Sikh American History Project

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Bellingham, WA
Sikh American History Project

The Sikh American History Project is dedicated to documenting, preserving, and uncovering the diverse stories that make up Sikh American history.

We are an all volunteer organization.

04/06/2026

The San Joaquin County Historical Society & Museum, in partnership with the Sikh American History Project (SAHP), is proud to announce the hiring of Dr. Tejpaul Singh Bainiwal.

This collaboration marks a major step forward in preserving and sharing Sikh American history. Based at the Museum, Dr. Bainiwal will lead SAHP’s growth—expanding archives, programs, and community-centered storytelling rooted in Stockton’s historic role in Sikh American life.

Together, we’re building a stronger future for the preservation of Sikh American history.

10/27/2025

Last month, we joined our friends from , Whatcom County, the , and the Whatcom County Sikh community to commemorate the Bellingham Riots of 1907 — a painful yet pivotal chapter in our shared history.

Together, we reflected on the resilience of the South Asian community and the importance of truth-telling in our public spaces. During the event, we gifted the Bellingham community informational pamphlets and a marker to be placed beside the Arch of Healing and Reconciliation, so visitors can learn more about the events of 1907 and the ongoing journey toward inclusion and remembrance. This was possible due to the collaboration with and
Thank you to everyone who came together to honor the past and continue the work of building understanding and solidarity.

01/15/2025

After being tucked away in Stockton Gurdwara’s archive for 110 years, the letter that Shaheed Bhai Mewa Singh wrote made its way back home this past weekend. Over the three days the letter was on display at Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar (Khalsa Diwan Society New Westminster), more than 700 people visited the exhibit. We’re eternally grateful to for the vision and making the exhibit possible, the for hosting the exhibit, and for agreeing to loan out the letter for Canadian Sikhs to witness the handwritten letter of Canada’s first shaheed.

Slide 1: Original letter written by Shaheed Bhai Mewa Singh from the New Westminster Provincial Jail

Slide 2: Top - Original Postcard of a 1905 Procession in Downtown Vancouver
Bottom - Ticket to the ex*****on of Bhai Mewa Singh

Slide 3 & 4: Videos from the exhibit

Slide 5: Shaheed Bhai Mewa Singh sang this shabad (hymn) until the moment he was hung.

Slide 6: The same shabad being sung by Bhai Harjot Singh Zakhmi, who comes from a long lineage of world renowned kirtanis.

Slide 7: Paneet Singh and Tejpaul Singh. Paneet Singh spent years researching and preserving the history and legacy of Shaheed Bhai Mewa Singh.

Slide 8: Tejpaul Singh addressing the sangat during the 110 year anniversary of Bhai Mewa Singh’s shaheedi.

01/09/2025

In collaboration with Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar (New Westminister), Shaheed Bhai Mewa Singh’s handwritten letter will be on display publicly for the first time ever this weekend! Bhai Mewa Singh wrote the letter from jail to in 1915 just days before being hung to death. The letter is part of the Stockton Gurdwara Archive. Extremely grateful for for not only organizing the exhibit, but transcribing and translating the letter last year for future generations. If you’re in the Vancouver area this weekend, we highly encourage you to come check out the letter while it’s here!

Address

Bellingham, WA
98225-98229

Website

http://sikhamericanhistory.org/

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