Three amazing ethnic communities need to be equally celebrated this month

As anyone not living under a rock has heard by now, June is Pride Month in Canada. There have been flags raised, countless messages on social media, and celebrations of that community.

And they have a right to do so as long as they’re doing it with love in their hearts and not hurting anyone.

As well, most people also know (or at least they should know) that June is Indignous History Month in Canada. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Indigenous history of Turtle Island and the traditional ways of respecting and caring for our natural surroundings – plus other interesting cultural and historical facts.

However, other than those who are on my Facebook friends list, have you heard that June is also Italian Heritage Month? How about Portuguese Heritage Month? Filipino Heritage Month? Probably not as they’re not being touted as much as they should be.

And that’s where I have an issue. Not with the Pride or Indigenous peoples, but with the legacy media, businesses, and school boards who are consciously ignoring three amazing ethnic communities who have contributed much to both Canada and the world.

Italian Heritage is World Heritage

June has been Italian Heritage month since 2010. From what I can tell – thanks to the historical teachings of other Italians on social media – this month was chosen in honour of the famed Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto (aka John Cabot) who sailed across the Atlantic and landed in the Canadian Maritimes (the exact location is oft disputed) on June 24, 1497.

Others believe June is the month chosen because of the Festa della Repubblica in Italy on June 2. Literally translated into the Festival of the Republic, the event celebrates the 1946 Italian referendum that moved the nation from fascism to democracy after WWII.

Whatever the reason, June is Italian-Canadian Heritage Month and our children in schools should be learning about how our community helped make this nation an amazing place to live.

They could learn about the inventor of the radio, Guglielmo Marconi, who sent the first transatlantic radio message from the Marconi station in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia on December 17, 1902. Or they could learn than an Italian immigrant to America (Antonio Meucci) invented the phone and Romans (the ones from the peninsula known as Italy today) invented everything you hold dear to this day.

They could learn about the contributions of Italian immigrants to the tannery in Muskoka (there is a reason a Luigi Road exists near Huntsville), to building and maintaining the railway lines throughout the nation, building roads and home, to providing excellent food and culture, film and television, and much more.

They could learn how Italian immigrants moved throughout the country, some maintaining their cultural heritage, others embracing a fully “Canadian” existence, and still others joyfully blending the two.

Portuguese Pride

June has been Portuguese-Canadian Heritage Month since 2017, and it was chosen because Portugal Day (June 10) marks the the death of Luís de Camões, considered to be the greatest poet and writer in Portugal and in the Portuguese Language. 

Our friends who hail from, or whose families hail from, Portugal have also been huge parts of this great nation.

Many of them had similar histories to the Italian community, working the same jobs, living in neighbourhoods close to each other, and interacting amicably about everything from food to music to religion to politics to sports (with one sport being a notable exception).

Their contributions go back to the 15th and 16th centuries as well with João Fernandes Lavrador, who was the first explorer of Labrador, and Gaspar Corte-Real, who was also one of the earliest European explorers of Canada. 

We all have at least one incredible Portuguese friend (I’m lucky enough to have two – hehehehe) and the world would suck without them.

Fantastic Filipinos

Admittedly, I have a lot less knowledge about the Filipino community. I do know it was in 2018 that they added Filipino Heritage Month to June’s celebrations. This month was chosen because of Philippine Independence Day on June 12.

Everyone I’ve met from their community has been a hardworking person, a family-oriented person, and genuinely had a pretty good personality.

Most people know Filipino-Canadians from their work on the frontlines in healthcare – particularly as PSWs and nurses – and have become part of our cultural fabric throughout the nation.

Historically, Benson Flores is largely regarded as the first Filipino immigrant to Canada back in 1861. He moved to and lived on Bowen Island, British Columbia until he passed away in 1929.

Common Sense Conclusion

Here’s an idea for the schools: There are five days in a week and five communities to celebrate. How about taking at least one week in June and honour each community on a different day.

It would be like this: Monday for Pride, Tuesday for Indigenous History, Wednesday for Filipino Heritage, Thursday for Portuguese Heritage, and saving the best for last, Friday for the Italian Heritage.

Boom. Everyone included. Actual inclusiveness that recognizes each community who are supposed to be honoured in June.

That’s how you build bridges and teach acceptance: celebrating everyone equally.

Also, let’s remember that Italians, Portuguese, and Filipinos also have people who are part of the Pride community, so they get to be celebrated twice.

So, don’t forget to give props to your friends from all of June’s communities we’re supposed to be celebrating.