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2021 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

4​

​World Braille Day
Celebrates the importance of Braille as a form of communication and written language for people who are blind and partially sighted. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, who, in 1809 and at the age of 15, invented braille. 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

24​

 International Day of Education
Education is a basic human right and as the United Nations reminds us “offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future”. However, nearly 265 million children and adolescents around the world do not have the opportunity to enter or complete school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math. Learn more

​24


​World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture
According to UNESCO, World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture celebrates the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world and promotes them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. 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 January 27 1945. UNESCO reminds us that “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 January 29, 2017, six people were killed and 19 others seriously injured in a terrorist attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City. This is the first annual day of remembrance - on which we stand in solidarity with the Muslim community.


February

6​

​ International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
The UN is striving for 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

8​

​ Nirvana Day - Buddhism

11

​ 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

12​

​ Lunar New Year

14​

​ St. Valentine's Day - Christian
Transfiguration Sunday - 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 - Buddhist – Jain

16​

​ Vasant Panchami - Hindu
Shrove Tuesday – Christian

17​

​ Lent begins - Christian

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 languages spoken by First Nations people BC.

​24

Pink Shirt Day
February 24 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. Learn more.

25/26​

​ Purim - Jewish

​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

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

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

9/10​

​ Lailat al Miraj - Islam

17​

​ St. Patrick's Day - Christian
Norooz (New Year) - Persian/Zoroastrian
Ostara - Mabon - Wicca/Neo Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres

21

​ 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​

​ Mahavir Jayanti - Jain

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

27/28​

​ Pesach - Jewish
Until April 8

28​

​ Palm Sunday - Christian

29​

​ Holi - Hindu


April

2

 Good Friday – Christian

4

 Easter Sunday– Christian

5

 Easter Monday– Christian

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

8

 Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)– Jewish

13

 Ramadan begins (based on sighting the new moon) – Islam

13/14

 Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) – Sikh/Hindu

14

 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

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 here

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

 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

May

1

 Beltane - Samhain – Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres

International Workers’ Day / May Day
May Day is an international holiday honouring the struggles of the working class and efforts of labour unions, and was officially recognized in 1889 at the first International Socialist Congress in Paris to commemorate the Haymarket Affair—a bloody confrontation between striking union workers and Chicago police in 1886. Learn more

2

 Pascha (Easter) – Orthodox Christian

3

 Mental Health Week
#GetReal about how you feel. Name it, don’t numb it. Learn more

5

 Red Dress Day: National Day of Awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People
On this day, you are invited to wear red to draw attention to the more than 1,000 missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people in Canada. Learn more here and here.

8

 Laylat al Qadr (lunar) – Islam

9

 Mother's Day

10-16

 National Nursing Week
The annual National Nursing Week celebrates the invaluable work that nurses provide to improving the health and well-being of Canadians. It takes place from the Monday to the Sunday of the same week as Florence Nightingale's birthday, May 12.
Until May 16

12

 International Nurses Day
A day to mark and celebrate the contributions that nurses make to society. In 1971, International Council of Nurses designated May 12 the birthday of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, as International Nurses Day. Learn more

13

 Indigenous Nurses Day
The day highlights the achievements of Canada's First Nations, Inuit and Métis nurses and recognizes their invaluable contribution to health care.

14

 Eid al Fitr - Ramadan ends (lunar) – Islam
Until May 16

15

 International Day of Families
A day to celebrate and affirm the social and economic rights of all families – in all their diversity. Learn more

16

 International Day of Living Together in Pace
This day invites countries to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity. Learn more

17

 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. Learn more

20

 World Bee Day
Bees are under threat. Present species extinction rates are 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal due to human impacts. Close to 35 percent of invertebrate pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, and about 17 percent of vertebrate pollinators, such as bats, face extinction globally. Learn more

21

 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
This day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions adopted on 20 October 2005. Learn more

22

 Declaration of the Bab – Baha'i

23

 International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury, and a neglected public health and human rights issue. Two million women in low-resource settings have an obstetric fistula, and 100,000 more develop one every year. Leaking urine and/or feces and, as a result, living in desperate circumstances, only 1 in 50 ever receives treatment. Learn more

24

 Victoria Day

30

 Trinity Sunday – Christian

June

1-30

 Filipino Heritage Month
In celebration of Canadians of Filipino descent

Indigenous History Month
In celebration of the rich and diverse histories of Indigenous Peoples.

Pride Month
In commemoration of the Stonewall Riots that began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, June is recognized as Pride Month. The uprising that began that night is one of countless moments in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights across North America.

7

 World Food Safety Day
This year’s theme, ‘Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow’, stresses that production and consumption of safe food has immediate and long-term benefits for people, the planet and the economy. Recognizing the systemic connections between the health of people, animals, plants, the environment and the economy will help us meet the needs of the future. Learn more

15

 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Day is marked each year on June 15. It is an official United Nations International Day acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. Learn more

20

 Father’s Day

Summer Solstice

21

 National Indigenous Peoples Day
BCNU is committed to addressing anti-Indigenous racism in health care and remains steadfast on its path to a genuine and just process of truth and reconciliation. In 1996, the Government of Canada announced June 21 as National Aboriginal Day (now National Indigenous Peoples Day) to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

July

1

 Canada Day

9

 Nunavut Day

11

 World Population Day
Population changes affect economic development, employment, income distribution, poverty and social protections. They also affect efforts to ensure universal access to health care, education, housing, sanitation, water, food and energy. Learn more

18

 Nelson Mandela International Day
Nelson Mandela saw himself first and foremost as a servant of South Africa’s people, to whom he felt he owed a duty, and who he led by example. In the spirit of Madiba and his vision to spread social justice and freedom for all, the day represents a chance to become part of a continuous global movement for good. Learn more

20-23

 Eid al Adha – Islam

24

 Asalha Puja Day – Theravada Buddhist

28

 World Hepatitis Day
Worldwide, 290 million people are living with viral hepatitis unaware. Without finding the undiagnosed and linking them to care, millions will continue to suffer, and lives will be lost. Learn more

30

 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Every year, thousands of men, women and children are trafficked in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking either as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. The day is an opportunity to raise awareness about human trafficking and protect those most at risk. Learn more

August

2

 BC Day

3

 Krishna Janmashtami - Hindu

9

 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
In recognition of Indigenous peoples’ fundamental right to their cultures, traditions, lands, territories and ways of living. Learn more

10

 Hijra / New Year - Islam

19

 World Humanitarian Day
On this day, the world commemorates humanitarian workers killed and injured in the course of their work, and honours all aid and health workers who continue, despite the odds, to provide life-saving support and protection to people most in need. Learn more




Updated: 6/2/2021 11:55 AM

June 1 - 30

Pride Month

In commemoration of the Stonewall Riots that began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, June is recognized as Pride Month. The uprising that began that night is one of countless moments in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights across North America.

June 21

National Indigenous Peoples Day

BCNU is committed to addressing anti-Indigenous racism in health care and remains steadfast on its path to a genuine and just process of truth and reconciliation. In 1996, the Government of Canada announced June 21 as National Aboriginal Day (now National Indigenous Peoples Day) to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

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