Recognition of Heritage and History Months

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The Halton District School Board is proud to recognize important days and months of significance throughout the school year including Heritage and History Months, as formally identified and recognized by the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

The intention behind the creation of Heritage and History Months has been to highlight and commemorate the contributions of communities whose identities and lived experiences are often underrepresented in the school system.

While officially acknowledging Heritage and History Months is important, we know the power of this act is in how it can be leveraged to create inclusive learning environments throughout the year; ones where students feel affirmed and that they belong.

Provincially and Federally Recognized Heritage & History Months

The following is the current list of provincially and federally recognized Heritage and History Months along with the references to accompanying legislation.

October

Hispanic Heritage Month
October is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Hispanic people in the province. For more information, view the Hispanic Heritage Month Act, 2015, S.O. 2015, c. 4.

Latin Heritage Month
Latin Heritage Month aims to celebrate, share and promote the unique culture and traditions of the Latin community in Canada. For more information, view the Latin American Heritage Month Act S.C. 2018, c. 19.

Hungarian Heritage Month
Hungarian Heritage Month recognizes the incredible and innumerable contributions of Ontarians of Hungarian descent, and esteems their important role in the economy, culture, politics and identity of Ontario. For more information, view the Hungarian Heritage Month Act, 2022, S.O. 2022, c. 6 - Bill 50.

Islamic History Month
Islamic History Month aims to celebrate, inform, educate and share the rich heritage and contributions Muslim Canadians have made in our society. For more information, view the Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 20.

Korean Heritage Month
In October, we remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Korean Canadians in the province of Ontario. For more information, view the Korean Heritage Month Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 31 - Bill 123.

Women's History Month
October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s Women's History Month webpage.

German Heritage Month
In German Heritage Month, we celebrate the remarkable contributions Canadians of German heritage have made and continue to make to our country. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s website.

November

Albanian Heritage Month

November is a significant month for the Albanian community. People of Albanian origin celebrate the Albanian Declaration of Independence and Liberation Day, the day that Albania was liberated from Nazi Germany forces, this month. For more information, view the Albanian Heritage Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 29.

Hindu Heritage Month

Hindu Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Hindu Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario. For more information, view the Hindu Heritage Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 35.

Lebanese Heritage Month

Lebanese Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Lebanese Canadians and their continuing role in helping to foster growth, prosperity and innovation throughout Ontario. For more information, view the Lebanese Heritage Month Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 27 - Bill 60.

January

Tamil Heritage Month

Tamils began migrating to Ontario as early as the 1940s. The province of Ontario recognizes the valuable contributions that Tamil Canadians have made to Ontario’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric. For more information, view the Tamil Heritage Month Act, 2014, S.O. 2014, c. 4.

February

Black History Month

Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present. Throughout our history, Black Canadians have played a key role in building and shaping the diverse, compassionate and prosperous country that we are proud to call home. For more information, view the Black History Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 1 - Bill 159.

March

Bangladeshi Heritage Month

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. For more information, view the Bangladeshi Heritage Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 32.

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. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s website.

Hellenic Heritage Month

In March we celebrate Canadians of Hellenic descent who have contributed to every field of life in Ontario, have enriched our culture and have strengthened our economy. For more information, view Bill 77, Hellenic Heritage Month Act, 2019.

Persian Heritage Month

During the month of March, we recognize and celebrate Ontarians of Persian heritage who have contributed to the diversity and uniqueness of our communities for generations. For more information, view Bill 271, Persian Heritage Month Act, 2021.

April

Sikh Heritage Month

Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Sikh Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario. For more information, view the Sikh Heritage Month Act, 2013, S.O. 2013, c. 12.

May

Armenian Heritage Month

This month 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. For more information, view the Armenian Heritage Month Act, 2022, S.O. 2022, c. 4.

Asian Heritage

This month recognizes and pays tribute to the contributions that people from Asian countries have made and continue to make to the development and general welfare of Ontario. For more information, view the Asian Heritage Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 10.

Dutch Heritage Month

Dutch Heritage Month recognizes the important contributions that Dutch Canadians have made to the economic, political, social and cultural fabric of our society. For more information, view the Dutch Heritage Month Act, 2011, S.O. 2011, c. 4.

Jewish Heritage Month

Jewish Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the inspirational role that Jewish Canadians have played, and continue to play, in communities across Ontario. For more information, view the Jewish Heritage Month Act, 2012, S.O. 2012, c. 1.

Polish Heritage Month

Polish Heritage Month recognizes the impact that Polish Canadians have had on Ontario's history, culture and democratic institutions. For more information, view the Polish Heritage Month Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 37.

