Marda Loop Seniors’ Group

October 12, 2026

Seniors Visit a Local
Gurdwara

To continue the
“Introduction to World Religions” series, (the first one being a synagogue) an
interested group of Seniors accepted the invitation to visit a Sikh place of
assembly and worship which is called a “gurdwara’. Our host, Sardar Balihar
Singh Dhillon greeted us on arrival and gave us a brief overview of the Sikh
religion which originated in the Punjab region of India around the end of the
15^th century. He then guided us into the temple where their holy
book is set upon a decorated altar and from which readings are recited or sung
during the daily worship. A tour of the temple was followed by a visit to the
community “darbar” where free food is served round the clock from a kitchen to
all visitors, regardless of cultural, religious, regional, caste or class
affiliations. Needless this was a real treat for all of us and was a nice way
to wrap up another inspiring and edifying visit.

The next in this
series is a visit to a Buddhist temple on Thursday, September 17 with other
religious centres to follow in the coming months. If you are interested in
joining us, please get in touch with me for further information.

Two Seniors Donate
Family Artifacts to the Tsuut’ina Nation

While doing their
respective spring cleanups, two of our members came across souvenirs which they
considered would be better off somewhere they would be properly cared for and
more importantly, understood in their cultural context.

Helen A. had a
leather-bound album, consisting of photographs of Indigenous pioneers which was
presented to her late husband for his contribution on the 100^th
anniversary of Alberta committee. Stacy S. had a small collection of her mother’s
jewellery which she was convinced would be of cultural significance to an
indigenous community.

These items were
respectfully offered to Colleen Waskewitch Runner, a representative of the
Tsuut’ina nation, who was delighted to receive Helen’s and Stacy’s donations. The
plan is to transfer these artifacts to the museum on the reserve.

Seniors in the
Loop are proud to share this meaningful gesture of our fellow members and
recognize the important contribution they have made in choosing to place these
items in the hands of the community in which their stories belong.

Heather Bhatty

[email protected]