Recognizing DivErsity During the Holidays

A kit to allow, enable and observe all that makes us special

Public Service Commission Diversity Council

Prepared by: The following was prepared by the Public Service Commission’s Diversity Council and is based on a concept from the Labour and Advanced Education’s Kit.

In consultation with: Nova Scotia Public Service Commission’s Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Unit

Contact Information:

PSC Diversity Council Email: [email protected] Telephone: 902-424-3052

Date: , 2015

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Table of Contents

1 Building Awareness and Understanding ...... 3 2 Building an Inclusive Environment ...... 3 2.1 Learn about other celebrations ...... 3 2.2 Make no expectations ...... 3 2.3 Mark your calendars ...... 3 3 Some Holidays Observed in December ...... 4 3.1 Hanukkah – December 6-14, 2015 ...... 4 3.2 Bodhi Day – December 8, 2015 ...... 4 3.3 Dōngzhì Festival – December 22, 2015...... 4 3.4 Winter – December 22, 2015 ...... 5 3.5 al-Nabi – December 23, 2015 ...... 5 3.6 – December 25, 2015 ...... 5 3.7 Kwanzaa – December 26 – January 1, 2016 ...... 6 4 Observance Calendar for December 2015 ...... 6 5 Building your Psychological Health ...... 7 5.1 Plan ahead ...... 7 5.2 Ask for help, organize and delegate as much as possible ...... 7 5.3 Beware of overindulgence ...... 7 5.4 Stay within budget ...... 7 5.5 Remember what the holiday season is about for you...... 7 5.6 Invite others ...... 7 5.7 Connect with your community ...... 8 5.8 Gift-giving made easier and less expensive ...... 8 5.9 Remember the weather doesn’t help ...... 8 5.10 Learn stress-busting skills you can use year-round ...... 8 6 Dealing with Holiday Grief ...... 9

2 1 Building Awareness and Understanding Millions of us are gearing up for a busy December. We are preparing for family and friends, we are shopping, we are gifting, volunteering and giving back to our communities. Some of us are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Bodhi Day. Some of us are taking time to recognize . And many of us choose not to partake in any particular celebration at all.

It is easy to overlook the depth of the diversity present during this season (have you been to the mall lately?). In reality, many special events that are spiritual, religious, and tradition based are being celebrated during these times. And that’s what the PSC Diversity Council would like to gently remind everyone of. We don’t want to change or advocate for any labels or titles, because any and all should be celebrated. This is about taking the time to be with friends and family, and to build an understanding and awareness about all traditions that colour our world. 2 Building an Inclusive Environment You may be asking yourself, “Well, how can I be create an inclusive environment during this time?” Even though we all may have our own ideas, here are some ways to help you get started! 2.1 Learn about other celebrations Curious to learn about another culture? What kinds of foods do different cultures prepare? What traditions are shared? What does it mean? Everyone is encouraged to check out the information within this package and do so some research on your own. Share your learning with others, and use it as a chance to expand the conversation at parties and at the dinner table. 2.2 Make no expectations Realizing that we don’t all celebrate the same way or celebrate anything at all, it is important to be respectful of everyone’s differences. You can do this by taking interest in other people's traditions and making them feel welcome. Don't be afraid to ask people what holidays they celebrate. Find out what they do during this time of the year that is special. Let it be an opportunity to learn about different cultures and religions and the traditions that accompany them. 2.3 Mark your calendars Realizing that we don’t all celebrate the same way or celebrate anything at all, it is important to be respectful of everyone’s differences. You can do this by taking interest in other people's traditions and making everyone feel included.

