Honour in Culture Award

This award recognizes an individual, group or corporation who demonstrates outstanding support, advocacy, promotion or interpretation of Nanaimo’s arts culture and history.

2024 Recipient: Sukhi Sangha

Sukhi Sangha
Photo Credit: Sean Fenzl | @fenzlstudio

Sukhi Sangha won the 2024 Honor in Culture Award for her contributions to Nanaimo’s cultural community. Sukhi is the proud founder of Vancouver Island Bhangra. She’s a strong leader, with great enthusiasm and charisma that engages all audiences. She came from a small community in North Delta and travelled the globe, spreading her passion for Bhangra, before coming to Nanaimo. She has been inspiring communities throughout BC for 20 years, through dance and free community engagement events. Sukhi excels in fostering cultural collaboration within the community, showcasing her ability to bring people together from diverse backgrounds.

Settling in Nanaimo in 2021, she became an established figure for South Asian Arts and  Bhangra fitness. Serving as a volunteer Board of Director for the Crimson Coast Dance Society, her community contributions have enriched Nanaimo's cultural tapestry, introducing South Asian Arts to Vancouver Island at large. The Bhangra fitness classes she offers through the City of Nanaimo inspire young and mature participants alike, further demonstrating her commitment to Nanaimo’s health and wellness. She believes your mind is the strongest muscle in your body. 

Sukhi graduated as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, whilst competing on the national stage as a participant on Poland’s Got  Talent. Sukhi's positive outlook and commitment to spreading joy through dance have made her a beloved member of the community.

Being a strong community member and fostering unity, inclusivity, and happiness, are evident in her work. Her impact on the community is profound, making her an inspiring cultural figure.

Past Recipients

• Joyce Horner (1998)
• Gordon Kirby (1999)
• Alastair and Isabel Highet (2000)
• Roger Desprez (2001)
• Thora Howell (2002)
• Nanaimo Theatre Group (2003)
• Upper Island Music Festival (2004)
• Coastal Community Credit Union (2005)
• Bea McLeod (2007)
• Arts Alive Summer School of the Fine Arts (2008)
• Camela Tang (2009)
• Holly Bright (2010)
• Sandra Thomson (2011)
• Marian Smith (2012)
• Eveline O'Rourke (2013)
• Ian Niamath (2014)
• Arlene Blundell (2015)
• Debbie Trueman (2016)
• Gerda Hofman (2017)
• William Good (2018)
• Dean Chadwick (2019)
• Trish & Geoff Horrocks (2020)
• Marianne Turley (2021)
• Christine Whitelaw (2021)
• Bruce Halliday (2022)
• Margot Holmes (2023)

Questions?

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