Sikhi;
what does it mean? What does it mean to you? What does it mean to the person reading over your shoulder? Who are we? Who were our ancestors? What is spirituality? What is our soul? What is a saint soldier? What is Khalistan? Why should I do sewa? Why is my Dastaar (turban) so important? What's the big deal if I cut my hair? Does the meaning change if I'm a women? What is Operation Bluestar? What does activism have to do with it? What is Operation Woodrose? ...
This may only be a glimpse of what goes on inside a young mind. The endless questions, the vague answers, or worse yet, no answers. SIKHing 2010 is a youth conference that puts you in the driver's seat, designed to give you control of gaining your answers. Once again, there is a myriad of speakers from all different walks of life, with different perspectives on Sikhi. The two day conference offers 19 distinct lectures/workshops of topics relating to spirituality, our Canadian identity, our history and much more. Immerse yourself in a weekend of dialogue in order to further your understanding of what Sikhi means to YOU.
This two-day event will be taking place on April 3rd and 4th at the Telus Centre, University of Alberta.
Tickets are for $15 or by donation and will be available at the door.
Here's a glimpse of our speakers:
Shanti Kaur Khalsa
Espanola, New Mexico
Shanti Kaur is a Director for Akal Security, the fourth largest private security agency in
the world, a Sikh-owned private company with nearly 15,000 employees in more than
forty states. This is a non-traditional role for women, and particularly for a woman in a
turban and Khalsa bana. She is a published historian, and regularly contributes articles
on both current events and Sikh history to Sikh publications. Shanti spent more than
twenty years studying with Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji who inspired her on
the path of Sikhism. She is an active kirtani, and has traveled widely giving inspirational
kirtan and lecture programs.
Pardeep Singh Nagra
Toronto, Ontario
A light-flyweight boxing champion of Ontario – was not allowed to box at the Canadian
Championships by the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association because he refused to
shave his beard which is a mandatory article of faith for Sikhs. Arguing his case, courts
ultimately reversed the decision, calling upon the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association
to end religious discrimination, uphold the Canadian Human Rights Act and Charter of
Rights and Freedoms, and allow Nagra to compete without being forced to shave his
beard. Today Pardeep is a speaker, trainer and consultant with substantial experience in
organizational change. He specializes in Anti-oppression, Equity, and Diversity work. He
has held positions in University, College, Public Health, Police and Human Service
Sectors and has worked both as a Diversity Officer and Diversity Manger.
Tejinder Singh
Vancouver, British Columbia
Tejinder Singh is an educator at the Guru Nanak Academy for Sikh youth in the Lower
Mainland, BC. Guru Nanak Academy has assisted community organizations, Sikh youth
groups and multi-faith educational societies with volunteer projects, creating awareness
of multi-faith tolerance, and educating society on Sikhi and its principles. Tejinder Singh,
who was mentored by the late Bhai Parminder Singh, speaks frequently at youth events,
such as, Nihaal, which is an annual youth convention.
Cynthia K. Mahmood
Notre Dame, Indiana
Cynthia was born in Reading, Pennsylvania to a family of mixed German and Hungarian
ancestry. Her mother and father were active in labor and union causes, and she grew up
in an environment alive to social conscience. Awarded a full graduate fellowship,
Cynthia enrolled in Cornell University’s anthropology program in 1977-78. It was chance
that guided her research interests to religious conflict in South Asia in the early 1990s,
specifically the growing Sikh unrest in the Indian Punjab. Ensuing political violence in
Punjab killed tens of thousands and victimized many more until the movement quieted
down in the early 1990s. In 1992, Mahmood began meeting Sikh leaders in the US, the
UK and Canada, and for four years, she recorded their stories of human rights abuses in
Punjab. She developed trust with the community and eventually began speaking with
fighters in the Khalistan commando force about the violence in the Sikh militant struggle
and the philosophy of resistance inherent in the faith. The project resulted in the 1996
ethnography, Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants.
Santbir Singh
Toronto, Ontario
A Political Science and Sociology graduate at McGill University, Montreal. Santbir was
born into a devout family, and initiated himself into the Sikh faith at the age of 9. He
founded the Montreal Sikh Students Association, was a key organizer with Anti-Racist
Action, CLAC (the Anti-Capitalist Convergence), COBP (Citizens opposed to police
brutality), a group of activists from a South Asian background, and several other
organizations. He now lives in Toronto with his wife, Rajvinder Kaur, and their two
children.
Mona Gill
Edmonton, Alberta
Gill shares her very personal story in a film titled Namrata. The nine-minute
documentary illustrates the domestic abuse she suffered for six years and her incredible
journey to free herself from the relationship and fulfill her dream of becoming a police
officer. She is currently working with the Edmonton Public Police, and lives with her
inspiration, her daughter Anmol.
Dr. Harjot Kaur
Calgary, Alberta
Harjot has been a guest lecturer on Sikhi at various public and private schools, on CBC
radio, and to the Girl Guides of Canada. She was the keynote speaker for the Calgary
Public Board of Education's Symposium for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in
1991, and also a speaker at their committee hearings for Religious Symbols in Schools
for the Kirpan.
Within the Sikh community, Harjot Kaur was the chief organizer for the first two Sikh
Youth Conferences in Calgary commemorating the Tercentenary of the Khalsa. She has
devoted her energy to spreading the Guru's teachings via Gurbani kirtan with English
transliteration so that the heart of Sikh youth can be touched and transformed by the
Guru's word.
Join us and students from all across Canada!
-Sikh Students' Society
University of Alberta
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