Community Building Workshops In Canada

By Lieut Colonel Pritam Singh Jauhal (Retd) World War II Veteran

Relations between the Surrey Sikhs and members of Royal Canadian Legion Newton
Branch Surrey, took a turn for the worst, when five World War II Veteran Sikhs,
invited to participate in the Remembrance Day on November 11, 1993 were denied
admittance to the Branch Lounge because they did not agree to remove their
turbans.
Newton Legion Branch President, Frank Underwood emphasized that his Branch bans
headgear in the lounge, out of respect for the Monarch and the War Dead. Lieut
Colonel Pritam Singh Jauhal who was the first Sikh denied admittance, and who
spearheaded the Sikhs campaign, on the other hand, argued that it was nothing
short of public humiliation of the Sikh guests and that observant Sikhs never
remove their turbans. This, inevitably brought the national media on the scene.
The issue was picked up and became a national debate.
Mr Ed Rduljee, Director of Multiculturalism B C met Colonel Jauhal at his
residence on July 20, 1994. He stated that he was most concerned about the Newton
Legion incident in particular and about racism and discrimination in general. He
expressed a burning desire to find a long term solution based on developing
understanding, and the bringing together and rebuilding of the community in
Surrey. After some discussions, it was decided to get former Newton Legion
members, the Surrey Sikhs and Community Representatives involved in all future
meetings.
The next meeting also held at Col Jauhal’s residence on July 27, 1994 was attended
by Joseph Schaeffer. P H D Educator and Consultant from Ontario, Rev Arthur Rowe ,
Arthur Helps, Vera Radyo besides Ed Eduljee and Col Jauhal. After a lengthy
discussion, a meeting for 33 former Newton Legionnaires, Surrey Sikhs ands
Community representatives was called on September 23, 1994 at the Newton Senior
Centre. That meeting was chaired by Joseph Scaeffer. It was unanimously agreed
that something needs to be done and the time to do that was now. Being present at
that meeting could have been a learning experience for warring factions, nations
at war and communities in conflict. The level of trust and sincerity was high, the
level of honesty was remarkable and there was one common purpose for everyone
present - this community should not be subjected to the unwarranted repetition of
Newton Legion incident resulting in racial intolerance.
During the meeting, joy of all participants knew no bounds, and thunders of
applause followed when the two principle adversaries of the Newton Legion
incident, namely Frank Underwood and Colonel Jauhal smilingly shook each other’s
hand. This was an incredible event and it was indeed a treat to watch.
During the meeting, it was decided to hire Joseph Scaeffer who possesses vast
array of tools for building bridges of understanding and having people do
sometimes painful examination of long held beliefs and attitudes. Four days of
working together was planned and 30 persons were nominated to go through this
experience.
A Steering Committee of 8 with an equal amount of participation from the former
Newton Legion, Surrey Sikhs and community representatives, with Rev Arthur Rowe as
chair was formed. Funding for the workshops was provided by Multiculturalism B C.
The Workshops were held on November 01, 02,28 and December 12,1994 at Sheraton
Hotel Surrey.
During the workshops, we did not deal with who was wrong and who was right, who
was victim and who was perpetrator. Our focus for 4 days was how do I listen
deeply? How do we reach out and understand another human being? How do we as
community build trust? and how do we accept the challenge of exploring the
unknown?
All participants of the workshops were enjoying every moment of it because they
could see the bridges being built before their eyes. For some stereotypes had to
be confronted, ignorance turned to enlightenment, fear replaced by humanity. This
was not an easy process for people who had taken an absolute position on the
Legion issue, but it was a wonderful process for people who believed in the power
of communicating and the necessity of finding common ground. There was enough
common ground to build understanding, warmth, friendliness, tolerance, acceptance
and creative solutions when we need them. Not every moment was smooth as sometimes
having to confront one’s own deeply held beliefs and attitudes was discomforting
for some.
At the conclusion of the 4th workshop, all participants expressed their full
satisfaction with the outcome. They made friends and decided to keep in touch in
the future and do whatever possible for improving relations and maintaining
harmony and tranquility within the Surrey community. At the time of departing,
they were all smiles and wished each other the very best.
We in earnest, ask all Canadians to take a cue from our experience, resolve
differences, if any, by mutual discussions, develop fellowship and treat all
Canadians alike. Let us resolve that we shall consider Canada above everything
else, no matter how dear or important it may be, Canada being 127 years old , is
still in its infancy. It is we who shall have to lead it to maturity. We must do
all we can to raise the image of our great country sky-high. We can do it and we
must show to the World that we have done it.
In conclusion, we thank Multiculturalism B C for providing funding for the
workshops. We are grateful to the Honourable Penny Priddy, Minister of Women’s
Equality of B C, Sue Hammell M L A, Ed Aduljee Director Multiculturalism B C and
respected members of the former Newton Legion, the Surrey Sikhs and community
representatives who, sparing their valuable time, participated in the workshops
and made very useful contributions.
(The Group photo shows workshops’ participants)
Lieut Colonel Pritam Singh Jauhal (Retd) World War II Veteran