Gurdeep Pandher is a Sikh-Canadian, Yukon-based author, teacher and performer, who makes Punjabi dance videos.[1] Gurdeep was born into a farming family, in a small village in Siahar, Punjab.[2] He moved to Canada in 2006 and became a Canadian citizen in 2011.[3] Moving to Canada inspired him to tour the entire country and further understand his adopted nation. He has lived in numerous Canadian provinces, including small Canadian villages, but found his home in a wilderness cabin in Yukon.[4]

Gurdeep Pandher
CitizenshipCanada
EducationB.Ed. from Yukon University, Whitehorse, Masters in Public Administration from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Dr.(h.c.) of Laws from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Occupation(s)Author, teacher and performer
Websitewww.youtube.com/channel/UCsxqJMylBN-0x6a-8RT8pAg

On May 18, 2023, Gurdeep received a Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, from Memorial University of Newfoundland.[5]

Gurdeep teaches diverse groups across Canada, building cross-cultural bridges and encouraging acceptance, inclusivity and positive race-relations.[6][7] In an effort to promote intercultural understanding throughout Canada, Gurdeep has blended Bhangra with various other cultural dances present in the country.[8][9] Gurdeep's Yukon-made Bhangra videos have gone on to inspire people everywhere,[10] including Quebec where his work was featured in French-Canadian media outlets.[11][12][13][14] In addition to this, Gurdeep has also appeared on British television network ITV, during the breakfast show hosted by Lorraine Kelly,[15][16] on Canadian entertainment show, CTV's eTalk,[17] and Rachel Maddow also featured Gurdeep's work on her show on MSNBC. He is best known for promoting motivation and optimism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Yukon to Canada's coast to coast to coast.[18][19] In an effort to spread awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine, Gurdeep Pandher made a Bhangra dance video on a frozen lake in Yukon, which was watched by millions across the globe.[20][21][22][23][24] Gurdeep is also notable for using dance as a mechanism to break down barriers which BIPOC face.[25][26] According to CBC, "Gurdeep Pandher could be considered Yukon's most famous person on social media."[27]

Viral Videos

edit

Canada Day Video

edit

Gurdeep's first viral video was in 2016 which featured a Canada Day performance in Whitehorse, Yukon. The video depicts Gurdeep and his dance partner Manuela Haemmerli performing Bhangra and dancing to Punjabi music with Yukon residents. Overnight, the video received upwards of 250,000 views and was later featured on CBC News and CTV News.[28]

Video with Whitehorse Mayor

edit

In 2017, Gurdeep Pandher created a video in collaboration with Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis.[29][30][31] In the video, Gurdeep taught the mayor how to tie and wear a traditional Sikh turban and the pair danced Bhangra together.[32][33][34] The video quickly became a viral sensation, receiving over one million views in a single day and a segment on BBC News,[35] Toronto Star,[36] and The Huffington Post.[37] Together Mayor Dan Curtis and Gurdeep Pandher made the video to spread a message of diversity and inclusivity throughout the world.[38][39][40][41]

Paralympian Stephanie Dixon and Gurdeep Pandher Advocate for Inclusivity in Cultures and Sports

edit

Stephanie Dixon is a Canadian swimmer, who was awarded fifteen medals at the Paralympic Games throughout her career.[42] The Government of Canada added her achievements to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and in 2017, awarded her the Member of the Order of Canada.[43] That same year, Gurdeep Pandher and Stephanie Dixon joined forces to create a viral video.[44] In the video, both Stephanie and Gurdeep perform a Bhangra routine and swim together in the Yukon hot springs. Over 100,000 people on social media have viewed the video. Gurdeep and Stephanie designed the video to promote a message of cultural diversity and inclusivity in sports.[45]

Can-Can Dancers and Bhangra Fusion

edit

Gurdeep Pandher and the Yukon Rendezvous Air North Can-Can Line created a breathtaking fusion of two famous dance forms, Punjabi Bhangra and Can-Can Dancing. Their video supports bringing together two distinct cultures in the world. Originating in France, the Can-Can is a high-energy, physically demanding dance that became popular in music halls in the 1840s. This video demonstrates the utilization of social media to build cross-cultural bridges.[46]

