Celebrate: Honouring Diversity and Belonging at BCHS
Celebrating diversity means recognizing and valuing the unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives each individual brings.
By celebrating different cultures and creating spaces to participate in cultural events, we foster a positive, affirming atmosphere and demonstrate the importance of the richness that different backgrounds bring to our organization.
At BCHS, we are committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all patients and staff, grounded in equity, respect, and inclusivity.
| Black History Month |
In February 2024, we celebrated Black History Month (BHM) for the third time at BCHS. It was a time to honour the significant contributions of the Black community and reflect on the theme, “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; Future to Build.” This theme encouraged us to acknowledge both the rich history and the ongoing journey toward a more inclusive future. Black History Month serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and achievements of the Black community. At BCHS, we are proud of our Black colleagues, whose contributions play a vital role in fostering inclusivity and driving positive change. How We Celebrated:
We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate and learn together, and we look forward to continuing this important tradition in the years ahead. |
| Ramadan & First Iftar Dinner |
In March 2024, we celebrated Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting and spiritual reflection for Muslims around the world. Throughout Ramadan, Muslims fasted from sunrise to sunset, refraining from food, water, and indulgences. The fast is traditionally broken with iftar at sunset, often beginning with dates and water. At BCHS, we were proud to support our colleagues and patients during this important time. How We Celebrated and Supported the Community:
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| PRIDE |
For the second year in a row, BCHS celebrated Pride Month, honouring the journey for equal rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, which includes Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Pride Month is a time to reflect on the progress made while recognizing the challenges the 2SLGBTQIA+ community still faces. The 64% increase in hate crimes reported in 2021 and the mental health impacts of discrimination highlight the ongoing need for support and advocacy. At BCHS, we are committed to human dignity and inclusivity, striving to be a place where everyone is welcomed, celebrated, and supported. This year, we launched two pronoun identification initiatives to foster a more respectful and inclusive environment. Additionally, staff participated in a special day by wearing PRIDE shirts to show our support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We also celebrated Pride Night on June 12, 2024, at the Rope Factory. This free event was presented in partnership with Big Cityyy Arts. |
| National Indigenous Peoples Day |
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We continue the work of building relationships with Indigenous communities, developing strong partnerships and a culturally safe environment. Recognizing that we have more work to do, we remain committed to further strengthening these relationships and deepening our engagement with Indigenous communities. On Thursday, June 27, 2024, we hosted an Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration in the BGH Cafeteria, featuring a vendor fair, performers, and speakers. Learn more about our efforts to enhance Indigenous health and well-being. |
| Asian and South Asian Heritage Month |
In May 2024, we came together to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month and Asian Heritage Month through a variety of exciting activities that honoured these vibrant cultures! Here’s how we celebrated:
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| Diwali |
In October 2024, we were thrilled to celebrate Diwali at BCHS, a festival symbolizing new beginnings, the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness. It was a wonderful opportunity to embrace our community's diversity and share these meaningful traditions. Here’s how we celebrated:
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| December Holidays at BCHS |
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At BCHS, we embrace the diversity of the holiday season (Christmas, Kwanzaa, Yule, among others) recognizing and honouring the various traditions and celebrations that take place in December. We create a welcoming atmosphere for all by decorating our spaces, hosting staff holiday meals, and organizing our 5 Days of Giving initiative. Additionally, we partner with our local Christmas Angels Program to bring joy and support to those in need. Through these activities, we celebrate the spirit of togetherness, generosity, and inclusivity that defines the holiday season for our entire community. |
| BCHS Recognition and Awards Night - DEI-B Award |
As part of our annual BCHS Recognition and Awards night, we launched our first ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI-B) award. The BCHS Awards are focused on the mission, vision and values of BCHS, and recognize those who live out our core values of compassion, accountability, respect, and equity, while demonstrating a commitment to working together to build a healthier community. In 2024, Lebené Numekevor, Director, Medical Affairs, was the first recipient of BCHS’s DEI-B award for her ongoing work on inclusion, advocacy for innovation, excellence, mentorship, and diversity in health care leadership. This award will continue to be awarded to individuals who exemplify exceptional efforts of creating inclusion both within and beyond the walls of BCHS. |
| Cafeteria Mural (BGH) |
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We commissioned a mural to reflect the diversity and unity of our community. Created by First Nations artist Alicia-lynn Morin, the mural celebrates the universal language of food and its power to bring people together. Here is the text for the mural: Food is the universal language that binds us together. It nourishes our bodies, sustains our spirits, and unites us across all borders. No matter where we come from or what language we speak, the act of sharing a meal has the power to bring us closer, fostering community, understanding, and a deep sense of belonging. As we gather around the table, we celebrate not only the abundance on our plates but the richness of our shared humanity. Through the simple joy of food, we honour the diversity that makes us who we are—woven together in shared understanding. This mural captures the beauty of the foods cherished by people from all walks of life. The message is simple yet profound: "Enjoy Your Food." This phrase is translated into the languages that reflect the vibrant tapestry of our community: Arabic | Cayuga | Chinese | Dutch | English | French | German | Hindi | Hungarian | Italian | Mohawk | Polish | Portuguese | Punjabi | Spanish | Tagalog | Urdu | Vietnamese Date: December 2024 First Nations artist Alicia-lynn Morin
[Stay tuned for the photo unveiling.] |
This National Day of Recognition is an opportunity to join Indigenous peoples in reflection and celebration and for us to all deepen our understanding and awareness of the adversities Indigenous communities face and have overcome.