Equity & Inclusive Education

This page is where we will be sharing our Equity & Inclusive Education information throughout the year. 

Read below to learn more about the Days of Significance...

November 17, 2024 Blog

Decending Day of Lord Buddha - Nov 22

This year the Descending Day Lord Buddha will be recognized on November 22. The day marks the return of Lord Buddha to earth from the heavenly realm after three months of teaching.

On the sacred day of Lhabab Duchen, followers of Buddhism throng to monasteries to light butter lamps, burn incense and offer special prayers to Lord Buddha.

Monks and lamas spend the day reading the holy scriptures and purifying the air with their chanting of mantras.

An important highlight of this holy festival is marked by placing freshly painted ladders on the rocks by the monasteries to symbolize holy descent of Buddha from Trayastrimsa (The Heaven of Thirty Three).

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Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Nov 21

This Catholic celebration of this feast dates back to the 6th century in the East with the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary the New built by the Emperor Justinian I near the ruins of the temple in Jerusalem. There is evidence that various monasteries in Italy celebrated the feast in the 9th century. It was not until the 15th century that it was included in the Roman Missal.

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World Children's Day - Nov 20

For every child, every right.

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights.

Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals, as well as young people and children themselves, can play an important part in making World Children's Day relevant for their societies, communities and nations.

World Children's Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

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Transgender Day of Remembrance & Resilience (TDoRR) - Nov 20

This week, we are asking our community to honour the lives and humanity of all transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming (TNBGNC) people. 

Transgender people, and particularly transgender women of colour, are disproportionately affected by hate violence. Sadly, the tragedy of these incidents is often compounded by reporting that does not respect (or even exploits and sensationalises) the victim's gender identity.

What does transgender mean?

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. A person's medical history has no bearing whatsoever on whether or not they should be considered transgender.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance & Resilience (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

"Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people -- sometimes in the most brutal ways possible -- it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice."

- Transgender Day of Remembrance founder Gwendolyn Ann Smith

Participate in Transgender Day of Remembrance & Resilience by attending and/or organizing a vigil on November 20 to honor all those transgender people whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence that year, and learning about the violence affecting the transgender community. The vigil often involves reading a list of the names of those lost that year. 

In 2021 the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board hosted a webinar for the TDOR. Its aim was to help participants learn more about transgender identity and to hear stories of resilience from transgender folks who are thriving. You can check out the webinar here. 

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Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week - Nov 17 - 23

The Halton District School Board works to provide a positive and inclusive school environment for students to succeed. Together we can stop bullying. A positive and inclusive school environment is essential for student success. Staff, students, parents, and community have a part to play in making our schools safe.​

Click here to anonymously report bullying.

What is bullying?

Bullying is defined as aggressive and typically repeated behavior by a student, where the behaviour is intended to have the effect of (the student should know that the behaviour would cause):

What is Cyberbullying?

Building a Positive School Climate

Curriculum connections:  All teachers are responsible for supporting students in developing relationships in all learning environments. This includes bullying prevention learning in daily teacher practice through a variety of curriculum links. 

​Teachers/schools use various programs and strategies to ensure the school environment is inclusive.  This may include bullying prevention programs such as LINK Crew,  Restorative Practices, RespectED, Beyond the Hurt, and Safe Schools Ambassadors.  Schools also participate in the Give Respect - Get Respect program in conjunction with the Halton Regional Police Service. Every school is required to have a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan.

Be Your Child's Champion

Whether your child is the target of bullying, is engaging in bullying behaviour, or is witnessing bullying behaviour, once your child has come forward, it's your turn to take action:

Well-Being Teams

Since 2016-2017, anti-bullying initiatives are led by schoolwide Well-Being Teams in every Halton school. These teams are composed of staff, parents, students, and other members of the school community.   

Child and Youth Workers

Some students may require assistance in dealing with behavioral, social, emotional and academic issues in their school environment. School Child and Youth Counsellors (SCYCs) support students, parents and school staff in coping with these challenges.

School Social Workers

School Social Workers (SSWs) may help students, families and school in relation to mental health, emotional, social and behavioural concerns.  To reach your school's Social Worker, contact the school directly.  

Resources for Parents and Students

November 10, 2024 Blog

Louis Riel Day - Nov 16

Louis Riel Day is held every year on November 16 across the Métis homeland. November 16 is the anniversary of Riel’s execution in 1885. During that year, Riel led Métis people in the Northwest Resistance, which was a stand against the Government of Canada because it was encroaching on Metis rights and our way-of-life. The Métis were defeated at the siege of Batoche and the Canadian government captured Riel. He was eventually put on trial where he was convicted of treason and executed. As a result, Métis people across Canada were labeled as traitors and for generations many felt the need to hide their Métis culture and heritage. Despite this oppression, many Métis people found a way to preserve their way-of-life and passed it on to current generations. Click here to learn more.

Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan. Situated at the site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, was born, it is considered one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. Image by Shahzaib Damn Cruze.

Birth of Guru Nanak - Nov 15

The Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib falls on Kartik Puranmashi, the full moon day of the month Kartik, which usually falls in November in the western calendar. This holiday is one of the most significant festivals of the Sikh community and commemorates Guru Nanak Sahib who was the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru. In India, this day may also be called Guru Nanak Gurpurb, Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav or Guru Nanak Dev Hi Jayanti. It is a gazetted holiday in many states and Indian stocks, bonds, and currency markets are closed.

Guru Nanak was born on April 15, 1469 at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present district of Shekhupura (Pakistan), now Nanakana Sahib. Nanak's religious ideas developed from both Hindu and Islamic thought, but are more than a simple synthesis. Nanak was an original spiritual thinker and he expressed his thoughts and ideas in poetry that forms the basis of Sikh scripture.

Click here to read more about Guru Nanak. 

World Diabetes Day - Nov 14

Diabetes and wellbeing is the theme for World Diabetes Day 2024-26. With appropriate access to diabetes care and support for their wellbeing, everyone with diabetes has the chance to live well. 

Millions of people with diabetes face daily challenges managing their condition at home, work, and school. They must be resilient, organised, and responsible, impacting both their physical and mental well-being. Diabetes care often focuses only on blood sugar, leaving many overwhelmed. This World Diabetes Day, 14 November, let’s put well-being at the heart of diabetes care and start the change for a better diabetes life. 

Click here to read more.

Transgender Awareness Week - Nov 13 - 19

The Transgender Day of Remembrance and Resilience (TDoRR) is observed annually and on November 20th to honour the lives of trans people who have lost their lives as a result of transphobic violence that year. The week preceding the TDoRR is Transgender Awareness Week (November 13 - 19).

Trans and nonbinary people continue to face marginalisation and discrimination in the form of transphobia. Transphobia can manifest as negative attitudes and beliefs about trans people, irrational fears and misunderstandings, a disbelief or discounting of a person’s pronouns or their gender identity, misgendering, derogatory language and name-calling, and bullying, abuse, and violence. Transphobia and associated stigma can also create barriers (and deterrents) for trans and nonbinary people’s access to and inclusion in services, resources, and communities. It is a collective responsibility to work to reduce these barriers. At the University of Toronto, we are committed to challenging marginalisation and discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression.

