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Education
Partial Resume, Past Coalition Trainings and Presentations on Sikhs and Sikh Practices
Private Institutions and Organizations
Wing Luke Museum June, 2005 Coalition led the project to create the traveling exhibit “Portals & Pathways”. The exhibit is designed to represent the development, struggles and spirit of the Sikh faith and people. First displayed at the Wing Luke Museum, this exhibit has been lauded for its artistic and educational value.
National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, New York Chapter June, 2005 Co-sponsored panel on racial profiling since 9/11, with a particular interest in the impact of racial profiling on Arab, Muslim and Sikh communities and families.
Sanctuary for Families April, 2005
Legal Director participated on panel titled “Domestic Violence, Immigration and the Faith-based Community”. Was part of the second annual community dialogue between government, domestic violence advocates and the faith community. New York City Councilman John Liu, state court judges, representatives from the Mayor’s office and representatives of the Sikh, Muslim and Hindu faiths participated in the forum.
Japanese Americans Citizens League January-December, 2003
Conducted approximately ten presentations along with JACL at teacher training workshops, to students and at conferences on the experience of different immigrant communities, including the Sikh community, in adapting to American life. The focus is on fear and discrimination in times of crisis and how this affects minority communities, including the Sikh community. Two more presentations are planned for February.
Hate Free Zone Campaign of Washington (HFZ) November, 2001 - Present
Conducted over 25 educational workshops with HFZ in the Pacific Northwest in different schools, colleges and other institutions. The presentations have focused on experiences of Sikh Americans post 9/11 and dispelling some of the stereotypes that people have associated with the Sikh identity.
Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) January, 2003 - Present
ACRS provides multilingual and multicultural services to the members of the Asian Pacific American community. The Coalition has worked with ACRS on a variety of programs and presentations including a training of all its employees about Sikhs and the Sikh identity.
South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow October, 2001 to Present
Have appeared on approximately 20 separate panels primarily in University settings to discuss Sikh civil rights concerns at panels organized by South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow. Settings at which Coalition has appeared on panels include: United States Congress, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Columbia University, University of Washington and University of California, Berkeley.
Wing Luke Asian Museum(WLAM) April, 2003
Organized a special community forum along with WLAM with support from about 30 more community organizations called ‘Mistaken Identity’. The event discussed the essential values of the Sikh faith and gave an in-depth presentation of the history of Sikhs in North America from 1890s to the present day.
Accenture July 2002
Worked with Accenture corporation to accommodate need of Sikh employees to wear Sikh articles of faith while performing employment duties.
Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (APAICS) May 2002
Conducted a presentation on airport profiling issues affecting the Sikh American community before the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (APAICS). Many of the members in attendance were elected Asian Pacific American government officials from around the United States.
International Monetary Fund October, 2001 Presented information on Sikhs and Sikh practices to approximately one hundred International Monetary Fund employees in Washington, DC.
Government
Department of Transportation Seattle, Washington March, 2005
80 employees of Department of Transportation participated in an education seminar on Sikhism. They were introduced to the general principles and beliefs of Sikhism and the Sikh identity. This was followed by a tour of the Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Washington where the participants took part in a special bilingual prayer service and asked questions about the importance of Sikh articles of faith.
The Monmouth County Police Academy December, 2004
Trained over one hundred bias crime detectives from throughout New Jersey on Sikh practices and hate crimes against Sikhs.
Police Department, Monmouth County New Jersey December, 2004
Conducted a training session on Sikhs and Sikh practices for new police recruits.
Police Department, Bergen County New Jersey December, 2004
Veteran police officers were educated about Sikh identity and practices as well as problems facing Sikhs.
San Jose Police Dept December, 2004
Coalition helped the Dept create a video which is covering various issues, including basic Sikh teachings, Sikh history, significance of the 5 K’s, effects of post-9/11 backlash on sikh community, and human rights. The Coalition’s representative discussed hate crimes against Sikhs, the prosecution of Sikhs for carrying their kirpan, and cultural tips in interacting with Sikhs from Punjab.
Albany Police Departments November, 2004
In co-ordination with the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, the Coalition conducted three separate training sessions for police departments in the Albany, New York region. The training sessions, presented law enforcement officers with common Sikh practices and guidelines on engaging with Sikhs in their law enforcement capacity.
Monmouth County Police Academy , NJ May, 2004
Conducted interactive session which covered Sikh culture and religion and how police officers can better work with the Sikh community. Only a handful of recruits had ever heard of Sikhs before the training and found it especially helpful in enabling them to better deal with Sikhs they may encounter during the course of their work.
Bureau on Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) February, 2004
Trained BCIS frontline employees on Sikhs and Sikhism in multi hour training session. Provided BCIS employees with information on Sikh beliefs and common practices in order to facilitate their interaction with Sikh immigrants.
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the INS) December, 2003
Conducted training on Sikhs and Sikh practices for more than two hundred BCIS employees on separate who may interact or work with Sikh immigrants in the performance of their employment functions.
Monmouth County Bias Crime Officer’s Association December, 2003
Conducted training on Sikhs and Sikh practices for approximately seventy-five bias crime detectives and police officers from New Jersey and New York who may encounter Sikhs while performing policing duties.
Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office November, 2003
Conducted training on Sikhs and Sikh practices for Middlesex County, New Jersey police officers and prosecutors who interact with Sikhs in the performance of their employment functions.
New Jersey Attorney General’s Office September, 2003
Conducted training on Sikhs and Sikh practices to New Jersey civil rights officials who interact with Sikhs in the performance of their employment functions.
Seattle Office of Civil Rights June, 2003
Worked with Seattle Office of Civil Rights to conduct a “CityTalks!” event. “CityTalks!” are events are sponsored by the Seattle Personnel Department and Office of Civil Rights in which city employees are invited to a conversation about race and ethnicity in the workplace. It is a facilitated dialogue consisting of small group discussions led by trained facilitators. The Sikh Coalition was invited to open a “CityTalks!” event and set the tone for a healthy and mutually respectful dialogue on race and ethnicity.
United States Department of Justice December, 2002
New York City Police Department
Conducted presentation at invitation of Community Relations Service of United States Justice Department on Sikhs, Sikh practices and Sikh concerns to New York City Police Department community relations officers who regularly interact with Sikhs.
California Highway Patrol June, 2002
Conducting training for California Highway patrol on Sikh practices and Sikh civil rights concerns.
Roseville Human Rights Commission March, 2002
Presented general overview of Sikhism and Sikh beliefs and Sikh civil rights concerns post 9/11.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Midwest Division February, 2002
Provided training on Sikhism and Sikh beliefs and Sikh civil rights concerns post 9/11.
San Jose Airport February, 2002
Conducted a training for approximately 150 members of the airport management and security staff about Sikhism and Sikh practices. Trained personnel on methods for gaining the confidence of Sikh air travel passengers and discrimination concerns of Sikh air travel passengers.
United States Department of Transportation November, 2001
Worked with DOT’s Office of Civil Rights and Federal Aviation Administration to develop and draft guidelines on searching Sikh air travel passengers that balanced need for security and while remaining respectful of Sikh religious practices.
Hennepin County Police November, 2001
Provided training on Sikhism and Sikh beliefs and Sikh civil rights concerns post 9/11.
Maple Grove Police Department October, 2001
Provided training on Sikhism and Sikh beliefs and Sikh civil rights concerns post 9/11. |
