In 2017, the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada adopted an innovative approach to honor Sikh Heritage Month in the same year as Canada celebrated its 150th birthday. The goal was to produce a visual that honored the important contribution Sikhs have made to this nation both historically in the past and now.
A commemorative poster, designed by Rahul Bhogal, shows the first prime minister of Canada, Sir John A. Macdonald, facing Canada’s then National Defence Minister, Harjit Sajjan. Above Macdonald's head is the date 1867 and a quote: "Send me an army of Sikhs." Above Singh's head is the date 2017 and beneath it the line: "An army led by a Sikh."
The story behind this poster comes from a letter written on April 9, 1867, by Macdonald to Sir Henry Sumner Maine, who was living in India at the time. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1815, Sir John Alexander Macdonald was the first prime minister of Canada. For half a century, his government dominated politics and set policy goals for future generations. In his letter, he seeks an army of Sikhs to save the newly formed country, Canada from the unavoidable war with the USA.
After the British North America Act was signed, Canada was a newly independent country, albeit under threat from its larger neighbor. Convinced there would be a war with the United States. The British colony of India was urged by Macdonald to "Do us yeoman's service by sending an army of Sikhs."The idea was that Sikhs, known for their bravery on the battlefield, could be sent to California to guard San Francisco to provide security for Montreal and Canada in the area.
The poster shows the history of the Sikh legacy in Canada. It's a significant historical anecdote for Sikhs since it shows how far their reputation spread over the Atlantic. It serves as a reminder of how Sikh culture was perceived before they came to this country, even in North America.
Pardeep Singh Nagra, executive director of the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada said that Sikhs have a somewhat "complicated" history in Canada. Nagra, who was a boxer by profession, filed a human rights complaint so that he could compete for Canada overseas while wearing his beard. Other battles have been fought for Sikhs' right to vote, as well as the right to wear turbans while serving in the RCMP.
The Sikhs have always shared their toil with Canada. Sikh Heritage Month and the poster both highlight the conflicts that Sikhs and Canadians have faced together. It celebrates and shares with other Canadians a sense of Canadianness through a Sikh lens.