Guru Amar Das Niwas Nursing Home Association

Sharing a few beautiful moments and paintings from another recent Guru Amar Das Niwas seniors’ program in Chestermere.

> Our participants spent the afternoon painting, expressing creativity through colour, shapes, and imagination. Beyond the joy of creating art, painting is a wonderful way to support fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination, and cognitive engagement, all while giving our seniors a relaxing space to connect and unwind.

> We’re so proud of the artwork they created and the confidence that grows with every brushstroke.🖌🎨🖼

> Want to stay updated or join future sessions? Scan the QR code to join our WhatsApp group for weekly updates!

✨️Another wonderful week with our Guru Amar Das Niwas seniors’ program in Chestermere.

> We started this week’s Guru Amar Das Niwas seniors’ session in Chestermere with light exercise and warm cha, the perfect way to get everyone moving and comfortable.

> Than we explored origami, a calming and creative activity that helps strengthen focus, fine motor skills, and hand–eye coordination. It was beautiful watching everyone fold, laugh, and share stories as their creations came to life.

> Programs like these keep our elders engaged, connected, and surrounded by community.

> Want to stay updated or join future sessions? Scan the QR code to join our WhatsApp group for weekly updates!

A beautiful afternoon in Chestermere with our Guru Amar Das Niwas seniors’ program!

Last week we explored painting and hands‑on activities designed to support fine motor skills, creativity, and confidence. The room was full of colour, laughter, and connection. And of course, we ended with cha and pakoray, because no gathering is complete without them.

Programs like this help our seniors stay active, social, and rooted in culture.

Want to stay updated or get involved? Scan the QR code to join our WhatsApp group for weekly updates and volunteer opportunities.

✨ Happy New Year from the Guru Amar Das Niwas Senior Day Program ✨

We kicked off our first program of the year in Chestermere with a prayer and energizing exercises to start 2026 with positivity and connection. From there, we explored SMART goals and how seniors can weave them into their daily lives for confidence, clarity, and purpose.

To wrap up the day, everyone jumped into a fun team‑building challenge, using only a deck of cards to build the tallest tower. The creativity, laughter, and teamwork were the perfect start to a new year of learning and community.

More details about our next program will be shared soon. If you are an isolated senior, or know someone who could benefit from connection and community, we welcome you to join us! 🙏

If you are interested to do volunteering for our seniors, please send an email to [email protected]

International Friendship day - July 30

Social support networks can be defined as any group of friends, family and people around us who help us overcome times of stress and adversity and provide us with tangible and meaningful support. Social support, particularly in the form of friendship, becomes even more important as individuals age. Social isolation and loneliness has a high prevalence rate in older adults and this unfortunately can be one of many precursors to sadness, loss of hope and depression. These phenomena can be reversed and even prevented by curating strong networks of friends and engaging with them regularly. Furthermore, having positive friendships can protect against cognitive decline, early mortality and can help improve physical health! Oftentimes in South Asian culture, friendships are viewed as child’s play, however this is far from the truth! Everyone needs positive and meaningful friendships in their lives, particularly the elderly. It is important to encourage the older individuals in your lives to make friends, nurture these relationships and celebrate them! Next time you meet an older loved one in your life, we encourage you to talk to them about the friends in their life and how they can / are positively impacting their life! Happy international friendship day to everyone from the Guru Amar Das Niwas team!

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/social-support/art-20044445

https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/healing-power-friendships-grows-with-age/ #:~:text=And%20as%20you%20age%2C%20those,even%20add%20to%20your%20years.

https://agewellct.org/whats-new/lifestyle/the-importance-of-friendship-for-older-adults/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31943103/

https://open.library.ubc.ca/media/download/pdf/831/1.0091030/1

Image 1: Sikh settlement in Queensborough, New Westminster, in 1931

Image 2: Vancouver, 1950

In Canada, June 27 is marked by Canadian Multiculturalism Day.

There were three distinct cultural groups before the 19th century in Canada. There were the Indigenous Peoples, the Protestant British, and the Catholic French. Very quickly, more and more ethnic groups immigrated to Canada and began co-existing.

