A new Canada Post stamp honouring the contributions of Sikh Canadian soldiers was unveiled for the first time during the 18th annual Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony on Sunday.
The commemorative stamp recognizes more than a century of Sikh service in the Canadian military, beginning with the 10 Sikh soldiers who were accepted into the armed forces during the First World War, and pays tribute to those serving today.
The ceremony, hosted annually by the Sikh community, took place at the military grave of Private Buckam Singh in Kitchener, Ont. — the only known Sikh soldier’s grave from the World Wars in Canada.
Singh, one of only 10 Sikh Canadians permitted to enlist during the First World War, served with the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion in France and Belgium. He was wounded in battle and later died in a Kitchener military hospital in 1919, where he was buried with full military honours.
“Private Buckam Singh is one of those soldiers that, whose grave was found — it was never lost, but it was not remembered,” said Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon with the Independent Senators Group, who was also the first RCMP officer in Canada permitted to wear a turban.
“We’re celebrating the sacrifices. We’re celebrating the commitment. We’re really celebrating being Canadian.”
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, police services, Royal Canadian Legion branches, veterans, elected officials and members of the public attended the ceremony.
The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, joined Sikh members of the Canadian Armed Forces for the official stamp unveiling following the wreath-laying portion of the program.
“It speaks to the contributions that all Sikhs have made and continue to make in the armed forces,” said Balraj Dhillon, a spokesperson for Canada Post.
The small symbol also made its mark on the next generation.
“I feel like this is a really safe place for me, and I feel like it’s great. We have so many people supporting this community,” said attendee Harsevak Singh.
Organizers said the ceremony serves as both a remembrance of sacrifice and a reflection of Canada’s inclusive nature, recognizing the diverse contributions that have shaped the country’s military history.
“It’s almost like a mark of pride for us to say and to see this actually happening from a very valued institution in our country,” said organizer Rupinder Kaur.