Transgender Awareness Week aims to increase awareness, visibility and knowledge of trans people and the issues faced by members of trans communities. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the lives of trans and nonbinary people and the contributions they have made and continue to make. 

Remembrance Day

It was an honour to watch our students and staff engage in Remembrance Week. The entire school showed their reverence and respect as they recognized the service and sacrifice of Canadian veterans (past and present). 

There are so many ways in which Staff and Students connected with Remembrance this week. Classes learned about Indigenous Veterans on Indigenous Veteran’s Day (November 8). And teachers throughout the school engaged students in learning and creating displays of remembrance outside of their classroom doors. 

And as a whole school community, we got a chance to stop and reflect, inspired by our annual traditions; the Remembrance Memorial and “Garth’s Honour Guard”. 

This year marks the 80th year since D-Day. To recognize this, our Grade 10 History Staff and Students created the memorial in our foyer again this year. It’s called “382 Blooms”, representing the 381 Canadian soldiers who died on Juno Beach as part of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.  Walking through a field of poppies in our foyer is both haunting and beautiful. The pictures below don't quite do it justice. So many of our students stopped as they passed the memorial to offer their respect, to explore and to consider the past. As a school we honour the past, and continue to hope for peace. 

Each of our classes, in all grades, actually visited 7 memorials, created by Grade 10 history students over the last decade. Everyone at GWSS had a part to play in building our memorial. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Rogers, Ms. Beltran, Ms. Ng, and Mr. Duncan and ALL of their students for creating our memorial. When we do this work, we’re following in Mr. Garth Webb’s footsteps. 

Remembrance Week will culminate with our PA Broadcast and “Garth’s Honour Guard” tomorrow on November 11th at 11am. Thank you to our musician Adithya Saravanan and readers (Hasan Rahman, Kaitlyn Green, Christopher Szura, and Karina Kak), to Mrs. Pontefract and Mrs. Rogers, and to the awesome support of our admin team and office staff for making this really important tradition so meaningful for GWSS. A very special thank you to Mr. Duncan and his team for their tireless efforts to bring all of this education to our school community each year during Remembrance Week.

Remembrance Week is such an important time at our school. Mr. Webb has left an immense legacy that inspires us in all we do.

November 3, 2024 Blog

Indigenous Veterans Day - Nov 8

The First Nations, Inuit, and Métis of Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country. While exact statistics are difficult to determine, the rate of Indigenous participation in Canada's military efforts over the years has been impressive. These determined volunteers were often forced to overcome many challenges to serve in uniform, from learning a new language and adapting to cultural differences, to having to travel great distances from their remote communities just to enlist. The challenges they faced often extended to their post-service life. Many Indigenous war Veterans would not receive equal treatment compared to other Canadian Veterans. 

The story of Indigenous service in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and later Canadian Armed Forces efforts is a proud one. While exact numbers are elusive, it has been estimated that as many as 12,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit people served in the great conflicts of the 20th century, with at least 500 of them sadly losing their lives. 

Honouring Contributions

This rich heritage has been recognized in many ways. The names given to several Royal Canadian Navy warships over the years, like HMCS Iroquois, Cayuga, and Huron, are just one indication of our country's lasting respect for the contributions of Indigenous Veterans. This long tradition of military service is also commemorated with the striking National Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa. This deeply symbolic memorial features a large bronze eagle at its top, with four men and women from different Indigenous groups from across Canada immediately below. A wolf, bear, bison, and caribou—powerful animals that represent "spiritual guides" which have long been seen by Indigenous cultures as important to military success—look out from each corner. Remembrance ceremonies are held at this special monument, including on Indigenous Veterans Day which is observed each year on November 8.

Source: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/people-and-stories/indigenous-veterans

Inuit Day - Nov 7

Celebrating the Language and Culture of Inuit in Canada and Internationally

Inuit Day was first celebrated on November 7, 2006, when the General Assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) was instructed to “annually proclaim this day as Inuit Day and conduct appropriate ceremonies and celebrations”.

The day chosen by the ICC coincides with the birth date of ICC founder Alaskan Eben Hopson, considered a visionary by Inuit populations internationally. Hopson believed that speaking with a united voice was vital for Inuit to flourish in their circumpolar homelands. The day is thus intended to celebrate the identities, languages, and cultures of over 160 000 Inuit from several Arctic regions in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Russia.

Click here to learn more.

Gyan Panchami - Nov 6

The 5th day after Diwali is known as "Gyan Panchami". Gyan Panchami is celebrated as a day of honouring knowledge and holy books. In Jainism, this day is a time for students,scholars and everyone to celebrate Jnana, the divine or transcendent knowledge or wisdom. It is a day of worship of pure knowledge.

Gyan Panchami is the festival celebrated by Jains to recognize the importance of their scriptures. The books preserved in the religious libraries are cleansed and worshipped.. "Gyan" is the natural light of inner soul. It is this light that is believed to help us differentiate between good and bad. Hence, Gyan is also known as 'the third eye' or 'the second sun'. It is this natural inner light that is prayed to ward off ignorance and reveal the knowledge of karma, thus, wisdom replaces ignorance or foolishness. Like most festivals celebrated in India, Houses are cleaned, temples are lit with lamp. Special poojas are performed in homes

Many Jains fast on this day. They do dev vandan (offering veneration to the Gods). Holy recitation and Pratikraman is performed. On this day, many take a vow to do a fast every month on the fifth day of the fortnight of the waxing moon for continuous five years and five months.

Following sloka is recited on this day:

"Samkit Shrddhavantane Upanue Gyan Prakash, Pranamu Pad ha; Tehana, Bhav Dhari Ullas"

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Holocaust Education Week Nov 4-10

The first week of November is Holocaust Education Week. We encourage all students to learn about the Holocaust and address antisemitism - both this week and beyond.

Holocaust Awareness Week was started by the Holocaust Remembrance Committee in Toronto. It is now an internationally recognized week that seeks to honour the survivors of the Holocaust and remember all those who lost their lives. 

Toronto Holocaust Museum

From November 4-10, Neuberger HEW 2024 will present a thoughtful array of public programs and commemorations that offer compelling ways to engage with the history of the Holocaust and its legacy. Join us to explore contemporary approaches to Holocaust education and remembrance in innovative ways, delving into issues and dialogues that offer new perspectives on this nuanced and essential history.

Neuberger Holocaust Education Week (HEW) is one of the Toronto Holocaust Museum’s most well-known annual signature public events. It is internationally recognized as a best practice in the field. It takes place throughout the month of November to coincide with the commemoration of Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass). For more than 40 years, HEW has provided high impact Holocaust education programming across the GTA to students, intercultural groups and the general public.

