Karen Cook
Co-lead
204-975-7709
karen.cook@umanitoba.ca
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Community and partners
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences collaborates with over 100 community groups to develop, deliver and enrich educational programming. We also strive to build strong and lasting relationships with alumni, donors and partner organizations across Canada and beyond.
Days of significance
To enhance our knowledge and create a shared understanding of our community the following calendar contains cultural, religious, national, and international Days of Significance. This is a living calendar; some dates will change from year to year according to various religious and/or cultural calendars. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
January to April
Jump to:
January 2025
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (Canada)
January 1
- Gantan-sai (Shinto New Year)
- New Year’s Day (first day of the Gregorian calendar)
January 4
- National Ribbon Skirt Day (Canada)
- World Braille Day (United Nations)
January 6
- Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti (Sikh)
January 7
- Christmas (Orthodox)
January 13
- Maghi-Lohri (Hindu, Sikh)
January 14
- Orthodox New Year (Orthodox)
- Makar Sankranti (Hindu)
- Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
January 18
- Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
January 19
- World Religion Day (Baha’i)
January 20
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (United States)
January 24
- World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture (UNESCO)
January 27
- International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (United Nations)
January 29
- National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia (Canada)
January 29-February 2
- Lunar New Year (Confucian/ Daoist/ Buddhist-Lunar Calendar)
January 30
- Sadeh (Zoroastrian)
February 2025
Black History Month
Fist Full Week in February (2-8)
- National White Cane Week
February 1
- World Hijab Day
February 3
- Setsubun-Sai (Shinto)
February 11
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science (United Nations)
February 12
- Magha Puja (Buddhist)
- Lantern Festival (Lunar Calendar)
February 13
- Tu B’ Shevat (Jewish)
February 14
- Missing Women’s Memorial March (Canada)
February 15
- Nirvana Day (Buddhist)
February 17
- Louis Riel Day (Manitoba)
February 20
- World Day of Social Justice (United Nations)
February 23 to March 2
- Black Women’s History Week (United States)
February 25-28
- Intercalary Days/ Ayyam-i-ha (Baha’i)
February 26
- Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)
February 28
- Pink Shirt Day/ Anti-Bullying Day (Canada)
February 28 to March 12
- Losar/ Tibetan New Year (Buddhist)
February 28 to March 19
- Nineteen-Day Fast (Baha’i)
February 28 to March 29
- Ramadan (Islam)
March 2025
Women’s History Month (United States, United Kingdom, and Australia)
March 1
- International Wheelchair Day
March 1-19
- Ala - Baha'i Fast (Baha’i)
March 3 to April 20
- Great Lent (Orthodox)
March 4
- Shrove Tuesday (Christian)
March 5
- Ash Wednesday (Christian)
March 5 to April 17
- Lenten Season (Christian)
March 8
- International Women’s Day (United Nations)
March 13-14
- Purim (Jewish)
March 14
- Hola Mohalla (Sikh)
- Holi (Hindu)
March 15
- International Day to Combat Islamophobia (United Nations)
- Shri Ramakrishna Jayanti (Hindu)
March 17
- St. Patrick’s Day (Christian)
March 20
- Spring Equinox
- Naw Ruz (Baha’i)
March 20-21
- Nowruz (Islam, Zoroastrian)
March 21
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (United Nations)
- World Down Syndrome Day (United Nations)
March 22
- World Water Day (United Nations)
March 25
- International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (United Nations)
March 31
- International Trans Day of Visibility
- National Indigenous Languages Day (Canada)
- Eid al-Fitr (Islam)
April 2025
Sikh Heritage Month/ Sexual Assault Awareness Month/ Deaf History Month
April 2
- World Autism Awareness Day (United Nations)
April 4
- Refugee Rights Day (Canada)
April 6
- International Asexuality Day
April 7
- World Health Day (United Nations)
April 9
- International Day of Pink (Anti-Bullying and Anti-Homophobia/Transphobia)
April 13
- Vaisakhi (Hindu/Sikh)
- Palm Sunday (Christian/ Orthodox)
- Theravada New Year (Buddhist)
April 17
- Yom HaShoah/ Holocaust Memorial Day (Judaism)
April 18
- Good Friday (Christian)
April 20
- Easter Sunday (Christian)
- Pascha (Orthodox)
April 21
- Mahavira-Jayanti (Jain)
- Festival of Ridvan begins (Baha’i)
- Easter Monday (Christian)
April 22
- Earth Day
April 22-30
- Pesach/Passover (Jewish)
April 24
- Yom HaShoah/ Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jewish)
April 24-26
- Gathering of Nations Pow Wow (United States)
April 30
- Journey to Freedom Day (Canada)
May to August
Jump to:
May 2025
Asian Heritage Month/ Jewish Heritage Month/ Vision Health Month
May 5
- National Day of Awareness for MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples/Red Dress Day (Canada)
- Cinco de Mayo (Mexican)
May 10
- Bear Witness Day/ Spirit Bear Day (Canada)
May 12
- Vesak/Buddha Day (Buddhist)
May 15
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day
May 17
- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
May 20
