Tuesday, 7 October 2025

Latin American and Hispanic Heritage Month

 October in Latin American and Hispanic Heritage Month in Canada!

From the Government of Canada

October marks the celebration of Latin American Heritage Month, a month designated by the Parliament of Canada in 2018. It is an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the significant contributions that members of the Latin American community have made to the fabric of Canada. This month allows us to celebrate our Latin American heritages. Today, we raise our voices in celebration and reflection about the impactful contributions members of the Latin American community have made and continue to make sharing their cultures, perspectives and proud traditions.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, made the following statement:

"Today marks the start of Latin American Heritage Month—a moment to honour the rich history, celebrate both the past contributions and present achievements, and recognize the vibrant identity of Latin American communities in Canada."


Who are Latin American Canadians?

From The Canadian Encyclopedia

Latin America refers to a group of republics in Central and South America. These countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Puerto Rico, the French West Indies and other islands of the West Indies may also be considered part of “Latin America.” The broader use of the term can also refer to countries where Romance languages, such as Spanish and Portuguese, prevail.


Celebrating Latin American and Hispanic Heritage

From Calgary Catholic School District

Check out these four famous Latin Americans.


Happy Latin American and Hispanic Heritage Month!






Friday, 3 October 2025

Women's History Month

October is Women's History Month in Canada!

From Government of Canada: Women and Gender Equality 


October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to highlight the achievements of women and girls, past and present, who have shaped Canada in fields like politics, science, arts, business, and the economy.

Why October?

From Government of Canada: Women and Gender Equality 

In 1992, the Government of Canada designated October as Women’s History Month.

Women’s History Month coincides with Persons Day, the commemoration of the 1929 “Persons Case,” when the Famous Five fought to have women legally recognized as persons under the British North America Act, securing the right to sit in the Senate.

This marked the beginning of the advancement of gender equality in Canada. 

Note: Not all women were recognized as persons. Indigenous women and women of Asian heritage or descent were not included. 

Want to learn more?

From CPAC (Cable Public Affairs Channel) Canada


Do you recognize the Famous Five statues from downtown Calgary?

Who is Dr. Jane Goodall?

From Jane Goodall Institute

In July 1960, at the age of 26, Jane Goodall traveled from England to what is now Tanzania and ventured into the little-known world of wild chimpanzees.

Equipped with little more than a notebook, binoculars, and her fascination with wildlife, Jane Goodall braved a realm of unknowns to give the world a remarkable window into humankind’s closest living relatives. Through nearly 60 years of groundbreaking work, Dr. Goodall has not only shown us the urgent need to protect chimpanzees from extinction; she has also helped to redefine conservation to include the needs of local people and the environment. [She travelled] the world, speaking about the threats facing chimpanzees and environmental crises, urging each of us to take action on behalf of all living things and the planet we share.

From CBC Kids News


From CBC News


Want to learn more about Jane Goodall and her important work?

From Jane Goodall Institute


Inspired to help? Check out Roots & Shoots Canada!

From Jane Goodall Institute Canada



Who is Dr. Anne Innis Dagg?

From Anne Innis Dagg Foundation

In 1956, before anyone, man or woman had made such a trip, 23-year-old Canadian biologist, Anne Innis Dagg, made an unprecedented solo journey to South Africa to become the first western researcher to study giraffes in the wild. When she returned home a year later armed with ground-breaking research, the insurmountable barriers she faced as a female scientist proved much harder to overcome.

From Heritage Minutes


From The Woman Who Loves Giraffes


What to learn more about Anne Innis Dagg and her important work?

From Anne Innis Dagg Foundation


Want to learn more about Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)?
 

From Women in STEM Diversity in STEM



Women in History

A Timeline

From Government of Canada


Quiz: Women in Canadian History

From The Canadian Encyclopedia



Inspiration and some content provided by Tricia MacKinnon (LCL, Lib Tech), CCSD. Thanks Tricia! 




Thursday, 2 October 2025

Looking for Books to Read?

Check out the Calgary Public Library!




Visit a branch near you!

Fish Creek Library
11161 Bonaventure Drive SE. 


Seton Library 
4995 Market St SE


Shawnessy Library
333 Shawville Boulevard SE


Quarry Park Library
108 Quarry Park Road SE


Southwood Library
924 Southland Drive SW


Read. Learn. Grow.

Information and photos from https://www.calgarylibrary.ca/