The Canadian Armed Forces Collaboration

edit

In 2019, The Canadian Armed Forces and Gurdeep Pandher collaborated to create a Punjabi Bhangra dance video to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in the Canadian military.[47] The video brought together soldiers from differing backgrounds and promoted a message of "One Force" with "One Love" for Canadians.[48] It was unique, as it was the first time The Canadian Armed Forces participated in a collaboration that included folk-dance from Canada's Punjabi/Sikh nation. In addition to this, the video showcased Canadian BIPOC soldiers dancing and performing Bhangra together.[49]

A diverse range of the soldiers participated in the video including members of The Royal Canadian Navy, The Royal Canadian Air Force and The Canadian Army. Filming took place at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) at Esquimalt, located west of Victoria, British Columbia.[50] The video went viral and was shared and recognized by many prominent Canadian figures.[51] The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, shared Gurdeep's video to his social media.[52] The video was also later shared by Canada's Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan.[53] In addition to this, the collaboration received positive feedback from the existing Commander of The Royal Canadian Navy at that time, Art McDonald. The now Chief of the Defence Staff tweeted, "As @CanadianForces & @RoyalCanNavy prepare to celebrate Canada Day here at home & overseas (& at-sea!) when duty brings us there, it seems this is the perfect time to celebrate the spirit of inclusion & diversity that is the Canadian advantage! #BravoZulu & T.Y. for this video shipmates."[54]

Dance with Indigenous Chief of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, Old Crow, Yukon

edit

Gurdeep Pandher collaborated with Dana Tizya-Tramm, the Chief of a Northern Yukon indigenous community, named Old Crow. The 2019 video featured the Punjabi traditional dance, Bhangra. The notion behind the film was to celebrate friendships among communities in the Yukon and Canada.[55] After the video was released, Indigenous network APTN National News broadcast the footage and interviewed the Chief and Gurdeep. APTN wrote, "a video filmed in an isolated community in the Yukon meant to spread happiness has now been seen by tens of thousands of people."[56] Old Crow is home to the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) peoples'. Traditionally speaking Gwichʼin, the area is home to less than 300 people. Old Crow is isolated from surrounding communities and is accessible only by plane or canoe. Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm, the head of the VGFN government, is the youngest First Nation Chief in the Yukon. He made national headlines by declaring a climate emergency in the Old Crow community.[57] It was the first northern community to make a climate emergency declaration and inspired many municipalities in Canada to follow suit.[58]

Bhangra in -45°C Temperature

edit

In January 2020, Gurdeep Pandher recorded and produced a video where he danced Bhangra outdoors in the Yukon, Canada. In the video, the weather is intense and temperatures drop below -45 °C.[59] The video went viral and was posted by several national media organizations including CBC. At the end of the year, CBC reported the dance video to be one of the most "uplifting videos from 2020."[60]

Video Featuring Yukon Bagpiper Jordan Lincez

edit

Later that year in 2020, Jordan Lincez and Gurdeep Pandher combined Bhangra dancing to Jordan's bagpipe music.[61][62][63][64] The video took place in April in the Yukon wilderness while the pair were practicing social distancing.[65][66][67][68] More than 300,000 people watched the video from Gurdeep's Twitter page in one day.[69] This video was broadcast by CBC, CTV and Global News. The Leader-Post wrote that "Gurdeep Pandher is an ambassador for joy."[70] In addition to this, Canadian Author Heather Down included Gurdeep and Jordan in her book, Not Cancelled: Canadian Kindness in the Face of COVID-19, which chronicled positive experiences from several Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.[71]

Summer Trip to Vancouver Island

edit

In summer 2020, Gurdeep vacationed to Vancouver Island for ten days.[72][73][74][75] Upon his arrival, he posted a video dancing Bhangra on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.[76][77][78][79] Shortly after Gurdeep's post, representatives from B.C. Legislature contacted him and invited him to film a video featuring their staff.[80] Members from all parties of the Legislative Assembly danced Bhangra with Gurdeep.[81] Following this, Gurdeep was welcomed by the Legislature Assembly into the Victoria parliament buildings.[82] Gurdeep was escorted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was invited by the Victoria Police (VicPD) to create a video dancing Bhangra.[83][84][85] The VicPD staff were subsequently joined by officers and staff from Saanich Police, Central Saanich Police, Oak Bay Police, Westshore RCMP, and Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP.[86][87]

