History Informs the Future
Indus Media Foundation is proud to present our latest short documentary videos made in collaboration with the Museum of Surrey.
In the past, visible minority identities corrupted by stereotypes served the status quo and to disenfranchise South Asian pioneers as they do now. Among the first non-white communities to settle in Canada, the Sikhs share a long common history with this country under the British Crown. These untold stories of Sikh-Canadian Heritage are narrated by pioneers and trailblazers from within the community. Mainstream observers also describe their experience of interactions with Canadian Sikhs and comment on Sikh identity.
Brothers-in-Arms (Video 1): The Home Front – Shining a light on #Sikh history in #Canada this video narrates untold stories from the 1940s.
Brothers-in-Arms (Video 2): Silent Voices – Shining a light on #Sikh history in #Canada this video narrates untold stories from the 1950s.
Brothers-in-Arms (Video 3): A Matter of Tradition – Shining a light on #Sikh history in #Canada this video examines the Canadian Governments 1990s approval of the Turban for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Brothers-in-Arms (Video 4): A Matter of Tradition (Punjabi Version) – Policing & The Turban in #Canada – A Punjabi Language production of Video 3 “A Matter Of Tradition”, this video provides more context to the humanitarian and law enforcement traditions of the #Sikh community as #British Citizens.
Brothers-in-Arms (Video 5): Sacrifice & Betrayal – In 2017, the Queen’s Representative in BC, Lt Governor Judith Guichon, personally thanked local #Sikh #WW2 veterans for their service at our #Vimy Centennial commemoration in Surrey BC. The gesture – made for the first time in over 70 years- was a timely reminder that Indians and #Canadians at the time of WW2 were British Citizens (Indian & Canadian nationality was enacted in 1947) and that the #Punjabis, as the backbone of the #IndianArmy, were instrumental in securing the Allied victory and the freedoms we all enjoy today.
Brothers-in-Arms (Video 6): PROMISES – The Italian Campaign #InRemembrance
To mark the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we present the next video in our series History Informs The Future: ‘The Italian Campaign’ in which the British Indian Army comprising Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs served alongside Canadians. Amongst the most bloody battles of WW2 were those fought at Monte Cassino where the Indian army confronted Hitler’s Nazi elite Fallschirmjäger paratroopers after defeating Rommel in North Africa.
The video features excerpts from our forthcoming short heritage film “Promises” which we hope to complete in time for Sikh Heritage Month 2021. Stay tuned for more information on it on our FaceBook page and on www.Promises.Movie but for now, we hope the preview is a reminder that in the past we have stood together, firm in the face of tyranny and hate. If race, colour, language differences are being stoked today to intimidate, exclude and divide, it becomes all the more important to remember that in the past, we have come together successfully to defeat the greatest of evils.
#LestWeForget
Sikh Heritage Month Webinar by RBCM – A webinar produced by the Royal BC Museum as part of Sikh Heritage month remote learning program explores Sikh Heritage in Canada. Educator Annie Ohana makes connections to curriculum.