In 1988, Canada became the first country in the world to pass a national multiculturalism law. The Multiculturalism Act of 1988 “protects the cultural heritage of all Canadians,” aims to “reduce discrimination,” and encourages “the implementation of multicultural programs and initiatives.”

Sikhs have strived to construct their identity in Canada since their arrival. Sikh Canadians are one of the largest non-Christian religious groups in Canada and are the largest South Asian ethnic group. Over 500,000 Canadians are Sikhs, and about 2.6% of Sikhs reside in North America.

By 1907, there were about 5000 Sikhs in Canada. The first Sikh Gurdwara was established in 1908 in Vancouver. South Asians have had the right to vote in Canada since 1947 because of the Sikh Khalsa Diwan Society. Due to a relaxation in immigration laws from the 1950s and onwards, Canada has welcomed hundreds of thousands of Sikhs.

However, being a multicultural country does not equate to a nation free of racism. Vulnerable groups in society continue to be subject to racism and discrimination. When considered together, minority ethnic group geriatric populations are more susceptible to experiencing racisim. If you have an elderly loved one in your life, we encourage you to teach them about racism, how it may affect them and how they can take steps to stand up for themselves. We also encourage YOU to be a voice against racism, particularly for groups such as South Asian elderly individuals who may not always be able to advocate for themselves as a result of language barriers. We can all do our part to shape our society for the better.

The first Nagar Kirtan was held in Calgary in 1999 on April 17th, since then every year the Dashmesh Cultural Centre has hosted the Nagar Kirtan to celebrate Vasisakhi — the birth of Khalsa and celebration of the harvest. This year, the Nagar Kirtan will be celebrated again in Calgary after nearly two years. It has always been an occasion where everyone, regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds can come together to relish the efforts of the farmers and show gratitude and appreciation. Thousands gather at the Nagar Kirtan to come together as a community and to celebrate as one. Many seniors we volunteer with recall their time in Punjab, attending the Nagar Kirtan at the gurdwara in their pind (towns) and going to mela’s (festivals) to celebrate. Vaisakhi is an important celebration, particularly for those who immigrated from India because it signifies their roots and history. When we talk to the seniors we volunteer with about their memories of Vaisakhi and attending the Nagar Kirtan, their sense of joy and nostalgia is palpable. It was a different time for them and talking about it brings them back to those moments. We encourage you to talk to your grandparents and parents or family about their experiences celebrating Vaisakhi in India. We’ve linked some videos about Vaisakhi below in Punjabi that you may wish to watch with a loved one! Happy Vaisakhi to everyone celebrating!




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKzDrdJXICI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQyWlfaJNy4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1qrdTDVdqg



References:

https://twitter.com/roti888/status/1490927192968409091/photo/2

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2022/04/13/calgary-sikh-heritage-month-april/

Kang, H. B. K. (2007). A post-colonial reading of Vaisakhi: unveiling the Indo-Canadian Sikh identity through Canadian media (Doctoral dissertation, Dept. of Women's Studies-Simon Fraser University).

The first Nagar Kirtan was held in Calgary in 1999 on April 17th, since then every year the Dashmesh Cultural Centre has hosted the Nagar Kirtan to celebrate Vaisakhi — the birth of Khalsa and celebration of the harvest. This year, the Nagar Kirtan will be celebrated again in Calgary after nearly two years. It has always been an occasion where everyone, regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds can come together to relish the efforts of the farmers and show gratitude and appreciation. Thousands gather at the Nagar Kirtan to come together as a community and to celebrate as one. Many seniors we volunteer with recall their time in Punjab, attending the Nagar Kirtan at the gurdwara in their pind (towns) and going to mela’s (festivals) to celebrate. Vaisakhi is an important celebration, particularly for those who immigrated from India because it signifies their roots and history. When we talk to the seniors we volunteer with about their memories of Vaisakhi and attending the Nagar Kirtan, their sense of joy and nostalgia is palpable. It was a different time for them and talking about it brings them back to those moments. We encourage you to talk to your grandparents and parents or family about their experiences celebrating Vaisakhi in India. We’ve linked some videos about Vaisakhi below in Punjabi that you may wish to watch with a loved one! Happy Vaisakhi to everyone celebrating!




