October

Whilst the pioneers had to focus on overcoming the obstacles and hardships as immigrants struggling to build a future for themselves from scratch in a new land, Canadian Sikhs today have achieved a level of economic and social influence and stability to be able to turn their attention to other things, not least the ‘luxury’ of being able to enjoy and invest in its arts. As well as celebrating and nurturing the arts at a community level, through for example, competitions of traditional Punjabi folk dance and music (Bhangra) within social centers and Universities, partnerships with some of Canada’s key cultural institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum have brought Sikh culture and heritage to wider audiences and a new level of appreciation through events such as The Spinning Wheel Film Festival (the world’s first Sikh centric film festival). And younger generations of Canadian artists of Sikh origin have been afforded greater opportunity to pursue and develop their creative talents within the various fields of literature, film, visual arts, media and music to the extent of influencing mainstream popular culture and representing Canada on an international platform.