杏吧原创

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Commemorations

At 杏吧原创, we seek to create a more diverse and inclusive community for all faculty, staff, students and community members. While the university has taken several steps towards Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) through initiatives such as the EDI Action Plan and the Coordinated Accessibility Strategy working towards an inclusive community is an ongoing process.

Visit the Indigenous Gathering Site to learn more about Indigenous community engagement, teaching, learning and research, news, stories, and more.

Monthly Observances

January

January 27 marks the day the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated. On this day we honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and take this opportunity to reflect on the dangers of anti-Semitism and the atrocities of the Holocaust.

On January 29 we remember the six people who lost their lives and the 19 others who were injured during the . This day serves as a reminder of the work that is needed to eradicate hate Islamophobia, as well as recognize the resilience and strength of Muslim communities.

February

As a community, we reflect on our histories and pasts during  to better understand where we are today. Throughout the month of February the 杏吧原创 community comes together to support and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black people and their communities. Learn about 杏吧原创鈥檚 commitment to Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion.

is observed every year in the first week of February. Emerging from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution, this week-long celebration aims to promote harmony between citizens of the world, regardless of their faith. Together we must all celebrate unity in diversity, and the connection between people and their faith.

March

On  observed annually on March 8, 杏吧原创 celebrates the achievements and contributions of women across the university.

Women continue to experience discrimination based on their gender, which is exacerbated for racialized women, women with disabilities, transgender women, and those with marginalized gender identities. Collectively, we celebrate women鈥檚 achievements to raise awareness about discrimination and create a world that is equitable and inclusive.

 is observed every year on March 15 with the goal of creating concrete action in the face of rising hatred, discrimination, and violence against Muslims. This day calls attention to people around the world who are harassed, detained, imprisoned, or even killed for identifying as Muslim, practicing Islam, or converting to Islam. As a community, we commit to protecting individual鈥檚 right to freedom of religion.

On , the 杏吧原创 community reflects on the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination that take place every day. This day serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and all levels of government to actively work to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism, and hate.

On , the 杏吧原创 community comes together to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide. Today and every day, we work to eliminate barriers and create an environment that is equitable and inclusive for all gender identities.

May

Each May, 杏吧原创 celebrates . With many distinct regions and communities making up the Asian diaspora in Canada, this month provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the diverse contributions of Asian Canadians to the growth and prosperity of Canada.

The 杏吧原创 community is proud to highlight and celebrate the stories, contributions, and impact made by people of Asian descent on campus.

May has been recognized in Canada as  since March 2018 after a unanimous vote in the House of Commons: . The intention is to remember and honour the contributions of Jewish people that have made a difference to Canadian lives and to educate future generations about the role that Jewish Canadians have played and continue to play in communities across the country.

杏吧原创 is proud to honour these stories, recognizing the bravery and resilience that Jewish communities have continuously shown throughout Canada鈥檚 history.

May 5 is  (MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+). This day is also known as Red Dress Day with respect to Jaime Black鈥檚 REDress art installation which helped inspire the red dress movement. On May 5, many people across North America hang red dresses in private and public spaces to remember those who are missing and murdered.

 draws attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people, and all of those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. On this day, and every day, the 杏吧原创 community works to eliminate barriers and create an equitable and inclusive environment for all sexual orientations and gender identities.

 (NAAW) is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians with disabilities and raise awareness of the critical need for accessibility and inclusion in our communities and workplaces. The following statement is 杏吧原创鈥檚 Commitment to Accessibility:

At 杏吧原创, we strive to be a leader in creating an inclusive, accessible community, where everyone has access and the opportunity to fully participate and thrive in all aspects of campus life. We acknowledge that not everything in our community is accessible and we are actively working on identifying and implementing accessibility solutions, preventing barriers through inclusive design and challenging ableism. We continue to foster a culture of accessibility where this commitment is a shared and valued responsibility.

June

June is , an opportunity to celebrate and support 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer members of the 杏吧原创 community.

