South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) is a month-long celebration in Canada that aims to recognize and highlight the contributions of South Asians to Canadian society. This celebration takes place during the month of May and is an opportunity to showcase the rich cultural diversity, history, and heritage of South Asians in Canada.
During SAHM, various events, activities, and initiatives take place across the country to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of South Asian Canadians. One such initiative is the annual poster and panel discussion organized by CASSA, which brings together South Asian-Canadian trailblazers to share their experiences and insights.
The poster and panel discussion serves as a platform to showcase the contributions of South Asian Canadians in various fields, such as health, politics, entertainment, business, and academia. The event aims to inspire and empower the younger generation of South Asian Canadians to pursue their dreams and aspirations, and to make a positive impact on Canadian society.
Through this event, CASSA strives to promote cultural understanding and appreciation among Canadians of all backgrounds and to create a more inclusive and diverse society. SAHM is a valuable opportunity to celebrate the cultural richness and diversity of Canada, and to recognize the significant contributions of South Asian Canadians to the fabric of Canadian society.
2023
As part of our ongoing efforts to highlight and celebrate the contributions of South Asian-Canadians to our social fabric, CASSA is hosting its eighth year of the SAHM panel discussion on May 30th, 2023 from 6-8PM at the Scarborough Civic Centre. The theme for this year is “South Asian-Canadian Systemic Changemakers”.
Our changemakers have made a systemic impact in South Asian communities through research, advocacy, activism, art, policy, outreach, and education. They have been integral in paving the way for an equitable road for future generations.
This hybrid event will feature the following seven systemic changemakers:
- Gurdeep Pandher
- Masuma Khan
- Dr. Nasima Akter
- Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains
- Seher Shafiq
- Sonali (Alyy) Patel
- V.T. Nayani
Please RSVP to attend the May 30th, 2023 panel discussion here:
2022
The 2022 SAHM panel discussion, held virtually on May 25th, focused on “Mental Health and Supports in South Asian Communities” and featured six South Asian-Canadian mental health practitioners and advocates, including:
- Dr. Farah Islam
- Dr. Farooq Naeem
- Dr. Parvathy Kandasamy
- Maneet Chahal
- Jasmeet Chagger
- Dr. Ripudaman Singh Minhas
- Rita Kohli
The panelists shared their candid insights and experiences on a range of topics including the stigma surrounding mental health in South Asian communities, seeking professional help, and culturally sensitive mental health services/resources.
Following the panel discussion, attendees had the opportunity to engage with the panelists during a Q&A session. The event provided a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and promote dialogue about mental health issues in South Asian communities and emphasized the importance of addressing these issues in a culturally sensitive manner.
A poster and recorded version of the panel discussion are available below:
2021
The 2021 SAHM panel discussion, held virtually on May 12th, focused on “Celebrating COVID-19 Heroes” and featured six South Asian-Canadian heroes who displayed extraordinary resilience and strength in supporting victims of the pandemic, including:
- Fairuz Karim
- Sukhmeet Singh Sachal
- Dr. Supriya Sharma
- Doly Begum
- Dr. Naheed Dosani
- Dr. Samir Sinha
The panelists shared their experiences and insights on the challenges they faced in their respective fields, the successes they achieved, the lessons they learned, and the recommendations they could give to members of the South Asian community who want to make a positive impact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the panel discussion, attendees had the opportunity to engage with the panelists during a Q&A session. The event provided a valuable opportunity to recognize and appreciate the dedication and contributions of these extraordinary individuals to our society during these unprecedented times.
A poster and recorded version of the panel discussion are available below:
