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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Sikh Heritage month

April 8, 2022

What is Sikh Heritage Month? 

via GIPHY

A month to, celebrate and educate future generations about Sikh Canadians and the key role that they have played and are continuing to play in numerous communities across Ontario 

Why do we celebrate Sikh Heritage Month? 

Sikh Heritage Month is celebrated during the month of April. Vaisakhi is celebrated to mark the creation of Khalsa 

When did Sikh Heritage Month first start? 

Sikh Heritage Month was first celebrated in BC in 2018. Its resolution is to celebrate the contributions and ambitions of all Sikh-Canadians and advance a greater understanding and gratitude for a distinct heritage

Who started Sikh Heritage Month? 

Sikh Heritage Month was started in 2013, as April had been declared as Sikh Heritage Month by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Bill 52). 

What does Sikh Heritage Month mean to members of our Ontario Tech community? 


“With such a busy life, Sikh Heritage month gives me time to look back and reflect on my roots and where I originally came from.” 

- Ishvinder Soor, Mechanical Engineering 

“Sikh Heritage month is the perfect opportunity for all of us to educate the future generations and to teach them about sikhi and our religion”

- Harpinder Gill, Life Science

“I’m proud of being Sikh because of how helpful everyone is. I love being a part of this community because of how selfless we are, like when we have the nagar kirtan I see so many people not just Sikh and everyone is welcoming same at the gurdwara when people do seva. So the whole Sikh heritage month means a lot because it shows you all the selfless acts that have been done in the past and all the struggles they went through to make the world a better place for us.” 

- Sukhneet Mand, Forensic Science

What does Sikh Heritage month mean to you?

By Puneet Sooch