In February, we acknowledge Vasant Panchami, Setsubun, Shab-e Barat, Nirvana Day and Ramadan. Read more about each holiday/celebration below, written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

Vasant Panchami: February 2

Vasant Panchami is a famous festival that marks the end of the winter season and ushers in the springtime. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of the Vasant Panchami festival. Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom. She embodies the different facets of learning, such as the sciences, arts, crafts and skills. She is often pictured seated on a lotus or a peacock, wearing a white dress. Many honour the Goddess Saraswati by waking up early and dressing in yellow (believed to be her favourite colour), eating and sharing yellow sweets and snacks, and performing rituals (puja) to her deity.

Setsubun: February 3

Setsubun (節分), meaning “seasonal division,” is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated on February 3, 2024, to welcome the arrival of spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar. The festival includes the ritual of Mamemaki, a tradition of throwing roasted soybeans to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune. While throwing the soybeans, individuals shout, “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Devils out, happiness in”) as a means of purifying your space and minds. Although some customs are no longer popular during Setsubun, few people continue to traditionally ornament their homes with fish heads and holy tree leaves at their entrances to deter evil spirits from entering. This ritual symbolizes purification and is a lively family activity that emphasizes unity and tradition. Setsubun holds cultural and spiritual significance, marking the seasonal transition and creating a sense of harmony with nature.

Shab-e Barat: February 13 (depends on moon sighting)

Celebrated on the 15th of Shaban, Shab-e Barat, or the Night of Forgiveness, is a significant Islamic festival. On this night, Muslims worldwide ask forgiveness for their sins from the all-merciful Allah (God in Arabic). Additionally, the night can be used to seek mercy for the deceased and ill family members. It is believed that Allah decides the fortune and the future of every creature of the earth on this night. Muslims across the world celebrate the night differently depending on cultural diversity and local traditions.

Nirvana Day: February 15

Nirvana Day celebrated annually on February 15, holds significant importance in the Buddhist tradition as it commemorates the death of Buddha and his attainment of Nirvana. Buddhists believe in rebirth, meaning that all people are born again and again. During the Buddha’s life, he became enlightened, which means he understood the true nature of everything. So, when he died, he achieved complete Nirvana, which means he was free from ever being reborn again.

On Nirvana Day, Buddhists go to a temple or monastery and reflect deeply on the teachings of Buddha. People may engage in meditation sessions, participate in rituals, and engage in acts of charity and kindness to honour the Buddha’s teachings and legacy. It is also a time to think about impermanence, which means that we remember that people and things are precious, but they do not last forever, so we should enjoy them while we can. 

Ramadan (Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 30)

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred time for Muslims, marking the revelation of the Qur’an. During the month, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food and drink as an act of worship, spiritual discipline, and empathy for the less fortunate. The fast is broken at sunset with prayer and a festive meal called iftar, often shared with family and friends. In addition to the five daily prayers, Muslims also perform the Tarawih night prayers and observe Laylat al-Qadr on the 27th night, believed to be when the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration of the fast’s conclusion, featuring meals, gift exchanges and charitable giving to the poor.

In February, we acknowledge Black History Month, World Hijab Day, Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Missing Women’s Memorial March, International Childhood Cancer Day and Pink Shirt Day. Read more about each date of significance below, written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

Black History Month

February is dedicated to observing Black history and celebrating the achievements of Black communities and individuals. This month, people across Canada participate in events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities. The theme for Black History Month 2025 is Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.

Did you know? Hallie Quinn Brown, born in 1850, was an elocutionist and is considered by many to be the first Black Speech-Language Pathologist in America. Hallie utilized her skills in linguistics to improve the early literacy and language of Black children living on plantations and taught thousands of Black adults the power of using spoken language to enact change for social justice.

Learn more about Black History Month here!

World Hijab Day: February 1

As we approach World Hijab Day on February 1, it presents a meaningful opportunity for us at Grandview Kids to enhance our understanding and appreciation of the cultural and religious practices of our Muslim colleagues, clients and their families.

