My Complicated Relationship with Canada Day as a Sikh Canadian

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Happy belated Canada Day, everyone! I know I’m a day late, but I hope you all had a fantastic Canada Day. This year felt… different. There’s been this huge surge in patriotism, with everyone seeming to be extra enthusiastic about Canada. I get where it comes from. A lot of it feels like a response to everything happening south of the border. When Trump started talking about annexing Canada, everyone collectively said, “Hold up!” We love visiting the States, we love the shopping and entertainment, but annexing us? No way.

It reminded me of the last election when the fear of selling Canada short to the US played a big role in the results. That sense of Canadian pride and self is huge. As a Sikh Canadian, I feel that Sikhs have always been proud members of the Canadian fabric. We’ve served in the military. I even have cousins serving right now. There’s a sense that serving in the Canadian military is something we should do. Canada has given so much to our parents’ generation, who immigrated here in the ’70s and ’80s. Many were fleeing persecution in India, where Sikhs were being targeted. For many, Canada became more of a home than India ever was.

But then, with Carney (Trudeau) and Modi becoming friends recently, it left a lot of us scratching our heads. It soured things a bit. It felt like, “You’re supposed to be on our side! Now you’re cozying up to the guy who was trying to kill us?” It’s a strange feeling.

At the same time, I absolutely consider myself Canadian, and I consider my family Canadian. Our roots in Canada are now deeper than they are in India. So, it’s kind of like, where do we stand? It’s an interesting time. I think it’s always interesting for different groups. Indigenous people have their own complicated relationship with Canada. As Sikh Canadians, as politically involved and active as we are, as ingrained in the political system as we’ve become, it still sometimes feels like we’re just guests. That’s just my feeling this year, and I don’t like it at all. I remember growing up and never feeling that way. But these last few months have reminded me of that feeling, especially when I have friends saying, “You know, Sikhs, we can enjoy Canada, but Canada will never truly accept us.” I hope that’s not entirely true, but sometimes that’s the feeling you get. That’s just how I feel today.

Despite the complicated feelings, I wouldn’t trade living here for anything. We’ll wave the Canadian flag, and we’ll cheer for Canada during the World Cups. It is what it is, I guess. But it is a beautiful place. If you go into the mountains, go snowboarding, embrace nature, and go hiking, you’ll realize just how beautiful Canada is. So, hey, it is what it is. Hope you guys are having a great time. Hope you guys had a great Canada Day. Hope your kids enjoyed the fireworks. Till next time, peace.

Let’s talk about it – what’s your relationship with your national identity?

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updated_at 31-07-2025
Ai Disclosure: The above posts were transcribed using AI tools. Some language may not have been accurately transcribed.
Ai Header Image Prompt: High quality, highly detailed, **painterly digital art with abstract elements.** A serene, majestic Canadian mountain landscape at dusk, featuring snow-capped peaks and evergreen forests, rendered with soft, ethereal brushstrokes and atmospheric lighting. Abstractly integrated within this scene, a flowing, conceptual representation of the Canadian flag appears, its red and white hues and subtle maple leaf outline blending with and emerging from the environment. Delicately interwoven into the abstract flag forms or subtly emerging from the landscape, are subtle, flowing lines and patterns reminiscent of Sikh cultural motifs, creating a harmonious yet nuanced interplay of identities. The overall composition should evoke introspection, deep roots, and a complex sense of belonging. **Focus on abstract shapes, symbolic representation, and dynamic digital textures to create a dreamlike, non-literal visual.** **Ensure no literal human figures, hands, or limbs are depicted to maintain abstraction and avoid anatomical errors.** Avoid any text or bold titles. The aesthetic should be artistic and textured, not overtly synthetic or AI-generated in appearance.