Celebrating Latin American Heritage Month

October 16, 2020 – Defence Stories
Author: Captain Rey Garcia-Salas, 33 Signal Regiment (Capitán Rey Garcia-Salas, Regimiento de Comunicaciónes Número 33)

Last year’s celebration of Latin American Heritage Month within the Canadian Armed Forces was launched with a memorable opening ceremony held at Ottawa City Hall. Sacred ceremonies and presentations offered our members of Latin American heritage an opportunity to share their cultural legends, arts, music, and more. While the pandemic has changed how Latin American Heritage Month is celebrated this year, members of the Defence Team are encouraged to learn more about the contribution Latin American-Canadians have made to our country, and to continue to celebrate the rich cultural diversity and inclusion so highly valued in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The result of an amalgamation of cultures and ethnicities, Latin Americans represent a mosaic of diversity. Canadians who maintain their ties to Latin American culture today are seen as Latin-American even though their ancestors may have originated from other continents. Latin American communities include the Indigenous people of the Americas, from Mexico to Chile, as well as descendants of Europe, Africa, and Asia, who immigrated to these lands, who communicate in Spanish, French, or Portuguese, and who have adopted Latin American culture.

Diversity is the expression and representation of Canadian values integral to the military ethos and to the effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces at home and abroad. Diversity is a source of strength and flexibility, and plays a pivotal role in making the Canadian Armed Forces a modern, forward-looking organization. The Canadian Armed Forces is committed to reflecting today’s distinct Canadian population among its ranks, and to build a workforce that reflects Canadian ideals of diversity, respect, and inclusion.

As an institution that respects diversity and promotes inclusion, the Canadian Armed Forces has supports Latin American-Canadian activities. We remember the Latin American-Canadian members who bravely served Canada, and we thank them for their service. We also recognize the 1,500 members who self-identify as Latin American-Canadian.