At Strawberry Hill Library on October 11th, stories took center stage — stories of resilience, identity, and belonging. Rooted and Rising, an inspiring community event organized by Dr. Reetinder Kaur, instructor of Punjabi language at SFU’s Department of World Languages and Literatures, brought together voices that are often heard privately but seldom celebrated publicly — the voices of Punjabi women.
The idea for Rooted and Rising was born out of meaningful conversations between Dr. Kaur and her student Shubhdeep Athwal. Their discussions revolved around the experiences of Punjabi women and the ways their identities are shaped at the intersections of culture, language, migration, and life in Canada. They noticed a striking paradox: Punjabi women hold leadership roles across politics, education, healthcare, research, and advocacy — yet their narratives remain underrepresented in mainstream public spaces.
With this realization, Rooted and Rising became a vision to create more than just an event — it became a movement for storytelling, connection, and empowerment. “It’s about what it means to be rooted in one’s culture and language while continuing to rise and redefine representation in today’s Canada,” said Dr. Kaur.
Supporting this vision was student co-host Shubhdeep Athwal, alongside Jaiden Gill and Rohan Gill, two high school students who filmed the event, marking a collaborative effort to highlight the powerful stories of Punjabi women.
The afternoon featured a dynamic panel discussion with three remarkable Punjabi women: Kamaljit Neeru, legendary Punjabi folk singer and actor; Tarannum Thind, media personality and host of Chai with T, and Gurpreet Bains, educator and community builder.
The conversation, moderated by Dr. Kaur, delved into their early life journeys, migration experiences, and professional paths — highlighting how resilience, hard work, and integrity continue to shape their success.
The Honourable Minister Jessie Sunner (Minister of Higher Education and Future Skills), Councillor Linda Annis, and Dr. Jagbir Gill (Medical Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at St. Paul’s Hospital) spoke on the importance of creating inclusive spaces for women’s stories. Members of Parliament Tamara Jansen (Cloverdale–Langley City), Sukhman Gill (Abbotsford–South Langley), Jasraj Hallan (Calgary East), and Amanpreet Gill (Calgary Skyview) were also in attendance, underscoring the national relevance of the event’s message.
Coinciding with the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Rooted and Rising became both a celebration and a call to action — to amplify women’s voices and to ensure that young girls see themselves reflected in the stories around them.
The event drew diverse community members and youth from higher education institutions such as SFU, UBC, KPU, and Surrey schools such as LA Matheson Secondary, creating an intergenerational dialogue that bridged classrooms and communities. Participants left feeling inspired, connected, and empowered — a testament to how storytelling can spark transformation.
As Dr. Kaur reflected, Rooted and Rising is not only about celebrating Punjabi women’s achievements but also about recognizing the strength in culture, language, and collective identity; at the same time dismantling the existing power structures. The event planted seeds for continued dialogue — ensuring that the stories of Punjabi women are not just remembered but amplified for generations to come.
Roles: Organizer: Dr. Reetinder Kaur, Punjabi Language Instructor, SFU Department of World Languages and Literatures
Student co-host: Shubhdeep Athwal, student SFU
Videographers: Jaiden and Rohan Gill, high school students (Jaiden on left and Rohan on right in the picture).
