Recognizing Diversity

To everyone who celebrates – Happy Chinese New Year! 

In 2025, the Chinese New Year will start on Wednesday, January 29^th celebrating the Year of the Snake until February 16^th, 2026. The Year of the Snake is a symbol of wisdom and transformation.

The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most celebrated and significant festival in China and among Chinese communities around the world.

It marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, which represent different characteristics and fortunes.

On the first day of the new year people, especially children, wear new clothes. Wearing new red clothes on New Year’s Day symbolizes a fresh start and invites good luck. Red is also the dominant color for decorations including red lanterns, paper cuttings, and strings of chili peppers.

February is Black History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions and accomplishments of the Black community across Canada and in our community.

Black History month is also an invitation to unpack racism and engage with each other to unravel how racism shows up in our systems and community. We hope you join the dialogue and engage in your own journey to learning. 

To continue your learning, we share resources at the Davidson Centre during Black History Month. You can also find more information here.

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Friday, February 28th and end on Sunday, March 30th, 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon. As the Islamic calendar is based around the lunar cycle, the Holy month of Ramadan rotates by approximately ten days each year.

Ramadan is a month-long religious celebration recognized by approximately 1.8 billion Muslims around the world. It is a time to detoxify one's soul through worship, spiritual reflection, and practicing self-control. 

For each day of Ramadan, fasting consists of abstaining from eating or drinking, including water, while the sun is out. Once the sun has set, Muslims eat dinner, a meal called “iftar” in Arabic. Iftar is generally a community-focused meal, where family members and friends come together for the blessed occasion. Afterwards, eating and drinking during the night is allowed until dawn of the next day.

While Muslims are expected to meet their daily schedule obligations for school and work, some accommodations maybe needed. For example, consider avoiding food-centric events and high energy activities during Ramadan and where possible, provide a quiet space and allow short breaks for prayer. 

On Ramadan, it is customary to wish someone a “Happy Ramadan” or “Have a generous Ramadan.”

To learn more about the dos and don’ts during Ramadan read this article by Dr Omar Ayoub.

Every year on March 8th we recognize International Women's Day. 

International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we build a better community. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

International Women's Day provides a useful opportunity to reinforce the fact that everyone has a role to play in forging a more gender-balanced world. IWD is for celebrating the achievements of women and/or calling for gender parity.

Reflect and have discussions on the following:

• The rise of women is not about the fall of men.
• Everyone can play a role in forging gender parity.
• Gender balance is not solely a women's issue, but also an economic issue.
• What is bias and how does it play out?
• Advocacy, inclusive mindsets and tangible action are needed from all.
• Watch a video

To find out more visit the International Women's Day website.

Holi, a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated throughout India, takes place this year on March 13th and March 14^th, 2025.

What is Holi?

Holi celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring, the blossoming of love and for many, it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

Which religion celebrates Holi?

The Holi Festival is primarily celebrated by Hindus, but one of its main themes is unity. Everyone is welcome to participate. So, while the Holi Festival is rooted in Hindu tradition, it is a celebration that happens all over the world.

How do people celebrate Holi?

During Holi people throw coloured powder and water at each other, symbolizing joy. They also light a fire, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. It is truly a community event where everyone gathers to share sweets, laughter, and joy with family and friends.

Every year we recognize World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st. The theme for 2025 is: “Improve Our Support Systems.” Just like everyone else, people with Down syndrome and their families need support within the communities they live.

Community Living Kincardine & District challenges the community to wear brightly coloured socks to celebrate inclusion and create awareness of the goals of World Down Syndrome Day. Colourful socks look a little like chromosomes and are a fun way to celebrate. Whatever the colour and design, whether mismatched or matched, socks are socks and people are people, with or without Down syndrome. More information about this challenge is found on the CLKD website.

The idea is to start a conversation, so when people ask you about your socks you can tell them, “I’m wearing them to raise awareness of Down syndrome”.

About World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. March 21 (3.21) was chosen as the date for WDSD to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. What do chromosomes have to do with it? Down Syndrome is the result of a person being born with an extra 21st chromosome (3 instead of 2). 

Resources for World Down Syndrome Day

• The Canadian Down Syndrome Society has put together resources to learn more about Down syndrome and also has activities that can be adapted to a variety of ages, such as a slideshow presentation, videos, and other activities. This resource can be found at World Down Syndrome Day 
• You can find a great video explaining Down syndrome produced by the Down Syndrome Research Foundation at What is Down Syndrome?
• The video Just Like You is another great video about Down syndrome, although slightly longer. It is found at Just Like You.
• Members of Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society co-wrote a song with 3x Juno Award-nominated songwriter and music producer Alysha Brilla for World Down Syndrome Day in 2021, celebrating inclusivity. You can find the music video here: 3-2-1 Dance! (Rock Your Socks) - WWDSS featuring Kreative Kash & Ren F. 