- Asian Gold Ribbon Day (Stand in Solidarity against Anti-Asian Racism)
May 21
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (United Nations)
May 22
- Declaration of the Bab (Baha’i)
May 25
- Africa Day (Organization of African Unity)
May 26 to June 1
- National AccessAbility Week (Canada)
May 28
- Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
May 29
- Feast of the Ascension (Christian)
May 30
- Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib (Sikh)
June 2025
National Indigenous History Month/ Filipino Heritage Month/ Pride Month
June 1-3
- Shavuot (Jewish)
June 2
- International Sex Workers’ Rights Day
June 5
- World Environment Day (United Nations)
June 6-10
- Eid al-Adha (Islam)
June 11-13
- Shavuot (Jewish)
June 18
- International Day for Countering Hate Speech (United Nations)
June 19
- Juneteenth (United States)
- International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (United Nations)
June 20
- World Refugee Day (United Nations)
- Summer Solstice
June 21
- National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada)
June 23
- National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism (Canada)
June 27
- Al-Hijra/ Muharram (Islam)
July 2025
Disability Pride Month
July 9
- Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i)
July 14
- International Non-Binary People’s Day
July 18
- Nelson Mandela Day (United Nations)
August 2025
August 1
- Emancipation Day (Canada)
August 2-3
- Tisha B’Av (Jewish)
August 9
- International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (United Nations)
August 12
- Tisha B’Av (Jewish)
August 13-15
- Obon Festival (Buddhist)
August 15
- Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
August 19
- World Humanitarian Day (United Nations)
August 23
- International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (UNESCO)
August 27
- Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
September to December
Jump to:
September 2025
September 1
- Labour Day (Canada)
September 6
- Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
September 10
- World Suicide Prevention Day
September 22
- Fall Equinox
September 22 to October 1
- Navaratri (Hindu)
September 23
- Bi Visibility Day
- International Day of Sign Languages (United Nations)
September 30
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/ Orange Shirt Day (Canada)
October 2025
Women’s History Month (Canada)/ Islamic History Month/ National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 1-2
- Yom Kippur (Jewish)
October 2
- Dussehra (Hindu)
October 2-4
- Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
October 4
- National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ (Canada)
October 6-13
- Sukkot (Jewish)
October 10
- World Mental Health Day (World Health Organization)
October 11
- National Coming Out Day
- International Day of the Girl Child (United Nations)
October 13-14
- Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
October 14
- Indigenous Peoples Day (United States)
October 14-15
- Simchat Torah (Jewish)
October 15
- International Pronouns Day
October 16
- World Food Day
October 16
- Spirit Day (Support of 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth and the prevention of bullying)
October 17
- International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (United Nations)
October 18
- Persons Day (Canada)
October 20
- Installation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh)
October 20-21
- Diwali/ Festival of Lights (Hindu, Jain, Sikh)
October 22
- Birth of the Bab (Baha’i)
October 23
- Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
October 26
- Intersex Awareness Day
November 2025
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month
November 1
- All Saints Day (Christian)
November 2
- All Souls’ Day (Christian)
November 5
- Guru Nanak Jayanti (Sikh)
November 7
- International Inuit Day (Inuit Circumpolar Council)
November 8
- National Indigenous Veterans Day (Canada)
November 9-15
- Rock Your Mocs Week (International)
November 11
- Remembrance Day (Canada)
November 20
- Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 24
- Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Ji (Sikh)
November 25
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (United Nations)
November 27
- Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha (Baha’i)
December 2025
December 1
- World AIDS Day (United Nations)
December 2
- International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (United Nations)
December 3
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations)
December 6
- National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women (Canada)
December 8
- Bodhi Day (Buddhist; Japan)
December 9
- International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime (United Nations)
December 10
- Human Rights Day (United Nations)
December 12
- International Universal Health Coverage Day (United Nations)
December 14-22
- Hanukkah (Jewish)
December 17
- International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (Red Umbrella Day)
December 18
- International Migrants Day (United Nations)
December 21
- Winter Solstice
December 25
- Christmas Day (Christian)
December 26, 2025 to January 1, 2026
- Kwanzaa (United States)
References
Deer, K. (2019, November 13). Indigenous people across Canada are rocking their mocs this week. CBC News.
