sikhs have been facing for the past seven years. He urged the two communities (Arabs & the Sikhs) among others to start working together
Mr. Gian Singh Sandhu International President WSO was also the guest of honor for the evening. He urged the Sikhs to become more effective in their approach towards a rightful place under the Sun It is regrettable that a hundred years after first landing in this country the Sikhs still have to struggle to secure the basic rights to wear the articles of their faith He highlighted with examples how a rational and well thought out approach can be much more effective in bringing the desired results at lesser cost in lesser time and without any avoidable controversy. He asked the Sikhs to work through the Sikh organizations instead of a disorganized gun-shot approach. He lambasted the Canadian government for giving $75000 to McCauliffe Institute to examine the feasibility of starting a new Sikh organization in Canada”. Mr. Sandhu stated that the government of Canada is disappointed at its failure to influence the functioning of WSO because WSO has not sought any governmental grants. In its efforts to manipulate the Sikhs in Canada the government of Canada is seeking to create a new organization which the government hopes will be subservient to its wishes.
He also introduced the new publication “The Sikh Spectrum’ produced by the Sikh Heritage Association and commended the organization for their efforts and the contribution towards the Sikh cause.
The resolution presented at the end of the evening’s proceedings stated;
“This assembly of concerned Canadians is of the opinion that the basic fundamental rights of equality justice freedoms of expression assembly and practice of religion as well as the safety of life and property for all humans in any part of this world must not be allowed to be compromised by individual or collective interests of wealth power or territory.
Be it resolved that the Government of Canada take appropriate initiative and effective steps to restore the rights liberties and freedoms of all minority groups Aboriginals Arabs Blacks Kashmiris Muslims Sikhs Slovaks and others facing deprivation denial of justice and human rights and oppression in various parts of the world.
The participants in this function also included Margaret Osbaldeston Citizenship Court Judge Dr. Saleem Qureshi Professor of Political Science at University of Alberta and representatives from the Jewish Islamic Ahmadiyya and Black communities United Church of Canada Police Department Immigration Services University Professors presidents of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and Edmonton Chapter of WSO Although previous commitments kept them from being at the function Mr Jean Chretion the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Mr. David Kilgour M.P. Mr. Lawrence Decore the leader of the Liberal Party of Alberta and Mr.Ray Martin the leader of the Alberta New Democrats sent message of support and good wishes.
Mr.Gian Singh Sandhu presented commemorative plaques for their outstanding support and contribution to Ms. Valerie Hautch of Edmonton Sun Ms.Pearl Benne of ‘Equality Now’ Action Committee Ms Diana Parker of CKER Radio Station. Plaques were also presented to the keynote speakers.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 12, 1991