Treaties Recognition Week - Nov 3-9

Did You Know? November 3—9 is Treaties Recognition Week. It’s an opportunity to continue to learn and engage in what it means to be a Treaty partner and in a Treaty relationship.

Treaties Recognition Week was introduced to recognize and understand the importance of treaty education and to help everyone in Ontario learn about treaty. 

Here are a few facts about Treaties:

To learn more about why Treaty Education is important, consider reading The Importance of Treaty Education or watching Ontario Students Talk About Why Treaties Are Important.

Do you know what Treaty land you are on? If not, check it out here.

October 27, 2024 Blog

Crowning of Emperor Haile Selassie - Nov 2

Haile Selassie I (born July 23, 1892, near Harer, Ethiopia—died August 27, 1975, Addis Ababa) was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He sought to modernize his country and he steered it into the mainstream of post-World War II African politics. He brought Ethiopia into the League of Nations and the United Nations and made Addis Ababa the major centre for the Organization of African Unity (now African Union). 

Haile Selassie played a very important role in the establishment of the Organization of African Unity in 1963. His rule in Ethiopia continued until 1974, at which time famine, worsening unemployment, and the political stagnation of his government prompted segments of the army to mutiny. They deposed Haile Selassie and established a provisional military government, the Derg, which espoused Marxist ideologies. Haile Selassie was kept under house arrest in his own palace, where he spent the remainder of his life. 

Haile Selassie was regarded as the messiah of all Black people by the Rastafarian movement.

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Birth of the Báb and Birth of Baha'u'llah - Nov 2 & 3 

The Bahá’í Faith has been present in Canada since 1898, and has grown to more than 35,000 people in more than 1000 localities, who together reflect Canada’s rich cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity.

Birth of the Báb, 1819–1850. The Báb (meaning “Gate” in Arabic) is considered to have paved the way for the incarnation of Bahá’u’lláh, similar to the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Born in 1819 in Shiraz, Iran, The Báb’s mission was to awaken the people to the fact that a new period in human history had begun. He called for spiritual and moral reformation – a revolutionary message in his time.

Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, 1817–1892. Bahá’u’lláh was born in 1817 in Tehran, Iran and established the Bahá’í Faith whose principal teachings are the oneness of humanity, the oneness of religion and the oneness of God. The appearance of Bahá’u’lláh has been likened to a spiritual springtime, destined to spread peace and unity around the globe.

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Click here to learn more about the Bahá’ís of Canada.

Bandi Chhor Divas - Nov 1

The Sikh celebration Bandi Chhor Divas, which means 'Prisoner Release Day', occurs on the same day as Diwali, so the two are combined.

In 1619, Guru Hargobind Sahib and 52 princes were released from the  prison in Gwalior, India on this day. The day is celebrated as a triumph of right over evil and as a tribute to the Guru who saved the lives of the 52 men without using violence. He arrived at Amritsar on Diwali day and the Harmandar (also known as the "Golden Temple") was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return hence the day came to be known as the "Bandi Chhor Divas" ("prisoner release day", "freedom day").

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All Saints Day - Nov 1

All Saints’ Day, also called All Hallows’ Day, Hallowmas, or Feast of All Saints, in the Christian church, a day commemorating all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. It is celebrated on November 1 in the Western churches and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Eastern churches. In Roman Catholicism, the feast is usually a holy day of obligation.

The origin of All Saints’ Day cannot be traced with certainty, and it has been observed on various days in different places.

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Lebanese Heritage Month

November 2023 was the inaugural Lebanese Heritage Month in Canada. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement on the first Lebanese Heritage Month:

“Today, we celebrate the beginning of the very first Lebanese Heritage Month, a time to recognize and honour the contributions of Lebanese Canadians to the country we proudly call home.

Since the 1800s, when the first Lebanese immigrants came to Canada, to today, with hundreds of thousands of Lebanese Canadians residing in communities from coast to coast to coast, this vibrant diaspora has formed an integral piece of Canada’s rich cultural mosaic. Their contributions have made – and continue to make – our country more diverse, prosperous, and inclusive.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to learn more about the contributions of Lebanese Canadians to our culture, our economy, and our communities. From sharing Lebanon’s national cuisine, to celebrating with traditional music and dancing, to making an impact in the fields of science and medicine, Lebanese Canadians help make Canada the country we love."

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Hindu Heritage Month

Ontario is home to a large and vibrant Hindu community. Since the first Hindu immigrants arrived in Canada at the beginning of the 20th century, Hindu Canadians from across Ontario have made significant contributions across all fields: science, education, medicine, law, politics, business, culture and sports. Hindu Canadians have helped build Ontario into the multicultural success story that it is and have helped to build this province into the best place to live, work and raise families. They continue to help foster growth, prosperity and innovation throughout Ontario.

"Deepawali" or "Diwali" is the biggest of all celebratory festivals that members of the Hindu community celebrate. It falls in either November or October each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Diwali commemorates the victory of good over evil. In addition, during this time of the year, Hindus also celebrate other significant festivals such as Navratri and Durga Puja.

By proclaiming the month of November as Hindu Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the important contributions that Hindu Canadians have made to Ontario's social, economic, political and cultural fabric. Hindu Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Hindu Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario.

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Albanian Heritage Month

Ontario is home to more than 28,000 Albanian Canadians. Since the early 20th century, the Albanian-Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario.

November is a significant month for the Albanian community. Each year, during the month of November, people of Albanian origin celebrate the Albanian Declaration of Independence, which declared Albania an independent sovereign nation on November 28, 1912.

In November, Albania also commemorates Liberation Day, which is the day that Albania was liberated from Nazi Germany forces after the Albanian resistance on November 29, 1944.

By proclaiming the month of November as Albanian Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the meaningful contributions immigrants have made in building Ontario's communities and the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of Albanian-Canadians throughout the province. Albanian Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Ontario's rich history.

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Samhain - Oct 31-Nov 1

Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow-win”) is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. It is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and denizens of the Otherworld. 

Ancient Celts marked Samhain as the most significant of the four quarterly fire festivals, taking place at the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. During this time of year, hearth fires in family homes were left to burn out while the harvest was gathered. 

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Diwali - Oct 31-Nov 1

Diwali (pronounced “de-VAH-lee”), the Festival of Lights, comes at the end of October or early November. This year it will be celebrated on October 31 and November 1, 2024. It's a festival that Sikhs, Hindus, and Jains celebrate. 

The name of the festival comes from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning row of lights. Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called Diyas. These lamps, which are traditionally fueled by mustard oil, are placed in rows in windows, doors and outside buildings to decorate them.

In towns in India (and around the world) electric lights are often used in Diwali displays. In India oil lamps are often floated across the river Ganges - it is regarded as a good omen if the lamp manages to get all the way across. Fireworks are also a big part of the Diwali celebrations.

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Halloween - Oct 31

Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2024 will occur on Thursday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats. 