Health Sciences Association. (n.d.). Days of Significance 2024.
Oxfam Canada. (2023). Oxfam Canada 2024 Calendar.
PennState. (n.d.). Diversity calendar.
United Nations. List of international days and weeks.
University of Calgary. (n.d.). Religious observance dates.
If you find any errors or wish to provide updates, please email radyantiracism@umanitoba.ca.
What we offer
Alumni
Internationally educated health professionals
Ten Thousand Coffees UM Café
UM Café is an online networking and mentoring platform powered by Ten Thousand Coffees. UM Café introduces students, alumni and industry partners to one another. They can then share a virtual cup of coffee and exchange knowledge and advice. Learn more by reading our story in UM Today.
Biomedical Youth Program
The Biomedical Youth Program (BYP) is an exciting science enrichment initiative that brings students closer to the university experience through a variety of engaging events and activities.
What we offer:
- Early-learning programs for children in Grades 1 to 3.
- After-school science programs for students in Grades 4 to 12.
- Student mentors who assist with science fair projects.
- Mobile labs that deliver hands-on science activities to First Nations communities.
- Professional development workshops and seminars for Manitoba science teachers.
All these resources are provided FREE OF CHARGE to make science accessible to everyone!
Read more about the Biomedical Youth Program in UM Today.
Summer Camp
Summer camp
The Biomedical Youth Summer Camp is a highlight of our outreach efforts, providing a week of immersive science experiences for students.
- Dates: Typically the third week of July each year
- Location: University of Manitoba Bannatyne Campus
- Cost: Free for students in Grades 5-12 with an interest in science
Volunteer with us!
Volunteers are the heart of the BYP, helping to enrich the lives of underserved students from kindergarten to Grade 12, especially those who need extra support in the inner city. Here are some ways you can get involved:
- Saturday Science Club
- Mentoring students on science projects or in homework clubs
- Judging or leading activities at the annual Winnipeg School Division Science Fair
- Leading groups or activities at the annual Biomedical Youth Summer Camp
- Engaging high school students in hands-on biotechnology experiments and preparing them for university
Ready to make a difference? Complete the BYP volunteer online registration form.
Donate
Thank you for considering a gift to the Biomedical Youth Program (BYP) at the University of Manitoba. Your support can be directed towards high-priority programs, helping to inspire and educate the next generation of scientists. Call us at 204-789-3580 or email bmyp@med.umanitoba.ca to learn more about the many ways you can contribute.
Join us in helping make science fun and accessible for all!
Contact us
To learn more about BYP, call us at 204-789-3580 or email bmyp@med.umanitoba.ca.
Inner City Science Centre
Niji Mahkwa Elementary School hosts the cutting-edge science laboratories of the Inner-City Science Centre, bringing state-of-the-art science directly to the heart of the community.
This innovative center is a result of a powerful collaboration between the Winnipeg School Division, Manitoba Education, the Winnipeg Foundation, and the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. Dive into the world of science with us! To book a visit to the Inner-City Science Centre, email us at bmyp@umanitoba.ca.
