Explore Our September 2025 Diversity Calendar

The September 2025 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) Calendar is here!

Celebrate the richness of our communities with this collection of dates that honour culture, history, health, and spirituality. It is more than a calendar, it is a call to connect, learn, and grow together. We encourage you to print and display it in communal spaces, share it with the people you support, and keep a copy handy for your own reference.

This month our featured image was created by Mishiikenh Kwe / Autumn Smith, and it is dedicated to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The red sky symbol, inspired by Anishinaabe pictographs, reflects the turtle’s path to truth and reconciliation. The people represent Orange Shirt Day, while the moon and stars honor survivors and victims of residential schools and the Sixties Scoop, celebrating resilience and cultural legacy.

At Karis Disability Services, Belonging is our heartbeat. By embracing every story and uplifting every voice, we create spaces where Everybody Belongs.

In September, we celebrate and remember:

• Labour Day on September 2: Traditionally, it was an occasion to campaign for and celebrate workers’ rights during parades and picnics organized by trade unions. These still play a role in Labour Day for some Canadians, but many people see this Statutory Holiday as an opportunity to take a late summer trip, perhaps to their country cottage, or enjoy the company of family or friends at picnics, fairs, festivals and fireworks displays. For students, the Labour Day long weekend is the last chance to enjoy summer before the new academic year.
• International Day of Charity on September 5: This is a United Nations’ designated day which promotes charitable efforts made to alleviate poverty worldwide and to encourage volunteer and philanthropic activities. The date of September 5th was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.”
• International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day on September 9: Recognized around the world, the 9th day of the 9th month, is celebrated to raise awareness about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, highlight prevention and support efforts, and encourage individuals to learn more about FASD and its impacts. 2025 theme is ‘Hear Our Voices!’. FASD is a lifelong disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that can affect brain and body development, making it the leading cause of preventable developmental disabilities in Canada. While much of the research and discussion about FASD has focused on challenges, it is also important to recognize the unique strengths, talents, abilities, interests, and achievements of people with FASD.
• World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10: The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented and to promote action through proven means that will reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally. The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action: “Start the Conversation.” This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides.
• Mennonite Heritage Week from September 14 to 20: On May 29, 2019, the Government of Canada adopted a motion to officially declare the second week of September as Mennonite Heritage Week. This week is an opportunity to learn more about Mennonite Canadians, their unique history, their vibrant culture, and their contributions that have helped shape our country.
• Karis Disability Services Annual Community Meetings on September 20: Karis communities across Ontario and Saskatchewan will come together to celebrate 60 years of shared stories, growth, and grace. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and look ahead with hope and excitement.
• Ganesh Chaturthi on September 19: This Hindu festival honours of one of Hinduism’s major deities, Ganesh, the elephant-headed god. He is known as the ‘remover of all obstacles’ and is invoked at the beginning of all new undertakings.
• Rosh Hashana from September 22 to 24: In Judaism, it’s the birthday of the universe, the day Adam and Eve were created, and it’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year. It begins at previous sundown. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with candle lighting in the evening, festive meals with sweet delicacies during the night and day, prayer services that include the sounding of the ram’s horn (shofar) and desisting from creative work.
• International Day of Sign Languages on September 23: Celebrated annually across the world, this day is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Sign languages are visual languages. This year’s theme is “Building Inclusive Communities for All.” As well as Deaf people feeling connected to their Deaf community, they should also feel connected to wider society and those without a hearing impairment, contributing to positive change and breaking down stereotypical barriers.
• Gender Equality Week – September 21 to 27: The fourth week in September is an opportunity to raise awareness of the important contributions women and gender diverse communities have made to the growth, development, character, and identity of Canada; to celebrate the significant achievements and accomplishments that we have made in advancing gender equality; and to reconfirm our commitment to address persistent gender equality gaps in our country.
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30: The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament. September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, a day to wear an orange shirt as a way to remember the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, whose orange shirt was taken away from her when she was sent to a residential school at age six. A commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family, and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your commitment to equity and belonging makes a difference—today and every day!