Ascension Day - May 29

Ascension, in Christian belief, the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection (Easter being reckoned as the first day). The Feast of the Ascension ranks with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost in the universality of its observance among Christians. The feast has been celebrated 40 days after Easter in both Eastern and Western Christianity since the 4th century. Prior to that time, the Ascension was commemorated as a part of the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The meaning of the Ascension for Christians is derived from their belief in the glorification and exaltation of Jesus following his death and Resurrection, as well as from the theme of his return to God the Father. Thus, the Gospel According to John uses both the sayings of Jesus and his post-Resurrection appearances to indicate a new relationship between Jesus and his Father and between him and his followers, rather than a simple physical relocation from earth to heaven.

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Ascension of Baha'u'llah - May 27-28

Bahá’ís around the world celebrate the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the death of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. Baha’u’llah was seventy-five years old when he passed away on May 29, 1892.

At the age of 27, Bahá'u'lláh became a follower of the Báb, a Persian merchant who began preaching that God would soon send a new prophet similar to Jesus. The Báb and many of his followers were executed by the Ottoman authorities for their beliefs. Bahá'u'lláh was exiled for the same reason, despite this, in 1863 he declared that he was the expected prophet the Báb spoke of. Since then, Bahá'ís have seen Bahá'u'lláh to be a Manifestation of God.

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National AccessAbility Week 2025 - May 25-31

Every year, starting on the last Sunday in May, Canadians celebrate National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). Founded as ‘National Access Awareness Week’ in 1988 and inspired by Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour, this week is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians with disabilities and raise awareness of the critical need for accessibility and inclusion for all in our communities and workplaces. 

Click here to learn more and for a list of events.

Declaration of the Bá’b - May 23

Baha’is around the world celebrate the Declaration of the Bab, who was the forerunner of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith. (The date to commemorate this joyous historic occasion shifts within the Gregorian calendar from year to year but according to the Baha’i calendar, it is always honoured on the 8th of Azamat).

Baha’is view the Bab as a Messenger of God, who had a role that can be likened to John the Baptist (who told of the coming of Christ) in heralding the coming of the latest Manifestation of God: Baha’u’llah.

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International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia - May 17

IDAHOBIT, observed annually on 17 May, commemorates the 1990 decision by the World Health Organization to remove homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases. Since then, the day has served as a focal point for raising awareness of the violence and discrimination still faced by LGBTQIA+ people across the globe.

Developed through consultations with LGBTQIA+ organisations worldwide, the IDAHOBIT 2025 theme “the power of communities” was announced during the ILGA World Conference 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.

“The power of communities” reflects the diversity and richness within LGBTQIA+ communities, from the grass roots to the global, celebrating our varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The theme for 2025 highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from our collective solidarity, recognising the contributions of human rights defenders, LGBTQIA+ civil society groups, allies, and millions of people in our communities who support human rights and collective liberation.

IDAHOBIT is not a centralised campaign; rather, it is a shared moment for communities and allies driving change around the world to take action in ways that resonate with their specific contexts and reflect their realities and priorities. Every initiative—big or small—counts and can make an impact, amplifying the movement’s reach and contributing to a world free from discrimination and violence.

Further your learning here:

May 17.org

Egale

June Pride Month Events shared by Community Partners at PRISM:

Town of Milton Pride Flag Raising - school GSAs are welcome to attend

Pride Picnic with PRISM Burlington - for families to attend

Buddha Day - May 12

Buddha Day/Vesak/Wesak/Visakha Puja is a festival of utmost significance in Buddhism, particularly in Theravada Buddhism, that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. The holiday is observed on the full-moon day of the lunar month Vesakha, the fourth month of the lunar calendar, which falls in April, May, or June, in some cases, in the Gregorian calendar. The day is observed as a public holiday in many Southeast Asian countries. It is also observed in East Asian countries, where it commemorates only the Buddha’s birth. 

In 1950 the World Fellowship of Buddhists made Vesak an international holiday to be celebrated on the first full moon of May. In 1999 the United Nations recognized Vesak as an international holiday. It is marked by special devotional services and various deeds intended to be meritorious, such as the presentation of food or alms to monks or the release of captive birds.

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National Day of Awareness for MMIWG and Red Dress Day - May 5

May 5 is the National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Gender Diverse People. On this day we aim to raise awareness about this ongoing crisis and take action. On this day we remember the people who have lost their lives to colonial, gender-based violence, and their families and communities that live daily with the grief of losing loved ones.

The Final Report on the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was released in June 2019. There were 2,836 individuals who participated in the truth–gathering process and 231 calls to justice were recommended. To date, there has been little action on the calls to justice. In our efforts to raise awareness of this ongoing crisis we remember people who have lost their lives to colonial, gender-based violence and their families and communities who live daily with the grief of losing loved ones.

Credit: Women’s Centre of Calgary

Mental Health Week - May 5-11

2024 Theme: Unmasking Mental Health

Living with a mental health or substance use challenge is hard enough; masking can make it even harder. Living with mental health challenges often forces people to hide behind a “mask” to protect themselves from judgment and discrimination. But the heavier the stigma, the heavier the mask becomes, and the more isolated we feel.

This May 5-11, we’re encouraging people across Canada to look beyond the surface and see the whole person. By embracing honesty and vulnerability, we open the door to deeper connections and the mental health benefits that come with it. In doing so, we can create a ripple effect of courage and understanding across the country.

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Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti - May 2

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti is observed as birth anniversary of Indian Guru and philosopher Adi Shankara. Adi Shankara was born in Kalady which is situated in Kerala during 788 C.E. and he was disappeared at young age of 32 in year 820 C.E.

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti is observed on Panchami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month and currently falls between April and May. Shankaracharya consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanata (अद्वैत वेदान्त) and revived it at a time when Hindu culture was on decline.

Adi Shankara, along with Madhava and Ramanuja, was instrumental in the revival of Hinduism. These three teachers formed the doctrines that are followed by their respective sects even today. They have been the most important figures in the recent history of Hindu philosophy.

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Beltane May 1

Beltane, also spelled Beltine, Irish Beltaine or Belltaine, also known as Cétamain, festival held on the first day of May in Ireland and Scotland, celebrating the beginning of summer and open pasturing. Beltane is first mentioned in a glossary attributed to Cormac, bishop of Cashel and king of Munster, who was killed in 908. Cormac describes how cattle were driven between two bonfires on Beltane as a magical means of protecting them from disease before they were led into summer pastures—a custom still observed in Ireland in the 19th century. Other festivities included Maypole dances and cutting of green boughs and flowers.  

Click here to learn more.

Polish Heritage Month

Statement by Minister Khera on the first-ever Polish Heritage Month in Canada in 2024

OTTAWA, May 1,2024

Today marks the start of the first-ever Polish Heritage Month in Canada. Throughout May, we will be celebrating the many contributions of Polish communities. Since the 18th century, people of Polish descent have enriched our country’s cultural diversity, while promoting social justice and solidarity.

Today there are 1.2 million people of Polish descent in Canada. They were among the first ethnocultural groups to come here. The first immigrants arrived from Poland starting in 1752, most of them settling first in Ontario. In fact, Toronto is now home to the largest Polish festival in North America.

Polish Heritage Month is also an occasion to highlight the enduring bonds Polish communities across Canada have maintained with their homeland. Every year, Polish communities in Canada and around the world come together to celebrate Polish Constitution Day, commemorating the historic Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791. Moreover, this inaugural Polish Heritage Month offers a chance to honour Polish National Flag Day, which will take place on May 2.

Throughout May, we are recognizing the many contributions Canadians of Polish descent make to our communities, actively participating in associations and charities while achieving remarkable feats in diverse fields such as the arts, business, politics, education, science and sport.

Canada’s strength lies in its diversity, in the acceptance of all communities and in equality for all. In May, I invite all Canadians to learn more about the heritage and contributions of people of Polish descent in Canada.

I wish you an excellent Polish Heritage Month!

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Dutch Heritage Month - May

Ontario is home to about 500,000 Dutch Canadians.  Since the early 1800s, the Dutch Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario.

By proclaiming the month of May as Dutch Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the important contributions that Dutch Canadians have made to the economic, political, social, and cultural fabric of Ontario’s society.  [source]

May is a historically significant month for the Dutch Canadian community.  On May 5, 1945, the Canadian forces were instrumental in the liberation of the Netherlands from occupation during World War II.  The Netherlands celebrates its independence and liberty, along with the heroic efforts of the Canadian forces, with a national holiday known as Liberation Day, which takes place annually on May 5. Read more about the significance of this day here.

Canadian Jewish Heritage Month - May

In 2018, Parliament unanimously passed a bill proclaiming, that throughout Canada, the month of May will be marked as “Canadian Jewish Heritage Month,” celebrating the inspirational role that Jewish Canadians have played and continue to play in communities across the country. From law, to politics, to culture, to sports, this important initiative celebrates the contributions Jewish Canadians have been making to this country for 250 years. 

This type of initiative helps Canadians understand one another by allowing different communities and cultures to be showcased and celebrated. Jewish Canadians have made enormous contributions to the fabric of Canadian society and, regardless of their cultural background, all Canadians are rightly proud of the country we have built together. Understanding and appreciating the contribution different communities make to Canada brings us close together.

Click here to learn more.

Asian Heritage Month - May

Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity for us to learn more about the diverse culture and history of Asian communities in Canada, as well as to acknowledge the many achievements and contributions of people of Asian origin who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the country we know and love.  We are acknowledging the voices, stories, and achievements of people of Asian origin in Canada and recognizing their contributions to all aspects of our society, including the arts, sports and social justice.

Click here for more information.

