STEVEN PUREWAL
Historian
What it Means to be a Canadian: 100 Years Ago and Today
Steven is a local historian, advocate, and media personnel. Born and raised in England, Steven came to Canada in 2002 and was struck by what he saw as “a gap in the history being taught in schools” and in what is known in wider society.
Steven will be talking about who we consider as Canadians 100 years ago and how that view has changed today. He will situate his talk in the context of the 2 stabbings on White Rock pier, and reflect on how the history of Canadian multiculturalism can inform us for building a better, more inclusive society for the future.
In March 2024, Steven launched “Duty, Honour, and Izzat,” a project he runs through his media organization, the Indus Media Foundation. The three-pronged approach aims to educate the public and change hearts and minds for the betterment of society. He’s written a book that he wants to see put into the schools (also called Duty, Honour, and Izzat), he’d like a monument to Sikh soldiers erected in Veterans’ Square in Cloverdale, and he’s making a film about Sikh soldiers’ contributions in WWII