Last month, the Sikh Com-

‘munity in Terrace joined Sikhs

world-wide to celebrate ‘‘Kalsa”’
— the week of the Sikhism
Birthday. The Sikhs are a vital
part of our community and the
significance of the occasion, the
equivalent of Christmas in other
religions, should be recognized

- for.its importance.

by Tod Strachan

According to information
provided by the Guru Nanak
Brotherhood of Terrace, Sikh

Dharma, the Sikh religion or

way of life, was founded by the
Guru Nanak in the fifteenth
century. This was a difficult
time in India’s history. Hin-
duism, the predominant religion
of India, had become bound up
in ritual and supersitition. Indi-
an society had become one for
the elite — dominated by a
privileged few who sought oc-
cult powers while denouncing
the working class as inferior in
the eyes of God.

At the same time, India was
overrun by the Mughal Empire
‘who proclaimed Islam as the
state religion, and inter-religious
tensions and persecution flared.

This was the setting when Guru.

Nanak began preaching a simple
message of brotherhood, devo-
tion to one God, and righteous
living. Nanak preached against
no religion, but denounced su-
perstition, injustice and hypocri-
sy. He swore allegiance to no
one but Nam (God) and his
followers were called Sikhs (stu-
dents or disciples).

- |¢ was often through song that

he expressed his teachings, and
it was these songs that formed

"the beginnings of the Sikhs’ holy

scriptures. These scriptures were
later named the Siri Guru
Granth Sahib and established a
‘dharma (way of life) based on

_ three basic principles: Nam Jap- —
"ma, Dharam di Kirat Karni and

. Vand Ke Chakna.
-@ “Nam Japna’? — A’ Sikh

should rise each day three hours

before sunrise, bathe, and then -
‘ meditate on God's name and

‘recite the Guru’s hymns in the

* company of other like-minded
_ people. He should continue to

repeat God’s name with every
breath throughout the day.

.@ “Dharam di Kirat Karni’’ —
A Sikh should work hard and.

‘earn by the sweat of his brow.
He should live a family way of
life, practicing honesty in all his
dealings.

e ‘Vand Ke Chakna’’ — Hav-
ing worked hard and honestly, a
Sikh should share the fruits of
his labor with others before
thinking of himself, Thus, the
true Sikh lives as an inspiration
and a support to the entire
community.

‘In the course of four mission-
ary. pilgrimages, Guru Nanak
cartied his message humbly on
foot’ as far as Ceylon in the
south, Assam to the east, Tibet

and- Russia to the north, and
. Mecca and Jerusalem to the

west. Hindus, Muslims, Sufis,
Jews, Christians and Yogis be-
came his disciples and he
brought spiritual comfort to the

common man, and spiritual in-

yrace Review — Wednesday, May 3, i989 ae

Spiritual an niversary -[°
_ for Sikh community —

struction to the Mughal Emper- :

or Babar himself.
But, although Guru Nanak
laid the foundations of Sikhism,

the completed structure was not

finished in his lifetime. The ful-

 fillment. of his dream ‘required

10 dedicated. men. Nanak

trained a disciple, tested his -

commitment, and, when he was
deemed ready, infused his own
consciousness in him. And that

‘disciple, who had become Guru,

passed his knowledge onto the
next,

On Apr. 13, 1699, Guru Go-
bind Singh, the last apostle;
established the democratic order
of of Khalsa (pure ones) and
raised the Sikh community to
the level of nationhood. And
since that time, the Sikhs, as a
community, have been known as

‘the Khalsa and the week of April -
13 each year is a time of celebra-

tion,

After the passing of Guru

Gobind Singh, the Sikhs contin-

ued their fight for religious free- -
dom in northern India, but after

a short spell of freedom were

crushed by an overwhelming Im-

perial Muslim army and later by

a series of Afgan invaders. In’
1726, the Mughal emperor called

for complete. extermination of

all Sikhs. Under this threat, the

Sikh people left their homes and

property and hid in the jungles

of northern India, raiding

Mughal stores on horseback for

food. . ..

In. retaliation, | Sikhs were

burned at the stake or boiled
_ alive. Mothers were forced to

watch in horror as their children
were dismembered before their
eyes and their severed limbs
hung around their necks as gar-
lands. For nearly 40 years the
Sikh people kept their faith as
they suffered, but in 1765 the

Mughal empire fell and the Af- .

gans withdrew. And in 1799
military commander and states-
man, Maharaja Ranjit Singh,
established the independent
Punjab state, Sarkar Khalsaji.
Here, there was complete religi-

ous: and political freedom for

all. a |
Less than 50 years later, how-
ever, the Punjab fell into British

hands, and by the turn of the.

century the Sikhs were involved
in a struggle for freedom. Sikh
Gurdwaras (temples) came un-
der the control of corrupt, gov-
ernment-supported mahants,
many of whom were not even
Sikhs. In their struggle to regain
control of their Gurdwaras,
thousands of Sikhs, who were
sworn to a discipline of non-
violence, were fired upon or

‘beaten to unconsciousness.

