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January DEI: Tamil Heritage Month & Alzheimer’s awareness Month

During the month of January, in Canada, we celebrate Tamil Heritage Month, as well as Alzheimer's awareness Month.

Tamil Heritage month is celebrated in January as the first month of the Tamil calendar, Thai, begins in the middle of January. Along with this, it is during this month that they celebrate The Pongal festival, the most important and widely-celebrated festival amongst Tamils around the world (Tamil Heritage Month).

We celebrate Tamil Heritage in Canada to recognize the contributions Tamil people have had in Canadian society, as well as their rich history in Canada. Tamil culture is one of the oldest in the world, spanning over 2,000 years and has made profound impacts across the globe, and especially in Canada (UNACTO). Tamil Canadians have been an integral part of Canada contributing to the country’s growth in areas such as arts, education, business, and community development.

There are currently almost 240,000 Tamil people living in, and calling Canada their home (UNACTO). Thus during this time we encourage everyone to take the time to learn and celebrate Tamil heritage and the impact it has had and continues to have on our Country. By participating in Tamil Heritage Month, we embrace the values of inclusivity and diversity that are the foundation of Canada’s identity.

During this time we also celebrate Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, where we are encouraged to learn more about Dementia and Alzheimer’s and spread awareness of impact that is has on the individual’s everyday life as well as the caregivers’ lives.

Alzheimer’s disease, is a neurological disorder, that impacts, thinking, memory, and behavior. In Canada, almost half a million people live with dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. However, it’s not accurate to say that if a person has dementia, then they have Alzheimer’s disease – or that all dementias are a type of Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Society). Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills, whereas Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage that leads to dementia symptoms which advance over time (Alzheimer’s Association).

During this month, we focus on raising awareness, increasing understanding, breaking down the stigma surrounding the disease, and supporting those impacted by Alzheimer’s.