A Sikh Century of Service
Remembering Sikh Courage and Legacy
Welcome to the official launch of the exhibition - A Sikh Century of Service. Today, we invite you to step into stories of courage, migration, service, and remembrance.
Presented by Sikh Heritage Manitoba in collaboration with Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada and Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation.
Welcome Message
Today marks the launch of an exhibit that brings long-overlooked Sikh stories into public memory.
Through archival records, photographs, military documents, and personal histories, this exhibit explores the lives of Sikh army veterans and early Sikh connections to Winnipeg. These stories are not distant. They are part of Manitoba’s history, Canada’s history, and our shared community story.
The Making of the Exhibit
This exhibit was created by Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada..
What began as a search for forgotten names and overlooked records became a deeper journey into the presence of Sikh soldiers and veterans connected to Winnipeg and Canada.
The exhibit brings together historical materials, museum collections, local research, and community storytelling to help visitors reflect on one question:
What histories have been waiting to be seen?
For many, Sikh history in Manitoba is often remembered through more recent decades. But these stories stretch further back.
They reveal a history of service, sacrifice, resilience, and belonging. They remind us that Sikh contributions have shaped communities across the world, across Canada, and here in Winnipeg.
This exhibit invites every visitor to learn, reflect, and honour.
Today’s Agenda
12:30 PM – Light Lunch
1:10 PM – Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
1:30 PM – Undivided Service: Sikh Soldiers in the First and Second World Wars
Keynote Address by Dr. Emma Alexander
2:15 PM – Performances
2:45 PM – Exhibition: A Sikh Century of Service
Featured Speaker
Dr. Emma Alexander
University of Winnipeg
Dr. Emma Alexander, an Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department at the University of Winnipeg, is a UK-educated scholar with a PhD in South Asian History from the University of Cambridge. She spent nearly five years conducting research in India. Her work explores diaspora, labour, and Indian society – especially the experiences of women and children. Her recent work uncovers the overlooked stories of Indian military camp followers brought to Europe at the end of WWII. She also teaches courses on South Asia, Indian nationalism, women’s history, and the South Asian diaspora.
Explore the Exhibit
As you walk through the exhibit, we invite you to look closely at the names, documents, uniforms, images, and stories.
Each piece holds part of a larger history.
Step in. Learn. Reflect. Honour.
Acknowledgements
This exhibit is presented by Sikh Heritage Manitoba in collaboration with Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada and Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Foundation.
We extend our gratitude to our partners, speakers, performers, volunteers, sponsors, and community members who helped bring this exhibit to life.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Dr. Rose Dhillon