Armenian Heritage Month - May

Ontario is home to more than 100,000 people of Armenian heritage. Armenians began migrating to Canada in the 1880s. The first Armenian to do so was Garabed Nergarian, who settled in Port Hope, Ontario in 1887. Approximately 37 Armenians came to Ontario in 1892 and 100 more settled in the province in 1895. After the Hamidian massacres of the mid-1890s, Armenian families began settling in greater numbers in Ontario. Decades later, approximately 2,000 survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide — mostly women and children — came to Canada as refugees.

In the early 1920s, over 100 orphaned Armenian children, later called the “Georgetown Boys”, were brought to Georgetown, Ontario by the Armenian Relief Association of Canada, an organization that provided assistance to Armenian refugees in adjusting to Canadian society. In what became known as “Canada’s Noble Experiment”, it was considered one of the first Canadian humanitarian acts on an international scale. In 2010, the Georgetown Farmhouse (now the Cedarvale Community Centre) was designated an historic and protected municipal site.

May is a significant month for the Armenian community. May 28, 1918 is widely celebrated by Armenian people around the world as the day Armenians regained sovereignty over their historical territory after 600 years of colonization, occupation, subjection, and genocide. The 1918 Armenian Declaration of Independence is a symbol of Armenians’ aspiration for freedom, democracy and independence. May 28th is one of the most important Armenian holidays, and many parades and festivities take place during the month of May.

By proclaiming the month of May as Armenian Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the significant impact that Armenian Canadians have had on Ontario’s social, cultural, educational, economic, and political institutions, as well as their contributions to art, science, and literature in the province. Armenian Heritage Month is an opportunity to educate Ontarians about the struggles and achievements of Armenian Canadians in a society that respects freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. These core values have contributed to the strength and diversity of Ontario.

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Akshaya Tritiya - Apr 30

Akshaya Tritiya is a Hindu festival is also known as Akti or Akha Teej. It's an ancient festival celebrated by the Hindus and Jains. Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated during the Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Vaishakha as per Hindu Panchang. The word Akshaya means never diminishing. Hence the benefits of doing any Japa, Yajna, Pitra-Tarpan, Dan Punya on this day never diminish and remain with the person forever.

Hindus celebrate the festival of Akshaya Tritiya to bring good luck and success. It is believed that buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya brings prosperity and more wealth in the coming future. 

Click here to learn more about this festival.

National Day of Mourning - Apr 28

The National Day of Mourning is a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy. It’s also a day to collectively renew our commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace and to preventing further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

Traditionally on April 28, the Canadian flag flies at half-mast on Parliament Hill and on all federal government buildings. Employers and workers observe Day of Mourning in a variety of ways. Some light candles, lay wreaths, wear commemorative pins, ribbons or black armbands, and pause for a moment of silence.

We encourage organizations, employees, communities, and individuals to hold or support an event, or to simply observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on April 28. Consider sharing or playing our moment of silence video in your workplace to honour those who have died or suffered injury or illness due to a work-related tragedy.

Employers and individuals can also show their support and commitment to a safe workplace by promoting the social media cards and messages provided on this page. By sharing these messages, you remind more people to put health and safety at the forefront of their work and help to prevent further work-related injuries and loss of life.

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Feast of Saint Mark - Apr 25

The Feast of St. Mark is observed on April 25 by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. It helps bring awareness to St. Mark and his efforts to spread Christianity. The holiday takes place on the death anniversary of St. Mark, believed to be one of the 70 disciples sent out by Jesus to preach the gospel in Judea. He is believed to have authored one of the four Gospels in the New Testament.

St. Mark was a traveling companion and close friend of St. Peter, who holds the “keys of Heaven.” He is also the founder of the church in Alexandria, Egypt. 

Click here to learn more. 

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) - Apr 23-24

Yom HaShoah Ve-Hagevurah (Remembrance Day of the Holocaust and Heroism) is the Jewish memorial day for the Shoah (which is the Hebrew word for “catastrophe,” referring to the Holocaust). It is marked on the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nisan, a week before Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism). Yom HaShoah 2025 begins the evening of April 23 and ends in the evening of April 24.

How is Yom HaShoah commemorated?

The day is commemorated across the Jewish world with services, ceremonies, educational programs, testimonials from survivors, and with the lighting of yahrzeit (memorial) candles. In Israel, TV and radio stations are switched over to Holocaust programming, and the entire country comes to a standstill as a nationwide siren blares. 

Visit this site for more information.

World Book & Copyright Day - Apr 23

The origin of this special day dates back to 1922 when Vicente Clavel Andres, a passionate publisher from Barcelona, Spain, proposed celebrating a day dedicated to books to honor the famous novelist Miguel de Cervantes.

The first celebration occurred on October 7, 1926, coinciding with Cervantes’ birthday. However, to commemorate the deaths of several literary giants, including Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, UNESCO decided to mark April 23 as World Book and Copyright Day in 1995​​​​.

This day was chosen because of its literary significance and to encourage everyone to explore the joys of reading. It also recognizes the contributions of authors to cultural and social progress. The day celebrates the essence of reading, the importance of books, and authors’ rights over their works​​​​.

World Book and Copyright Day involves various activities designed to promote reading and the cultural aspects of books. These activities range from book donations and reading challenges to public readings and events to increase awareness of copyright laws. In some years, UNESCO awards the Prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance. This further highlights the day’s significance in promoting peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding through literature​​.

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Earth Day - Apr 22

Join us to honour and celebrate our remarkable planet on this extraordinary day. Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future.

Through various events, toolkits, and initiatives, we aim to raise awareness, inspire change, and foster a deeper connection with nature. Let’s unite in our efforts to protect the Earth today and for generations to come. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and create a more sustainable world.

Click here to visit the earthday.org website and Join the Movement! 

Grounation Day - Apr 21

Rastafarians all over the world hold April 21, as an important day in their history. On April 21, 1966, Haile Selassie (Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974) visited Jamaica and it has since been known globally as Grounation Day. They revere it as a holy day that marks their messiah setting foot on Jamaican soil. 

At the airport that day large crowds of Rastas gathered beating drums, chanting and the air was filled with the scent of marijuana. Writers suggest that over 100,000 rastas would have emerged at the Norman Manley Airport to witness the arrival of their king. 

The arrival of the emperor in Jamaica would have been hope to Rastas that a new history was being created for them. It represented divine heritage being fulfilled and opposed that of slavery, racism, and oppression.

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Ridván  - Apr 20 - May 2

Riḍván—also known as the Most Great Festival, commemorates an incredible period in history. It celebrates Baha’u’llah’s time in the garden of Riḍván on the outskirts of Baghdad in 1863 where He publicly declared His station as a Manifestation of God. The Riḍván Festival is 12 days long and, according to the Badi calendar, spans from 13 Jalal (the month of Glory) until 5 Jamal (the month of Beauty). This year, Riḍván begins on April 20. 

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Orthodox Good Friday - Apr 18 & Easter - Apr 20

This year, Orthodox Good Friday and Orthodox Easter fall on the same dates as Good Friday & Easter.

On the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha/Easter, Orthodox Christians celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This feast of feasts is the most significant day in the life of the Church. It is a celebration of the defeat of death, as neither death itself nor the power of the grave could hold our Saviour captive. In this victory that came through the Cross, Christ broke the bondage of sin, and through faith offers us restoration, transformation, and eternal life. Click here to learn more.

Paschal/Easter Greeting: Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! 

Paschal Troparion (Hymn): Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling death, and to those in the tombs granting life!

Good Friday - Apr 18 & 

Easter - Apr 20

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly 30 A.D. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, also known as “Maundy Thursday”), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed), and Easter Sunday. Although a holiday of high religious significance in the Christian faith, many traditions associated with Easter date back to pre-Christian, pagan times. This year, Good Friday was on April 18, and Easter Sunday is on April 20. 

Click here to read more. Happy Easter to all who are celebrating.

Sinhala & Tamil New Year - Apr 14

Many countries in the world celebrate the new year in 1st of January. Yet there are several calendars around the world that celebrate different days to welcome the New Year. In Sri Lanka, new year celebrations start on 13th of April and end on 14th of the month. Based on the sun’s movement from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pieces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) Sri Lanka welcomes the new year in April with a lot of firecrackers, fireworks, and gourmet of traditional sweets. 

Click here to learn more.

Mesha Sankranti (Solar New Year) - Apr 14

Mesha Sankranti, also known as Mesha Sankramana, is a famous festival for the Hindus marked by the day when the sun enters the Mesha (Aries) zodiac sign. It is the Indian version of the vernal (Spring) equinox with a few days of difference in terms of actual date, Mesha Sankranti is a solar event.

Click here to read more.

Vaisakhi - Apr 14

Although Vaisakhi has traditionally been a harvest festival in Punjab and across South Asia for centuries, the day has a very special significance for Sikhs. This year, Vaisakhi will be celebrated on April 14. On Vaisakhi Day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created the order of the Khalsa. The Khalsa are those Sikhs who have accepted the Sikh initiation or “khande kee paahul” and commit to live their lives in the spirit of service to all, equality, and compassion. The founding of the Khalsa was a seminal event in Sikh history which gave the Sikh faith its final form. Happy and joyous Vaisakhi to all who are celebrating. 

Click here to read more about Vaisakhi on the WorldSikh.org website. 

Theravada New Year - Apr 13

Theravada New Year is observed three days after the first full moon appears in April every year and this day will be marked on April 13. This day marks Buddha’s birth, death, enlightenment, and the start of the rainy season. It’s known by many names, such as Songkran in Central Thailand, Pi Mai in Northern Thailand, Choul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia, and Boun Pi Mai in Laos. It’s considered the biggest holiday of the year, equivalent to the western world’s celebration of the New Year. 