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October 20, 2024 Blog

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah- Oct 23-25

The holiday of Sukkot is followed by an independent holiday called Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, this is a one-day holiday; in the Diaspora it is a two-day holiday, and the second day is known as Simchat Torah. This holiday is characterized by utterly unbridled joy, which reaches its climax on Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the conclusion—and restart—of the annual Torah-reading cycle. This year, it starts in the evening of October 23, and concludes after nightfall of October 25, 2024. 

Gurgaddi of the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib Ji as Guru - Oct 20

Guru Granth Sahib or Adi Sri Granth Sahib Ji (Punjabi ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ; also called the Adi Granth or Adi Guru Darbar) is more than just a scripture of the Sikhs, for the Sikhs treat this Granth (holy book) as their living Guru. The holy text spans 1430 pages and contains the actual words spoken by the founders of the Sikh religion (the Ten Gurus of Sikhism) and the words of various other Saints from other religions including Hinduism and Islam.

Guru Granth Sahib was given the Guruship by the last of the living Sikh Masters, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708. Guru Gobind Singh said before his demise that the Sikhs were to treat the Granth Sahib as their next Guru. Guru Ji said – “Sab Sikhan ko hokam hai Guru Manyo Granth” meaning “All Sikhs are commanded to take the Granth as Guru”. So today, if asked, the Sikhs will tell you that they have a total of 11 Gurus. (10 in human form and the SGGS).

When one visits a Gurdwara (a Sikh temple), the Guru Granth Sahib forms the main part of the Darbar Sahib or Main Hall. The holy book is placed on a dominant platform and covered in a very beautiful and attractively coloured fine cloth. The platform is always covered by a canopy, which is also decorated in expensive and very attractive coloured materials. The text in which the Granth is written is a script called Gurmukhi (literally “From the Guru’s mouth”), which is considered a modern development of the ancient language called Sanskrit.

The Sikhs regard Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a complete, inviolable and final embodiment of the message for them. There is to be no word beyond the Word. That is how their last guru, Guru Gobind Singh, spoke to the congregation on October 20th, 1708 shortly before his ascension.

Source, Source

October 13, 2024 Blog

Karwa Chauth - Oct 19-20

Karwa Chauth, also known as Karak Chaturthi is a Hindu festival where married women observe a nirjala vrat for their partners' safety and prosperity. They keep the fast from sunrise till moonrise. Women worship Lord Ganesha, Maa Parvati, Lord Shiva and Lord Kartikeya on Karwa Chauth and break the fast by sighting the moon.  The Karwa Chauth vrat is an important ritual of the festival. In modern North India and Northwestern India society, Karva Chauth is considered to be a romantic festival, symbolizing the love between a husband and wife. 

Paváraná Day - Oct 17

Pavarana Day is a Buddhist Holy Day. The Rains Retreat which begins on the full moon day of Asalha (often in July) comes to an end on the Pavarana Day (this year on October 17). The term pavarana literally translates into 'inviting admonition or inviting others to advise one'.

The name is closely related to the history of the day. As per history, a number of wandering monks sought shelter in a residence during a three months long rainy season. In order to avoid any conflict amongst themselves, these monks decided to keep a silence for the complete three months. When the Buddha came to know about the silence of the monks, He immediately disapproved of it saying that it was not beneficial for any community. Instead, He advised the monks to come out in open about what they liked or disliked about the monastic life so that improvements could be made within.

This marked the beginning of the Pavarana day. On this day, the resident monks within each monstery invite and reprimand one another and also discuss the good and bad points of the monastic life. The reprimands are done in a constructive manner with love and compassion for each other. The topic of discussion is agreed upon by both parties and disagreement in the matter is sorted out by discussions. The ceremony helps in bringing about requisite changes, promotes unity and therefore, without doubt, leads to the betterment of the community. 

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Kathina Festival - Oct 17

The Kathina Festival, which originated 2,500 years ago, celebrates the largest alms-giving ceremony of the Buddhist year. It occurs at the end of the Vassa, or monsoon, period, in October and November. During the Vassa period, normally nomadic Buddhist monks will have remained in one place for three months, and the Kathina celebration marks the time for them to move on. The festival also celebrates the offerings of cloth that are given to the monks upon their leaving by the lay people.

According to the scriptures, a group of thirty monks were journeying together with the intention of spending the Vassa period with the Lord Buddha, but the Vassa began before they reached their destination and so they had to stop.

The monks were upset that they were unable to be with Buddha, who later heard of their plight. As a reward Buddha gave some cloth, which he had acquired as a gift from one of the lay community, to the monks and told them to sew a robe and then bestow it upon one of their company. The Buddha said that there was nothing as uplifting as generosity and sharing, and so the monks set about sewing a new set of robes. They used a frame, called a Kathina, on which to spread the cloth as they were making it.

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Sukkot - Oct 16-23

Sukkot is a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur (October 11-12). Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection God provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. 

We celebrate Sukkot by dwelling in a foliage-covered booth (known as a sukkah) and by taking the “Four Kinds” (arba minim), four special species of vegetation. 

Thanksgiving - Oct 14

Thanksgiving Day in Canada has been a holiday on the second Monday of October since 1957. It is a chance for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year.

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is linked to the European tradition of harvest festivals. A common image seen at this time of year is a cornucopia, or horn, filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables. The cornucopia, which means "Horn of Plenty" in Latin, was a symbol of bounty and plenty in ancient Greece. Turkeys, pumpkins, ears of corn and large displays of food are also used to symbolize Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Day is a national public holiday in Canada. Many people have the day off work and all schools and post offices are closed. Many stores and other businesses and organizations are also closed. Public transport services may run to a reduced timetable or may not run at all.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

October 6, 2024 Blog

Dussehra/Vijayadashami - Oct 12

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami is one of the biggest festivals observed by the Hindu community in India and around the world.

It is celebrated at the end of Navratri, on account of which the date changes every year. Under the Hindu calendar's month of Kartik, this festival will be observed on October 12 this year.

Dussehra or Vijyadashami signifies the victory of good over evil and as per the Hindu calendar, it falls on the tenth day of Ashwin or Kartik months.  The festival of Dussehra or Vijayadashami is celebrated differently in various parts of the country. While at some localities people engage in public processions, at some localities they take part in Ram Leela.

Source

National Coming Out Day - Oct 11

October is 2SLGBTQ+ history month and National Coming Out Day is this Friday, October 11, 2024. National Coming Out Day was inspired by a single march. 500,000 people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on October 11, 1987.

Telling people about your sexual orientation or gender identity is often called ‘coming out’. A reductive approach to queerness can position “coming out” as the end goal and what all queer people should be working to. It overlooks the fact that you don’t come out just once; you come out across your life over and over again, to different people within different environments. It's also something unique to each person – people face different challenges when coming out. 

