Latin America History Month is proudly recognized at the TDSB during the month of April because of a motion passed through our Board of Trustees in 2016. This year the theme to mark Latin America History Month is (Decolonizing) Latin America History Month & Beyond: Honouring & Uplifting the Real Hxstories and Multiplicities of Our Identities.
The "x" in HXStories was purposefully chosen to decentre patriarchal HIStories and tell our multiple stories--historical, lived, and living. "The X is intended to reflect the many distinct identities, struggles, and intersectionalities as an inclusive and progressive term. The X is a way of recognizing our untold histories and pushing forward collectively to recover what has been stolen from us." (Citation)
Since its creation of the Latin America History Month Volunteer planning committee in 2016, the membership, who is comprised of educators, community organizers, parents and TDSB staff and alumni continues to ensure that we are reflective of all intersectional differences within our communities of Latin America / Abya Yala / Pachamana and its diaspora, including those right here at the TDSB.
In alignment with the theme, this year we focus on centring, honouring and uplifting our real hxstories, both pre-colonial, and the realities of present-day due to colonization. We also centre, honour and uplift the multiplicities of our identities–recognizing fundamentally that our communities are not monolithic across all intersectional identity markers. We collectively push back on the “boxes” that have been imposed on our communities and take up the transformative power there is when we honour and uplift ourselves and each other in our totality.
During the month of April, several activities are being planned for students, staff, and community members. We invite everyone to join us to kick off Latin America History Month with a virtual launch (save the date details are below).
Students from all grade levels from across the TDSB were invited to participate in a Creative Arts Contest; the winning posters and video are below.
All students will also be provided with the opportunity to learn about the connections across what we call today the continent of the Americas through the Condor and Eagle Prophecy, learn through the storytelling of pre-colonial hxstories through the uplifting of Afro-Indigenous roots, and the realities of present-day through the powerful tool that music brings with Ruben Beny Esguerra. Ruen is a Canadian musical artist and poet based in Toronto who has been nominated twice for a JUNO Award.
We’re also extremely proud to have author Leonarda Carranza read to our young students her recent book, Abuelita and Me in both English and Spanish and lead us through a discussion in alignment with this year’s theme! Her picture book, Abuelita & Me won a 2022 International Latino Book Award, was nominated for a Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award, was a Kirkus Review Best Book of 2022 and was listed a Best Books for Kids & Teens by the Canadian Children’s Books Centre. Students will also have the opportunity through a Beyond Just a Career: Latin-America / Abya Yala / Pachamama Diaspora in K-12 Education panel to connect with leaders and learn about their intertwined personal, educational, and professional journey towards intentionally choosing to follow their calling into an educational space. Students will learn how the educational space is a site for transformation.
Please follow us on twitter: @TDSBLAHM
TDSB Latin America Month Virtual Launch Celebration
Thursday, April 13th, 2023
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Watch Virtual Launch