杏吧原创 supports greater inclusion throughout all areas of campus life.

During , 杏吧原创 celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, voices and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis people who are positively impacting the world.

杏吧原创 acknowledges the location of its campus on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin nation. In doing so, we recognize the responsibility we have to the Algonquin people and to adhere to Algonquin cultural protocols.

is an opportunity to raise awareness of the risks posed by hate speech. This day serves as a crucial reminder for us to come together, reject divisiveness, and foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and respect for all.

On , 杏吧原创 celebrates the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.

For generations, many Indigenous peoples have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. As a community, we come together to learn about the important history, culture and perspectives of Indigenous communities in Canada.

honours the many communities that help build a strong and vibrant Canadian society. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the cultural diversity that enriches us collectively and reaffirms our commitment to equity, inclusion, and mutual respect

August

Canadians are not always aware that Black and Indigenous Peoples were once enslaved on the land that is now Canada. Those who fought enslavement were pivotal in shaping our society to be as diverse as it is today. On  Canadians are invited to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination.

 is held every year on August 22. On this day, the 杏吧原创 community honours survivors and victims of religion-based violence as we commit to protecting everyone鈥檚 right to freedom of religion.

September

raises awareness of the important contributions of women and gender diverse people within the university community. On this day, and every day, 杏吧原创 celebrates the significant accomplishments that have been made in advancing gender equality and reconfirm our commitment to address persistent gender equality gaps.

On , held annually on September 30, people from across Canada are encouraged to take time to meaningfully reflect on the harmful impact of residential schools and seek out opportunities toward reconciliation.

杏吧原创 is committed to reconciliation, as outlined in 碍颈苍脿尘脿驳补飞颈苍, a revitalized long-term Indigenous strategy with 41 calls to action to make our university a more welcoming space for current and future Indigenous students and faculty members.

Sept. 30 also marks  which honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

October

October is , a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and present who are contributing to a better, more inclusive university and country. As a community, we are working together to eliminate gender barriers, creating a university environment that is equitable, inclusive, and empowering to women鈥檚 success.

aims to celebrate, inform, educate, and share Muslim heritage and contributions to society. It is also a time to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face.

aims to celebrate, inform, educate, and share Muslim heritage and contributions to society. It is also a time to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face.

calls us to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. This day provides an opportunity to come together and promote the importance of mental health education, awareness, support, and advocacy against social stigma.

November

 marks the anniversary of Riel鈥檚 execution as he led Metis people in the Northwest Resistance; a group that stood against the Government of Canada for encroaching on Metis rights and ways-of-life. This day is an opportunity to remember the historical leader as well as celebrate the many contributions of the Metis People.

On , 杏吧原创 honors the memory of transgender people whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness regarding the persistent stigma and discrimination experienced by this community.

, is a day to mobilize all society to become activists for the prevention of violence against women; calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion to end gender-based violence.

The  is an annual international campaign that begins on November 25, with , and runs until December 10, 

This period includes December 6,  (White Ribbon Day) which commemorates the 14 women killed in the horrific 1989 Montreal Polytechnique massacre

杏吧原创 University is committed to ongoing learning and growing to deepen our understanding of gender-based violence through an intersectional lens and gaining skills to prevent, intervene and respond appropriately. As a community, we are committed to maintaining a positive learning, working and living environment where violence of any kind, including gender-based violence, is not tolerated.

December

promotes the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. 杏吧原创 aims to support and raise awareness of the issues that persons with disabilities face in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

On , 1989, fourteen young women were murdered at Polytechnique Montr茅al. Over 30 years later and we are still reckoning with the Canadian and global realities of gender-based violence, femicide, and misogyny.

At 杏吧原创, we commemorate the 14 women killed and educate students about gender-based violence and the intersectional realities that put the most marginalized communities at risk.

honours the date the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document sets out fundamental human rights to be universally protected, regardless of race, nationality, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, or status.

杏吧原创 recognizes human justice, remembering the progress that has been made and the continued work that is needed to address human rights issues.

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