2SLGBTQ+ youth may get to a point where they need to talk about it with someone – either to get support or simply to get it off their chest. Hiding who you are from others often means lying and pretending, and that becomes exhausting. They might also want to come out because they think the experience will be exciting and liberating. However, people should not feel pressure to come out. Coming out can be more complicated for teens who depend on parents or other adults for care and well-being. 

This week we look at how to support a child who has ‘come out’ or you suspect may be thinking about coming out to you.

We recognize that faith and queer identity can be very complicated. If you are struggling, click here for some resources that may help. 

International Day of the Girl Child - Oct 11

In 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing, countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. The Beijing Declaration is the first to specifically call out girls’ rights.

On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders. An investment in realising the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability.

Girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, embody a roadmap for progress that is sustainable and leaves no one behind.

Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals. Only by ensuring the rights of women and girls across all the goals will we get to justice and inclusion, economies that work for all, and sustaining our shared environment now and for future generations.

Source

Yom Kippur - Oct 11-12

This year, Yom Kippur is from October 11-12. Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. Falling in the month of Tishrei (September or October in the Gregorian calendar), it marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. 

According to tradition, it is on Yom Kippur that God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service. Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah are known as Judaism’s “High Holy Days.”  (Source)

World Mental Health Day - Oct 10

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

This World Mental Health Day, WHO is uniting with partners to highlight the vital connection between mental health and work. Safe, healthy working environments can act as a protective factor for mental health. Unhealthy conditions including stigma, discrimination, and exposure to risks like harassment and other poor working conditions, can pose significant risks, affecting mental health, overall quality of life and consequently participation or productivity at work. With 60% of the global population in work, urgent action is needed to ensure work prevents risks to mental health and protects and supports mental health at work.

It is essential for governments, employers, the organizations which represent workers and employers, and other stakeholders responsible for workers’ health and safety to work together to improve mental health at work. Action to address mental health at work should be done with the meaningful involvement of workers and their representatives, and persons with lived experience of mental health conditions. By investing efforts and resources in evidence-based approaches and interventions at work, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive at work and in life. Let's take action today for a healthier future.

Click here to read more.

Durga Puja - Oct 9-14

Durga Puja is a significant festival of hindu religion which is devoted to Goddess Durga and lasts for 10 days. The Durga Puja festival honors Goddess Durga’s victory over the demonic Mahishasura. On the tenth day, also known as Vijayadashami, it is said that Goddess Durga defeated him after a nine-day battle. Usually on the 9th day, books, laptops, pencils etc are placed in front of the Durga idol to be blessed with knowledge. People gather during Durga Puja to worship Goddess Durga for her blessings while wearing new clothing. The culmination of Durga Puja is marked by the celebration of Dussehra on this day. This holiday serves as a reminder that no matter what occurs, good will always prevail.

Picture Credit: Anshika Nair (GW Student)

September 29, 2024 Blog

United Nations World Teachers’ Day - Oct 5

The Halton District School Board is proud to recognize World Teachers’ Day on Saturday, October 5, 2024, as proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

 World Teachers’ Day has been held on October 5 since 1994 to celebrate teachers around the world and commemorate the anniversary of signing the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which sets standards for the rights and responsibilities of teachers.

Quotes

“The Halton District School Board values every teacher and applauds every one of you for your hard work and dedication,” says Margo Shuttleworth, Chair of the Halton District School Board. “On behalf of Trustees, we see how teachers are able to successfully fulfill the key areas of focus in HDSB’s 2020-2024 Multi-Year Plan. By creatively bringing this plan to life, teachers show how their influence extends beyond the classroom to support the growth of responsible, compassionate and informed citizens who will contribute positively to our world.”

“I want to express my deep gratitude for the incredible work teachers do each and every day,” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “I know how impressive the work is because I see it every time I visit a school. I see the warm interaction of teachers with students and I see the smiles on everyone’s face when I walk the hallways and visit classrooms. Thank you for being a source of inspiration, knowledge and support to countless students, including myself. Your contributions are invaluable and they will continue to resonate for generations to come. We also know success comes when everyone works together. We thank crucial support teams that assist teachers in establishing a respectful and safe place of learning for all students to provide the most meaningful and engaging educational experience we can.”

National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Gender Diverse People - Oct 4

On October 4, we commemorate the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Gender Diverse People. 

To support Indigenous women and families who have experienced trauma and violence, our government recently released Pathways to Safety, Ontario’s comprehensive strategy which addresses the root causes of violence and provides real solutions. With guidance from the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council, the strategy includes 118 initiatives that will build on supports to ensure future generations of Indigenous women, children, and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus (2SLGBTQIA+) people can live safely and heal from trauma.

In honouring those who have lost their lives or are missing, we must also remember the grieving families. We can show our support by lighting a candle in our window on that evening or by attending a Sisters in Spirit Vigil within our community.

Our hearts are with the community members and families that are grieving the loss of mothers, sisters, daughters, kokum’s, aunties, cousins, and friends. 

Click here to learn more.

Navratri - Oct 3-12

Sharad Navratri  is from October 3-12 this year. This nine day festival holds a unique significance of 9 colours: pink, white, red, orange, yellow, maroon, dark blue, green, purple, and beige which has a special meaning and importance. The Hindu holiday of Navratri is held to honor the goddess Durga in all of her manifestations. Hindus all across the world commemorate the nine-day holiday with great favor and devotion. Each day of the celebration is marked by the use of a new colour to symbolize a distinct aspect of the goddess. The significance of these nine hues is connected to both the goddess’ spiritual and bodily manifestations. 

If you’d like to learn more about this holiday and its significance, click here.

Rosh Hashanah - Oct 2-4

The evening of Wednesday,  October 2 marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, one of the most important holidays for Jewish people around the world. It is a time of reflection where Jewish people prepare for Yom Kippur. The name “Rosh Hashanah” translates from Hebrew to mean “the head of the year,” and the holiday marks the start of the Jewish New Year. During the two-day celebration, your Jewish friends or coworkers might take time away from work to attend synagogue, eat foods such as apples and honey, or say prayers near a body of water. 

(Source: Samira Mehta, the director of undergraduate studies in the program for Jewish studies at the University of Colorado Boulder)

Some Rosh Hashanah Greetings

1. "Shanah Tovah" means "Good year" (essentially "Happy New Year") in Hebrew.

2. "Shanah tovah um’tukah" means "Have a good and sweet year."

3. "Tizku l'shanim rabot" means "May you see many more years."

Click here and here to learn more!

Custodial Workers' Recognition Day - Oct 2

From schools and churches to office buildings and apartment complexes, modern buildings are in need of special care and upkeep for them to be able to function properly on an ongoing basis. And National Custodial Worker Recognition Day is just the time to pay attention to those who are tasked with taking care of them! 

On Custodial Workers' Recognition Day, the HDSB recognizes the hard work of our custodial and maintenance workers to keep our schools safe and healthy learning environments for students and staff. Thank you. 

Read more here.