South Asian Heritage Month

South Asian immigrants began arriving in Ontario at the start of the 20th century. Today, South Asians make up a significant proportion of Ontario’s population and are proud to draw upon their heritage and traditions, contributing to many aspects of culture, commerce and public service across this province. For more information, view the Polish Heritage Month Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 37.

June

Filipino Heritage Month

Filipino Heritage Month recognizes the many invaluable contributions Canadians of Filipino heritage make each and every day to our country. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s Filipino Heritage Month webpage.

Italian Heritage Month

Italian Heritage Month recognizes the important contributions Italian Canadians have made in building Ontario’s communities and the economic, political, social and cultural achievements of Italian Canadians throughout the province. For more information view the Italian Heritage Month Act, 2010, S.O. 2010, c. 17.

National Indigenous History Month

In June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month. During this month, we take time to recognize the rich history, brilliance, survivance and diverse Nations of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across what is now called Canada. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s National Indigenous History Month webpage.

Portuguese History & Heritage Month

Portugal played a pioneering and leading role in the discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries that contributed to the passing from an age of closed worlds into an age of space exploration. For the past 500 years, people of Portuguese heritage have settled and made their homes in Canada. For more information, view the Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 22.

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Burlington, Ontario, L7P 5A8

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Recognition of Heritage and History Months

Provincially and Federally Recognized Heritage & History Months​

Hispanic Heritage MonthOctober is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Hispanic people in the province. For more information, view the His​panic Heritage Month Act, 2015, S.O. 2015, c. 4.​

Latin Heritage Month ​Latin Heritage Month aims to celebrate, share and promote the unique culture and traditions of the Latin community in Canada. For more information, view the Latin American Heritage Month Act S.C. 2018, c. 19.

Islamic History MonthIslamic History Month aims to celebrate, inform, educate and share the rich heritage and contributions Muslim Canadians have made in our society. For more information, view the Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 20.

Islamic History MonthIslamic History Month aims to celebrate, inform, educate and share the rich heritage and contributions Muslim Canadians have made in our society. For more information, view the Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 20.

Korean Heritage Month​In October, we remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Korean Canadians in the province of Ontario. For more information, view the Korean Heritage Month Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 31 - Bill 123.​

Women's History MonthOctober is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s Women's History Month webpa​​ge​. ​

German Heritage MonthIn German Heritage Month, we celebrate the remarkable contributions Canadians of German heritage have made and continue to make to our country. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s website​.

Albanian Heritage Month

Hindu Heritage Month​

Lebanese Heritage Month​​

Tamil Heritage Month

Black History Month​

Bangladeshi Heritage Month​

Irish Heritage Month​

Hellenic Heritage Month​

Persian Heritage Month​

Sikh​ Heritage Month​

Armenian Heritage Month

Asian Heritage

Dutch Heritage Month

Jewish Heritage Month​

Polish Heritage Month​

South Asian Heritage Month​

​Filipino Heritage Month​

Italian Heritage Month

National Indigenous History Month

Portuguese History & Heritage Month

Provincially and Federally Recognized Heritage & History Months

Hispanic Heritage Month
October is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Hispanic people in the province. For more information, view the Hispanic Heritage Month Act, 2015, S.O. 2015, c. 4.

Latin Heritage Month
Latin Heritage Month aims to celebrate, share and promote the unique culture and traditions of the Latin community in Canada. For more information, view the Latin American Heritage Month Act S.C. 2018, c. 19.

Islamic History Month
Islamic History Month aims to celebrate, inform, educate and share the rich heritage and contributions Muslim Canadians have made in our society. For more information, view the Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 20.

Islamic History Month
Islamic History Month aims to celebrate, inform, educate and share the rich heritage and contributions Muslim Canadians have made in our society. For more information, view the Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016, S.O. 2016, c. 20.

Korean Heritage Month
In October, we remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Korean Canadians in the province of Ontario. For more information, view the Korean Heritage Month Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 31 - Bill 123.

Women's History Month
October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s Women's History Month webpage.

German Heritage Month
In German Heritage Month, we celebrate the remarkable contributions Canadians of German heritage have made and continue to make to our country. For more information, visit the Government of Canada’s website.

Hindu Heritage Month

Lebanese Heritage Month

Black History Month

Bangladeshi Heritage Month

Irish Heritage Month

Hellenic Heritage Month

Persian Heritage Month

Sikh Heritage Month

Jewish Heritage Month

Polish Heritage Month

South Asian Heritage Month

Filipino Heritage Month