Parade float attacked Sikh articles of faith, U of C expert says
An expert at the University of Calgary says a float in a small Alberta town's annual parade made a mockery of some of the symbols the Sikh religion hold sacred.
"We shouldn't be naïve that this is not simply a comment about politics," said Harjeet Singh Grewal, a professor of classics and religion at the institution.
On June 25, in a parade for the Sundre Pro Rodeo, a volunteer dressed up as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was driving a tractor pulling a manure spreader. In the spreader was another volunteer who was supposed to be NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
The latter was wearing a turban, a fake beard and had long hair.
Those three things, Grewal says, are considered to be articles of faith that are sacred to the Sikh community.
"Bringing up that identity also cycles back to the public sphere and discriminations that Sikhs who are practicing face every day and the immobility that they have."
Grewal said people need to be aware of the symbolism of having a Sikh man sitting where the manure should be and being pulled by a tractor.
“The symbolism goes beyond politics when you generalize to a visible minority or religious minority in Canada through the way that it is portrayed,” he said.
“There are other ways to make comments about politics, why bring in a visible religious minority to do that?”
Grewal said it’s important for people to understand the realities practicing Sikhs are faced with.
“I, as an adult, had somebody try to physically take my turban off. So, I think you know these things happen and we should be aware.”
Lynne Hoff, the woman who created the float, contends it was political satire, adding that she was not attempting to be racist.
However, Hoff's motives are being called into question after several social media posts that have targeted a number of groups, both political and religious.
In a post to the Sundre Facebook group, she asked for volunteers to dress as Trudeau and Singh. In it, she misspells turban and Singh’s name twice, calling him “STingh” and “stinky.”
She denies intentionally writing those things and blames it on autocorrect.
Hoff also made an anti-Muslim tweet to former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi last year over pandemic restrictions. Nenshi commented on it then removed the tweet so people wouldn’t “pile on her.”
"What I said was in anger," Hoff said, brushing off other criticism as "cancel culture."
"Three of my friends had lost businesses in Calgary – one of them had committed suicide."
No matter what her motivations for the parade stunt were, the Alberta MLA whose riding includes the town of Sundre says he doesn't agree.
"I called out Justin Trudeau when he did black face as well," said Alberta Finance Minister and MLA for Rocky Mountain House-Rimbey-Sundre Jason Nixon.
"It certainly came across to the Sikh community inside this province as racist. I would say it was a poor reflection on my community and not an accurate reflection of Sundre."
The Sundre Pro Rodeo and its parade committee have said they did not approve the float to go ahead and will be taking steps to prevent such situations in the future.
(With files from Nicole Di Donato and Tyson Fedor)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.