Read more about the Inner-City Science Centre UM Today.
Winnipeg School Division Annual Science Fair
Each year, the Winnipeg Schools’ Science Fair lights up UM's Bannatyne campus, uniting over 400 students from Grades 4 to 12 in a celebration of science and discovery.
These young scientists showcase their innovative projects and get invaluable feedback from Rady Faculty of Health Sciences members and industry experts. From biology to chemistry to physics, students are challenged to tackle real-world problems and use science to find creative solutions in one of nine exciting categories.
Read more about the annual science fair UM Today.
Habitat for Humanity
At the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, social responsibility and accountability are at the heart of everything we do.
We understand that safe, affordable housing is essential for fostering healthier communities, boosting education success, and enhancing self-esteem. That’s why since 2013, we've proudly partnered with Habitat for Humanity on four home-building projects. Our learners, faculty, and staff have rolled up their sleeves to volunteer, raise funds, and even provide build space on our Bannatyne campus. Together, we’re building not just houses, but brighter futures.
Read about our most recent build in UM Today.
Rady Pride
Rady Pride is an initiative within the Office of Equity, Access and Participation at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, designed to address the specific needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals within the Faculty.
Learn more on the Rady Pride page.
Social accountability committee leadership
Co-chairs: Ian Whetter and Christine Ateah; Administrative support: Brenda Peterson
Terms of reference
1. PURPOSE AND MANDATE
1.1 Purpose/Mandate:
The Social Accountability Committee (“Committee”) of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (“RFHS”) is established to:
- (a) act as the main discussion and advisory body of the RFHS in relation to issues of social accountability;
- (b) assess the social needs and challenges of the community that the RFHS serves, with particular input from community members;
- (c) coordinate an inventory of social accountability activities and initiatives occurring within the Colleges and/or RFHS and serve as the repository body for social accountability activities and initiatives;
- (d) determine the gaps in social accountability initiatives within the RFHS, based on the identified social needs and challenges, the inventory, and any other information the Committee determines is relevant;
- (e) identify social accountability initiatives as priorities to be implemented within the RFHS and its respective Colleges;
- (f) recommend implementation strategies for social accountability priorities within the RFHS and its Colleges, including without limitation identifying sufficient opportunities for, encouraging, and supporting learner participation in service-learning and community service activities;
- (g) monitor and report on the outcomes of the social accountability priorities within the RFHS and its Colleges (i.e., its “Mandate”).
1.2 Definition of Social Accountability:
Social Accountability is being accountable to the social realities of the community in which one lives and serves.
A socially accountable health system is one that is obligated to engage with and respond to its community’s needs, as well as instill the values of this responsibility within its institutions and its practitioners. The goal of social accountability in health care is a health system built on the needs of a community and its members. Health care providers, administrators, health sciences education providers, and researchers work toward this goal through engagement with society (people, governments, and businesses); and intentional policies, medical practices, educational, and research activities that work toward achieving the community’s health priorities as identified by all of these actors.
Social accountability in this context includes the consideration of the causes of existing health concerns as well as the health concerns themselves. Socially accountable activities in a health care education and research setting include:
- Teach social responsibility as a core value for future practitioners.
- Educate future health care professionals on broader determinants of health.
- Teach and practice culturally safe health care. This includes the skills of intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
- Identify groups with specific or greater need such as higher rates of illness or greater barriers to health.
- Provide opportunities for learners to volunteer, and co-curricular and community service learning that allows the student to engage with and learn from the group’s members and encourages future work with such groups including working as an ally to support systems and policy change.
- Conduct community-identified research.