Click here to learn more about this special holiday.

Hanuman Jayanti - Apr 12

Hanuman Jayanti is a holiday which commemorates the Vanara God Hanuman and is celebrated on the 15th day of Shukla Paksha – during the month of Chaitra. Although it isn’t a gazetted holiday in India, it is still a highly regarded holiday among Hindus everywhere.

Although the true origins of this holiday are lost in time, Hanuman is mentioned in both the Mahabharata & the Ramayana. Scholars believe that this deity can be traced back as far as the 8th century. Over the centuries thereafter, Hanuman began to take form. However, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that he would become very significant. 

Click here to read more.

Pesach / Passover - Apr 12 - 21

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays. This year it will occur from April 12-21, 2025. Passover commemorates the story of the Israelites’ departure from ancient Egypt, which appears in the Hebrew Bible’s books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, among other texts. Jews observe the weeklong festival with a number of important rituals, including a traditional Passover meal known as a seder, the removal of leavened products from their home, the substitution of matzo for bread, and the retelling of the exodus tale. Chag Sameach to all who are celebrating Passover.

Click here to read more on History.com website. 

Click here to watch Mayim Bialik’s fun explanation of this holiday on YouTube. 

International Day of Pink - Apr 9

The International Day of Pink is this Wednesday, April 9, 2025. This day is an International Day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and transmisogyny in cities and towns all across the world. On this day, everyone is invited to celebrate diversity by wearing a pink shirt and by organizing activities in their workplaces, schools, and communities in support of the day. Join us in wearing pink this Wednesday Chargers!

Rama Navami - Apr 6

Rama Navami is the day on which Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, incarnated in human form in the land of Ayodhya. He is the ardha ansh of Vishnu or has half the divinitive qualities of Lord Vishnu. The word “Rama” literally means one who is divinely blissful and who gives joy to others, and one in whom the sages rejoice.

Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (April/May) (8 days after Yugādi) and coincides with Vasant Navratri or Chait Durga Puja. Therefore in some regions, the festival is spread over nine days. This day, marking the birthday of Lord Rama, is also observed as the marriage day of Rama and Sita and thus also referred to as Kalyanotsavam.

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World Autism Awareness Day - Apr 2

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving” (Baumer & Frueh, 2021). Autism is a type of neurodiversity that looks different from person to person, although it commonly includes differences in communication, learning, and/or behaviour. Autistic individuals may also have other co-occurring neurodiversities and/or medical conditions. 

Please watch these short videos which introduce the concept of neurodiversity and encourage the celebration of differences:

What is Neurodiversity?

Human Neurodiversity Should be Celebrated

Sikh Heritage Month - April

In 2013, history was made with April proclaimed as Sikh Heritage Month by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Bill 52). The first of its kind in the world, Sikh Heritage Month is a celebration of arts, culture, and heritage.  Now, we are celebrating 11 years of Sikh Heritage Month in Ontario!

Many would be surprised to learn that the linkage between Sikhs and Canada is over 200 years old. The legacy of Sikhs in Canada is nothing short of remarkable; a testament to the resilience of the early pioneers who overcame formidable obstacles

Click here to read more on the Sikh Heritage Museum website.

Eid-ul-Fitr - Mar 30-31

Eid-ul-Fitr, known as “the festival of breaking of the fast,” is the celebration that marks the end of Islamic holy month Ramadan. For Canadian Muslims, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations normally include attending the mosque, exchanging gifts, socializing with family and friends, giving away to charities, and attending community Eid events.

Eid-ul-Fitr will most likely be celebrated on March 31 this year, depending on the sighting of the moon. Most families across Canada, pretty much like across the world, begin the Eid celebrations by looking their best in new clothes, and decorating their houses with lights and other ornaments. People drive down to the local mosque for the special Eid prayer accompanied by a short lecture. After prayers, everyone greets each other. Pictures are taken at the prayer ground, then everyone returns back home to eat their first mid-day meal in a month. Often, people visit relatives and friends. Some mosques host fun events such as BBQs, or carnivals with games and prizes. Overall, it is a fun-filled day. Muslims hope to implement the good habits they cultivated during the month of Ramadan into their everyday lives in order to improve themselves and the rest of society. Muslim families across Canada also enjoy a variety of Eid events hosted by the Muslim community.

Jumu’atul-Wida - Mar 28

Jummatul Wida is celebrated on the last Friday in the Islamic month of Ramadan. It is a public holiday in Bangladesh and a regional holiday in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, where it is known as 'Jummat-ul-Wida'.

Jummatul Bidah translates as 'Friday of farewell' and marks the last Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramadan. Some Muslims regard this day as the second holiest of Ramadan and spend a large part of the day in worship. In Bangladesh, large numbers will attend prayers and the largest takes place at the National Mosque of Bangladesh in Dhaka known as Baitul Mokarram Mosque.

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Guan Yin Birthday - Mar 28

Guan Yin is the revered embodiment of the Goddess of Mercy. Guan Yin holds profound significance in Buddhism, emerging as a prominent figure within its diverse branches, cultures, and traditions. Held in great esteem for her boundless compassion and role in alleviating universal suffering, Guan Yin is admired by her devotees for her grace in bestowing limitless blessings upon those seeking to fulfil their dreams and achieve their greatest potential.

Transcending the boundaries of Buddhism, Guan Yin’s immense cultural importance carries throughout Chinese society, crossing generational divides and extending among the global Chinese diaspora. Temples and shrines dedicated to Guan Yin have been established across the world, serving as enduring tributes to her and all her manifestations, which are deeply embedded in the folklore of diverse communities.

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Laylat al-Qadr - Mar 27

The Night of Power, also known as Laylat al-Qadr, falls the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered the holiest night of the year, according to Islam. Muslims believe that Angel Jibril (Gabriel) delivered the first verses of the Holy Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad on this night. It is believed to be a time when sins are forgiven and supplications are accepted, and the annual decree of people is revealed to the angels by God. People observe Laylat al-Qadr by reflecting on the significance of this day, increasing their donation and generosity, reciting the Qur’an, and praying for others.

Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zarathushtra) - Mar 26

The Birthday of Zarathushtra, one of the most important Zoroastrian festivals. Khordad means perfection and although the actual date of his birth cannot be accurately identified, the festival of Khordad Sal symbolically celebrates the birthday of Prophet Zarathushtra and falls on the sixth day following NoRuz.

Khordad means perfection, and it is customary on this day to visit the Fire Temple to give thanks to Ahura Mazda, the Persian name for the one God, for giving humanity the ideal gift of the Prophet Zarathushtra. His followers participate in a jashan or thanksgiving ceremony; listen to stories of his miraculous birth and life; and then celebrate with a lavish community meal, a drink, and a dance.

On Khordad Sal Parsis clean their houses, hang torans of fresh flowers in the doorways, and create designs made of chalk on the floors (called rangoli). They wear new clothes, cook traditional foods, exchange gifts, and salute each other with the greeting: Khordad Sal Mubarak! Prayers are offered and are followed by festive parties to give thanks for and celebrate the soul that evinced a philosophy of life that is both giving and fulfilling.

This holiday is celebrated by Zoroastrians worldwide. The largest Zoroastrian populations today are in Iran and in India.

Source

Epilepsy Awareness Day (Purple Day) - Mar 26

Purple Day, March 26, was started in 2008 by a little girl in Nova Scotia named Cassidy who wanted her friends to know what it really meant for her to live with epilepsy. A child’s dream of sharing her story has turned into a recognized, global movement to raise awareness for epilepsy on March 26th. Visit www.purpleday.org to get more information about her initiative. 

March 26 is now official Purple Day in Canada thanks to the passage of a federal private members bill supported by all parties in Parliament. People from all parts of Canada will be wearing purple and working to educate the community about epilepsy: a condition that affects 1 in 100 Canadians but is still very misunderstood by the public. Individuals and groups in our community are working with Epilepsy Toronto to plan events that will help bring better public awareness about the facts and realities of epilepsy. 

You can show your support by wearing purple on March 26, and encouraging others to do the same. 

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National School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day - Mar 23

On March 23, Ontario recognizes and celebrates School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, a time to thank these vital figures for their daily efforts in ensuring the safe passage of children to and from school. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Purpose:
The day serves as a reminder to appreciate the work of school crossing guards who help ensure children's safe travel to and from school, often in challenging weather conditions. 

Importance:
Crossing guards are crucial for pedestrian safety, especially at school crossings, and they remind drivers of the presence of pedestrians. 

How to Participate:

• • Thank your local crossing guards: Express your appreciation to the guards in your community. 

  • Follow safety guidelines: As a driver, be mindful of posted speed limits, especially in school zones, and always check before turning at intersections. 

  • Stop completely: When a crossing guard signals you to stop, all cyclists and drivers must come to a complete stop. 

  • Remain stopped: Stay stopped until all pedestrians and the crossing guard have cleared the crossing. 

  • Avoid dropping students off in restricted zones: Refrain from dropping students off in NO stopping and NO parking zones. 

World Water Day - Mar 22

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater.  

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.  

Every year, UN-Water — the UN’s coordination mechanism on water and sanitation — sets the theme for World Water Day. In 2025, the theme is Glacier Preservation. Glaciers are melting faster than ever. As the planet gets hotter, our frozen world is shrinking, making the water cycle more unpredictable. For billions of people, meltwater flows are changing, causing floods, droughts, landslides and sea level rise. Countless communities and ecosystems are at risk of devastation.

As we work together to mitigate and adapt to climate change, glacier preservation is a top priority. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow down glacial retreat. And, we must manage meltwater more sustainably. Saving our glaciers is a survival strategy for people and the planet.

Click here to learn more.

World Down Syndrome Day - Mar 21

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) , 21 March, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. 

