Editing:2021.10.14 CA SAAM

October 14, 2021 (Sacramento, CA) -- California will once again be celebrating Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month (SAAM) this November. Due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, the SAAM resolution did not have enough time to pass the Senate; however, because it was introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra and passed in the Assembly, it still marks a statewide recognition and celebration.

“We appreciate the continued support for the Sikh community from multiple members of the California assembly,” said Sikh Coalition Community Development Manager Inderpreet Kaur. “Public recognitions, like this proclamation, help raise awareness about the Sikh community, start dialogues with elected officials about community concerns, and further the effort to build community power across the state.”

In the past, community members have recognized SAAM by delivering Sikh awareness presentations, sharing anti-bullying resources in schools, and facilitating important new conversations with non-Sikh community leaders. This year, we encourage community members to build on these previous efforts while abiding by COVID-19 public health guidelines and best practices.

Introduce a Local Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month Proclamation: Having an official recognition of Sikhs by your local government helps broaden public awareness by making news and ensuring that political officials recognize the issues facing your local Sikh community. We have created a step-by-step guide on how you can ask your elected officials to honor and celebrate the Sikh community this year! You can pass Sikh awareness resolutions or proclamations at the school district, county board, or city council levels.

Engage California Educators: We applaud the recent signing of AB 101, which officially makes California the first state in the nation to require ethnic studies for high school graduation. To learn more about our work with the CA sangat to ensure Sikhism is accurately included inthe ethnic studies model curriculum, click here. The passage of this ethnic studies legislation and California SAAM is the perfect opportunity to engage K-12 teachers and deliver Sikh awareness presentations in classrooms. Our new-and-improved Back to School Toolkit features even more lesson plans, teaching tools, and the first-ever C3 Resources on Sikhism for educators to effectively teach students about this topic through inquiry.

The Sikh Coalition is excited to join the California sangat in celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of Sikhs across the state as we work together to raise Sikh awareness. If you have questions about California SAAM, please reach out to community@sikhcoalition.org.

As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.

California Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month 2021