An event that is normally held annually but was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic took on special meaning for Thompson Sikhs upon its return, coming on the heels of a milestone for the temple on Goldeye Crescent.
The three-day event at the Sikh Society of Thompson temple from July 1-3 saw congregants read the religion’s holy book continuously, as well as participate in other activities, including hymn singing and making music, along with cooking and eating meals.
The celebration began with the cloth that encases the temple’s flagpole, which was erected in April 2021, being removed and replaced.
“Every year we have to change the [cloth on the flagpole] because over time due to weather and whatnot the cloth gets damaged,” said Inderjeet Singh of the Sikh Society
The event normally takes place every year, Singh says, but this was the first such celebration held in the society’s first permanent temple in Thompson, at the former site of the Apostolic Church, since the society took possession of the building in 2019.
“Before we used to rent the [wildlife association] hall every year,” Singh says. “But since we occupied the building, COVID started and then we couldn’t have a big event like this to celebrate our building.”
It is also the first such event, usually held just around the end of the school year, since the society assumed full ownership of the building.
“In March, we paid off all the money,” says Singh, noting that that was possible not only because of local fundraising and donations, but contributions from all over Canada.
Special guests included former Thompson residents who have moved away but had not yet had the opportunity to celebrate this event in the temple as well as clergy people from India.
“We want to thank everyone who helped us out on owning this building,” Singh said.
There are about 100 Sikh families in Thompson, making up about a third of the city’s population of Indian descent, according to the society, which was established in 1974 but never had a permanent home in the city until three years ago.
