International Women's Day is held every year on March 8. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. 

Find resources at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/. 

Black History Month is an opportunity for Whitby residents to recognize past and present contributions from Black Canadians to the lives of Whitby and Durham Region residents, and all Canadians in areas such as education, medicine, arts, culture, social work, economic development, politics and human rights.

Find resources at https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Corporation of the Town of Whitby is located on the Lands of the Great Mississauga Nations, who are signatories to the Williams Treaties. These communities include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, First Nations of Alderville, Beausoleil, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Chippewas of Georgina Island and Rama. The Town of Whitby respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.

At the Town of Whitby, our goal is to respectfully share in the responsibility of the stewardship and protection of these ancestral lands and waters and continue towards truth and reconciliation as we move forward as friends and allies with all First Nations, Inuit and Metis people.

In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30), we encourage residents to make time to reflect and learn about Indigenous Peoples.

View a 2022 video featuring Kim Wheatley, Anishinaabe Cultural Consultant from the Turtle Clan from Shawanaga First Nations Reserve at https://youtu.be/1ek2brXq_3E.

Learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html.

Wear an Orange Shirt on September 30

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

If you are purchasing an orange shirt for September 30, please consider supporting one of our local Indigenous communities, or buy a shirt from an organization that supports Indigenous groups. Some suggestions include Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle and Nish tees.

Podcast

Sitting by the Fire

• This podcast series offers topics that will expand your knowledge of First Nations, the Inuit and Métis.

Videos

This series of videos includes information, speakers, discussions and panels to prompt learning and self-reflection.

• Indigenous Leaders Panel
  Indigenous leaders discuss how the public service should be approaching its mandate for reconciliation.
• The Indigenous Learning Series Trailer
  A collection of video clips of Indigenous leaders and public servants discussing the meaning of reconciliation.
• Breaths with Nyla Innuksuk by National Film Board
  In this evocative documentary short, Inuk singer-songwriter and humanitarian Susan Aglukark weaves together stories of artistry, family, and belonging as she explores the complex cultural shifts of the last 50 years of Inuit life.
• Celebrating Louis Riel Day: Métis Realities
  This event recording explores the issues, challenges and opportunities facing Métis communities as they build constructive relationships and support reconciliation efforts with other Indigenous Peoples.
• The Memoirs of Russell Moses, Residential School Survivor
  John Moses speaks about his father Russell Moses' childhood experiences in a residential school.
• The Path of Reconciliation
  This video features Indigenous leaders and public service executives, who discuss the path toward reconciliation.
• Reconciliation Through the Arts
  Video clips of artists, Indigenous leaders and public servants discussing the role of the arts in the reconciliation process.
• What does Indigenous mean?
  From 'Indian' to 'Indigenous': the historical pursuit of one umbrella term that applies to all.
• Understanding Indigenous Realities: Revitalization and Reconciliation
  This video addresses the injustices endured by Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including the residential school system, forced relocations, and the ongoing repression of Indigenous rights, while also highlighting how courage and determination have catalyzed the reconciliation movement of today.

Additional Indigenous Peoples Resources

• Browse Whitby Public Library’s Indigenous Canada list of great Indigenous Authors - To learn more about the history of Canada and the relationship with its Indigenous people.
• It’s Our Time Toolkit - Invest time in the modules offered as part of the Assembly of First Nations which consists of 22 learning modules that have been designed to enhance the understanding of important First Nations topics to ensure both students and teachers are learning in and out of the classroom.
• Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) YouTube Channel
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• Donate to Indigenous Charities
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
• National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419.

In June of each year the Town of Whitby raises the Progressive Pride flag at Town Hall to proclaim Pride Month and to recognize the challenges and celebrate the history, courage, diversity, and contributions of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Questioning, and Two Spirit Communities. (LGBTQ2S+)

The Town of Whitby is committed to addressing the unique challenges still facing the LGBTQ2S+ communities to build a more inclusive and equitable Town.

Resources

• Pflag Durham Region
• Durham Region Health & Wellness
• Youth Pride Durham
• Pride Durham

How to Improve LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion

(Credit to City of Toronto)

1. Reflect on yourself
   • We all develop values, beliefs and attitudes throughout our lives.
   • Be aware of your own personal biases.
   • Understand where your ideas about LGBTQ2S+ people come from.
2. Speak up
   • Stereotypical comments can lead to discrimination toward LGBTQ2S+ people.
   • Do your part to combat gender and sexual stereotypes.
   • Make it known that homophobic and transphobic jokes and teasing are offensive and unacceptable.
3. Use inclusive language
   • Language has the power to validate and acknowledge identities, but also to deny them.
   • Respect the language people use when speaking of themselves and of their relationships (e.g. “Husband”/”Spouse”/”Partner”/etc.)
   • If unsure, always use inclusive and gender-neutral language (without assuming gender or sexual orientation).
4. Ask for pronouns
   • Gender can be very important to a person’s sense of self.
   • “Misgendering” (incorrectly gendering) someone can cause them to feel disrespected and alienated.
   • Always ask for pronouns to prevent emotional distress and to set an example of respect.
   • Do not assume you know someone’s gender by how they look or sound.
   • When asking someone for their pronouns, it can help if you share your own (e.g. the City’s email signature standard permits the inclusion of pronouns in signatures).
   • You are invited to explore The 519 resources.
5. Respect self-identification
   • Gender identity can be deeply personal; it is not something to be questioned, nor is it up for discussion.
   • Respect the terminology a person uses to describe their identity.
6. Being an “Ally” is about our actions
   • “Ally” isn’t a name we can call ourselves; it’s about our actions and how we show up for LGBTQ2S+ communities.
   • Be there to support LGBTQ2S+ communities when celebrating their success as well as during vulnerable times.
   • Do your research; it is much easier to work towards improving LGBTQ2S+ inclusion when you are aware of the relevant Pride history.

The Town of Whitby joined the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities (CIM) through the Canadian Commission of UNESCO to continue to support diversity and inclusion and to work against racism and discrimination locally on May 6, 2021.

Read the full press release to learn more about the Town of Whitby’s commitment to end racism and discrimination.

Durham is More Campaign - Region of Durham's Local Immigration Partnership

Durham Is More celebrates the growing number of immigrant business owners in Durham Region. Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to our local economy, create jobs, and bring new products to market. They make Durham more sustainable, vibrant, and innovative.

Learn more about Durham is More

Using Personal Pronouns for a More Inclusive Workplace

Utilizing inclusive pronoun practices in the workplace is vital in building organizational cultures of respect and belonging not just for the LGBTQ community, but for anyone who in some way challenges the traditional model of gender identity and expression.

Islamophobia Information and Resources

Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate can be defined as systematic hostility toward people who are or appear to be Muslim, or toward the religion of Islam. In Canada, this hostility has been manifested in a growing number of acts of discrimination and attacks against people associated with the Muslim community.

See below for more information about the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (Durham Region Chapter) and their Dare to Be Aware campaign to empower racialized women, girls and allies with resources and tools to counter islamophobia and online hate.

• https://www.ccmw.com/durham-region

• https://www.daretobeaware.ca/