3 3 Some Holidays Observed in December According to the United Nations, there were 7 billion people living in this world as of 2011. If no two people are alike, that’s a lot of differences we could be celebrating! Let’s take this time to learn, engage and recognize some of the different cultures and traditions observed this month. 3.1 Hanukkah – December 6-14, 2015 Hanukkah is the annual Jewish festival celebrated on eight successive days beginning this year on December 6 to 14. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC after the Temple had been profaned by Antichus IV Epiphanes, King of and overload of Palestine. On each night of Hanukkah, the menorah is lit to commemorate a miracle that occurred after the Jews proclaimed victory over the Syrian armies in 165 BC. When Jews came to rededicate the Temple, which had been defiled by the Syrians, they found only one small flask of oil with which to light the menorah. This flask contained only enough oil for one day, yet the lamp burned for eight days. Read more about Hanukkah here: http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/hanukkah. 3.2 Bodhi Day – December 8, 2015 Bodhi Day is the day that we celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha. The story goes: Buddha Shakyamuni, after trying to achieve what he was looking for through different methods, practices, religions, etc., finally decided he was not finding what he was searching for and sat down under a huge Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, . He vowed that he would not move until he achieved full enlightenment. He sat in meditation for 49 days but went into deep meditation the last 8 days. After 7 days of fasting and meditating he achieved enlightenment on the eighth day. Because of this memorial event, Buddhist observe this day as a very important day in their practice. Read more about Bodhi Day here: http://www.examiner.com/article/bodhi-day-what-it-is-and-how-to-observe-it. 3.3 Dōngzhì Festival – December 22, 2015 The Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival or "The Arrival of Winter" is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and East Asian Nations. The origins of this festival can be traced back to the philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. It’s believed that the yin qualities of darkness and cold are at their most powerful on the shortest day of the year, but also at their turning point to give way to the light and warmth of yang. For this reason, the Winter Solstice Festival is a time for optimism. In Hong Kong, most people finish work early on the festival and go home for lavish meals with their families. They’ll usually include tong yuan on the menu (a sweet soup with balls of sticky rice) because its name sounds like ‘reunion’. Read more about the Dōngzhì Festival here: http://www.holidaysia.com/events/dongzhi-winter-solstice-festival/.

4 3.4 Winter Solstice – December 22, 2015 The earliest people on Earth knew that the sun’s path across the sky, the length of daylight, and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted in a regular way throughout the year. They built monuments such as Stonehenge in England or Machu Picchu in Peru – to follow the sun’s yearly progress. Winter solstice is a universal observance and is central to many cultures, including First Nations, Indigenous people, Pagans (), and many others who celebrate this day in many special ways. Read more about Winter Solstice here: http://www.britannica.com/list/7-winter-solstice-celebrations. 3.5 Mawlid al-Nabi – December 23, 2015 Mawlid al-Nabi is the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet which is celebrated often on the 12th day of Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month in the . In many predominantly Muslim countries, Mawlid al- Nabi is a major . Throughout the world, there are a variety of expressions for the observance of the birth of the Prophet: some celebrations take place simply in private homes; other Muslims decorate their local masjid with lights and hold large festive gatherings. Celebrations of Mawlid al-Nabi include sharing food, attending lectures, participating in marches, and reading the Qur’an and devotional poetry. Read more about Mawlid al-Nabi here: http://www.pluralism.org/religion/islam/experience/birthday. 3.6 Christmas – December 25, 2015 Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died for them and then came back to life. The 'Christ-Mass' service was the only one that was allowed to take place after sunset (and before sunrise the next day), so people had it at Midnight. So we get the name Christ-Mass, shortened to Christmas. Christmas is now celebrated by people around the world. It's a time when family and friends come together and remember the good things they have. Read more about Christmas here: http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas.

5 3.7 Kwanzaa – December 26 – January 1, 2016 Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966. After the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African-Americans together as a community. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili) are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans. Read more about Kwanzaa here: http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history.

4 Observance Calendar for December 2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 World AIDS International Day Day of Persons with Disabilities 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Start of Bodhi Day Human Hanukah Rights Day

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Las Posadas (Mexican) PSC Gathering 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Gita Jayanti Dōngzhì Mawlid al- Christmas Christmas Start of Festival Nabi Eve Day Kwanzaa Winter Solstice Boxing Day 27 28 29 30 31 New Year’s Eve

Click on a calendar day to learn more about the observances recognized this month.