Mehregan - Oct 2

The Mehregan Festival, or the Persian Festival of Autumn, is an ancient celebration which is dedicated to Mehr (or Mithra/Mitra), the symbol of light, friendship, love, and kindness. Mehregan is also the feast of harvest and abundance. It is celebrated each year at the beginning of autumn, on the 16th day of Mehr, the 7th month of Persian Solar Calendar, which corresponds to the second week of October. The exact day may vary from one year to the next depending on the astronomical Northward equinox, which marks the beginning of autumn. Mehr in Avestan is “Miora” , in Sanskrit is “Mitra” and in ancient Persia, or in Pahlavi it is “Mitr”. In modern Persian, it has become Mehr.

According to some scholars, the month of Mehr was the beginning month of the calendar year during the Achaemenian era and was celebrated as the beginning of the New Year. The Mehregan feast celebrated the beginning of a new year.

Source

2SLGBTQ+ History Month

2SLGBTQ+ History Month is in October. When the observance was started, it mainly served as a call to action for the movement and its prosperity. But over the years, 2SLGBTQ+ History Month has evolved into a national collaborative effort to bring extraordinary figures from the 2SLGBTQ+ community into the spotlight.

HISTORY OF 2SLGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

2SLGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long celebration of the history of the diverse and beautiful lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and the importance of civil rights movements in progressing gay rights. The observance was created by Rodney Wilson, a history teacher at a Missouri high school, in 1994. The following year, 2SLGBTQ+ History Month was added to the list of commemorative months in a resolution forwarded by the General Assembly of the National Education Association. October was chosen as the month of observance as National Coming Out Day already existed as a holiday on October 11. Also, the anniversary of the first march for gay rights in Washington took place on October 14, 1979.

2SLGBTQ+ History Month allows the opportunity to extensively learn about the history of the 2SLGBTQ+ movement, and what factors and measures will be successful in building communities and providing role models who will best represent and address the issues of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The month-long commemoration is most prominently celebrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Hungary, Brazil, and the city of Berlin. The particular month of celebration varies across different countries — in the United States, Canada, and Australia, 2SLGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated in October; in the United Kingdom and Hungary, it is celebrated in February; and in Berlin, the holiday is celebrated in June and is known as Queer History Month.

https://nationaltoday.com/lgbtq-history-month/

So while there might not be a big rainbow parade in your city for 2SLGBTQ+ History Month, there are still a lot of ways to celebrate! Here are some ideas to get you started: 

Learn about 2SLGBTQ+ History!

Some great documentaries include Disclosure (Netflix), A Secret Love (Netflix), Paris Is Burning (HBO Max), The Celluloid Closet (Amazon), The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix), Transhood (HBO Max), Pride To Be Seen (Disney Plus), and PRIDE (Hulu). If you prefer dramas, here are some based on true 2SLGBTQ+ stories: Milk (YouTube/Amazon), The Imitation Game (Netflix), Freeheld (HBO Max), Bohemian Rhapsody (Hulu), Rocketman (YouTube/Amazon), The Danish Girl (Netflix), and Professor Marston and the Wonder Woman (Amazon). 

https://www.crresearch.com/blog/did-you-know-october-is-lgbtq-history-month

Islamic History Month

October is Islamic History Month in Canada and aims to celebrate, spread awareness, educate, and inform Canadians about the beautiful Muslim heritage and contributions to the community. This includes contributions in disciplines such as: sciences, humanities, medicine, astronomy, as well as many other aspects that have benefited human progress. 

Bill 23, 2016 was an act to proclaim the month of October as Islamic History Month. In 2007, the Government of Canada had declared the month of October every year as Canadian Islamic History Month. Reflecting upon, celebrating and learning about Islamic History in Ontario and contributions of Muslims in the Province creates an understanding which aims to combat anti-Islamic sentiment.  

The first recorded presence of Muslim communities in Canada dates back to the state formation period in the 1860s. Islam is now considered to be the most declared religion after Christianity, with flourishing and expansive religious communities across Canada. Today, we are privileged enough to reflect on the various journeys, challenges, and accomplishments that communities before us withstood to create a prosperous environment for Canadian Muslims in the present. Coming from various regions, such as South Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa, Canada’s Muslim communities embody a diverse and enriching mix of traditions, languages, dialects, and experiences that contribute to Canadian society. 

Click here to read more.

German Heritage Month

October is German Heritage Month. This month gives us the chance to highlight the contribution of people of German descent to our country. About 10 percent of Canadians report being of German descent, representing more than 3 million people who make a difference in their communities every day.

The first German immigrants settled in Canada during various waves of immigration, often due to wars in the United States and Europe. In addition to Germany, German Canadians came from various countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. Today, the descendants of these immigrants, as well as German newcomers, shine in all spheres of Canadian society, including in science, technology, politics, and music.

German traditions and influences have profoundly enriched our country, and the celebration of Oktoberfest is a prime example. This festival showcases the best of German heritage with delicious beer and cuisine, as well as traditional music, dance, and attire.

-Minister Khera

Did you know? German Walk TO 

As of January 2021, Born out of the city tours that the German Consulate General of Toronto organizes twice a year with local city tour guides, German Walk TO is a self-guided treasure hunt in discovering German heritage in Toronto. 

Structured into three thematic walks: Architecture, Arts & Culture, Roots, German Walk TO explores the influence of German immigration in Toronto as we know it today. While Germans in Toronto don’t have one particular neighbourhood to call their own, German influence can be found across the city – hidden and not always obvious.

For more information, please click here.

Source

Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month 

The month of October was designated as Latin American Heritage Month by the Parliament of Canada in 2018. October is also Hispanic Heritage Month in the province of Ontario. These commemorative months highlight the significant contribution of Latin American and Hispanic communities to the social, economic, political, and cultural fabric of Canada. It is an opportunity to learn more about Latin American and Hispanic heritage and culture and to honour the rich traditions of Canadians of Latin American origin. 

Learn more about Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month from the Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council and the Hispanic Canadian Arts and Cultural Association. 

Click here to learn more.

Hungarian Heritage Month

For over a century, Hungarian Canadians have made invaluable contributions to every sphere of life in Ontario — in the arts, business, industry, law, medicine, science, sports and technology. Hungarian immigrants began to arrive in Ontario in the early 20th century to work in Ontario’s steel industry and to help build the Welland Canal. The Hungarian Self-Culture Society of Welland celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. 

Click here to learn more.

Korean Heritage Month

The Canadian Senate has designated October as Korean Heritage Month. A motion proposed by Sen. Yonah Martin (Kim Yonah) on the designation was passed on June 4, 2024.

The motion said the Senate recognized "the month of October, each and every year, as Korean Heritage Month, given the contributions that Korean Canadians have made to Canadian society, the deep-rooted friendship and bilateral ties between Canada and Korea, and the importance of Korean heritage and culture within the fabric of Canadian society."

The Canadian government has thus shown its support for the designation following the lead of its province Ontario, which in 2017 named October as Korean Heritage Month.

