City proclaims Sikh Heritage Month and International Purple Day

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Residents can expect to see purple lights tomorrow, as well as a month of multicultural recognition in April, after two proclamations were approved in the most recent council meeting. 

The City of Fort St. John council granted two proclamation requests during the March 24th regular council; one for the month of April and one for March 26th.

A delegation from the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple went before the council to request the city proclaim April to be Sikh Heritage Month, citing the month’s significance in the Sikh faith and a desire to build “stronger bridges of understanding.”

Gurprem Singh Ji, the priest and Shubhdeep Goraya, a volunteer with the temple, spoke about the efforts the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple and Cultural Society has undertaken to be a part of the community since its founding in 1987. 

The society runs a community kitchen every Sunday out of the temple, providing free food and a meal for everyone “regardless of their faith.”

“This designation would also provide an opportunity for cultural exchange and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity that enriches our community,” Goraya said.  

The month is officially recognized by the province of British Columbia and Canada as Sikh Heritage Month, and is also significant in the Sikh faith for marking the birth of the Khalsa order.

The Khalsa order in Sikh faith refers to both a community that follows Sikhism and a special group of initiated Sikhs. 

The date is celebrated as the holiday Vaisakhi, which is the Sikh new year, and emphasizes “teachings of equality, community service and social justice.”

Following the presentation, the council unanimously voted to approve the proclamation, as well as approving the Sikh flag to fly outside City Hall during April. 

Alanna Duffy, an inclusion resource teacher for School District 60, also appeared as a delegation before council to request a proclamation of International Purple Day for epilepsy awareness on March 26th. 

Duffy stated she was acting as a local representative for the BC Epilepsy Society, having first gotten involved when she sought training from the society to support students with epilepsy in School District 60. 

“Through your participation…you will not only be able to show people living with epilepsy that they are not alone, but will also get people talking about epilepsy in an effort to raise awareness across the province of British Columbia,” Duffy said. 

Council unanimously approved the request, as well as a light up of the Centennial Park stage for March 26th in purple, as part of the proclamation.

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