January is Tamil Heritage Month in Canada – it’s a month to celebrate and learn more about the history, culture, resilience, and strength embodied by Tamil communities nationwide.

The theme for this year’s Tamil Heritage Month is Our Memories, Our Truths, Our Paths Forward: Tamil Identity.

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இந்த ஆண்டின் தமிழ் மரபு மாதத்திற்கான கருப்பொருள், “எங்கள் நினைவுகள், நமது உண்மைகள், நமது முன்னோக்கி செல்ல வேண்டிய பாதைகள்: தமிழர் அடையாளம்.”

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From the statement from the Government of Canada: “Canada’s Tamil community is one of the largest outside Asia, thanks in part to the Canadian government’s initiatives and policies, starting in 1983, that helped people fleeing violence find safety and security here in Canada. Ever since, Tamil Canadians have helped build the Canada we know and love today. They saw Canada as a place of opportunity, and got right to work opening businesses, starting media outlets and running grassroots organizations to serve their communities and strengthen our country. Their contributions in academia, literature and science have made our communities and our country stronger.”

Reading Recommendations

Learn more about Tamil Canadian communities and culture, and how a significant number of Tamils arrived to Canada as refugees in this year’s Dal Read’s selection The Boat People by Sharon Bala.

We have also created a book display at the Killam Library across from the service point desk with books about Tamil culture, language, and heritage. Check it out in person or visit our the Tamil Heritage Month resources in our catalogue.