After leaving Victoria, Gurdeep travelled to Long Beach Tofino, creating a video performing Bhangra on the beautiful Pacific Ocean landscape.[88][89] Gurdeep's visit and interview was featured in Tofino's Top 10 Sports and Art Stories of 2020.[90][91][92][93]

He was honoured by the Fire and Rescue Department of Nanaimo.[94] Following this, The Globe and Mail wrote, "Bhangra dancer looks to bring the message of hope to B.C. during COVID-19."[95] Based on the events from this trip, Gurdeep landed on the cover of Explore Magazine, a Canadian adventure and outdoor lifestyle magazine.[96]

Dancing Bhangra and Remaining Positive During the COVID-19 Pandemic

edit

Amid the 2020 Pandemic, Gurdeep began to offer accessible, Pay-What-You-Can, virtual Bhangra lessons.[97][98] That year, over 5000 students joined the online classes during the worldwide lockdowns.[99][100][101] As schools and learning facilities began to close and shut down, students and teachers relied on Gurdeep's videos for online, at-home learning.[102][103] CBC went on to feature Gurdeep's lessons in an article.[104] Using the virtual classes as a platform, Gurdeep raised funds for both COVID-19 relief and Mental Health research.[105][106] These efforts resulted in appearances in publications from Air Canada's enRoute Magazine,[107] the Bank of Montreal,[108] and the International Paralympic Committee. BC's TransLink also collaborated with Gurdeep to create a Bhangra positivity video that promotes wearing masks while using the Skytrain and Transit services.[109] In addition to these appearances, the Government of Canada requested Gurdeep Pandher, among other prominent Canadians, to make a Bhangra video to celebrate Canada Day 2020.[110] Later that year, CBC Q's Tom Power featured Gurdeep Pandher on CBC Television in a talk show called What're You At? with Tom Power.[111][112]

Gurdeep worked to produce and post one Bhangra dance video per day during the COVID-19 pandemic.[113][114][115] His user engagement and total views grew rapidly as an increased number of people across Canada and throughout the world started watching his videos and social media posts.[116][117] As COVID-19 restrictions grew tighter, many important events were cancelled. However, Gurdeeps audience found motivation and gained positivity through watching his daily videos.[118][119] Gurdeep received many messages from individuals feeling an amplified amount of stress and loneliness due to the pandemic.[120][121] The messages indicated that his community had felt uplifted and optimistic thanks to Gurdeep's work.[122][123][124] On March 1, 2021, Gurdeep received his first COVID-19 vaccine.[125][126] After receiving the vaccination, he visited a frozen lake in the Yukon and recorded a Bhangra dance video, which went viral.[127][128][129][130]

Canadian Cross-Cultural Bhangra Concerts

edit

In 2016, Gurdeep was invited by local musicians to gather in Whitehorse, Yukon and practice together.[131] During the gathering, Gurdeep began dancing Bhangra to their traditional Celtic music.[132] As Gurdeep continued to dance and more musicians joined, the artists were surprised how well their different cultures of music and dance blended together. From this, the idea of the Cross-Cultural Bhangra Show was born and was later titled, Bhangra: Dance of Punjab, Canadian Cross-Cultural Concert.[133] The show now has been performed consecutively for five years, taking place virtually and in the Yukon Arts Centre.[134] Year after year, the show has continued to sell out. This annual concert is known for bringing different Canadian cultures together on one stage, providing a message of unity in diversity and building interracial bridges.[135]

Gurdeep Pandher has taught Bhangra in the Yukon for several years and felt it was important to include his students in Bhangra: Dance of Punjab, Canadian Cross-Cultural Concert.[136] In the past, the concert has showcased a variety of performers including local Yukon youth, Can-can dancers, Irish dancers, Highland dancers, Japanese musicians, Celtic musicians and performances from Gurdeep's Bhangra students.[137] To continue to deliver the message of positive race-relations, Gurdeep also performed in the Dawson City Music Festival. He was the first to dance Bhangra in the festival's history.[138] In addition to this, Gurdeep performed in Whitehorse, where he was joined by 60 Santas who danced Bhangra with him.[139]