For World Down Syndrome Day 2024, we call for people around the world to End The Stereotypes. 

What is a ‘stereotype’?

A stereotype is a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like. Stereotypes can be positive, negative or neutral, but they are often inaccurate, or simply wrong! Stereotypes are often based on limited information or personal experience. They can be reinforced by the way something is represented in the media or by cultural messages. Once formed, a stereotype can be difficult to change.

The truth! 

People are all different. Each person with Down syndrome is different. Each person with an intellectual disability is different. We don’t all act the same way or like the same things. We each have our individual identity, interests, likes and dislikes, gifts and talents, just like everyone else. Having Down syndrome or an intellectual disability is just one part of who we are! We are people. Treat us like people.

Click here for further resources and information.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - Mar 21

Guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination take place every day. Observed annually on March 21, it commemorates the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.

In Canada, this date is an opportunity to reflect on the fact that while progress has been made, Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, and religious minorities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day. It is also a day to re-commit our efforts to combat all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism, and hate to ensure a world where everyone is respected, safe, and has equitable access to contribute meaningfully to all aspects of society.

Find more information on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Ostara (Spring Equinox) - Mar 20

Ostara is a Wiccan holiday and one of their eight Sabbats. Ostara celebrates the spring equinox. The word Ostara comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess name, Eostre. Eostre represented spring and new beginnings.

The celebration of spring is present in many ancient customs, across all cultures, and it seems that Wicca has borrowed from many of them for Ostara. Like many other spring celebrations in other cultures, Ostara symbolizes fertility, rebirth, and renewal. This time of year marked the beginning of the agricultural cycle, and farmers would start planting seeds.

Many of the symbols of Ostara have roots in other traditions, and the use of rabbits and hares is one such example. In medieval times in Europe, the March hare was seen as a fertility symbol, and a sign of spring. This species of rabbit is nocturnal most of the year, but in March, it is mating season for the animal. During mating season, March hares are seen all day long. Additionally, females of this species can get pregnant with a second litter while pregnant with their first litter. This explains why they were used as symbols for fertility.

Modern day Wiccans or pagans might go outside to meditate and perform a simple ritual to welcome the spring. Another common way to celebrate the coming spring is to plant seeds. Some families incorporate seasonal candy, such as peeps and chocolate rabbits, with their kids to help them get in the spirit of the event.

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Nowruz - Mar 20

The word Nowruz (Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nauryz), means new day; its spelling and pronunciation may vary by country.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox. It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.

Families also set aside a space for a “haft-seen”, or a collection of items that symbolize a different hope for the new year. While some families add their own variations to the haft-seen (more on those in a bit), there are seven things that are always included:

Sabzeh: Some kind of sprout or grass that will continue to grow in the weeks leading up to the holiday, for rebirth and renewal

Senjed: Dried fruit, ideally a sweet fruit from a lotus tree, for love

Sib: Apples, for beauty and health

Seer: Garlic, for medicine and taking care of oneself

Samanu: A sweet pudding, for wealth and fertility

Serkeh: Vinegar, for the patience and wisdom that comes with aging

Sumac: A Persian spice made from crushed sour red berries, for the sunrise of a new day

Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous peoples, Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the first day of spring and the renewal of nature. It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighbourliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities.

Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples based on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good neighbourliness. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West, which influenced those civilizations through the interchange of human values.

Celebrating Nowruz means the affirmation of life in harmony with nature, awareness of the inseparable link between constructive labour and natural cycles of renewal and a solicitous and respectful attitude towards natural sources of life.

Garth Webb wishes everyone celebrating a Nowruz Mubarak!

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Holi - Mar 14

Friday, March 14 marks Holi. Known as the Festival of Colours, Holi is one of the grandest and most popular celebrations amongst Hindu people in Canada. While the day is not an official public holiday, it is being increasingly observed across the country.

The Holi festival traditionally celebrates the victory of good over evil. Many Hindus believe that this holiday shows that the devotion of Hindu people can augment the power of Lord Vishnu. This celebration also honours Lord Krishna, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.

In addition to its religious aspects, Holi also celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The holiday is officially celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Phalguna of the Hindu Calendar, meaning it usually falls in March on the Gregorian Calendar.

In 2017, the Hindu festival of Holi was given special recognition by members of the Canadian parliament who took part in the celebrations themselves. But every year, Indo-Canadian communities across the country keep up this colourful Indian tradition.

Holi is somewhat like New Year’s Eve in that people resolve to live better in the year ahead and to leave the worries of last year behind them. They also decorate their homes with bright colours, sing and dance in small groups in the streets, attend special Hindu services, and often throw colourful chalk powder at one another.

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Chet (Sikh New Year) - Mar 14

The Sikh New Year begins on March 14 when the first month of the Sikh calendar, Chet, begins. The Sikh calendar runs from mid-March to mid-February and is entirely separate from the widely adopted Gregorian calendar. It has its own months, as outlined by the Sikh Gurus in holy scripture, and dates of holidays can vary from year to year, not unlike religious festivals from other traditions. 

Chet begins on "sangrand" in March with the unveiling backdrop of Spring. The word "Chet" means to contemplate, remember, or turn attention towards. Sangrand is the time when the sun passes from one constellation of stars to the next. "Sangrand" is a  term derived from the sanskrit word "sankrant." The first part, "san" means "in a positive way." The second part, "krant" means "change." Hence, sangrand is the day of moving forward to the next month.

We wish all who are celebrating a Happy New Year!

Hola Mohalla - Mar 14 - 17

Hola Mohalla or Hola Mahalla or simply Hola is a Sikh festival that takes place on the first of the lunar month of Chet which usually falls in March. This, by a tradition established by Guru Gobind Singh, follows the Hindu festival of Holi by one day; Hola is the masculine form of the feminine sounding Holi.

The word "Mohalla" is derived from the Arabic root hal (alighting, descending) and is a Punjabi word that implies an organized procession in the form of an army column. But unlike Holi, when people playfully sprinkle colored powder, dry or mixed in water, on each other, the Guru made Hola Mohalla an occasion for the Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles.

Together the phrase "Hola Mohalla" stands for "mock fight". During this festival, processions are organised in the form of army type columns accompanied by war-drums, standard-bearers, who proceed to a given spot or move in state from one gurdwara to another. The custom originated in the time of Guru Gobind Singh who held the first such mock fight event at Anandpur in February 1701.

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Purim - Mar 13

Purim is one of the most fun and happy days in the Jewish calendar. It is a celebration commemorating Jews who were spared from masacre during the Persian Empire. The story can be found in the Torah and the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Esther. 

The heroine, Esther, was the Queen of Persia who hid her Jewish background from her husband, King Ahasuerus. She eventually disclosed her faith to the King and convinced him to stop the planned annihilation of the Jews. 

In modern times, Purim is celebrated by extravagant costumes, a colourful pageant, a shared feast, and the exchange of treats and gift baskets.

Click here to learn more.

International Women's Day - Mar 8

IWD 2025 Campaign Theme is 'Accelerate Action'

Collectively, we can Accelerate Action for gender equality. Step forward in solidarity for International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 on March 8 to help #AccelerateAction. 

At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

So, together, let's Accelerate Action to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.

Learn more here. Click here for information on a local event at Oakville Town Hall.

Students can join the Youth in Action Group this Tuesday, March 4 at lunch to make bracelets in room 2018. See you there Chargers!

Ash Wednesday & Lent - Mar 5

Ash Wednesday is on March 5 in 2025 - this day marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is 40 days long and represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for similar fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry ,sacrifice, and resurrection. Ash Wednesday is a solemn day of repentance and prayer, usually through personal and communal confession. 

To learn more about this significant time in the Christian faith please click here.

Black Mental Health Week - Mar 3-9

Black Mental Health Week  2025 is from Monday, March 3 to Sunday, March 9. Celebrate joy as resistance, empower resilience, and reclaim power through community.

Anti-Black racism is prevalent in our society and has negative impacts on the health of Black Torontonians. Emerging research confirms that anti-Black racism takes a toll on mental health, despite the resilience of Black communities. Additionally, Black Torontonians cannot easily access culturally appropriate mental health supports and services. 

The City & TAIBU Community Health Centre came together to highlight the impact of anti-Black racism on the mental health of Black residents in our city, and as a first step, the City officially declared Monday, March 2, 2020, as Toronto’s first Black Mental Health Day. In 2021, the day was expanded to a week to provide greater opportunity to cultivate greater awareness of the impacts of anti-Black racism on Black communities, families and individuals. This year, the City has again partnered with TAIBU Community Health Centre to lead the initiative and animate spaces across Toronto with various community partners.

Visit Black Mental Health Week  for more information.

National Social Work Month - March & Social Work Week - Mar 3-9

March 3 to 9, 2025 is Social Work Week in Ontario, and across Canada, March is National Social Work Month. This March, we invite you to celebrate this incredible profession, and learn how social workers are meeting Ontarians where they’re at, when it matters most.

Wherever You Are, #SoAreWe

As the largest group of mental health professionals in the province, social workers are here to help Ontarians on their journey to better health, mental health, and wellbeing.

Our 2025 campaign theme, Wherever you are, so are we, speaks to the availability and versatility of the social work profession, highlighting its critical role in addressing a growing and universal problem – access to care.

In schools, community centres, doctor’s offices, hospitals, long-term care homes, libraries, and more, social workers are here to support you and your loved ones through all of life’s challenges and complications. They are here for you in small towns, big cities and everywhere in between, ready and able to provide specialized expertise to help navigate whatever barriers you may be facing.

This March, let’s celebrate the power of this profession, and the many ways Ontario’s 25,000+ social workers are here for you, where and when you need them.