Ontario is home to about 80,000 Korean Canadians. Koreans started to migrate to Ontario after the devastating Second World War (1939-1945) and Korean War (1950-1953), both of which heavily affected the Korean peninsula. 

Korean Canadians have made important contributions to the economic, political, social and cultural fabric of Ontario’s society. Having a Korean Heritage Month will provide an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Korean Canadians in the province of Ontario.

October is a historically significant month for the Korean Canadian community. On October 3, the Korean people celebrate National Foundation Day. National Foundation Day celebrates the legendary formation of the first Korean state of Gojoseon. It is widely seen by the Korean people as the creation and foundation of the modern Korean state.

Source, Source

Women’s History Month

October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada.

In 1992, the Government of Canada designated October as Women’s History Month, marking the beginning of an annual celebration of the outstanding achievements of women and girls throughout Canada’s history.

This year’s theme, Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future, highlights the significant contributions women have made to the workforce throughout history, and the critical role they continue to play in driving economic innovation and progress that has benefited Canada as a whole.

Let’s continue to honour women who have led by example and inspired other women and girls to realize their full potential by pursuing careers across all industries including those in non-traditional fields.

Get involved

Source

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day - Sep 30

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #80 was fulfilled by the federal government with the creation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day.

Inspired by the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, Orange Shirt Day is held annually on September 30. Phyllis was a student at St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C.  Orange Shirt Day became a symbol of Residential Schools because of her experience on her first day at a Residential School. 

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) seeks to, “honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis survivors, their families and communities, and to ensure that public commemoration of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

In anticipation of this day, we must ensure that we go beyond wearing orange shirts. Creating meaningful learning opportunities that center Indigenous voices, focus on Indigenous rights, contributions, histories, truths, and contemporary realities that are understood in the context of colonization helps to create a more complete picture of the historical truths and realities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. We all play a part in upholding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.

What Can You Do to Help?

These are suggestions Woodland Cultural Centre is providing for you to take action!

1. Read the 94 Calls To Action provided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

You can find the Calls to Action here and also visit the TRC website for many additional resources regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Report.  Click here for a child-friendly educational resource on Truth and Reconciliation from the CBC that centers Indigenous voices.

2. Educate Yourself About the History of Residential Schools

Woodland Cultural Centre provides numerous resources about residential schools, including a tour of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School. 

3. Sharing the History

As much as it’s important to educate yourself, what you do with that information is also important. Share the history with your family, friends, workplaces, service organizations, and faith groups! These conversations can be difficult to have but they are essential. We need to ensure that future generations of children are being properly educated on Indigenous history and culture. When sharing, be sure to highlight stories of resistance and resilience. Indigenous people have always resisted colonization. Consider resources like: Facing History Stories of Resistance or the Canadian Encyclopedia’s Resistance and Residential Schools.

4. Support Indigenous Communities in their journey to truth and reconciliation

Look for opportunities to support local individuals or communities directly impacted by residential schools  by supporting initiatives like Project of Heart.

September 22, 2024 Blog

Elevation of the Cross - Sep 27

The Elevation of the Holy Cross, also known as the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. The feast is celebrated on the anniversary of the day on which St. Helena found the True Cross on which Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. 

Source

Rowan's Law Day

Rowan’s Law was named for Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player from Ottawa, who died in the spring of 2013 from a condition known as second impact syndrome (swelling of the brain caused by a subsequent injury that occurred before a previous injury healed). Rowan is believed to have experienced three concussions over six days while playing rugby. She had a concussion but didn’t know her brain needed time to heal. Neither did her parents, teachers, or coaches.

Rowan’s Law and Rowan’s Law Day were established to honour her memory and bring awareness to concussions and concussion safety.

Source

Franco-Ontarian Day - Sep 25

First recognized in 2010, Franco-Ontarian Day represents over 400 years of Francophone history, celebrating the community’s social, economic, cultural, and political contributions in our province.

September 25th is officially celebrated as Franco-Ontarian Day. In 1986, the provincial government passed the French Language Services Act which made French an official language of the province's education system, judiciary, and legislature, and guaranteed an individual’s right to receive government services in French.

International Week of the Deaf - Sep 23-29

On 19 December 2017, the UN General Assembly declared 23 September as International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL). The resolution was proposed through the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the UN, following an original request by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). There were 97 UN Member States including Canada voted for adoption of the resolution as co-sponsors. The choice of 23 September commemorates the date the WFD was established in 1951. The objective of the IDSL is to raise awareness on sign languages and strengthen the status about sign languages.

The IDSL takes place on the last full week of September as part of the International Week of the Deaf (IWDeaf), which was recognized and celebrated by the WFD in 1958. The IWDeaf is celebrated through various activities by respective Deaf communities in Canada and around the world. These activities call for participation and involvement of various stakeholders including families, peers, governmental bodies, professional sign language interpreters, and Disabled Person Organizations (DPOs).

Source

Mabon (Autumn Equinox) - Sep 22

Mabon 2024 will occur on Sunday, September 22, at 8:44 AM EDT, aligning with the Autumn Equinox. While this marks the official date, celebrations can vary, with some extending the festivities throughout the weekend to fully embrace the season’s themes of balance and gratitude. This flexibility allows communities to adapt the observance to local customs and personal preferences, ensuring Mabon remains a meaningful and inclusive celebration. 

The Origins of Mabon

Mabon, the pagan holiday celebrated at the Autumn Equinox, intertwines the rich traditions of ancient harvest festivals with unique modern pagan interpretations. Although its name sounds steeped in ancient mythology, the title “Mabon” for this sabbat is actually a modern invention.

Source

September 15, 2024 Blog

Mid-Autumn Festival  - Sep 19 - 26

This festival is ANCIENT. Believe it or not, the Mid-Autumn Festival has been around for more than 1000 years! It was first established as a holiday in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) but is believed that Mid-Autumn Festival originated from the custom of worshiping the moon back in Zhou dynasty over 3000 years ago.

Ancient Chinese emperors traditionally used the Mid-Autumn Festival to pray for the harvest, fine weather and peace for the country. Because the harvest was tied to the moon cycle, the festival is meant to take place when the moon is at its fullest. Some rulers took it incredibly seriously - Empress Dowager Cixi (late 19th century) loved it so much she took five days out of her busy schedule every year to stage elaborate moon-worship rituals.

Click here to read more.

Powley Day - Sep 19

Now known as “Powley Day”, September 19 celebrates the anniversary of the landmark Métis rights victory at the Supreme Court of Canada in R v Powley.

As Métis, we are nation builders; we stand up and stand strong for the rights, respect and recognition of our families and communities. It has been 18 years since the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) celebrated Canada’s highest court’s unanimous decision alongside the Métis Governments in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, ending a ten-year legal battle and ushering in a new era recognizing Métis rights in Canada.

