Several months of significance are observed in Canada and recognized at Niagara College every October, including Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, Women’s History Month, Islamic History Month Canada; Latin American and Hispanic Heritage Month; and German Heritage Month.
Learn more about these months below and register for an upcoming webinar (Oct. 17) on Islamophobia hosted by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (more information below).
Also observed in October are:
- Queer History Month (View InsideNC article to learn about events and activities taking place this month at NC)
- Oct. 4: Sisters in Spirit National Day of Action for MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ people (View InsideNC article for more information and to learn how NC is commemorating the day)
- Oct. 7-11: Disability Awareness Week (View InsideNC article for learning opportunities and events organized by NC’s Centre for Academic Excellence and Health, Wellness & Accessibility Services department)
Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
During Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, Canadians are encouraged to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which affects approximately one in 50 children and youth aged one to 17 (view report: Autism spectrum disorder: Highlights from the 2019 Canadian health survey on children and youth).
NC’s Autism and Behavioural Sciences program delivers a comprehensive and dynamic educational experience for those interested in making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with ASD.
The one-year graduate certificate program incorporates the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis and teaches students to develop skill-building programs and behaviour intervention plans. Students gain hands-on experience through 350 placement hours in schools and therapeutic settings and can participate in special initiatives with NC’s community partners.
Read the InsideNC articles below to learn about some of these initiatives designed for children with ASD, including a dental care program that began in 2018, and a special collaboration that offered barrier-free games and activities earlier this year.
- InsideNC: NC and Bethesda host dental clinics for children with autism
- InsideNC: Student-led events co-hosted by NC and Bethesda facilitate inclusive play for children
To learn more about ASD, visit the Autism Canada website or social media channels.
Women’s History Month
Since 1992, Canada has celebrated Women’s History Month in October, acknowledging the achievements of women and girls throughout the country’s history.
This year’s theme, “Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future,” highlights the significant contributions women have made to the workforce, including in non-traditional fields, and the important role they continue to play in driving Canada’s economic innovation and progress.
Visit the Women of Impact in Canada online gallery to learn about the contributions and achievements of the exceptional women who have made an impact in politics, the arts and sciences, and countless other fields.
German Heritage Month
October is an opportunity to recognize, celebrate and learn more about the significant contributions of one of Canada’s largest cultural communities – the German community, which includes more than three million people.
This month, communities across Canada host their own Oktoberfest celebrations to honour German culture and heritage. The well-known Bavarian festival is held annually in Munich, Germany from mid- to late-September to the first Sunday in October, featuring traditional outfits, food, song, dance and beer. This year marks the 189th Oktoberfest.
Kitchener-Waterloo hosts the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, attracting more than 700,000 people according to tour operator Canadian Affair. The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is celebrating its 56th annual festival this year from Sept. 27 to Oct. 19.
Locally, the Niagara German-Canadian Club is a hub for the German-Canadian community to promote the understanding of German-Canadian culture and history. Visit the club’s website for resources and local events. Additional information can be found in the Canadian Encyclopedia.
Islamic History Month Canada
This year’s theme for Islamic History Month Canada (IHMC) is “Health and Healing,” celebrating the contributions of Muslim scholars and scientists to the field of medicine.
Among the pioneers whose work laid the foundation for modern healthcare practices are:
- Ibn Sina (Avicenna), whose seminal work, The Canon of Medicine, is often regarded as one of the most influential medical texts ever written and was used as a reference in both the Islamic world and Europe for centuries.
- Al-Razi (Rhazes), whose contributions include Kitab al-Hawi and Kitab al-Mansuri, is celebrated for his work on the diagnosis and treatment of smallpox and measles.
- Ibn al-Nafis, whose discovery of pulmonary circulation marked a significant advancement in understanding the human cardiovascular system.
Learn more about these remarkable innovators and the contributions of Canada’s Muslim communities on the Islamic History Month website.
An educational guide titled “Canadian Islamic History Month” is also available for download on the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) website at ccdi.ca/resources/.
Register for the CCDI’s webinar on Islamophobia
On Oct. 17 from 1 to 2 p.m., the CCDI is hosting a webinar titled Islamophobia, featuring Mohamed Hashim, Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF). Hashim will discuss the evolution of Islamophobia in Canada, its impacts in communities and the workplace, and how individuals and organizations who fear further polarization and backlash can engage in this national discourse to address bias and hate against Muslims. The CRRF’s new online harms bill will also be discussed.
NC employees are invited to register for the webinar on the CCDI website by 4 p.m. on October 16. When prompted to “select the type of registration that is most appropriate for you” during the registration process, choose “Employer Partner.”
An educational guide titled “Islamophobia” is available for download on the CCDI website at ccdi.ca/resources/.
Latin American & Hispanic Heritage Month
This month gives us the opportunity to learn more about the Latin American & Hispanic community, a large and growing community in Canada, with representation from the 20 Latin American countries (and one territory) where Spanish is the official language.
To learn more about Latin American & Hispanic Canadians and the significant contributions made by this community, visit the Hispanic Canadian Arts & Cultural Association website, the Canadian Encyclopedia, or the CCDI website where an educational guide titled “Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month” is available for download at ccdi.ca/resources/.
The Sur Gallery in Toronto, a project of Latin American-Canadian Art Projects is also dedicated to the implementation of art projects that showcase and promote contemporary Latin American and Latinx artistic practices.
A number of local organizations are dedicated to supporting Latin American & Hispanic Canadians, including:
- Iglesia Cristiana de Port Colborne
- Niagara Folk Arts
- TOES Niagara
