Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony at Sudbury Sikh Gurdwara-Sudbury, Canada
October 31, 2025
Posted: November 14, 2025
The Rotary Club of Sudbury invited all Sudburians to participate in a Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony held at the Sudbury Sikh Gurdwara on October 31, 2025 at 10:00 am.
Members of the Sudbury Sikh Gurdwara offered a welcoming, peaceful indoor space in which to gather for the Dedication Ceremony.
Welcome! Aanii! Bonjour! Sudbury Rotary Club Toastmaster, Sandi Emdin, welcomed all participants and recognized the visionary leadership of Rotary Past District Governor Dr. Richard Denton. Rotarian Past District Governor Lise Dutrisac shared the Welcome and Introductions in French.
Dr. Denton offered an Acknowledgement of Traditional Territory. The Robinson-Huron Treaty territory and the land on which we gathered is the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.
Waabishki Mkwa (White Bear) Singers, an Indigenous women’s hand-drumming circle, invited everyone to “Come on in” as they sang the Welcome Song. The beat of the drum and the gift of their singing invited all to join as one.
Dr. Richard Denton provided an overview of the significance of planting Rotary Peace Poles:
A Rotary Peace Pole planted in a Pollinating Garden encourages us to think about the two major issues that we face today – our polarized world with a military culture and our climate crisis;
It is a way for civic and Indigenous leaders, politicians, musicians, and Rotarians to explain to the public, what they are doing to address these issues.
It is an opportunity to examine negative peace (ie. the absence of war and violence) and the eight pillars of positive peace as laid out by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
Dr. Denton explained the guiding principles of Rotarian actions, and how applying them to All living things can help us build relationships in our schools, organizations, community, and the world as we work to create a culture of peace and a healthy planet:
Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Is it Fair to All concerned?
Lori Adams, a Canadian Representative of May Peace Prevail on Earth International (MPPOEI), provided a history of the Peace Pole. In citing peace visionary Eleanor Roosevelt – “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” – Lori praised the Rotary Club of Sudbury for the exemplary ways it strives to create peace at home and in the world. She also thanked the Sudbury Sikh Gurdwara for creating a loving, welcoming peaceful space in which to dedicate this Peace Pole bearing the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” in eight different languages – English, French, Cree, Ojibwe, Punjabi, Hindi, Italian and Finnish.
The seeds of the World Peace Prayer Society were planted in 1955 by Masahisa Goi, founder of the Peace Pole movement with its universal prayer, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
This message and the PEACE POLE serve as physical reminders to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony.
In 1988, Masami Saionji established The World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) in New York.
In 1990, the WPPS gained official recognition as an NGO of the United Nations.
In 2019 the WPPS’s official name was changed to May Peace Prevail on Earth International.
As of 1997, sixteen Peace Poles have been planted in the Greater Sudbury area by five different Rainbow District schools, four local faith communities, the Mogensen family in Wahnapitae, the City of Greater Sudbury at Memorial Park, and the Rotary Club of Sudbury at Rotary and Delkie Dozzi Parks.
Over 250,000 Peace Poles have been dedicated in every country on Earth.
Masami Saionji cautions, “Now more than ever, we human beings need to go beyond notions of opposition and confrontation, and adopt a global consciousness.”
In ending, Lori offered these reflections:
Wherever we live on this planet, we all share the responsibility, both individually and collectively, to create peace within ourselves, in our families, in our community, in our countries, and in the world.
May we BE peace. May we live in peace. May Peace Prevail On Earth.
Toastmaster Sandi Emdin expressed appreciation to our political leaders for their participation, and then shared words on behalf of Honourable Jim Belanger, MP Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt:
The dedication of this Peace Pole at the Gurdwara is a powerful moment for all of us who believe in the strength of hope, justice, and unity.
Canada remains deeply committed to promoting peace both at home and abroad.
Peace begins here, in our neighbourhoods, in our places of worship, and in our daily interactions. It is built through understanding, respect, and the courage to stand together in the face of adversity.
The efforts of Rotary International and Past President Stephanie Urchick in promoting Peace Poles around the world remind us that peace is something we must actively work toward every day.
Honourable France Gelinas, MPP Nickel Belt, reflected on the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” and emphasized that it is not merely a slogan but words for “living real life”. MPP Gelinas encouraged everyone, in their families, in their community, and at work to listen to one another and to care for one another.
Through music as a tool for sharing hope for peace, local singer and composer, Andy Lowe, sang his own version of “In Flanders Fields” bringing a centering calmness to the gathering space.
Sandi Campbell has been a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers. In her new role as District Governor, she emphasized that peace is the cornerstone of Rotary’s mission, and explained different Rotary initiatives, such as Peace and the Environment, that have been undertaken in central and northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec.
Rotary Club of Sudbury President, Wayne Fraser, thanked Dr. Denton for his tireless efforts to promote peace, and reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to build peace in our communities and around the world.
Karanbir Badhesha
Submitted by: Lori Adams, MPPOEI, Peace Representative in Canada