April

Sikh identity and faith was a significant cohesive factor for the growing community. 1904 saw the arrival of the first copy of the Sikh Holy Scriptures (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) to Vancouver.

And Gurdwaras like those at 1860 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver (the first to be built in 1908) and Abbotsford, and Golden and Victoria (which opened a few years later), became a focus and rallying point for celebrating important occasions (such as Indian Independence from British rule in 1947) and for addressing social and political issues affecting the community.

An integral part of keeping the faith involved defending the Sikhs' visible identity of the turban, which came under attack from different quarters including The Rex Theatre Vancouver in 1953 which initially refused entry to a Sikh on the grounds that his turban would restrict others view of the film.

Organizations such as the Khalsa Diwan Society (est. 1907) helped champion community rights and welfare and promote Sikh teaching and way of life in Canada whilst also maintaining links with and supporting communities in India and the Far East.