Source

Persian Heritage Month - March

Canada is home to more than 200,000 people of Persian descent, and more than half of them call Ontario home. Ontarians of Persian heritage have contributed to the diversity and uniqueness of our communities for generations. Persian immigration to Canada began in earnest in the 1970s. Since then Persians have played, and continue to play, a key role in shaping the economic, political, social and cultural landscape of Ontario.

With thousands of years of history and tradition, Persian culture is rooted in one of the oldest civilizations on earth. From ancient Mesopotamia to Cyrus the Great’s founding of the First Persian Empire and beyond, Persian peoples have held a home at the centre of countless empires, trade routes and cultures for centuries. Today, Ontario is proud to have gained the cultural and historical legacy of the Persian people. After decades of contributions, Persian culture has become an inherent part of our province’s cultural, political, economic and social identity.

In the month of March, millions of people of Persian heritage celebrate Nowruz; the beginning of their new year, the day of the vernal equinox and the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. This millennia-old celebration is also a reminder of the importance of harmony between nature and life. By proclaiming the month of March as Persian Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the many achievements and contributions of Ontarians of Persian descent, and acknowledges the proud legacy that Persian history and culture has imprinted on humanity.

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Irish Heritage Month - March

Since 2022, people across Canada have celebrated Irish Heritage Month. Irish Canadians have greatly contributed to the story of our country, and this month is an opportunity to learn more about their history and positive impact. 

After the Irish first began arriving in what was then known as New France in the 17th century, they often faced extreme poverty and discrimination. In the 19th century, many more arrived on famine ships. Despite many challenges, they thrived, and today, almost 4.6 million Canadians in towns and cities across Canada can trace their ancestry back to Ireland.

From suffrage movement leader Nellie McClung to musician Stompin’ Tom Connors, Irish Canadians have left an undeniable mark in the pages of Canadian history.

Throughout the month of March, I encourage Canadians to learn more about the rich history of Irish-Canadian communities, to remember and honour their legacy, and to celebrate their continued contributions to our country.

~ Minister Hussen

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Hellenic Heritage Month - March

Heritage months invite Canadians to recognize particular communities’ contributions to our country. Empowering groups to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives promotes greater empathy and inclusion. In 2019, Ontario was the first province to recognize March as Hellenic Heritage Month. Since then, community organizations, student associations, and school boards have used the month to host workshops, talks, plays, and cooking lessons. Such public events inspire communal pride. More importantly, they foster understanding across cultural boundaries. In learning about our similarities and differences, we nurture a sense of belonging to a shared Canada, blurring the contours of our vibrant mosaic.

March is a significant month for Greeks all around the world as it commemorates Greek National Independence Day, which is celebrated annually on March 25th by people of Greek heritage. 

Source

Bangladeshi Heritage Month - March

Ontario is home to a large and vibrant Bangladeshi community. Bangladeshi Canadians from across the province have made significant contributions to Ontario's scientific, athletic, cultural, and political development, and they continue to help foster growth, prosperity, and innovation throughout Ontario.

The month of March is an important one for the Bangladeshi community. Every year on March 26th, Bangladeshis around the world celebrate Independence Day in commemoration of their nation gaining independence in 1971. This day is often marked with music, parades, fairs, and various other public and private gatherings held to celebrate the history and traditions of Bangladesh.

By proclaiming the month of March as Bangladeshi Heritage Month in Ontario, the province honours the many significant contributions Bangladeshi Canadians have made throughout the province, and highlights their important role in strengthening the multi-cultural fabric that keeps Ontario's communities strong.

Click here to read more.

Ramadan Mubarak Feb 28 - Mar 29

For Muslims across the globe, Ramadan is a sacred time of devotion, reflection, and the celebration of Allah's (SWT) mercy and love. The Fourth Pillar of Islam is fasting. Fasting takes place during the month of which is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Healthy adult Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are also encouraged during the holy month. 

As the Islamic calendar is based around the lunar cycle, the Holy month of Ramadan rotates by approximately ten days each year. 

This upcoming Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Losar Tibetan New Year - Feb 28 - Mar 2

Losar or Tibetan New Year is a widely celebrated holiday, and celebrations usually last for 15 days. The first three days are the most important, and Tibetans usually spend these days with their closest family members and friends. On the first day, many Tibetans visit Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace to make donations, greet Lamas, and receive blessings. 

The day before the start of the New Year, Tibetans bid farewell to the previous year and start making plans for the year to come. On the first day of the New Year, Tibetans welcome it, making offerings to prepare themselves for a fresh start as they enter the New Year. 

At the beginning of the New Year, congratulate a Tibetan with the phrase “Losar Tashi Delek!”

Source

Pink Shirt Day - Feb 26

On Wednesday, February 26, Garth Webb staff and students will participate in PINK shirt day. On this day we stand together against bullying. We invite everyone to wear pink shirts.

Now a movement celebrated across the globe, Pink Shirt Day has humble beginnings. Inspired by an act of kindness in small-town Nova Scotia, CKNW Kids' Fund, working with partners Boys & Girls Clubs and 980 CKNW, was inspired to raise funds to support anti-bullying programs. Here is a snippet of an article detailing the original incident:

“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ So Mr. Shepherd and some others headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.”

— GLOBE & MAIL

After David and Travis’ act of kindness in 2007, CKNW was inspired to help other youth affected by bullying, with many staff members wearing pink shirts and collecting funds to support Boys and Girls Clubs. Since then, the idea has only grown each year, with worldwide support and participation. 

Click here to read more.

Ayyám-i-Há - Feb 25-Mar 1

Ayyám-i-Há is a multiple-day Baha’i festival that is joyously celebrated in countries and territories all over the world. It typically falls around the end of February and beginning of March. Ayyam-i-Ha, or the Intercalary Days, is a period dedicated to socializing, being hospitable, giving generously to the poor and needy, and preparing for the upcoming month of fasting. Depending on the year, Ayyam-i-Ha will vary in its duration and it is composed of the excess of days that fall outside of the 19 months of 19 days.

Click here to learn more.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day - Feb 22

Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada has been observed since February 22, 2021, when it was declared by the Canadian government as part of their commitment to fighting human trafficking. Every year, February 22 is a day to encourage Canadians to “raise awareness of the magnitude of modern day slavery in Canada and abroad and to take steps to combat human trafficking.”

By criminal code, human trafficking refers to every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals, or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction, or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation. 

Simply put, human trafficking is profiting off of the exploitation of another person through force, manipulation, or coercion. Human trafficking encompasses many different types of exploitation including sexual exploitation and forced labour. 

In Canada, the most common form of human trafficking is sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation involves a person profiting from the use of another person’s body in a sexual manner to benefit financially or otherwise. Sexual exploitation makes up 50% of human trafficking worldwide and over 70% of the human trafficking in Canada.

Click here to learn more.

Nirvana Day - Feb 15

Nirvana Day is an annual Buddhist festival that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80.Nirvana is believed to be the end of the cycle of death and rebirth. Buddhism teaches that Nirvana is reached when all want and suffering is gone.Most Buddhists celebrate Nirvana Day on the 15 February. Others celebrate it on 8 February. It is also known as Parinirvana Day. 

Click here to learn more about Nirvana day!

International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) - Feb 15

International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. It also exists to promote an increased appreciation and deeper understanding of the challenges faced by children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors, and their families. ICCD spotlights the need for more equitable access to treatment and care for all children with cancer, everywhere.

Click here to learn more on the ICCD website.

Māgha Pūjā Day/Lantern Festival (Buddhism) - Feb 12

Māgha Pūjā is an important religious festival celebrated by Buddhists on the full moon day of the third lunar month for more than 2500 years. It marks the four auspicious occasions which happened nine months after the Enlightenment of the Buddha near Rājagaha in Northern India.

1. It was the full moon day of the third lunar month.

2. There were 1,250 Arahants, the enlightened disciple monks, who came to see the Lord Buddha that evening without any prior arrangement.

3. All of them were ordained by the Buddha himself.

4. The Buddha delivered a sermon called the “Ovada Patimokkha” which includes the fundamental ideology, the moral standards, and the conducts of Buddhism.

Source: Dhammakaya Foundation

Tu B’Shevat - Feb 12-13

Tu B’Shevat/Tu BiSh’vat, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the birthday of the trees, occurs on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, sometime in late January or early February. Originally an agricultural festival, the main customs of this holiday are to taste some of the fruits and nuts of Israel and to plant trees. Tu B’Shevat is a time to give gratitude to God for all the fruits of the earth and everything that he gives us.

Read more about Tu B'Shevat here.

Vasant Panchami - Feb 2

Vasant Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati. The festival of Vasant Panchami is also known as Shri Panchami/Saraswati Panchami/Saraswati Puja.

The colour of Vasant is yellow which symbolizes peace, prosperity, light, energy and optimism. This is why people wear yellow clothes and make traditional delicacies in yellow hues. In Bengal and Bihar, Goddess Saraswati is offered boondi and ladoo. Sweet rice with saffron and dry fruits is made in almost every house on this occasion. Mango wood, shriphal (coconut), Ganga water, and baer are also offered, particularly by Bengalis. Traditionally, in Punjab, Maake ki Roti and Sarso Ka Saag are savoured. In Bihar, people celebrate Saraswati Puja by offering delicacies like Kheer, Malpua and Bundi to the Goddess.

Source

Setsubun - Feb 2

Japan has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The term setsubun originally referred to the days marking the change from one season to the next, so that there were four of them, but today only the day before Risshun (the beginning of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar) is called by that name.

On the night of Setsubun, many households do mame-maki - a bean-throwing ceremony. They fill a masu (a wooden measuring cup) with roasted soybeans and throw the beans all about the room, shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" meaning "Out with the goblins and in with fortune!" They also open the windows and throw the beans outside. Mame-maki began as a New Year ceremony (in the traditional Japanese calendar) to drive out evil spirits and the seeds of misfortune, as well as to pray for the family's well-being and good business.