Yet despite this tremendous
sacrifice, when independence fi-
nally came, the Punjab, their
historic homeland was parti-
tioned in half. Many of their
historic religious shrines, includ-
ing the birthplace of Guru
Nanak, were allocated to
Pakistan and thousands of Sikhs
were forced to flee for their
lives. Those who didn’t were
raped, beaten, and finally
murdered:

But even under this renewed
persecution, Sikh Dharma con-

‘tinued to grow and eventually

continued on page 29

Ksan House — Call us for support and infor-

mation if you are a victim of mental or physical
-abuse.. We're available 24 hours a day to

women, men and children. Phone 635-6447.

The Alzhelmer information . tine; phone
635-3178.

_ ALANON: for. family and friends of alcoholics.

If someone else’s drinking Is affecting your
lfe, please join us In Alanon. Meatings are on
Monday nights at 8 p.m. In the meeting room’

on the Psychiatric ward of Mills Memorial .

Hospital. For Information or support ina time
of need, call 638-1291. ‘.

ALATEEN: for young people affected by some-
one else's drinking. In Alateen you can meet

_others who share your experiance, and fearn

about alcoholism as an Illness. If alcohol Isa
problem in your family, come to an Alateen
meeting. on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 at

Skeena Junior Secondary, Room 111. For more

information, cail 635-2438.
‘A.C.0.A., Adult children of alcoholics and

--disfunctlonal families, meetings on Thursdays .

‘at Knox United Church from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

~ For more information, call 638-6117.

‘The Terrace Child Development Centre needs.
volunteers to assist our therapy and pre-schoo!
staff with Individual treatment programs.. Ac-
tivities include: bike riding, swimming and
other staff recommendations. For more infar-

mation contact Maureen or Monique at

635-0388 or 635-7557.

The Terrace Youth Centre’s hours are: For 10
to 19 year olds, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7 -
9 p.m; For 13 - 19 year olds Fridays, 8:30 p.m.

to midnight, We offer a varlaty of programs to |
interest everyone who comes through the TYC -

or you can just hang out, it's up to you. We are

-. always in the market for volunteers too! The
Terrace Youth Centre is located at 4634 Walsh

Avenue in the old Ukrainian Hall, phone
635-2018.

Every Monday evening It’s Cribbage Night at
Terraceview Lodge from 7 to 9 p.m. Everyone In
the community Is Invited to drop in and catch
the action.

Terrace Association for Community Living

needs advocates for handicapped people liv-
ing In Terrace. For more Information please ~

phone Janice at 635-9322.

Terrace Toastmasters — Do you find It difficult
to prepare and give a talk? Turn to
Toastmasters {for help. Meetings are the first
and third Tuesday of each month at Northwest

Community College, room 206, at 7:30 p.m. For
Information, contact Dick Evans at 635-7068.

Do you need a break? Come to COFFEE
. BREAK, an Interdenominational Bible study for -

women. FREE nursery for Infante and toddlers.

Children ages 3 to 5 will fove Storyhour.: Every -

Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Chris-
tlan Reformed Church, corner of Sparks and
Straume. Also, Bible study 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.

No previous knowledge expectéd: For more in- -

formation or transportation, call Hilda at
635-7871 or Ruth at 635-2621. We look forward

to seeing you!

The .Terrace Friends and Famillee of
- Schizophrentes |s 4 support group that meets
once per month. Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday —

"of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Paych. Con-

ference Room at Mills Memorial Hospital. One

alm of the group ls to provide community . —
education about this iliness. Anyone wishing:
‘to learn more or become part of this group Is -

welcome to attend the meetings. Please call
638-3325 for further information.

‘The Terrace Duplicate Bridge Club meets every
Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Caledonia Senior
Secondary In the cafeteria. Anyone interested

in playing please contact Ellen Smith at.

635-4096 or May McFarland at 635-2875.
Everyone walcome. °

One Parent Family meetings are hald the sec-

_ ond Wednesday of every month. For more In-
formation phone Debbie at 635-4383 or Helen

at 635-4336.

Skeena Valley Rebekah Lodge hoids regular
meetings every second and fourth Wednesday
of the month at 4 p.m. in the Oddfellow’s Hall,
4222 Munroe, Terrace. For more Information
call 635-2470.

Please, assist the less fortunate of Terrace.
The Anti-poverty Group Soclety is recelving
donations from people of good will, so that
they may continue helping disadvantaged peo-
ple. Send your contribution to treasurer
Josephine Buck, Room 200, 4721 Lazelle Ave.,
Terrace, B.C., V8G 1T3. Phone 635-4631:

Terrace Minor Hockey Is looking for coaches,
managers, division heads, and referees for the
upcoming season. Those Interested. should
phone Sandy Marshall at 635-7623 evenings, or
Dick Kilborn at 635-3661 evenings, or 635-6511
during the day.