In Powley, the courts recognized and affirmed what the MNO had been saying all along–-that there were distinct Métis people and communities on the land before Canada became Canada, before Ontario became Ontario, with a culture and identity all their own, and that their rights were entrenched within Section 35 of Canada’s Constitution. While other Métis rights cases had been fought in the courts before, Powley was the first to be appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court. It was lead by the MNO, the Powley family and the Métis community around Sault Ste. Marie, but all Métis communities across Canada have greatly benefited from it.

The victory in Powley set the stage for a series of achievements for Métis people, not just in Ontario but across the Métis Nation Homeland, including the ground-breaking Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements signed in June, 2019 by the MNO, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Today, we remember the sacrifices made by Steve, Roddy and the entire Powley family, and reflect on how the Powley decision forever changed the world for Métis in Canada-–finally securing recognition of Métis as a distinct Indigenous peoples within Canada, and helping open the path forward toward full Métis self-government.

(Source)

Anant Chaturdashi  - Sep 17

One of the prominent festivals celebrated with much fanfare in India is Anant Chaturthi, the festival which marks the end of the 10-days long Ganesh Festival. Ganesha Chaturthi – is the festival which celebrates the greatness of the harbinger of all things good – Lord Ganesha. This year, the grand occasion of Anant Chaturdashi falls on Sept 17, 2024. The Ganesh Visarjan vidhi or bidding adieu to the great Lord is done with as much fanfare and spirit, as the Ganesha Pooja is done. 

Click here to learn more.

Mawlid al-Nabi - Sep 16

Across the globe, including in North America, Mawlid al-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, is celebrated on the twelfth day of the month Rabi’ al-Awwal. Celebrations include festivals, prayer services, recitations of poetry and litanies, as well as religious gatherings. Celebrations of the Mawlid in North America and distinctly English forms of poetry, songs, and literature shows the increasing importance of Mawlid al-Nabi amongst North American Muslims.

Click here to read more.

September 8, 2024 Blog

Holy Cross Day - Sep 14

Holy Cross Day or Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a liturgical feast celebrated on September 14 to honour the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. In the Eastern churches the feast dates back to the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (the site of Christ’s tomb) in Jerusalem circa 335. It was adopted by the Roman Catholic Church in the 7th century and is also observed in various Protestant traditions, including Lutheranism and Anglicanism.

Source

Coptic New Year - Feast of Nayrouz - Sep 11

The Coptic New year begins according to the ancient Coptic calendar used by the ancient Egyptians 3000 years before Christianity, it begins on the 1st Tout  (11th Sept) which is when the star Sirus reaches its highest point this coincided with the rising of the Nile which was a feast called Ni-Iaro-oo. The Christians of Egypt maintained this day, as the first day of the year. Instead of adopting the word Ni-Iaro-oo we have taken the Persian word for New Year, Nayrouz. It is not clear why this happened but some say it occurred long before Christ when the Persians ruled Egypt 525-405BC. While others argue it occurred later when Arabic was the main language of Egypt and the ancient Egyptian word was confused for the Persian word.

The Coptic New Year is also the time dedicated to remembering the martyrs. So revered by the church are the martyrs that the calendar was reset to begin in the year 284AD the year Diocletian came to power an era marked by the most horrific Christian persecutions and the greatest witness to our true living God Jesus Christ. As such it is considered a feast in the church that continues till the 17th Tout when the church celebrates the feast of the Cross.

Source

Ethiopian New Year - Sep 11

When is Ethiopian New Year?

This public holiday in Ethiopia is celebrated on September 11 unless it is a leap year in the Ethiopian calendar, in which case it is celebrated on September 12.

Known in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia as Enkutatash, this holiday marks 1 Meskerem, the first day in the Ethiopian calendar.

History of Ethiopian New Year

The Ethiopian calendar is a solar calendar based on the Egyptian and Julian calendars and was brought to Ethiopia by missionaries. The year consists of 12 months of 30 days and a thirteenth month of five or six timekeeping days.

Pagume, the 13th month in the Ethiopian calendar, comes from the Greek word epagomene, which means ‘days forgotten when a year is calculated’. This month has five days or six days in a leap year. According to the Ethiopian calendar, a year has 365 days, six hours, two minutes and 24 seconds. Once every four years, the six hours add up to 24 hours and become the sixth day in a leap year. Once in 600 years, the two minutes and 24 seconds add up to a full day and form a seventh day.

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International Day of Literacy - Sep 8

Since 1967, the annual celebrations of International Literacy Day (ILD) have taken place on 8 September around the world to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society. 

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Nativity of Mary - Sep 8

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nativity of Mary, Marymas or the Birth of the Virgin Mary, refers to a Christian feast day celebrating the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus. In the case of saints, the Church commemorates their date of death, with Saint John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary as the few whose birth dates are commemorated. 

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September 1, 2024 Blog

Ganesh Chaturthi - Sep 7

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a popular and extensively observed Hindu event. It marks Lord Ganesha's birth, the elephant-headed deity revered as the remover of barriers and patron of the arts and sciences. Devotees spend 10 days commemorating the birth of Lord Ganesha. The event is celebrated in the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month on Chaturthi Tithi (August or September). This year it will be celebrated starting on September 7. 

Traditional pujas (prayer practices) are central to Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Canada. Devotees congregate in temples and community centres to pray, perform aarti (ceremonial lamp worship), and seek Lord Ganesha's blessings. The spiritual mood is created by the resonance of Sanskrit chanting and the perfume of incense.

Elaborate decorations adorn homes and temples, including beautiful idols and exquisite rangoli (decorative art formed with coloured powders). These artistic manifestations not only adorn the surroundings but also show the community's passion and creativity.

Due to the immersion of idols in bodies of water, there has been an increasing awareness of environmental issues related to Ganesh Chaturthi in recent years. In response, several Canadian groups have embraced eco-friendly practices such as the use of clay idols and symbolic immersions in enclosed water bodies.

Food is an important aspect of any celebration. Communities gather to cook delectable feasts featuring a mix of sweet and savoury delicacies. Sharing these meals fosters a sense of belonging and community.

While Ganesh Chaturthi is a widely celebrated festival in India, and people of all religions, castes, and creeds celebrate it without distinction, it also has a unique place in the hearts of Indians residing in Canada. 

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi for all those celebrating!

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Ukrainian Heritage Day - Sep 7

The first official Ukrainian immigrants, Vasyl Eleniak and Ivan Pylypiw, arrived in Canada on September 7, 1891. Soon afterwards, Ukrainian immigrants began arriving in Ontario in larger numbers.

In 2001, the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario proclaimed September 7 each year as Ukrainian Heritage Day. 

Today, Ontario is home to more than 376,440 Ukrainian Canadians, and there are over 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent across Canada. Ukrainian Heritage Day provides a special opportunity to recognize the role that Ontario has played in successfully welcoming generations of Ukrainians seeking a better life here in Canada while celebrating the contributions of Ukrainian Canadians across many communities and walks of life in our province and our country.

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