After the mame-maki is over, everyone eats the same number of beans as their own age. It is believed that by doing so, people will be free of sickness during that year.

Source

Black History Month - February

As we enter into the month of February, the Garth Webb school community will be celebrating Black History Month.  Our staff and students have planned a variety of activities throughout the month.  Look out for our Career Panels as well as activities honouring the legacy of Oakville's early Black history.

Imbolc - Feb 1

Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown on February 2. Based on a Celtic tradition, Imbolc was meant to mark the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in Neolithic Ireland and Scotland. The holiday is celebrated by Wiccans and other practitioners of neopagan or pagan-influenced religions. Imbolc is just one of several pre-Christian holidays highlighting some aspect of winter and sunlight, and heralding the change of seasons.

Click here to read more. 

Sha'ban - Jan 31

The eighth lunar month of the Islamic Hijri calendar is Sha’ban. The month’s name is derived from the Arabic word “tasha’aba,” which means to separate or disperse. Traditionally, the Arabs would disperse in search of water during this month. In addition, Shaban separates the two holy months of Rajab and Ramadan and acts as a bridge between them.

The Prophet referred to Sha'ban as the "neglected month" because it was wedged between two sacred months, people would fall short in extra devotion. “It is a month people tend to neglect, between the months of Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I like my deeds to be raised while I am fasting.” (An-Nasai)

The Prophet Muhammad himself, however, held this month in high regard and increased within it his devotional activities, especially fasting.

Source

Jashn-e Sadeh - Jan 30

Jashn-e Sadeh is a Zoroastrian/Iranian mid winter festival, celebrated 50 days and nights before the advent of the spring NoRuz, and signifies that the days are getting longer. On this day it is customary to pay visits to the Fire Temple to give thanks to the Creator God, to celebrate with a bonfire after sunset, to recite the Atash Niyayeesh or litany to fire, listen to stories of the legendary Iranians during the reign of King Hoshang, who discovered the art of making fire, share piping hot stew and bread, and enjoy the dancing and merry making.

Source

Tet - Jan 29

The Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet, is the most significant festival in Vietnam. It is a nationwide celebration marking the dawn of the new year in the traditional lunar calendar and coincides with Chinese (Lunar) New Year. Tet holiday dates change annually but typically fall between mid-January and late February. In 2025, the Tet holiday will be on January 29, heralding the Year of the Snake. 

Tet festivities extend for three days and can span up to an entire week, with the festival subdivided into the days leading up to New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve itself, and the subsequent New Year's Days. 

Source

National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia - Jan 29

On January 29, 2017, six worshippers lost their lives at a Québec City mosque. Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane, and Aboubaker Thabti were fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, and community members.

This year will mark the 8th anniversary of that tragic night that changed our country - and the fourth National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia.

In November 2023, a senate report was released on Islamophobia in Canada saying that urgent action is needed to reverse the rising tide of hate and discrimination against Muslims in Canada. January 29 serves as a reminder of the work we must do to eradicate Islamophobia, hate and racism in Canada. 

Canadians across the country will wear a green square to honour the lives lost and renew our collective commitment to eradicating Islamophobia, hate, and racism in Canada. The Green Square Campaign, is an annual initiative by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) to commemorate the Quebec City Mosque Attack. “We would be honoured if you could join us in this important campaign. You can participate by wearing a green square. This small but impactful gesture would not only pay tribute to the victims but also reaffirm your commitment to creating safer, more inclusive spaces for all.”

Click here to learn more below about ways you can support.

Lunar New Year - Jan 29

The Lunar New Year according to the Chinese and Tibetan lunisolar calendars will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 29th this year. Many cultures have different celebrations that coincide with this day, which are often collectively referred to as the Lunar New Year. This  includes Chinese peoples (“Chinese New Year”), Losar of Tibet, the Tết of Vietnam, the Seollal of Korea, the Shōgatsu of Japan, and the Ryukyu New Year. 

In Korea, a common greeting is 새해 복 많이 받으세요 or “saehae bok mani badeuseyo”. In Tibet, a common greeting is “Tashi Delek”. For those celebrating the Chinese New Year,  common greetings include 新年快樂 “Sun Nin Fai Lok" in Cantonese, or 新年快乐 “Xīn Nián Kuài Lè” in Mandarin, to wish each other happiness and prosperity for the new year.  

My family celebrates the Chinese New Year. This year, the 15-day celebration begins on Wednesday, January 29th. Common features of our celebration  include enjoying symbolic ‘lucky foods’ such as dumplings, fish, noodles, rice, and spring rolls. These lucky foods will bring prosperity, luck, wealth, longevity, and happiness for families. Traditions include cleaning the home before New Year’s Day to sweep out the ‘bad luck’, and welcome in the good luck. 

A particular point of excitement for me as a child included the receipt of red envelopes, called “lai see” in Cantonese, or “hongbao” in Mandarin, containing an even numbered amount of money and are given out to younger generations by their parents, grandparents, and elder relatives for well wishes. My mother also made sure to include crisp bills out of the bank for good luck. We also wear red, which symbolizes luck, joy, and happiness. 

 If you are in and around downtown Toronto during Lunar New Year celebrations, you might catch a glimpse of a ‘lion dance’ which is performed to scare away evil spirits and bring good fortune. 

This year is the year of the Snake. In Chinese culture, the snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. 

The Chinese Zodiac includes the following 12 animals which represent certain years: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. It is believed that a person’s personality traits are tied to their zodiac animal. You can find out what’s in store for you in 2024 by reading the predictions for your zodiac animal. To find out which of 12 animals you are in the Chinese zodiac, you can check the year you were born with the animal assigned to that year. Click here to learn which animal you are! 

We wish our Garth Webb students and families observing a celebration on the Lunar New Year prosperity and joy! 

- Mr. Matt Wilks

St. Sava's Day - Jan 27

In Serbia, St. Sava's Day is observed on the 27th of January. Also known as Spirituality Day, this holiday commemorates the national hero and patron saint of the Serbian people. Saint Sava was born in 1169 and was named Rastko at birth. He was the youngest son of Serbian Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja and was made the prince of the Province of Hum in 1190. After a few years, however, he decided to leave for Mount Athos in Greece to become an Orthodox monk. This is where he not only received his theological training but also his monastic name, Sava.

He would spend approximately 14 years on Mount Athos before he returned to Serbia to become the superior of the Studenica Monastery. He would play an important role in the Serbian Church remaining Orthodox and not becoming a part of the Roman Catholic Church. On January 27th, 1235, Sava died in Bulgaria on his way home from a trip to the Holy Land.

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Isra’a and Mi’raj - Jan 27

Also known as “The Miraculous Night Journey,” the Isra’a and Mi’raj refer to two parts of a miraculous journey that Prophet Muhammad took in one night from Makka to Jerusalem and then an ascension to the heavens. Isra’a is an Arabic word referring to Prophet Muhammad's miraculous night journey from Makka to Jerusalem - specifically, to the site of al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem - as referred to in Surah Al-Israa in the Quran. It is believed to have been followed by the Mi'raj, his ascension to heaven. 

It is during this journey that Muslims were gifted the 5 daily prayers. Muslims celebrate this night by offering optional prayers during this night, and in many Muslim countries, by illuminating cities with electric lights and candles. 

For more information on the story of Isra’a Wal Mi’raj please click here. 

International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust - Jan 27

Every year on 27 January, UNESCO pays tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to counter antisemitism, racism, and other forms of intolerance that may lead to group-targeted violence. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz -Birkenau by Soviet troops on 27 January 1945. It was officially proclaimed, in November 2005, International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust by the United Nations General Assembly.

Visit this page on the United Nations website for resources and learning opportunities.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Jan 20

On Monday, January 20, the USA observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Though it is not a day of observance in Canada, we wanted to acknowledge the day and share more learning with the school community.

While Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to remember and celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is also an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing struggle for civil rights, equity, and justice.

This year we wanted to share information about The King Philosophy - Nonviolence365 on the King Center website. Nonviolence is a love centered way of thinking, speaking, acting, and engaging that leads to personal, cultural, and societal transformation.

Click here to learn more.

World Religion Day - Jan 19

World Religion Day takes place each January, aiming to promote understanding and peace between all religions as well as mutual understanding and tolerance between peoples from different backgrounds. 

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Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti - Jan 17

A time for Sikhs to come together and honor the legacy of their beloved guru. Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is a Sikh holiday that commemorates the birthday of the tenth and final guru of the Sikh religion and is celebrated with prayer and community throughout the world. 

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Orthodox New Year - Jan 14

Orthodox New Year is annually celebrated on January 14. The Orthodox New Year is widely known as the Old New Year and is marked as January 1 in the Julian calendar, which was used before the Gregorian calendar. It is a popular holiday for those practicing the Orthodox faith. During this holiday, the services are usually held with a festive dinner, music, and dancing. It is a traditional holiday where people spend time with their families. It involves serious meditation about personal New Year’s resolutions.

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Makar Sankranti - Jan 14

Makar Sankranti is the only Hindu festival based on the solar calendar instead of the lunar. Makar Sankranti is the celebration of the sun's journey from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere and is considered an auspicious time. Makar translates as 'Capricorn' and Sankranti means 'transition'. The astrological configuration on Makar Sankranti is called 'Maha-snana-yoga.' 

Some observers celebrate by bathing in rivers and lakes, especially at the confluence of holy rivers. Makar Sankranti is also a harvest festival. It is a time of celebration and expressing thanks to Mother Earth or nature when winter starts to recede. People give each other presents, especially til, the traditional sweets made with sesame. It is also celebrated with a feast that includes a dish made of green gram, rice, and jaggery.