Eid in Arabic means “feast, festival, holiday.” Eid is a worldwide festival and celebration for Muslims. During the calendar year there are two Eid's that are celebrated by Muslims.

The first Eid is called Eid al-Fitr, which means “festival to break the fast.” This Eid is at the end of the month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast for the whole month. 

Some Eid traditions include dressing up, eating with family and friends and heading to a mosque for special prayers just after dawn. Afterward, it's recommended to take an alternative route home than the one you took to the mosque, with the idea of spreading joy and riches everywhere you go and to the most people possible.

Sending someone a message or making a phone call to wish someone a Happy Eid is a thoughtful and kind gesture.

Happy Eid to those who celebrate!  

April 18th, 2025 - Good Friday 
April 21st, 2025 - Easter

For all those who celebrate Happy Easter!

Easter is a Christian celebration, usually at the end of March or early April. It is the day when Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth came back from the dead. Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way to renew daily hope that we have victory over sin. Easter follows a period of fasting called Lent, in which many churches set aside time for repentance and remembrance.

Easter, like Christmas, has accumulated many traditions, some have little to do with the religious aspect but derive from folk customs of the past. For many of us, the first image of Easter that comes to mind is the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs. So how did a rabbit distributing eggs become a part of Easter?

There are several reasons for the rabbit, or hare, to be associated with Easter, all of which come through pagan celebrations or beliefs. The most obvious is the hare’s fertility as rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (called kittens), so they became a symbol of new life. Easter comes during spring and celebrates new life. The hare is also an ancient symbol for the moon. The date of Easter depends on the moon. This may have helped the hare to be absorbed into Easter celebrations.

In Southern Germany, the first pastry and candy Easter bunnies became popular at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This custom also crossed the Atlantic, and children (and adults) still eat candy rabbits – particularly chocolate ones – at Easter.

The easter egg hunt, seems to have multiple origins. For example, the New York Times 1899 article notes that in "In Scotland, it used to be the custom on Easter Sunday for young people to go out early in the morning to search for the eggs of various wild fowls for breakfast, it being though most lucky to find them."

Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life.

For all those who celebrate, Happy Easter!

Sources:

CBS News Story: Easter Bunny

National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) is observed annually on May 5th. This is a day to honour and remember all missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBT+ People who are more than twelve times as likely to go missing or be murdered than any other population in Canada. 

From 2015-2019, Canada conducted a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, (Home Page - Final Report | MMIWG (mmiwg-ffada.ca)which concluded:

“The National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people. The two volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country.”

“Colonial violence, as well as racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people, has become embedded in everyday life – whether this is through interpersonal forms of violence, through institutions like the healthcare system and the justice system, or in the laws, policies and structures of Canadian society. The result has been that many Indigenous people have grown up normalized to violence, while Canadian society shows an appalling apathy to addressing the issue. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls finds that this amounts to genocide.” (Executive Summary of Final Report)

To support the ongoing learning, we invite you to continue your learned and explore the following resources: 

• Podcast: CBC’s Finding Cleo. Where is Cleo? Apprehended by child welfare authorities as part of a wave now known as the Sixties Scoop, and adopted in the U.S., the young Cree girl is believed to have been raped and murdered while hitchhiking back home to Saskatchewan. CBC offers additional support material.
  • Season 1: Highlights the interconnected and complex nature of the ongoing tragedy of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In 1989, 24-year-old Alberta Williams was found dead along the Highway of Tears near Prince Rupert, B.C. Police never caught her killer. Twenty-seven years later, her unsolved murder continues to haunt her family. Additional resources available.
  • Season 2: Highlights the interconnected and complex nature of the ongoing tragedy of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 
• Podcast: Warrior Life by Pam Palmater (numerous related episodes including “Judy Wilson & Ellen Gabriel on Canada's Failed National Action Plan,” “Canada's Genocide: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women and Girls”)
• Video: CBC A look back at the MMIWG inquiry (3:52)
• Video: CBC Docs: Peace River Rising: The link between violence against Indigenous women and violence against the land (9:36)

Every year, starting on the last Sunday in May, Canadians celebrate National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and promote efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion in Canada. Did you know that today, roughly one in five Canadians identify as having a disability, and that number is growing as our population ages. 