Initiated by Nazma Khan in 2013, World Hijab Day is dedicated to raising awareness and fostering understanding about the hijab, which is a head covering worn by many Muslim women as part of Islamic modesty. This practice often includes wearing loosely fitted clothing to avoid attracting attention from non-mahram (men whom they can marry). At Grandview Kids, recognizing the significance of the hijab is crucial in ensuring our Muslim clients, caregivers and staff feel safe, respected and free from fear.

We encourage open and respectful dialogues about the cultural and religious importance of the hijab, and we invite our staff to engage in this cultural experience. If any staff member is interested in wearing the hijab for a period of time as a gesture of solidarity or understanding, we warmly encourage them to reach out to their Muslim colleagues. Our Muslim staff members would be delighted to share their experiences and even bring a hijab for those interested to try out. This gesture can be a powerful way to connect, understand and show support.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week: February 1 to 7

Since 2020, Eating Disorders Awareness Week has provided an opportunity to raise awareness about various types of eating disorders which can affect individuals of all demographics. Though Eating Disorders Awareness Week has only been officially recognized since 2020, it has existed since 1986.

It’s interesting to note that eating disorders can be caused both by medical conditions and socioeconomic conditions. According to Statistics Canada, in 2022, 6.9 million Canadians experienced food insecurity, 1.6 million of whom were children. This food insecurity can often lead to the development of eating disorders as well.

There are several types of eating disorders, though one of the most common is anorexia or anorexia nervosa, which is a psychiatric condition in which a patient restricts how much food they eat based on their energy needs. These individuals tend to eat less and exercise more, resulting in these individuals becoming extremely underweight, which can lead to several additional medical complications. This is just one example, though there are many others.

If you or someone you know is struggling with any type of eating disorder, or if you are interested in learning more about learning disorders, please see our additional resources below, or please reach out to your healthcare provider.

Resources

1. https://nied.ca/the-history-of-eating-disorders-awareness-week-edaw/
2. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/eat-disorder.html
3. https://nedic.ca/eating-disorders-treatment/

Missing Women’s Memorial March: February 14

The Missing Women’s Memorial March occurs on February 14 to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across Canada and the USA. The event originated in downtown Vancouver’s eastside following the murder of a local Indigenous woman in 1992. Since then, it has grown to become an annual march to recognize all missing indigenous women and girls around the globe.

Participants in the Women’s March believe that it stands for survival and resilience and symbolizes the reclamation of dignity that has been denied to many women in Canada who identify as part of a marginalized group. Although originating in Vancouver, provinces all over Canada now hold annual marches to honour and bring visibility to these missing women and girls. To find out more information on marches for 2025, be sure to research marches in your community.

International Childhood Cancer Day: February 15

International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.

The day promotes increased appreciation and deeper understanding of issues and challenges relevant to childhood cancer and impacting on children/adolescents with cancer, the survivors, their families and society as a whole. It also spotlights the need for more equitable and better access to treatment and care for all children with cancer everywhere. As a community that supports children and youth, we stand with the World Health Organization Initiative for Childhood Cancer – striving for 60% survival globally by 2030.

Pink Shirt Day: February 26

Pink Shirt Day originated in 2007 in Coldbrook, Nova Scotia, when two grade 12 students bought 50 pink shirts to support a new student who was bullied for wearing one. The next day, most students wore pink, leading to the birth of Pink Shirt Day. In recognition of this event, Nova Scotia declared the second Thursday of September as “Stand Up Against Bullying Day,” and the movement spread globally, with British Columbia declaring February 27 as Anti-Bullying Day in 2008 and the United Nations recognizing May 4 as Anti-Bullying Day in 2012.

In Canada, Pink Shirt Day is now celebrated on the last Wednesday of February, raising awareness about bullying prevention, kindness, and inclusion, with the movement continuing to grow.

Learn more about Pink Shirt Day here!