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Thai Pongal - Jan 14 - 17

Tamil Thai Pongal Day is a Tamil and Hindu harvest festival designed to give thanks to the sun god for the abundant harvest that he is believed to enable.

In India, the holiday stretches across four full days, but in Sri Lanka, most only celebrate it for one or two days. Thai Pongal falls on the first day of the month of Thai on the Tamil traditional calendar, which normally lands in somewhere between January 13 and 16 on the Western calendar. The festival, which involves feasting, visiting relatives, and giving out gifts, is one of the most cherished of all Tamil holidays and has been celebrated for at least 1,000 years.

Tamil Thai Pongal marks the beginning of the six-month period during which the sun moves northward relative to the Equator. It also is the day on which the sun is thought to enter the “tenth house” on its path along the Hindu zodiac.

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Lohri & Maghi - Jan 13 & 14

Maghi – Lohri is actually a combination of the Maghi Hindu festival that’s celebrated in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and the Lohri folk festival that’s celebrated in Northern India. Maghi begins on the first day of the month of Magh in the Hindu calendar, and it comes after Lohri.

The combination of these two events creates a festive atmosphere that’s highlighted with bonfires, eating sweet dishes such as kheer, and following these events, ritual bathing in ponds or rivers. In different cultures, this holiday festival is observed for different reasons. For some parts of Himachal Pradesh, this festival is dedicated to the worship of Agni Devta. In Sikhism, this is a time for people to commemorate the sacrifice of the forty Sikhs who fought for Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Click here to learn more.

Baptism of Jesus - Jan 12

In Catholicism, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the rituals surrounding the events of the Lord Jesus's life from birth to resurrection to death. Every detail is minutely scrutinized and carefully celebrated in its own way. One such celebration is the Baptism of the Lord, which is celebrated in January every year.

It was originally observed through the event known as the Epiphany, which marked three events from the Gospel. It denoted the visit of the three Magi to the baby Jesus in his crib, the baptism of Jesus by the river Jordan, and the wedding at Cana where Jesus is said to have performed his first miracle, turning water to wine. The Magi became the most prominent celebration of the Epiphany, and in 1955 Pope Pius XII instituted a separate liturgical commemoration for the Baptism, as the 13th of January. This was changed by Pope John XXIII and subsequently by Pope Paul IV, to its current date of the first Sunday after 6th January (the Epiphany), or if in a particular country the Epiphany is celebrated on 7th or 8th January, the following Monday. The feast marks the end of the liturgical season of Christmastide and the beginning of Ordinary Time.

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Pausha Putrada Ekadashi - Jan 10

Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is a sacred day to observe a fast by the Vaishnavas. It falls on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) during the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) of the month of ‘Pausha’ in the traditional Hindu calendar. This corresponds to the months of December to January in the English calendar. The Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is very auspicious, especially for followers of Lord Vishnu in the Northern states of the country. In some regions of South India, Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is celebrated as ‘Vaikunta Ekadashi’, ‘Swargavathil Ekadashi’ or ‘Mukkoti Ekadashi.

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Eastern & Ethopian Christmas - Jan 7

Followers of the Eastern Rite celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus on January 7, based on the Julian calendar. Some sub-groups observe the day on January 6. Traditional celebrations include singing carols, having holy supper on Christmas Eve, and attending church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Click here and to learn more.

Ethiopia (and especially the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church) also celebrates Christmas on January 7, not  December 25. The Ethiopian Calendar has different months - and Christmas in on the 29th of Tahsas. The calendar the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church uses originally came from calendar used by the Coptic Orthodox Church (which is based in Egypt) but now has it's own special days. 

Click here to learn more.

Epiphany/Dia de los Reyes - Jan 6

Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas on January 6 (or January 19 for some Orthodox Churches who have Christmas on January 7) and is the time when Christians remember the Wise Men (also sometimes called the Three Kings) who visited Jesus. The Bible doesn't say how many Wise Men there were or that they were kings. The number three comes from the three gifts the Wise Men / Magi brought with them. 

Click here to learn more.

In Mexico, the day is known as Dia de los Reyes. Día de Los Reyes also includes more gift giving in Mexico. Before Santa Claus became such a massive figure in the Westernized version of Christmas, the Three Wise Men were actually the ones who brought gifts during Christmas in Mexico. 

Click here to learn more.

Twelfth Night - Jan 5

We mainly refer to Twelfth Night as the end of Christmas and the day when traditionally the decorations should be taken down for another year. Some people believe that you will have bad luck all year if the decorations are left up beyond Twelfth Night or Epiphany. So, Twelfth Night (5 January) is the time to take down your tree and decorations and pack then away in the loft, cellar, or garage for another year. 

It was the tradition in medieval times right up to the 19th century to celebrate Christmas for 12 days and so 5 January (Twelfth Night) was just as important a day to celebrate as Christmas Day is to us today.

Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night (or What You Will) has an association with feasting and merriment. It is thought that it was performed on Twelfth Night in Tudor times as a fitting end to the Christmas season.

The Victorians are believed to have started the tradition of taking down decorations and Christmas trees so that everybody could return to work after the festivities. 

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New Year's Day - Jan 1

People around the world celebrate the start of a year on New Year’s Day. It is one of the oldest holidays. In the Western cultures of Europe, North America, South America, and Australia, most people celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1.

People of other places and cultures observe the new year at other times depending on their different calendars. The Chinese New Year, for example, is celebrated for a month beginning in late January or early February. In Iran New Year’s Day is in March, on the first day of spring. Matariki, the Māori New Year celebration, is in June or July. It is based on the appearance of the Matariki, or Pleiades, star cluster in the sky. Followers of the Jewish religion celebrate the new year in the autumn. According to the Islamic calendar, the new year starts with the month of Muharram. Because the calendar is based on the movement of the Moon, Muharram can begin in autumn, summer, spring, or winter.

Many traditions and customs surround New Year’s Day in Western countries. On the night before, called New Year’s Eve, people have noisy parties and grand feasts. They stay up late and count down the seconds until midnight. Fireworks displays are often organized, and people will go outside at midnight to watch them. At midnight it is traditional to kiss or shake hands and wish other people “Happy New Year.” Many people make New Year’s resolutions, or promises to themselves. They see New Year’s Day as a chance to make a fresh start.

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Tamil Heritage Month

Canada is the proud home of one of the world’s largest Tamil diasporas. The Province of Ontario proclaimed January Tamil Heritage Month on March 25, 2014. On October 5, 2016, the Government of Canada declared the month of January as National Tamil Heritage Month. It is meant to recognize the important contributions that Tamil Canadians have made to Canada’s social, economic, political, and cultural fabric, and to remember, celebrate, and educate future generations about the inspirational role that Tamil Canadians have played, and continue to play, in communities across the country.

The month of January was chosen as it coincides with one of the most important celebrations for Canadians of Tamil heritage, the Thai Pongal harvest festival. This also marks the start of the new year and the first month of Thai in the Tamil solar calendar and falls in the middle of January. Millions of Tamil people around the world celebrate Thai Pongal and offer thanks to the Sun and for the harvest. The Thai Pongal day this year is on January 14.

More information can be found in the following links:

TDSB Tamil Heritage Month Information

TCDSB Tamil Heritage Month Information

Statement by Minister Khera on Tamil Heritage Month

Tamil Heritage Month

Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra) - Dec 26

Zarathosht Diso is the Death anniversary of Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) the founder of Zoroastrianism. It is a day of special prayers, with lectures and discussions held on the life and works of the prophet. There is no mourning in the Zoroastrian religion, only remembrance and prayers for Farohars (souls) of the departed.

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Boxing Day - Dec 26

December 26, the day after Christmas, is the Feast of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It is also known as Boxing Day, a secular holiday celebrated in parts of the Commonwealth, including Canada.

The etymology of Boxing Day is not definitively known, but it may come from the traditional opening on that day of Anglican Church poor boxes that had been filled during Advent. Another possibility is that it arose from teh custom of the aristocracy giving gifts to servants, employees and trades people the day after Christmas. It has been a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland, and Canada since 1871.

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Kwanzaa - Dec 26 - Jan 1

The word “Kwanza” is a KiSwahili (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) word meaning “first.” Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration of life from 26 December to 1 January. The symbols of Kwanzaa includes crops (mzao) which represents the historical roots of African-Americans in agriculture and also the reward for collective labor. The mat (mkeka) lays the foundation for self-actualization. The candle holder (kinara) reminds believers in the ancestral origins in one of 55 African countries. Corn/maize (muhindi) signifies children and the hope associated in the younger generation. Gifts (Zawadi) represent commitments of the parents for the children. The unity cup (Kkimbe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations to the ancestors. Finally, the seven candles (mishumaa saba) remind participants of the seven principles and the colors in flags of African liberation movements -- 3 red, 1 black, and 3 green. 

Click here to learn more.

Hanukkah - Dec 25 - Jan 3

The 8 day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games, and gifts. 

The Hanukkah celebration revolves around the kindling of a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as the hanukiah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown; the ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others. Jews typically recite blessings during this ritual and display the menorah prominently in a window as a reminder to others of the miracle that inspired the holiday.

In another allusion to the Hanukkah miracle, traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. Potato pancakes (known as latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot) are particularly popular in many Jewish households. Other Hanukkah customs include playing with four-sided spinning tops called dreidels and exchanging gifts.

Click here to learn more.

Christmas Day - Dec 25

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas! Christmas is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent origin. The earlier term Yule may have derived from the Germanic jōl or the Anglo-Saxon geōl, which referred to the feast of the winter solstice. 

Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role. 

