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L.A. Matheson Secondary among many Surrey schools celebrating Sikh Heritage Month in April

lam-sikh-heritage-month-2023.jpgFrom left to right, L.A. Matheson Secondary students Gaurav Saroa, Raya Kaur Sandhu and Ajaypal Singh Grewal with the school's magnetic display for Sikh Heritage Month, showcasing the history of the month and the significance of Sikh arts, culture and history. (Submitted by Gurpreet Bains)

April is Sikh Heritage Month, and schools across the district are celebrating the arts, culture and history of Sikh students, staff and families in Surrey and White Rock.

With more than 500,000 people, Canada is home to the second-largest Sikh population in the world. In 2013, Sikh Heritage Month was first celebrated in Ontario, followed by B.C. in 2018, and was officially recognized federally in 2019. The initial celebrations also led to the formation of Sikh Heritage B.C. (SHBC) six years ago, a local organization run by graduates-turned-teachers from L.A. Matheson, Tamanawis and Frank Hurt secondary schools, intended to promote greater knowledge and understanding of Sikh culture through lesson plans and educational resources.

“These students in the past saw that some of our history and culture and heritage was not represented years ago, they couldn’t get their hands on books or resources, so this is where the drive came from,” said L.A. Matheson Punjabi teacher Gurpreet Bains. “Now they’re teachers and they want to make a difference, and that really warms my heart.

“Education is to bring change and make communities better, and these grads have put in their effort and time to change something for the better.”

At L.A. Matheson Secondary, Bains said Sikh heritage is very important to the school community, with this month being a time for guest speakers, Vaisakhi celebrations and field trips to the Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford, a national historic site built in 1911 by Sikh pioneers.

Bains’ Punjabi 11 and 12 students decorated a magnetic wall with posters from SHBC that highlight the history and intent of Sikh Heritage Month, the Sikh value system and the significance of giving, sharing and caring in Sikh culture.

“L.A. Matheson is a very diverse school and we do a good job of celebrating different cultures, holidays and events,” she said. “As a Punjabi language teacher, I also teach about heritage and culture, and April is the month where a lot of students in my classroom want to learn more about their heritage.”

Additionally, for the third year in a row, Bains’ Punjabi language students are raising money this month for the Guru Nanak Diversity Village, a new senior care home. To date, the students have fundraised $11,271 out of their $13,000 goal over four years.

“This is all student-led with a little bit of guidance here and there from teachers,” said Bains. “People are opening up their hearts. This is giving them life skills to organize events and run things successfully.”

The school is accepting donations through SchoolCash Online. The public can also coordinate to drop off donations at the school by calling the L.A. Matheson office at 604-588-3418, or by emailing Bains at bains_gurpreet@surreyschools.ca

Happy Sikh Heritage Month to all of our students, staff, parents and families!

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