- Reflect the principles and calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
University of Manitoba representatives
| Area | Representatives |
|---|---|
| Dentistry | Julie Pfeffer and Nader Shaker (student rep) |
| Interdisciplinary Health Program | Parneet Kaur Sabhi (student rep) |
| Medicine | Ian Whetter and Cathy Tat (student rep) |
| Nursing | Tyla Turman and Sheryl Demetrioff (student rep) |
| Pharmacy | Dana Turcotte and Cole Janke (student rep) |
| Rady Faculty of Health Sciences | Dr. Christine Ateah, Karen Cook, Margaret Lavallee, Elders |
| Rehabilitation Sciences | Lisa Diamond-Burchuk and Sara DePottie (student rep) |
| Other | Ricardo Soriano (Accreditation unit rep) / Marcia Langhan |
Community representatives
| Organization | Representatives |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Youth Opportunities (AYO) | Michael Champagne, Jenna Wirch |
| Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC) | Jodie Jephcote, Allen Mankewich |
| Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (MHRN) | Shohan Illsley |
| Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (MIIC) | Felicien Rubayita |
| Queer People of Colour (QPOC) | Uzoma Asagwara |
| Trans Manitoba | Janet Trans |
Partner organizations
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is proud to partner with organizations across the city and beyond, including the groups listed below.
-
0-9
-
A
- Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre
- Agape Table
-
B
- B & L Resources for Children, Youth and Families
- Bear Clan Patrol
- Biomedical Youth Program (BYP)
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg Inc.
- BridgeCare Clinic
- Broadway Neighbourhood Centre
-
C
- CKUW.95
- CanU
- Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
- Canadian Red Cross
- Child Protection Centre (Health Sciences Centre)
- Child and Family Services
- Children's Hospital
- Community Financial Counselling Services
- Community Public Health
-
D
- Deer Lodge
- Department of Families, South Winnipeg
-
E
- Ethio-Canadian Cultural Academy
- Extendicare Vista Park Lodge
-
F
- Fort Garry Women’s Centre
-
G
- Good Neighbours Active Living Centre Inc.
- Government of Manitoba, Disabilities Issues Office
-
H
- Habitat for Humanity
- Healthy Child Manitoba
- House of Peace
-
I
- Immaculate Heart of Mary School
- Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM)
- Independent Living Resource Centre
-
J
- Jacob Penner Park
-
K
- Klinic Community Health
-
L
- Let’s Talk Science
- Louis Riel School Division
-
M
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy
- Manitoba Federation of Labour Occupational Health Centre (OHC)
- Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (the 595)
- Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc. (MIIC)
- Misericordia Health Centre
- Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Centre
- Mount Carmel Clinic
-
N
- National Aboriginal Diabetes Association
- Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services Inc. (NEEDS)
- Niji Mahkwa
- Nine Circles Community Health Centre
-
O
- Opikihiwawin, New Directions
-
P
- Pan Am Place
- Pathways to Education
-
Q
-
R
- Rainbow Resource Centre
- River East Personal Care Home
- Riverview Health Centre
- Rossbrook House
-
S
- Salvation Army
- Sex Workers of Winnipeg Action Coalition
- Sexuality Education Resource Centre (SERC)
- Siloam Mission
- Special Olympics
- Spence Neighbourhood Association
- St Matthews Maryland Community Ministry
- Sunshine House
-
T
- Teen Talk
- The Birth Centre
- The Salvation Army
- Transcona Council for Seniors Inc.
- Two-Spirited People of Manitoba Inc.
-
U
- University of Manitoba, Disabilities Studies Office
-
V
-
W
- WISH Clinic
- West Broadway Community Services
- West Broadway Youth Outreach
- West End Women’s Resource Centre
- Winnipeg Aboriginal Sports Association
- Winnipeg Harvest
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Healthy Sexuality & Harm Reduction
- Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (WRENCH)
- Winnipeg School Division 1
- Winnipeg School Division 2
- Wolseley Family Place
- Women's Correctional Centre
-
X
-
Y
-
Z
Connect with us
-
-
Ian Whetter
Co-lead
ian.whetter@umanitoba.ca -
Jennifer Otisi-Didi
Community engagement assistant
204-789-3928
jennifer.otisi-didi@umanitoba.ca
Community Engagement Office
S100-750 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W3 Canada
204-789-3928
204-789-3905
Social accountability committee
The Social Accountability Committee supports Rady Faculty of Health Sciences in its goal of being accountable to the social realities of the community in which one lives and serves.