This year Canada as a colonized country is 150 years old. And we’re going to celebrate. I imagine that on July 1 there will be a plethora of festivities, with flags and music and who knows what else. Canada means different things to different people, for sure. You can read more …
Celebrations
Happy New Year!
2017 has started, but it’s not the beginning of a New Year for everyone – just those of us who go by the Gregorian calendar (the internationally accepted civil calendar - also known as the Western or Christian calendar. It's only been in use for a few hundred years - read more here.) This is …
It’s Holiday Time!
If you live in North America, it’s hard to not know that this coming weekend is Christmas. Many of us have been bombarded with decorations, commercials, Santas in shopping malls, and Christmas carols on the radio and in stores for the last month – sometimes more! If you’re Christian, or if you’re …
Why I Won’t be Saying Happy Canada Day Today
Today I put my foot in my mouth, big time. I mentioned it was Canada Day to a new American friend, and cheekily suggested he could wish me a happy one. And he is Indigenous. Yup. That's right. I will give you a moment to let that sink in. I have been doing Diversity & Inclusion work …
[Continue reading] Why I Won’t be Saying Happy Canada Day Today
Happy Holidays?
Yesterday I was in a downtown Toronto office. As soon as the elevator doors opened onto the 7th floor I could already see the Christmas decorations. The person I was meeting with is Jewish. So I asked him as we looked at the Christmas tree, where the Menorah was. He looked a bit uncomfortable for …
Mother’s Day – while celebrating inclusion
Thanks to my toddler I've had some interesting conversations with her Daycare teachers recently about being inclusive of all types of families. They are a great daycare and a super team, and don't mean to be exclusive - in fact, they regularly remind the kids if they are fighting over who gets to …
[Continue reading] Mother’s Day – while celebrating inclusion
Halloween – Through a Diversity Lens
It's been a long time since I handed out Halloween candy, and even longer since I went out trick or treating. But my re-entry into the sugary costumed world last night has me thinking. Of the many children who showed up at the door, I would say only about 50% were costumed. I remember teenagers …
Happy New Year!
No, I'm not 23 days late. Today is Chinese New Year - celebrated by about 1 in 7 people worldwide. So while 2012 began 23 days ago, it's wasn't the new year for everyone. Although the Gregorian calendar is used and recognized by people, businesses and schools around the world, and New Year's Eve …
Happy Holidays…?
It's that time of the year. There are a few celebrations converging, even though in Toronto we are only really bombarded with one. Everywhere. From the music in the shopping malls, to the beer ads in the bus shelters, you can't get away from Christmas. And if you step into a dollar store, you might …