The Rick Hansen Foundation creates and delivers innovative solutions that lead to a global movement to remove barriers and liberate the potential of people with disabilities. Through the Foundation they have created resources to help break down one of the most fundamental barriers that people with disabilities still face: physical barriers in the places where we live, work, learn and play.

To learn more about these Accessibility Resources visit: 

Accessibility Resources | Rick Hansen Foundation

To learn more about what the Municipality of Kincardine is doing to remove barriers for people living with disabilities see the attached summary visit this page.

Pride Month celebrations were born from the Stonewall Riots of late June 1969. One year late, in June 1970, Stonewall rioters organized a march to Central Park in support of “Gay Pride”, building on the spirit of resistance built through the riots. The march expanded to other cities and grew in popularity throughout the 1970s. 

Kincardine proudly hosts its own Pride Parade every June.

Indigenous History Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the histories, sacrifices, culture, contributions, and strengths of Indigenous Peoples, recognizing that knowledge is a key component of the journey towards reconciliation.

For Indigenous Peoples, the month is an invitation to celebrate history in the spirit of pride and preservation; For non-Indigenous Canadians, it’s an opportunity to learn and recognize the role Indigenous Peoples have played - and continue to play - in shaping Canada.

June is Seniors Month in Ontario. The Province of Ontario has created a guide to make it easier to find programs and services available for seniors in Ontario, including tax credits, health, caregiving, housing, transportation and staying safe. Download this guide.

The Municipality of Kincardine will be at the Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce Seniors Forum on June 22 at the Davidson Centre. Hope to see you there!

Happy Eid to those who celebrate! 

Learning the history and developing an understanding of different cultures and religions in our community helps us become aware, rethink any assumptions and better understand the similarities across traditions. 

Eid in Arabic means “feast, festival, holiday.” Eid is a worldwide festival and celebration for Muslims. During the calendar year there are two Eid's that are celebrated by Muslims. 

The first Eid is called Eid ul Fitr, which means “festival to break the fast.” This Eid is at the end of the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast for a whole month. 

The second Eid is Eid al-Adha, which begins at sundown on June 6th, 2025. Eid al-Adha is a significant annual Islamic observance for many Muslims in Canada.  It is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice as it commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son to God. Eid al-Adha is also a time for forgiveness and compassion.

Some Eid traditions include dressing up, eating with family and friends and heading to a mosque for special prayers just after dawn. Afterward, it's recommended to take an alternative route home than the one you took to the mosque, with the idea of spreading joy and riches everywhere you go and to the most people possible.

Sending someone a message or making a phone call to wish someone a Happy Eid is a thoughtful and kind gesture.

On March 24th, 2021, members of Canadian parliament unanimously voted to designate August 1st as Emancipation Day in Canada.

Why Recognize Emancipation Day?

• Emancipation Day is an opportunity to learn more about the history of African people and communities, and to continue to address and eradicate systemic anti-Black racism.
• The day will also allow us, as a community, to reflect and acknowledge our shared history of the enslavement of people of African descent in Canada.
• Celebrating Emancipation Day will also provide us with an opportunity to maintain ongoing meaningful dialogue around race relations and inclusive communities.
• Most importantly, the day encourages us to educate ourselves and take action.

To find out more visit: 

Government of Canada

Owen Sound Emancipation Festival

The Emancipation Festival located in Grey Bruce and Simcoe Counties has the distinction of being the longest continuously running Emancipation Picnic/Festival in North America. The Emancipation Festival board of directors works in tandem with numerous community and cultural organizations to recognize Underground Railroad destination points (Owen Sound being the most northerly terminus of the Underground Railroad) and individuals descendent from the slaves who traveled its path. 

• History - Emancipation Festival
• Emancipation Reads - Emancipation Festival
• Events - Emancipation Festival

NationalDayforTruthandReconciliation and OrangeShirtDay are recognized annually on September 30th. It's a day to honour the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit children who did not return home from Canada's residential schools, to honour the survivors, their families, and their communities.

We hope you'll join us in wearing orange. We also hope you'll join us beyond September 30th, as an ally to Indigenous Peoples year-round. One way to demonstrate allyship is to continue learning (and unlearning) the history of First Nations peoples.

October is Islamic History Month, proclaimed in 2007 as a time to recognize the significant role that Muslim communities play in Canadian society and highlight their extraordinary contributions.

In the Municipality of Kincardine, the Kincardine Islamic Centre operates as a community centre serving the social service needs of the Muslim community in Kincardine and the surrounding area.