Click here to learn more.

Yule/Winter Solstice - Dec 21

Yule or Yuletide ("Yule time" or "Yule season") is a festival historically observed by the Germanic peoples. Scholars have connected the original celebrations of Yule to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht. Many present-day Christmas customs and traditions such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others stem from pagan Yule traditions. The Winter Solstice, occurring on December 21, is the longest night of the year, and a time for light, feasting, and contemplation. 

Click here to learn about Yule celebrations around the world.

Birthday of Imam Aga Khan - December 13

The birthday of the Aga Khan — who turns 88 this year — is one of the most important dates in the calendar for approximately 100,000 Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims across Canada. It is an occasion to celebrate and reflect on the benevolence of their leader and how they, too, can give back.

Click here to learn more. 

International Human Rights Day - Dec 10

10 December marks the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.  

Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights.

In the decades since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, human rights have become more recognised and more guaranteed across the globe. The UDHR has since served as the foundation for an expanding system of human rights protection that today focuses also on vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and migrants.

However, the promise of the UDHR, of dignity and equality in rights, has been under a sustained assault in recent years. As the world faces challenges new and ongoing – pandemics, conflicts, exploding inequalities, morally bankrupt global financial system, racism, climate change – the values, and rights enshrined in the UDHR provide guideposts for our collective actions that do not leave anyone behind.

Click here to learnmore.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - Dec 6

It has been 35 years since the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989). This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

As we mourn their loss and remember their lives, we reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy, and the misogyny that still exists today. In Canada and around the world, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals face unacceptable violence and discrimination. 

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is about remembering those who have experienced gender-based violence and those who we have lost to it. It is also a time to take action. Achieving a Canada free from gender-based violence requires everyone living in this country to educate themselves and their families and communities on gender-based violence, centre the voices of survivors in our actions and speak up against harmful behaviours.

Ways to honour the victims of this tragedy on December 6:

• Wear a white ribbon.

• Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 am.

• Attend a vigil in your community.

• Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, and share our National Day of Remembrance post.

• Today and throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (from November 25 to December 10), add your voice to the conversation and share the ways you are being part of the solution to end gender-based violence. Use the hashtag #16Days.

• Learn more about the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV campaign and how to get involved

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - Dec 3

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons is on December 3rd. It was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

The theme of the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities is: "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future".

Click here to learn more.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery - Dec 2

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December, marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).

The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

Main Forms of Modern Slavery

Slavery has evolved and manifested itself in different ways throughout history. Today some traditional forms of slavery still persist in their earlier forms, while others have been transformed into new ones. The UN human rights bodies have documented the persistence of old forms of slavery that are embedded in traditional beliefs and customs. These forms of slavery are the result of long-standing discrimination against the most vulnerable groups in societies, such as those regarded as being of low caste, tribal minorities and indigenous peoples.

Click here to learn more.

First Day of Advent - Dec 1

Advent is a four-week season dedicated to reflective preparation for the arrival, "advent", of Jesus Christ's Nativity at Christmas time as well and Christ's expected return in the Second Coming. During this important event on the church calendar, each week of Advent focuses on a different theme - hope, peace, joy, and love. Christians from all denominations and backgrounds celebrate Advent in different ways but all focus on the anticipation of waiting for the arrival of Jesus. 

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International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People - Nov 29

In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II))

In resolution 60/37 of 1 December 2005, the Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN.

The resolution on the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People also encourages Member States to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of the Day of Solidarity.

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Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá - Nov 27

Abdu’l-Baha was the eldest son of Baha’u’llah (founder of the Baha'i faith) who referred to Him as “the Mystery of God” and “a shelter for all mankind”, however Abdu’l-Baha preferred to be called “Abdu’l-Baha” which means “the Servant of Baha” in reference to His servitude to Baha’u’llah. When Abdu’l-Baha passed away on 28 November 1921, He was eulogized as One who led humanity to the “Way of Truth,” as a “pillar of peace” and the embodiment of “glory and greatness.”

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Holodomor Memorial Day - Nov 25

The term Holodomor (death by hunger, in Ukrainian) refers to the starvation of millions of Ukrainians in 1932–33 as a result of Soviet policies. The Holodomor can be seen as the culmination of an assault by the Communist Party and Soviet state on the Ukrainian peasantry, who resisted Soviet policies. This assault occurred in the context of a campaign of intimidation and arrests of Ukrainian intellectuals, writers, artists, religious leaders, and political cadres, who were seen as a threat to Soviet ideological and state-building aspirations.

Between 1917 and 1921, Ukraine briefly became an independent country and fought to retain its independence before succumbing to the Red Army and being incorporated into the Soviet Union. In the 1920s, Soviet central authorities, seeking the support of the populace, allowed for some cultural autonomy through the policy known as “indigenization.”

By the end of the 1920s, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin decided to curtail Ukraine’s cultural autonomy, launching the intimidation, arrest, imprisonment and execution of thousands of Ukrainian intellectuals, church leaders, as well as Communist Party functionaries who had supported Ukraine’s distinctiveness.

At the same time, Stalin ordered the collectivization of agriculture. The majority of Ukrainians, who were small-scale or subsistence farmers, resisted. The state confiscated the property of the independent farmers and forced them to work on government collective farms. The more prosperous farmers (owning a few head of livestock, for example) and those who resisted collectivization were branded kulaks (rich peasants) and declared enemies of the state who deserved to be eliminated as a class. Thousands were thrown out of their homes and deported.

In 1932, the Communist Party set impossibly high quotas for the amount of grain Ukrainian villages were required to contribute to the Soviet state. When the villages were not able to meet the quotas, authorities intensified the requisition campaign, confiscating even the seed set aside for planting and levying fines in meat and potatoes for failure to fulfill the quotas. Special teams were sent to search homes and even seized other foodstuffs. Starving farmers attempted to leave their villages in search of food, but Soviet authorities issued a decree forbidding Ukraine’s peasants from leaving the country. As a result, many thousands of farmers who had managed to leave their villages were apprehended and sent back, virtually a death sentence. A law was introduced that made the theft of even a few stalks of grain an act of sabotage punishable by execution. In some cases, soldiers were posted in watchtowers to prevent people from taking any of the harvest. Although informed of the dire conditions in Ukraine, central authorities ordered local officials to extract even more from the villages. Millions starved as the USSR sold crops from Ukraine abroad.

The USSR vigorously denied that the Holodomor had occurred. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Communist Party, secret police, and government archives that have become accessible to researchers support the conclusion that the famine was caused by Soviet state policies and was indeed intentionally intensified by Soviet authorities.

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International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - Nov 25

Women's rights activists have observed 25 November as a day against gender-based violence since 1981. This date was selected to honour the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).

On 20 December 1993, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women through resolution 48/104, paving the path towards eradicating violence against women and girls worldwide.

Finally, on 7 February 2000, the General Assembly adopted resolution 54/134, officially designating 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and in doing so, inviting governments, international organizations as well as NGOs to join together and organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the issue every year on that date.

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women — almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life. This scourge has intensified in different settings, including the workplace and online spaces, and has been exacerbated by post-pandemic effects, conflicts, and climate change.

The solution lies in robust responses, including investment in prevention. However, alarmingly, data on how much nations are committing to counteract violence against women and girls remains glaringly sparse. For instance, just 5% of government aid is focused on tackling violence against women and girls, and less than 0.2% is directed to its prevention. We need more investment in women’s organizations, better legislation, prosecution of perpetrators, more services for survivors, and training for law enforcement officials.

Read more here.

Day of the Covenant - Nov 25

Bahá’ís commemorate 11 holy days each year. These occasions are usually observed with community gatherings in large or small settings, with programs befitting the significance of the day.  Day of the Covenant commemorates Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the One to whom His followers should turn after His passing. 

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Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur - Nov 24

Guru Tegh Bahadur, 1621-75

Born in Amritsar, Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of the ten Gurus who founded Sikhism. He's honoured and remembered as the man who championed the rights for all religious freedom.

Contributions

He taught liberation from attachment, fear, and dependence. Strength should be gained through truth, worship, sacrifice, and knowledge.

During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Islam was imposed on the people. Hindu temples were demolished and turned into mosques, higher taxes were charged to non-Muslims and the Emperor persecuted those who would not conform to Islamic law.

Guru Tegh Bahadur spoke out amid this persecution. He refused to convert to Islam and in 1675, he was beheaded in Delhi. The site of his execution was later turned into an important Gurdwara.

He's also remembered for his poetry, much of which is included in the Guru Granth Sahib.

He married Bibi Gujjari and they had one son: the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

He founded the city of Anandpur which later became a centre of Sikhism.

Source

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).

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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. 

Sources/Resources: 

• GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)

• Center for Constitutional Rights (USA)

• Trans Wellness Ontario

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):

• harm, fear, or distress to another person, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual's reputation or harm to the individual's property.

• create a negative environment at school for another individual.

What is Cyberbullying?

• creating a site or blog where the owner assumes the identity of another person

• impersonating another person as the author of content or messages posted online

• communicating material electronically to others or posting on a website that is accessible by more than one person.

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:

• Arrange a meeting for you and your child with the teacher and/or principal/vice principal.

• Bring with you the specific information you've gathered about the bullying incident(s).

• Work with your child and school personnel on a plan to address what your child needs right now to feel safe; what your child can do to avoid being bullied and to stand up to any future bullying; and who your child can go to for help.  

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

• PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network) is a national network of Canadian researchers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
  Governments committed to stop bullying. The site offers a wide range of resources for educators, parents and community members.

• Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)

• Ontario Ministry of Education: Safe Schools

• 24 hour crisis line 905-878-9785 (Toll free in Halton)

• Kids Help phone line  1-800-668-6868

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.

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.