Celebrating Sikh Heritage Month 2026 with Art and Compassion

SIKH Heritage Month BC is celebrating its ninth anniversary with an exciting lineup of events that will be held throughout the month of April, to recognize and honour the unique contributions of Sikh Canadians.

This year’s theme for Sikh Heritage Month is “Daya,” which translates to compassion. The Sikh concept of Daya reflects a way of living rooted in kindness, empathy and care for all. Daya is more than just a mere feeling, it is an active commitment to show mercy, uplift those around us, and recognize the divine light in every being. Sikhs aspire to practice Daya as they navigate life and their responsibilities to one another.

“In a world that often feels divided, the principle of Daya reminds us of our responsibility to lead life with compassion. We hope these celebrations serve as a catalyst for British Columbians to connect with their Sikh neighbours, colleagues, and friends, strengthening the bonds that make our communities resilient and vibrant. By opening doors to dialogue and understanding, we foster a province where empathy isn’t just a sentiment, but a practice.” says Mohnaam Kaur Shergill, director of media and communications at Sikh Heritage BC.

This year’s events include:

  • Sikh Heritage Month 2025 Opening Celebration – March 28 at Surrey City Hall, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Guests will enjoy a live performance, a sneak peak of the arts event and plenty of food. This event is the official kickoff of Sikh Heritage Month in BC, and includes official recognition of SHBC’s five scholarship recipients and celebration of three ‘Community Changemakers’.
  • Daya Karho: Displays of Compassion (Art Show) – April 12 at Surrey City Hall, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: A live and interactive art exhibit surrounding Daya. This exhibit will be an immersive experience exploring our relationship with Daya, and how to be compassionate in an increasingly acrimonious world. The artists will showcase work centered around their understanding of Daya. The artwork on display is intended to help the audience contemplate the importance of Daya in their lives.
  • Sabh Mai Jot: A Night of Performing Arts: April 12 at Surrey City Hall, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Join in for an evening of art, performance and storytelling, highlighting the importance of Daya both as a personal practice as well as a collective belief. This event features a variety of local artists and performers and various forms of art including spoken word and music. 
  • Nostalgic Vibes: Touring Paldi’s Past, Present and Future, April 26, Victoria, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: This event will be co-hosted by Belonging Matters Consulting and Sikh Heritage BC. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra of Belonging Matters Consulting will lead this tour of the historic site of Paldi – a community with deep rooted interracial ties and founded by Sikhs. The tour will not only highlight the past but bring attendees into the contemporary moment on the need to keep these histories and stories alive, relevant, and meaningful.

In addition to the aforementioned events, SHBC is also hosting a number of partnered events throughout the month. Further details can be found at Sikh Heritage BC.

SHBC’s education project features five $1,500 scholarships. These scholarships are being awarded to current grade 12 Sikh students attending a post-secondary institution in September 2025, regardless of their ethnicity, or status. They include the Bhai Mardana Ji Arts Scholarship, the Bibi Harnam Kaur Ji Leadership Scholarship, the Mata Bhaag Kaur Ji Athletics Scholarship, the Mata Khivi Ji Community Service Scholarship, and the Sant Teja Singh Ji Academic Achievement Scholarship.

“In keeping with our mandate, these scholarships are a key element of our education project,” says Jasleen Kaur Sidhu. “The scholarship recipients will be recognized at our Opening Event on March 28. We hope these scholarships will encourage students to pursue their dreams and make a meaningful impact in their community.” For more information, visit: Education — Sikh Heritage BC.

SHBC also has a series of lesson plans which aim to incorporate Sikh voices and stories into BC classrooms and are created by teachers for teachers. For more information, visit: Education — Sikh Heritage BC.

Sikh Heritage BC initially launched Sikh Heritage Month in BC in 2018, with the purpose of celebrating the contributions and aspirations of all Sikh-Canadians and developing a greater understanding and appreciation of the community’s rich, unique and diverse heritage. Sikhs have been in BC for over 100 years, and Sikh Heritage Month BC is an opportunity to showcase their contribution to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the province.