CBC Arts and Gurdeep Pandher, Happy Videos Collaboration

edit

The arts sector of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), known as CBC Arts, collaborated with Gurdeep Pandher to create numerous Bhangra videos that work towards spreading joy and optimism throughout Canada. Gurdeep Pandher and CBC Arts partnered to produce a total of six videos. So far, the two videos that have been released are titled Hello Fall and Bhangra to Celtic Music.[140]

Books

edit

Gurdeep authored a poetry book in the Punjabi language, titled Mitti De Ghar, which translates to "Clay homes" in English. It was later published by Aarsi Publishers, a publishing company located in New Delhi. The book consists of poems and songs written by Gurdeep in his early years.[141]

In 2023, he participated as one of the panelists in Canada Reads, championing Dimitri Nasrallah's novel Hotline.[142]

Movies

edit

Gurdeep Pandher was invited by film makers to be featured as a guest artist in First We Eat, a film about food sovereignty in Northern Canada.[143] The movie was produced by Dawson City Yukon film creator Suzanne Crocker and is on the long list for best documentary at the upcoming 2020 Oscars.[144] In the movie, Gurdeep Pandher and other characters dance Bhangra in celebration of the local harvest.[145]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Canada is loving the Bhangra adventures of Gurdeep Pandher of the Yukon". Get Out There Magazine. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  2. ^ "How Social Media Sensation Gurdeep Pandher is Breaking Down Barriers". enroute.aircanada.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  3. ^ "From snowy Yukon, a Punjabi dance warms Canadian hearts". Christian Science Monitor. 2021-01-12. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  4. ^ "Rob Vanstone: Gurdeep Pandher is an ambassador for joy". leaderpost. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  5. ^ https://twitter.com/GurdeepPandher/status/1643959672041250817 [bare URL]
  6. ^ "Bhangra dancing to Celtic music in the Yukon wilderness is the mash-up we didn't know we needed | CBC Arts". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  7. ^ "Dancing for the sake of national unity". The Western Producer. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  8. ^ "VIDEO: Internet bhangra sensation, Black Press Media journalist make dance mash-up". Victoria News. 2020-08-24. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  9. ^ "Need Some Positivity? Meet Gurdeep Pandher Of Yukon". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  10. ^ "Live Radio | CBC Listen". CBC Listen. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  11. ^ "ICI Radio-Canada Première | Balados, livres audio". Radio-Canada (in French). Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  12. ^ "24heures Montreal". 29 January 2021.
  13. ^ Tison, Marie (2021-01-19). "Le festival de Banff en mode virtuel". La Presse (in French). Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  14. ^ "Dans le Grand Nord canadien, le phénomène de la danse Bhangra à Whitehorse". Regard sur l'Arctique (in French). 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  15. ^ "Bhangra dancer tells Lorraine the dance has helped him stay positive". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  16. ^ "Lorraine Kelly shows off crazy dance moves as she lets her hair down". HOLA. 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  17. ^ Scott, Katie (2021-02-24). "Viral dancer Gurdeep Pandher wants to teach Ryan Reynolds and Greta Thunberg how to Bhangra dance". etalk. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  18. ^ "CTV National News". 4 September 2020.
  19. ^ "CBC: The Current with Matt Galloway".
  20. ^ "Yukon man dances Bhangra on frozen lake after getting COVID-19 vaccine | News". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  21. ^ "Gurdeep Pandher, the dancing Yukon phenomenon, spreads pandemic positivity with traditional bhangra. 'We can still be joyful'". thestar.com. 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  22. ^ "Lorraine Kelly shares exciting news with fans". HOLA. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  23. ^ "La joie de ce prof de danse tout juste vacciné contre le Covid est communicative". Le HuffPost (in French). 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  24. ^ Hasson-Fauré, Nicolas (2021-03-04). "Il fête sa vaccination contre le Covid-19 en dansant, sa vidéo fait un carton sur internet - Edition du soir Ouest-France - 04/03/2021". Ouest-France.fr (in French). Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  25. ^ Breaking down barriers with bhangra dance, retrieved 2021-02-11
  26. ^ "How Social Media Sensation Gurdeep Pandher is Breaking Down Barriers". enroute.aircanada.com. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  27. ^ "Whitehorse peewee team strives to win national Good Deeds Cup | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  28. ^ "Whitehorse Bhangra dancer shows off Yukon to the world | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  29. ^ "Mayor of Whitehorse dons turban, learns Bhangra dance, goes viral | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  30. ^ Huang, Echo (16 January 2017). "A video of a Canadian mayor wearing a turban and learning Bhangra dance moves is going viral". Quartz. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  31. ^ "Canadian Mayor dances bhangra, ties turban in viral video". Faith Matters. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  32. ^ "Video: Video: See the turban tying video from Yukon that has gone viral". The Globe and Mail. 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  33. ^ "USA Today Video: Mayor's Turban-Tying Lesson Goes Viral". USA Today.
