2022 Calendar of Observances

The following calendar of observances remind us of the rich diversity of our union and our communities and encourages us to be culturally aware when providing care to our patients.  The calendar also invites us to reflect on how we might support initiatives to advance equitable access to the social determinants of health.  

As you scroll through the calendar you will note the recognition of a number multi-faith and multicultural days (in black text) and the listing of various commemorative events or days (in berry text).  This list is by no means exhaustive but reflects one aspect of the diversity of our membership (and our communities) and a few of the many celebrations and events that mark the year. 

January

1​	Shogatsu/Gantan-sai (New Year’s) – Shinto
1-31	Tamil Heritage Month Since 2016, Tamil Heritage Month is celebrated in January to increase awareness and appreciation for all the achievements and contributions of the Tamil people. Learn more.
4​	​World Braille Day To celebrate World Braille Day in January 2022, CNIB & Braille Literacy Canada are inviting people to participate in #BrailleMyWay - a braille social media campaign. Learn more.
5	Twelfth Night – Christian Guru Gobindh Singh birthday – Sikh Epiphany – Christian
6	Feast of the Epiphany (Theophany) – Orthodox Christian ​Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day)– Christian
7	Feast of the Nativity – Orthodox Christian Christmas Day – Rastafarian
14	Black Excellence Day Black Excellence Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing civil rights struggle of Black and racialized Canadians and to ensure that our education systems better reflect Black histories. Learn more.
17​	Tu BiShvat – Judaism
24​	International Day of Education A time to recommit ourselves to strengthen education as a public endeavour and common goal . Learn more.
​24	​World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture A day to celebrate the cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world Learn more.
​27	International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on Jan. 27, 1945. The Holocaust profoundly affected countries in which Nazi crimes were perpetrated, but also had universal implications and consequences in many other parts of the world. Learn more.
​29	National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia On Jan. 29, 2017, six people were killed and 19 others seriously injured in a terrorist attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City. This annual day of remembrance offers all of us an opportunity to be in solidarity with the Muslim community. Learn more.
​30	Mahayana New Year 3 days (Regional Variation) – Buddhism

February

1	Lunar New Year
1-28	Black History Month During Black History Month, people in Canada celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation it is today. Learn more.
2​	Candlemas - Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Christian Imbolc (Candlemas) – Wicca/Neo Pagan
3​	​ Setsebun – Shinto
5​	​ Vasant Panchami – Hindu
11	International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation The UN is striving for the eradication of the female genital mutilation practice by 2030. Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Learn more.  International Day of Women and Girls in Science The UN celebrates women and girls in science and calls “on everyone to smash stereotypes, defy gender biases and defeat discrimination that hold women and girls back in STEM fields” (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Learn more.
14​	​ St. Valentine's Day – Christian Annual Women’s Memorial March The first women’s memorial march was held in 1992 in response to the murder of a woman on Powell Street in Vancouver. Out of this sense of hopelessness and anger came an annual march on Valentine’s Day to express compassion, community, and caring for all women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Unceded Coast Salish Territories. Learn more.
15​	​ Nirvana Day (Regional Variations) – Buddhist
21	International Mother Language Day International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualismWe are fortunate to live in a part of the world that has a rich diversity of spoken/written languages. Learn more about the many Indigenous languages spoken across this geography.
​23	Pink Shirt Day February 23 is Pink Shirt Day, an opportunity for BCNU members to join other Canadians in raising awareness and taking action to end bullying and harassment. COVID-19 has impacted us all. Let's strive to "lift each other up" and treat one another with civility and respect during these challenging times.
​28	Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day February 28 is International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day. The day is an opportunity to raise awareness about RSIs, the need to prevent them, and the importance of fair compensation for injured workers. Prevention is key. Learn the risk factors for RSI in your work, report concerns to your supervisor or manager and tell your BCNU steward or BCNU JOHSC representative.

March

2	Ash Wednesday – Christian Lent Begins – Christian
3​	​ World Wildlife Day In the midst of an accelerating climate crisis World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. Learn more.
7	Lent Begins – Orthodox Christian
8​	​ International Women's Day A day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women while continuing to take action to ensure women have equal access to social, political and economic rights. Learn more.
17	St. Patrick's Day – Christian Purim –Judaism
18	Holi – Hindu
20	Ostara – Vernal Equinox – Wicca/Neo Pagan (Begins At Sundown)
21	Norooz (New Year) – Persian/Zoroastrian International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960. Learn more.
22	​ World Water Day World Water Day focuses on the importance of fresh water while raising the awareness that 2.2 billion people –including many First Nations and rural communities here in BC – live without access to safe water. Learn more.
25​	​ International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade A day to honour the more than 15 million men, women and children who were victims of the horrific transatlantic slave trade for more than 400 years and an opportunity to reflect on the lasting legacies of this abhorrent system. Learn more.
26	Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranthushtra) – Zoroastrian
30	Magha Puja Day (Regional Variations) – Buddhism

April

3	Ramadan Begins (Regional Variations) – Islam
5	International Day of Conscience The goal of the UN is to promote a culture of peace with love and conscience. Included in this goal is to eradicate war for future generations while transforming to a culture of peace. Learn more.
7	International Day of Reflection on 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda During the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, up to one million people were killed and as many as 250,000 women were raped, leaving the country’s population traumatized and its infrastructure decimated. Since then, Rwanda has embarked on an ambitious justice and reconciliation process. Learn more here and here World Health Day Over the past 50 years, this day has brought to light important health issues such as mental health, maternal and childcare, and climate change. The celebration is marked by activities that extend beyond the day itself and serves as an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on these important aspects of global health. Learn more.
10	Palm Sunday – Christian
13	International Day of Pink Every year, on the second Wednesday of April people around the world are encouraged to wear pink and stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the ongoing struggle for justice, equality and acceptance. Learn more.
14	Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) – Sikh/Hindu Lent Ends – Christian Mahavir Jayanti – Jain
15	Good Friday – Christian
16	Theravadin New Year 3 Days (Regional Variations) – Buddhism Hanuman Jayanti – Hindu Lazarus Saturday – Orthodox Christian Pesach Begins– Judaism
17	Easter (Western) – Christian Palm Sunday – Orthodox Christian
22	Earth Day A day to reflect on the importance of acting to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity. Our lives and those of future generations depend on it. Learn more.
23	St. George's Day – Christian Pesach Ends – Judaism
24	Easter (Pascha) – Orthodox Christian
25	World Malaria Day World Malaria Day, which takes place on April 25 each year, is internationally recognized, highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrating the gains that have been made. Half the world still lives at risk from this preventable, treatable disease, which costs a child’s life every two minutes. Learn more.
28	Yom HaShoah – Judaism National Day of Mourning for Workers Marked annually in Canada on April 28, the National Day of Mourning is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives or suffered injury or illness on the job or due to a work-related tragedy. Learn more.