Terrace Contract Bridge Club plays the iat and: 2 7
3rd Thursday of each month at the. Legion. .°

Register by Sept. 30. Please contact Elaine at

to 4 p.m. and Tuesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9°

.p.m. We offer confidential support, Informa: os

tlon, referrals, lagat info., support groups,

a

' 635-2965 or Linda at 635-5992 or 635-9141. Ps

The Terrace Women's Resource Centre’s on
operating hours are Monday to Friday, 12noon aE

_ drop-in centre and more. 4542 Park Ave., phone ae :
' 638-0228. — . cpr

The Royal Purple.Lodge #216, Terrace holds” oe

meetings the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every

month. For: information and. membership,

please phone 635-6643 or 635-2415.

it you have experienced the loss of a family
member through suicide and would like to

meet with others who have experienced the — oO

same, please call 638-0942 or 635-3178 for
more information. —

The All-Saasons Steelers ladies' soccer team

~ meets every Monday and Thursday at 7 p.m. at

Caledonia Senior. Secondary School. Anyone

‘Interested in joining is more than welcome to

attend.
The Bereavement Support Group meets every

. Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. at the Terrace Mental
- Health-Centre, 202-3412 Kalum St. Please call -

638-2325 for further information.
The Terrace Tennis Club is now having club

- nights at the Kalum Street courts on Tuesdays,

Thursdays and Sundays. For Information, call
635-2347 or 638-1514. . .

The Happy Gang Centre for Seniors offers the

- following activities: Tuesdays: 10 a.m., sewing
_ and quilting; 7:30 p.m., cribbage and bridge.

Wednesdays: 1 p.m., carpet bowling; Fridays: 2
p.m., bingo. First Saturday of every month: 6
a.m. to 11 a.m., pancake breakfast. Monday
through Friday every week: 11:45 a.m. to 1p.m.,
lunch. Second Thursday of every month: 2
p.m., general meeting of the B.C.0.A.P.0 |
Branch 73. For further Info., contact the Happy

Gang Centre, 3226 Kalum St. at 635-9090.

The Terrace Single Parents Association
welcomes all interested to attend thelr month-
ly meetings on the second Wednesday of each
month at 7:30 p.m. at 4542 Park Ave. Learning
to ralse the kids alone, learning to llve without
the kids in the house; widowed or divorced; we
are all bullding new lives. Sometimes it helps
to talk about it. Phone Debbie at 635-4383 after
4p.m. or Richard at 635-7762 tor more informa-

- tlon or to arrange transportation.

Want to help with the Fall Fair? The Skeena
Valley (Fall) Falr Assn. meets every second
Monday of the month In the fibrary of the
Thornhit! Junior Secondary Schoo! starting at
8 p.m. Plans are underway for this year's Fair;

7 If you have any suggestions or want to

. yolunteer your help, please phone Mel at

- -@35-7402 evenings: or-Janny at 636-2607 eve-
” . nkngs. co 7

- .HOWDOYOUDOIT HOTLINE — Your Travel In-

focentre Counsellor is Just a telephone call

‘ away. When you need some-answers on plan- -

ning. your holiday: trip. or what to do with

visitore, call.the HOWDOYOUDOIT HOTLINE _

for some HOWTODOIT HELP — 635-2063.

- Terrace Pipes & Drums — Anyone Interested In

fearning how: to piay the bagpipes or the
drums, please call 635-2009 or 635-5905. Any

‘experienced pipers or drummers interested In

participating In the Pipe Band are also asked
to call the above.numbers. =

The Terrace Art Association Is locking tor

- yolunteers to work at the Terrace Public Art
Gallery afternoons, evenings and weekends. ©
Shifts are three hours. afternoons and

weekends and.two hours evenings. Any in-
terested persons who can do one or more
shifts a month are asked to contact Maureen
Worobey at 635-4533.

Alechol and Drug Education Video Night at

- Mills Memorlal Hospital in the Psychiatric Unit

every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Would you like to make 8 personal contribu:
tlon to the lives of people suffering from the
affects of crime? The Terrace Victims
Assistance Program is seeking volunteers. For

‘mora Information call Karen Walker or Cst.

Ewen Harvie at 838-0333.

Survivors of Sexual Assault Support Group.
Open meetings every Thursday at 7 p.m. atthe
Sexual Assault Centre. For more Information
phone 635-4042.

The Terrace Breastieading Support Group

_ welcomes Moms and babies to regular month-

ly meetings held the first Tuesday of every
month In the Mills Memerlal education room at

-B p.m. We discuss all aspects of breastfeeding

and try to answer all questions. Refreshments
served. For further information, call Terry
Walker at 635-3287, oe