  34. ^ "Video of Whitehorse mayor goes viral". 96.1 The Rush. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  35. ^ "Turban fitting goes viral". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  36. ^ "Yukon mayor's turban tying, Bhangra dancing goes viral". thestar.com. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  37. ^ "Whitehorse Mayor Calls Bhangra Lesson 'Coolest Thing' He's Been Asked To Do". HuffPost Canada. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  38. ^ "You'll Want To Call Your Punjabi Friend After Seeing The Canadian Mayor Learn How To Tie A Turban & Do Bhangra". www.mensxp.com. 2017-01-12. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  39. ^ "Canadian mayor dons turban and dances for religious tolerance". Religion News Service. 2017-01-12. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  40. ^ "Sikh immigrant's story is as Canadian as chaat, dal and paneer". thestar.com. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  41. ^ "Yukon mayor's turban, dance moves go viral". InsideOttawaValley.com. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  42. ^ "Dixon | Canadian Paralympic Committee". paralympic.ca. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  43. ^ "Yukon swimmer named to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  44. ^ "This Unlikely Pair Just Proved The Yukon Is The Ideal Place For Bhangra". HuffPost Canada. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  45. ^ "VIDEO: Internet famous Yukon-based bhangra dancer explores Vancouver Island". Surrey Now-Leader. 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  46. ^ "Promoting Unity With Bhangra Dance". HuffPost Canada. 2016-08-04. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  47. ^ "CAF members take part in traditional Punjabi Bhangra Dance". The Maple Leaf. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  48. ^ "Canadian soldiers' bhangra video goes viral". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  49. ^ "This Canadian Armed Forces Bhangra Video Displaying Multiculturalism Is Going Viral For All The Right Reasons". www.narcity.com. 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  50. ^ "Canadian Armed Forces bhangra video shows 'beautiful side' of multiculturalism | News". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  51. ^ "Watch: Canadian Armed Forces do some serious 'bhangra' moves". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  52. ^ Flanagan, Ryan (2019-07-02). "'We are together': Canadian troops perform bhangra dance in viral video". CTVNews. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  53. ^ "Log In or Sign Up to View". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  54. ^ "Twitter page of the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy".
  55. ^ "Bhangra dancer in the Yukon is proof that diversity is Canada's strength | Curated". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  56. ^ "APTN's Facebook Page". Facebook.
  57. ^ "Old Crow declares climate change state of emergency | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  58. ^ MacIntyre, Chris (2019-10-23). "Residents of Old Crow in the Yukon have front row seat to climate change". APTN News. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  59. ^ "11 Photos & Videos That Prove Canadians Are Totally Fearless In -40 C Conditions". www.narcity.com. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  60. ^ "CBC News: These uplifting stories made 2020 hurt a little less in Canada".
  61. ^ "Yukon Neighbours Use Pandemic Time To Bust Out Bagpipes, Bhangra". HuffPost Canada. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  62. ^ "Bhangra Dancer, Bagpiper Join Creative Forces In Canada's North". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  63. ^ "AOL Video - Serving the best video content from AOL and around the web". AOL.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  64. ^ "From Bhangra to Bagpipes!". www.classicalfm.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  65. ^ "'We can't stop being funny': Barrie authors share stories of Canadian kindness". Simcoe.com. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  66. ^ "Doing the Bhangra Dance to Bagpipe Music!". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  67. ^ "Bangra & Bagpipes - Physical Distancing Canada Style". To Do Canada. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  68. ^ "Canadian Neighbours Collaborate With Bhangra And Bagpipes During The Pandemic". SikhNet. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  69. ^ "Statistics from Gurdeep Pandher's Twitter Page".