Learn more from the Islamic History Month website about the history of Islam in Canada and recognize the many achievements of Muslim Canadians in the arts, sports, academics, sciences, literature and their communities. 

Together, we have the opportunity to recognize the ongoing challenges and barriers Muslim Canadians face in the face of racism and hate and work to combat all forms of discrimination, Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence directed at Muslim communities across the country. 

Happy Canadian Islamic History Month!

To all those celebrating, we hope you have a blessed, healthy and prosperous Deepawali (also known as Diwali).

Diwali 2025, the festival of lights, will be celebrated on October 21st. Deepawali, is an important cultural and religious holiday originating in India. The holiday has many different meanings but one of the key themes of Deepawali is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil. 

Deepawali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs around the world and has a lot in common with other global holidays. The gatherings, gift exchanges, fireworks, and lights of Deepawali are reminiscent of other celebrations such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Chinese New Year.

Deepawali has its unique significance, drawing from different legends and traditions of the Vedic era. It's also a time when daylight is really dwindling and the days are growing shorter, especially in the northern hemisphere and end of harvest season. During this relaxing time we are in need of company, light, sweets, and festivities.

You can wish anyone you know, from your neighbours to your coworkers – Happy Deepawali. Wishing everyone Shubh (happy) Deepawali!

Read more about Diwali.

Observed since the end of the First World War in 1919, Commonwealth countries honour veterans who gave their lives in service to their country and acknowledge the continued efforts of those serving in the Canadian Armed Forces on November 11th, Remembrance Day.

The Royal Canadian Legion provides advocacy and support to veterans and provides learning resources on their website for those wishing to learn more.

Lest We Forget.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually on November 20th and commemorates the trans, two-spirit and non-binary people who have lost their lives to transphobic violence. It also honours those who continue to face violence and discrimination as they work for more just and inclusive communities.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people and publicly mourns and honors the lives of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

What does transgender mean? How can you be an ally to transgender people? Learn more about Transgender Day of Remembrance or learn tips when talking about Trans People. 

December 3rd, is recognized annually as the International Day of People with Disabilities - a global event celebrating achievements of people with a disability.

In 1981, the United Nations proclaimed this as a recognized day for the celebration of the achievements of people living with disabilities across the world.

Today, we invite you to raise awareness of the challenges faced by over 1 billion people living with disabilities, and the role communities and societies play in accelerating the eradication of barriers to social inclusion, equity, participation, and citizenship.

For tips to increase equity and inclusion for people with disabilities, take a look at the DEI best practices collection created by Disability:IN:

On December 6, 1989, 14 young women were killed at Polytechnique Montréal because of their gender.

December 6th, is recognized annually as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in remembrance of the victims of that tragedy: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.

December 21st is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Many Indigenous communities acknowledge this day as a time for quiet, reflection, and hope. 

Yuletide’s roots are old and representative of more than one culture. Spanning December 21st to January 1st, the Yuletide refers to the festive season that typically falls between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day or Epiphany. 

Popularized by the sitcom Seinfeld, Festivus is an authentic holiday dating back to 1966. A secular, non-commercial holiday, it is celebrated on December 23rd.

December 25th is the annual religious and cultural celebration recognizing the birth of Jesus Christ. Customs associated with the holiday vary between faiths and countries, with households often recognizing their own unique traditions at this time.

The evening of December 25th, 2024 marks the beginning of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. The 8-day Jewish festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day. People of Jewish faith celebrate by lighting the menorah, playing the game of dreidel and eating special holiday foods like latkes and sufganiyot.

Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Jewish people over persecution and oppression, and the forces of light over darkness. It is a time to celebrate miracles, both big and small, and reflect on how blessed we are to live where our cultural freedoms are protected.

To everyone celebrating, Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah Sameach! 

Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach in 1966, Kwanzaa is an annual week-long celebration that is observed from December 26 to January 1.

Following the Watts Riots that took place in LA Dr Karenga was keen to create an event that would unite African-Americans. He wanted African-Americans to have an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history instead of imitation of participation of the dominant society. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African first fruit (harvest) celebrations. Karenga combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and those of the Zulu, to form the basis of Kwanzaa.

This celebration is based around seven major principles which are, according to Karenga, a communitarian African philosophy: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. On each of the seven nights of the week long celebration, families gather together and light one of the seven candles of the Kinara. Usually a discussion about the one specific principles takes place.

Kwanzaa also has its own symbols which include: a decorative mat, an ear of corn, crops, the Unity Cup, gifts, the seven candles and candleholder. All the symbols are designed to convey the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

Many African-Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa observe it as an additional celebration to Christmas.