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKzDrdJXICI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQyWlfaJNy4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1qrdTDVdqg


References:

https://twitter.com/roti888/status/1490927192968409091/photo/2

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2022/04/13/calgary-sikh-heritage-month-april/

Kang, H. B. K. (2007). A post-colonial reading of Vaisakhi: unveiling the Indo-Canadian Sikh identity through Canadian media (Doctoral dissertation, Dept. of Women's Studies-Simon Fraser University).

Sikhs first came to Canada, in 1897, on board Empress of India. They found employment for the Canadian Pacific Railway while they were travelling to witness Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Since the arrival of the first Sikh to Canada, Kesur Singh, the country holds the 2nd largest population of Sikhs in the world. Over 500,000 Sikhs call Canada home.

However, Sikhs have been victims of systemic racism for decades. In 1908, some laws that were passed by the government of Canada largely limited immigration. Indian immigrants had to have $200 CAD and had to have travelled directly from their country of birth.

In 1914, when a Japanese ship, Komagata Maru, purchased by Gurdit Singh arrived in Canada, it was refused entry. Of the 376 passengers the ship carried, 340 were Sikhs, 24 were Muslims, and 12 were Hindus.

The ship had to spend 2 months offshore. It arrived back in India on September 26, but a British gunboat denied it entry. When passengers tried to stay in India, the boat opened fire, and killed 20 people while injuring 9 others.

It’s important to keep in mind the roots of Sikhism in our country.

In Canada, as of April 30, 2019, the month of April is recognized as Sikh Heritage Month. The Parliament of Canada acknowledges the “significant contributions that Sikh Canadians have made…, as well as the richness of the Punjabi language and culture and the Gurmukhi script.”

The Sikh Heritage Month Act also states that the Parliament of Canada “would provide an opportunity to reflect on, celebrate and educate future generations about the inspirational role that Sikh Canadians play and continue to play in communities across the country.”

https://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/vancouver-city-council-apologizes-for-komagata-maru-racism.aspx

https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/AnnualStatutes/2019_5/FullText.html

https://thereaderwiki.com/en/Sikhism_in_Canada

March 21 – International day for the elimination of racial discrimination 2022 Theme: Youth standing up against racism
Discrimination takes many forms, and according to the Canadian Community Health Survey of 2013, age, race, and gender discrimination are some of the most prevalent. Despite the existence of laws protecting individuals against several forms of discrimination, it unfortunately still exists and is common in day-to-day life. Did you know that as an elderly individual of color, the risks of experiencing discrimination become compounded? This year’s theme for the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination is “Youth standing up against racism”. Youth are the future of tomorrow and the voices of today – if you see discriminatory practices taking place, don’t be quiet, stand up and fight against discrimination. Youth have the power to advocate for the elderly who sometimes are unable to advocate for themselves. If you have a grandparent, check in with them and ask them how they are doing and if there is anything you can do to help. Be a voice, not a bystander, discrimination is not okay.
Godley, J. (2018). Everyday Discrimination in Canada. The Canadian Journal of
Sociology/Cahiers canadiens de sociologie, 43(2), 111-142.
https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/ageism-and-age-discrimination-fact-sheet https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/en/about-human-rights/what-discrimination
Vang, Z. M., Chau, S., Kobayashi, K. M., Owen, M. J., McKenzie-Sampson, S., Mayrand-
Thibert, J., & Brass, G. M. (2021). Pain and Functional Limitations Among Midlife and Older

Canadians: The Role of Discrimination, Race, and Sense of Belonging. The Journals of
Gerontology: Series B.

In February, we are raising awareness for National Psychology month. The Canadian Psychology Association defines psychology as " rooted in science that seeks to understand our thoughts, feelings and actions." It aims to help individual people and society to improve their quality of life. Psychology is a broad field that can help improve many areas of a person's life. It can help those struggling with pain, chronic illness, bullying, depression, addiction, anxiety, and so much more. No matter how old or young someone is, psychology can help improve one's well-being and mental health.

There are many reasons to seek professional guidance in life. What is the one area in life that is causing you the most distress? Who can you reach out to for support? Is there something extra you do to take care of yourself daily, weekly, or even monthly?

Check out the links below:

https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/what-we-do/older-adults/

https://www.pchscalgary.com/