  70. ^ "Rob Vanstone: Gurdeep Pandher is an ambassador for joy". leaderpost. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  71. ^ "A Sikh and an Irish Descendant Walk into the Yukon . . ". Humans. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  72. ^ "Yukon man bhangra dances across Vancouver Island after easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions". Global News. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  73. ^ Ford, Tim (2020-08-12). "'People are very welcoming': Renowned Bhangra dancer spreads joy during visit to Vancouver Island". Victoria Buzz. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  74. ^ "Viral Bhangra dancer visiting Vancouver Island". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  75. ^ "CBC Victoria: He has been lifting spirits across Canada during the pandemic and now Gurdeep Pandher is Bhangra dancing his way across Vancouver Island".
  76. ^ Arrais, Pedro (11 August 2020). "Yukon resident spreads joy and happiness on Island through exuberant dance". Times Colonist. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  77. ^ "Yukon man bhangra dances across Vancouver Island after easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions". CFOX. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  78. ^ "Yukon's bhangra dancing sensation pays Vancouver Island a visit". CHEK. 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  79. ^ "Bhangra dancer's B.C. travel videos go viral | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  80. ^ "Bhangra dancer goes viral after sharing videos from B.C. landmarks | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  81. ^ "VIDEO: Internet famous Yukon-based bhangra dancer explores Vancouver Island". Saanich News. 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  82. ^ "Official website of Legislative Assembly of British Columbia". www.leg.bc.ca. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  83. ^ "VIDEO: Greater Victoria police officers try bhangra dancing with social media star". Victoria News. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  84. ^ Miller, Harry (2020-08-15). "VIDEO: Greater Victoria police officers try bhangra dancing with social media star – Saanich News". Canada News Media. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  85. ^ "VIDEO: Greater Victoria police officers try bhangra dancing with social media star". Peninsula News Review. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  86. ^ "Officers And Staff From Across The Region Dance Bhangra With Gurdeep Pandher". VicPD.ca. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  87. ^ "This Bhangra Dance Party With BC Police Was Like A Real Life Musical (VIDEO)". www.narcity.com. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  88. ^ "Famous Yukon-based bhangra dancer brings movements of joy to Long Beach". Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  89. ^ "Bhangra dancer looks to bring message of hope to B.C. during COVID-19". nationalpost. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  90. ^ "Tofino and Ucluelet's Top 10 sports and arts stories of 2020". BC Local News. 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  91. ^ "Yukon's social media dancing star makes a splash in B.C. (VIDEO)". Vancouver Is Awesome. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  92. ^ "Famous Yukon-based bhangra dancer brings movements of joy to Long Beach". Peninsula News Review. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  93. ^ "Viral video dancer makes visit to Salt Spring". Gulf Islands Driftwood. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  94. ^ "Famous Yukon-based bhangra dancer brings movements of joy to Long Beach". Nanaimo News Bulletin. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  95. ^ "Bhangra dancer looks to bring message of hope to B.C. during COVID-19". Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  96. ^ Hinton, Kevin; Mckenzie, Ryan (22 December 2020). "Explore Magazine". Explore Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  97. ^ "Gurdeep Pandher: Teaching and Uplifting from the North". The Dance Current - Canada's Dance Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  98. ^ Dostal, Elise (2020-04-09). "Positive Stories Offer Hope During COVID-19 Epidemic". Service Line Warranties of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  99. ^ Carneiro, Alessandra (2020-09-04). "Bringing joy through the bhangra dance". Saskatoon. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  100. ^ Thomas, Sandra. "Virtual experiences from Tourism Yukon, include bhangra dancing with Gurdeep Pandher". Prince George Citizen. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  101. ^ "Canadian Family's Got Talent, Honourable Mentions!". Breakfast Television Toronto. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  102. ^ "BC Campus Website".
