There is a deeply profound sentiment tied to martyrdom in Sikhi as well as in many other faiths groups. Throughout the ages, we have seen challenging circumstances of oppression that have chosen to desecrate the bodies of those who address it.
What is the language of violence? How do we find language for translating the unspeakable? Who speaks for those who suffer violence?
Join panelists Dr. Anokh Singh, Dr. Bavenjit Kaur, and clinical counselor Palwinder Kaur Gill, who will draw on their personal and professional experience to engage in conversation: What problems with alcohol look like in Sikh communities; why they occur; common challenges folks face when engaging with the healthcare system, and how we can harness hope, empathy, and Sikhi when we are struggling.
The world knows a Guru to be an influential teacher, spiritual master, or popular expert. The Sikh world refers to ten founder personalities as well as the Guru Granth and the Khalsa Panth as the Guru. Guru Nanak Sahib considered “Sabad” to be the Guru. This conversation will dive deep into the Sikh context of what Guru is, “Gurgaddi” as the enthronement to the status of the Guru in Sikh tradition, and how the eternal co-Guruship came about by the Command of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib to Granth-Panth. Within a month of this conversation are the first Prakash of Guru Granth Sahib and its Gurgaddi, Gurgaddi Purabs of Guru Nanaks II, IV, V & VIII.
Join us in a conversation with Dr. Shimi Kaur Kang and Dr. Jasjeet Kaur to learn how to treat screens like food: consume healthy tech, limit junk tech, and eliminate toxins.
This Sidak course provides participants aged 18-40 a 2.5 hour per day learnings for 5 days. Each day will consist of a Hukam reflection, an interactive themed activity, and a learning session. The course will delve into the Bani of Guru Nanak Sahib “Sidh Gosti: Learning through Dialogue.” It will provide participants with an opportunity to enhance their personal relationship with IkOankar, engage in critical conversations about issues affecting Sikh families and the Panth, and develop opinions on non-Sikh issues that are supported by a Gurmat framework. The participants will develop a deeper understanding of the theme and tangible applications of the learnings.
Join us in conversation with Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as we try to understand Miri-Piri from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).
Fathers sometimes underestimate their role. Loving, actively involved fathers contribute to their children’s well-being and development, strengthening their self‑esteem. What's different about being a Sikh father? Being born and raised in Sikh households may cause fathers to relook at their own childhood experiences and seek guidance. What worked well for their fathers 20 or 30 years ago may not work with the kinds of challenges fathers face today. Join us for this candid conversation with our panelists, who will share their thoughts on whether they are inspired or perhaps intimidated by the strong father figures in our history? And whether fatherhood has changed their Sikhi?
Join the Sidak team as they share the meaning, role, and importance of Guru in Sikhi.
Join us for an afternoon of coffee and tea as we learn about our speakers. Painter, poet, and CEO of SikhRI, Inni Kaur, and painter, Kanwar Singh (Art of Punjab), will discuss how Sikhi has shaped their journeys in life as artists.
Join us for discussion that will centre around the Sikh community in Toronto (and Toronto area), shattering normative ideas of the ideal Sikh.Enjoy refreshments and snacks while engaging in open dialogue. For the curious and open-minded. All are welcome. You don't need to be a Sikh or know anything about Sikhi to attend.
Teens Workshop (led by Inni Kaur & Anu Kaur Bal) & Parents Workshop - (led by Harinder Singh)
Come hang out with the volunteers, staff and leaders of the Sikh Research Institute! Learn about what we do and connect with some awesome people working on advancing Sikh education and leadership in the community.
Sidak is a leadership development program for young adults seeking to increase their commitment towards the Sikh Faith. This two week intensive immersion into the Sikh culture, language, values and community is held annually in the summer.
Please join us for an evening of Gurmat Sangīt Kīrtan along with a presentation on the launch of the "Nād" project at Mata Tripta Ji Gurdwara Sahib.
We invite you all to join us for an evening of Gurmat Sangīt Kīrtan along with a presentation on the launch of the "Nād" project.
