Reconciliation Canada organised a Walk for Reconciliation which saw the participation of thousands, including Sikh Canadians, all of whom demonstrated a vibrant commitment to an inclusive society focussed to prosperity of all including indigenous communities and migrant peoples, providing a lesson to many across the world together with communities and political leadership in South Asia.

Canada is undoubtedly the second home for the Sikhs. Hundreds upon thousands, born in homeland Punjab are making to new shores with Canada being their priority destination. The visibility of Sikhs across the political spectrum in Canada has made to-be-migrant Sikhs more secure about Canada though there are success stories in various other walks of life too.

The steps taken by Canada to build the mosaic pattern of inclusive society, includes the work of Reconciliation Canada. According to Reconciliation Canada, reconciliation begins with each person and then extends into their families, relationships, workplaces and eventually into their communities.  It requires the ability to be open to diverse perspectives and difficult conversations.

“We are able to live with honour, dignity and independence. In the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the turbans.”

The methodologies and tools used by Reconciliation Canada go beyond verbose-filled rhetoric. It is actual reconciliation in action -”through dialogue, leadership and action”. Recently when they organised their Second Walk for Reconciliation alongside the City of Vancouver, as many as fifty thousand Canadians -including many from migrant and indigenous communities participated sending a clarion call for inclusivity and reiterating their commitment to shared progress and prosperity.

At the helm of Sikh affairs in Canada, the World Sikh Organization overwhelmingly participated not only to endorse brotherhood of Canadians but also to demonstrate that the spirit of reconciliation is in consonance with the Sikh commitment of Sarbat da Bhala.

Sikh organizations, Gurdwaras and post-secondary Sikh student associations from across the Lower Mainland British Columbia took part in the Walk and the Reconciliation Expo, a multicultural and inclusive event that featured community and educational booths, cultural performances, and speakers.  At the Expo, members of the Sikh Motorcycle Club tied turbans on attendees while Sikh youth explained the significance of the Sikh article of faith.

“Sikhs understand the need for reconciliation and truth-telling.  We look to our Métis, First Nations and Inuit sisters and brothers for inspiration as we work together to lay a foundation for a new way forward.”Jasbir Kaur Randhawa, WSO National Vice President”

During the event, Janmeet Singh Khalra, son of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who was disappeared by Indian security forces in September 1995, was ceremonially blanketed as an honorary witness by Chief Ian Campbell, along with other honorees, including BC Premier John Horgan, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Holocaust survivor Robbie Waisman.

Chief Campbell, explaining the significance of the blanket ceremony said, “this now means we are family. We have adopted all these fine people by blanketing them to show them that we are in the same canoe.  We all must put our paddles in the water to collectively move forward. We also must not ignore that this country is founded and built on a very solid foundation of Indigenous peoples. We will no longer be invisible in our own land.  Our history is your history.”

Jasbir Kaur Randhawa, the WSO National Vice President said, “We stand in unity and solidarity with our Indigenous friends.  Sikhs understand the need for reconciliation and truth-telling, as our community has not yet had this opportunity with respect to the thousands of Sikhs who were disappeared and killed in India after 1984.  We look to our Métis, First Nations and Inuit sisters and brothers for inspiration as we work together to lay a foundation for a new way forward.”

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Such a process for reconciliation in South Asia can save thousands of lives and millions in monetary resources for progress and prosperity of its peoples. Social and political developments in countries like India and its neighbourhood call for a deeper understanding of the trials and tribulations, expectations and aspirations of distinct communities and nationalities that dot the Indian sub-continent. Reconciliation Canada chief Dr Robert Joseph has summed it aptly, “Our future, and the well-being of all our children rests with the kind of relationships we build today.”