  103. ^ "Whitehorse man's bhangra dance classes go international during pandemic". ca.news.yahoo.com. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  104. ^ "Whitehorse man's bhangra dance classes go international during pandemic | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  105. ^ Chandy Dancey (2020-12-03). "Get more bang for your buck with online bhangra workout". The Cascade. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  106. ^ "These uplifting stories made 2020 hurt a little less in Canada | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  107. ^ "How Social Media Sensation Gurdeep Pandher is Breaking Down Barriers". enroute.aircanada.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  108. ^ "Inside Stories: The Joy of Dancing Bhangra-style". capitalmarkets.bmo.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  109. ^ "Bhangra dancer teams up with TransLink reminding people to wear masks on transit | Urbanized". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  110. ^ "Canada Day 2020 — Let's celebrate together!". aem. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  111. ^ "Noah Reid, Terry Crews, Mary Walsh: What're You At? With Tom Power | CBC Television". CBC. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  112. ^ "Tom Power CBC: What're You At? with Tom Power".
  113. ^ "Rob Vanstone: Gurdeep Pandher is an ambassador for joy". leaderpost. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  114. ^ "Letters Aug. 18: Joyful dancing; rescuing a dog; pothole-filled streets". Times Colonist. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  115. ^ Gurdeep Pandher, Yukon's Bhangra-dancing ambassador, retrieved 2021-02-11
  116. ^ "Yukon's social media star Gurdeep Pandher promotes unity through dance". Vancouver Island Free Daily. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  117. ^ "Gurdeep Pandher of Yukon on positivity, resiliency, and about helping total strangers on the internet facing mental health challenges - 630 CHED Afternoons - Omny.fm". omny.fm. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  118. ^ "Bhangra dancer looks to bring message of hope to B.C. during COVID-19". CFJC Today Kamloops. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  119. ^ "Yukonomist: We're all in this together". Yukon News. 2020-03-05. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  120. ^ Yukon dancer advises people to think positive to get through pandemic, retrieved 2021-02-11
  121. ^ "From snowy Yukon, a Punjabi dance warms Canadian hearts". Christian Science Monitor. 2021-01-12. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  122. ^ "Yukon's Gurdeep Pandher tries to spread some joy on social media". Lindsay Advocate. 2020-06-07. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  123. ^ "A smile and dance, Gurdeep Pandher spreads positivity through traditional dance". Winnipeg. 2021-03-02. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  124. ^ "Gurdeep Pandher warms up Canada's North with traditional Bhangra dance". www.theweathernetwork.com. March 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  125. ^ "Bhangra-dancing Canadian goes viral after celebrating on frozen lake after Covid vaccine". The Independent. 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  126. ^ "Ten good news stories from Toronto Star headlines this week". thestar.com. 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  127. ^ "CBC Radio: Whitehorse Bhangra dancer celebrates his COVID-19 vaccine".
  128. ^ "Yukon man dances Bhangra on frozen lake after getting COVID-19 vaccine | News". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  129. ^ Hasson-Fauré, Nicolas (2021-03-04). "Il fête sa vaccination contre le Covid-19 en dansant, sa vidéo fait un carton sur internet - Edition du soir Ouest-France - 04/03/2021". Ouest-France.fr (in French). Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  130. ^ "La joie de ce prof de danse tout juste vacciné contre le Covid est communicative". Le HuffPost (in French). 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  131. ^ "Bhangra comes to Whitehorse". Yukon News. 2016-12-07. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  132. ^ Campbell, Kylie (2018-12-12). "From the Punjab to the Yukon". whatsupyukon.com. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  133. ^ Church, Amber (2019-11-20). "Come prepared to dance". whatsupyukon.com. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  134. ^ "Whitehorse Daily Star: Bhangra North takes the stage". Whitehorse Daily Star. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  135. ^ "Dancing for the sake of national unity". The Western Producer. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  136. ^ "Bringing Bhangra to the Boreal". Yukon News. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  137. ^ "Whitehorse Daily Star: Gurdeep Pandher, students, musicians set to perform". Whitehorse Daily Star. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  138. ^ "Whitehorse Daily Star: Festival offered a scaled-down anniversary fete". Whitehorse Daily Star. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  139. ^ "City under siege by 60 Santas". Yukon News. 2016-12-23. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  140. ^ "Bhangra dancing to Celtic music in the Yukon wilderness is the mash-up we didn't know we needed | CBC Arts". CBC. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  141. ^ "Punjabi writer and Poet Gurdeep Pandher". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  142. ^ "Meet the Canada Reads 2023 contenders". CBC Books, January 25, 2023.
  143. ^ "STIR, Vancouver: VIFF review, First We Eat follows family's year as locavores in the Great White North". 25 September 2020.
  144. ^ "Yukon documentary considered for Oscar". Yukon News. 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  145. ^ "First We Eat, Author at First We Eat". First We Eat. Retrieved 2021-02-18.