“Guru & I” by Sardarni Inni Kaur and “The Heritage of Gurmat Sangit” by Sardar Manjit Singh.
Arpinder Kaur, has put together a PowerPoint presentation which features Sikh history, Panjabi poetry, and emotional stories of the Sikh homeland. From the popular sites like Panja Sahib & Nankana Sahib, Waris Shah's tomb, Dargah of Bulle Shah & Pir Mian Mir, to place of Martydom of Akali Phula Singh and countless mothers from torture chambers of Zakhira Khan, the presentation captures not only the history but also integrates the Sikh teachings to both the young and the old.
This Sidak course provides participants aged 18-40 a 2.5 hour per day learnings for 5 days. Each day will consist of a Hukam reflection, an interactive themed activity, and a learning session. The course will delve into the Bani of Guru Nanak Sahib “Sidh Gosti: Learning through Dialogue.” It will provide participants with an opportunity to enhance their personal relationship with IkOankar, engage in critical conversations about issues affecting Sikh families and the Panth, and develop opinions on non-Sikh issues that are supported by a Gurmat framework. The participants will develop a deeper understanding of the theme and tangible applications of the learnings.
Join us in conversation with Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as we try to understand Miri-Piri from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).
Fathers sometimes underestimate their role. Loving, actively involved fathers contribute to their children’s well-being and development, strengthening their self‑esteem. What's different about being a Sikh father? Being born and raised in Sikh households may cause fathers to relook at their own childhood experiences and seek guidance. What worked well for their fathers 20 or 30 years ago may not work with the kinds of challenges fathers face today. Join us for this candid conversation with our panelists, who will share their thoughts on whether they are inspired or perhaps intimidated by the strong father figures in our history? And whether fatherhood has changed their Sikhi?
Join the Sidak team as they share the meaning, role, and importance of Guru in Sikhi.
Sikhs are a global community with a growing presence in the United States. To create influence, do we understand how US foreign policy is developed and implemented? What is the Biden administration’s approach to its foreign policy as it may affect the Sikhs? 80% of the Sikhs live in India, primarily in the Panjab state. What are the expectations of the US-India relationship in the next few years in reference to democracy and human rights in the context of bilateral relations? The conversation will touch upon lessons and guidance to the Sikh community on how to pursue advocacy, long-term strategies, and building coalitions via both positive and not so positive case studies from the Afhgan-Sikh crisis to the Farmers movement.
Bhai Mani Singh and Baba Dip Singh were leaders, scholars, and warriors. They played significant leadership roles in the community post-Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, keeping the Panth united under challenging circumstances. They were master scholars, some of the greatest in Sikh history, and created a scholarly tradition that still resonates in the community to this day. They were great warriors, fully living up to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib’s standard of the Warrior-Saint. And both sacrificed themselves for the Panth, becoming martyrs whose Shahidi has inspired generations of Sikhs. Join us as we explore the lives and legacy of these two preeminent Khalsa Scholar-Martyrs.
The Khalsa inauguration on Vaisakhi day in 1699 infused the Sikhs and gave them a structure of ideas and institutions that continue to shape their lives both individually and collectively. Why was the Khalsa revealed by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib? How did it transform the community in the Indian subcontinent and beyond? What are the “freedom” (political-spiritual) ramifications for global Sikhs today? We will discuss these and related matters for personal and community development.
Join us on International Women’s Day as we share the multi-faceted journeys that women have taken. What role have women historically occupied in our collective psyche? Reflecting on our past, present, and thinking about the future, how do we put mechanisms into place to ensure women’s stories aren’t forgotten? To ensure they become a part of consciousness? Through this conversation, we will imagine futures in which we move beyond the mere recognition of gendered differences and enact attention on reducing gender disparities while paying homage to the strides we have already made.
What’s “Love” got to do with it? Love is indeed a four-letter word, heavily used, very interpretive, and often taken out of context in our personal lives. How do we understand love in the Sikh context?