Military Museums honour Sikhs connected with Canada's military

The Military Museums in Calgary have a new exhibit focusing on Sikhs and their connection to the military from a Canadian perspective.

The temporarydisplayin the museum's atriumwill run for three days, and includes items such as medals, turbanand cap badges, and even toys depicting Sikh soldiers. There are alsoposter boardsdetailing the soldiers'lives andmilitary service.

"We are showcasing our soldiers who are forgotten, who have been hidden heroes," said Capt.CharanKamalSinghDullat. The Canadian Forces officer, who is Sikh, is one of four organizers of the weekend exhibit.

The exhibit includes a number of items lent from theSikh Heritage Museum of Canada in Toronto.

"It's fascinating to be able to share original artifacts, postcards, medals, toy soldiers, newspaper articles, and other great stories that sometimes people don't know about," saidPardeep Singh Nagra, executive director of the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada.

Organizers say it's important to put a spotlight on groups that may not always be recognized for their contributions to major events in Canada's past.

"It showcases a diversity in Alberta history," said Michael Hawley, an exhibit co-organizer who is also an expert in South Asian religions.

"If we take a look at the way in which history very often gets written and gets remembered, it isn't as inclusive as it could be," added Hawley.

The exhibit runs from October 19 to21, 2018. Alarger exhibit will be featured at the Military Museums in April 2019in honour of Sikh Heritage Month.

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