6 5 Building your Psychological Health Many of us look forward to this season – some of us with anticipation and some of us with dread. No matter what’s going on, everyone is busy! So, while we’re out there trying to spread peace and joy, let’s remember our own internal peace and joy; in other words, our health and well-being. Here are some tips for you to follow from the Canadian Mental Health Association – It’s all about keeping it simple! 5.1 Plan ahead Try menus you can make ahead of time or at least partially prepare and freeze. Decorate, cook, shop, or do whatever’s on your list in advance. Then you can really relax and enjoy visiting friends, relatives and coworkers. 5.2 Ask for help, organize and delegate as much as possible Don’t overextend yourself with too many commitments. Focus on doing what’s really important to you and your family. If it’s hard to choose between activities, rotate outings every two or three years. 5.3 Beware of overindulgence Exercising on your own or with loved ones to work out excess energy and stress is a great activity to schedule during hectic weeks. Don’t forget to get enough sleep to keep you healthy through this busy time of year. Eating well, exercising regularly and getting a good night’s sleep can help you battle stress, winter blues, even colds. 5.4 Stay within budget Finances are still a great stressor for many people. Again, eliminate the unnecessary. Set a budget, and stay within it. A call, a visit or a note to tell someone how important they are to you can be as touching as and more meaningful than a gift. You can also enjoy free activities like walking or driving around to look at holiday decorations, going window shopping without buying, or making your own decorations or presents. 5.5 Remember what the holiday season is about for you. Make that your priority. Regardless of the usual holiday advertising that creates a picture that the holidays are about shiny new toys and gift giving, remember that this season is really about sharing, loving and time spent with family and loved ones. Develop your own meaningful traditions that don’t have to cost a lot of money. And use this time of year to help regain perspective. Also, remember not to take things too seriously. Fun or silly things to do, games or movies that make you laugh, playing with pets, and time alone or with a partner are all good ways to reduce stress. Watching children can also help us put things in perspective. 5.6 Invite others If you have few family or friends, reach out to neighbours. Find ways to spend the holidays with other people. If you’re part of a family gathering, invite someone you know is alone or who may be new to your neighbourhood to your gathering.

7 5.7 Connect with your community Attend diverse cultural events with family and friends. Help out at a local food bank or another community organization. Lend your voice to a cause you care about. Go through closets and donate clothes and toys, or whatever you can afford. 5.8 Gift-giving made easier and less expensive Try putting family members’ and partners’ names in a hat and buy one gift for the person you draw; this can help reduce expenses and refocus energies on thoughtfulness, creativity and truly personal gifts. Encourage children to make gifts for friends and relatives so the focus is on giving rather than buying. If you find that your list of gift recipients is becoming ever-growing, think of combined gifts for people who live in the same household. Or arrange a mystery gift swap by asking friends to each bring one wrapped ‘mystery gift,’ then draw names to decide who picks out a gift first. 5.9 Remember the weather doesn’t help Some people get the winter blahs each year, and a much smaller number (2-3%) develop seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Paying attention to nutrition, exercise and sleep and being careful with alcohol are also important if you have a history of depression. If your low mood carries on into the New Year and starts to affect your daily life, you should see your family doctor. 5.10 Learn stress-busting skills you can use year-round If the holidays often get you down, you may struggle with stress, low mood and worry at other times of year. Remember, there are a number of places you can go to seek help, such as our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): http://novascotia.ca/psc/employeeCentre/eap/.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cmha.bc.ca/get-informed/news/media/05/12/14.

8 6 Dealing with Holiday Grief The holiday season can be especially rough for those of us who’ve lost someone recently or who lost someone close at this time of the year. With all the messages of family togetherness and joy, the emptiness left behind when someone passes away is in harsh contrast to what society seems to “expect” us to feel. Below are some tips to help you or someone you know get through a potentially hard time:

 Talking about the deceased person is okay. Your stress will only increase if the deceased person’s memory is allowed to become a landmine that everyone tiptoes around.  Things won’t be the same. It’s normal to feel at odds with yourself and family events when dealing with grief. Do not isolate, but limit involvement when you need to and plan new events.  Don’t let other people’s expectations dictate how your holiday will unfold. If you don’t feel like doing something this Christmas, don’t let others force you. If you do want to attend holiday functions, make sure you know your limits. Leave early, arrive late, drive alone — do whatever you need to do to help yourself.  Seek support. Talk to your friends and family about how you feel. Also, many communities offer support groups for people who are grieving. Being around people who know what you’re going through can be very comforting.  Plan a special time to celebrate the memories of the person who died. Some families develop creative rituals like decorating a miniature Christmas tree at the cemetery, donating money to a charity like the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), singing their favourite seasonal song, reciting a special prayer before the evening meal, or even just lighting a candle. Symbolic gestures like these can help families validate their feelings of sadness and overcome the guilt of enjoying special occasions.  Take care of yourself. Stress, depression and bodily neglect are not a great mix at any time of the year.  Think about building some new traditions. Remember that it’s okay not to do what you traditionally do. Planning something totally different is not an insult to the memory of a loved one and can be a positive way to ease some of the pressure.

For more information on mental health and access to online resources, please visit the Canadian Mental Health Association’s website at: http://www.cmha.ca/.

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On behalf of the PSC Diversity Council, we would like to wish everyone, no matter how they celebrate, peace, joy, happiness…and a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, a joyous Eid, a lovely Bodhi Day, a festive Dōngzhì, and a Happy Holidays!

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