A Sikh Century of Service
Stories of Sikh Army Veterans and Winnipeg’s Hidden History
A Sikh Century of Service, an exhibit presented by Sikh Heritage Manitoba in partnership with the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada and Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation, brings forward powerful stories of Sikh army veterans whose contributions span global, Canadian, and local histories.
Through photographs, archival records, and personal histories, the exhibit reveals lives shaped by resilience, service, and determination — stories that have long remained in the background.
What makes this history especially meaningful for Winnipeg is a surprising truth:
Sikhs were living here over a century ago.
Historical records show Sikh men connected to Winnipeg as early as 1916 — building lives, finding work, and navigating discrimination and restrictive immigration policies at a time when bringing families to Canada was not easy.
These stories are not isolated. They are part of a much larger narrative — one that stretches across continents and generations, and is deeply connected to Canada’s history.