Rooted in Love: Reimagining Human Rights & Inclusion through Sikhi
In a time when exclusion is rising, Sikhi calls us back to our roots: Oneness, love, and fearless justice.
On April 26th, as part of Sikh Heritage Month, Sikh Heritage Manitoba, in collaboration with Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation, hosted a powerful and reflective workshop on Human Rights and Inclusion in Sikhi. Held at Maples Commons, the gathering brought together community members, educators, and leaders to explore how the Sikh tradition approaches justice, equity, and dignity for all.
Centering Love as a Sikh Principle
At the heart of the event was a keynote address by Harinder Singh, Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI). With wisdom drawn from Bani, Tavarikh, and Rahit—the core Gurmat frameworks—Harinder Singh challenged the audience to think beyond current social norms and rediscover the radical compassion at the root of Sikhi.
“We are supposed to be about love,” he reminded us. “Love is about Waheguru. Love is about Ik Oankar.”
Through his keynote, Harinder Singh invited participants to reflect deeply on what it truly means to practice inclusion in our everyday lives—not just as a buzzword, but as a spiritual commitment rooted in Ik Oankar, the Oneness that transcends all binaries and divisions.
Challenging Othering Through Oneness
As a case study, he directly addressed the exclusionary attitudes some in our community hold toward LGBTQ2S+ individuals. Rather than approaching this with judgment, he guided us back to the question: What does Sikhi ask of us? His answer was clear—Love. Not conditional acceptance, not tolerance, but love born from Oneness.
“We live in an age where othering is becoming the norm,” he added. “We are not clear about the guiding principles of Sikhi anymore. When you don’t see things as One, othering starts.”
“The eventual goal is not be feminine or masculine. The goal is to transcend it - like the Oneness.”
Voices from the Sangat
The workshop also included space for community dialogue, art, and reflection. Together, participants explored how Sikhi’s teachings can help us build more inclusive and just communities—not just in theory, but in how we show up for each other every day.
In small group discussions, attendees shared reflections that echoed the keynote’s message:
“Change starts from within.”
“See Oneness in all and accept everybody as they are.”
“Let’s go to the basics of Sikhi—Guru Nanak’s teachings: Naam Japo, Vand Shako, Kirat Karo.”
“It’s justice, not just-us.”
A Collective Call to Action
This was more than a workshop; it was a moment of shared transformation. It reminded us that the Sikh path is one of radical love, fearless justice, and unwavering dignity for all. And that the work of inclusion begins not outside of us, but within.
As we move forward, may we continue to embody the love of our Gurus—challenging exclusion wherever it arises, and recommitting ourselves to a path where Ik Oankar is not just spoken, but lived.
A Few Moments From The Event
Meet the Team !
A sincere thank you to our dedicated team whose hard work and vision made the April 26th event a success. A heartfelt thank you to our facilitators for guiding meaningful dialogue throughout the evening.
A special thank you to Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation & SikhRI for their invaluable support and partnership.
See more moments from April 26th event and stay connected with us on instagram: @sikhheritagemanitoba