In the blog post, we will explore the initiatives undertaken by each of the provinces and territories of Canada to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) during FASD Awareness Month 2024. From innovative campaigns to community events, each region is making strides to educate the public about FASD.
Join us as we delve into the impactful efforts being made across Canada to promote understanding and support for individuals and families. Please note: these are just a few examples of the great work being done by organizations across the country. To find out more about what other organizations are doing, check out our events list.
Alberta plays a part
Written by the Lakeland Centre for FASD.
Celebrating FASD Awareness Month: Join Us in Making a Difference!
At the Lakeland Centre for FASD, we’re excited to share the events we have created to raise awareness and foster community engagement throughout September.
Mocktail Challenges: Raising a Glass for Awareness
This initiative invites participants to create and enjoy delicious, non-alcoholic beverages, making a statement about supporting a healthy pregnancy. By showcasing creative and fun alternatives to alcoholic drinks, we aim to promote the message that celebrating without alcohol can be both enjoyable and meaningful.
Mocktail Campaigns: Sip and Support
Our Mocktail Challenge isn’t just our event—it’s a movement! We’re thrilled to collaborate with local bars, which will feature a mocktail designed to capture the importance of awareness. Through this partnership, we’re turning the spotlight on the importance of supporting FASD awareness in every social setting.
Kids’ School Colouring Contest: Creativity Meets Education
We believe in the power of education at every age, which is why we’re excited about our Kids’ School Colouring Contests. These contests invite students to get creative while learning about FASD.
Awareness BBQs: Food, Fun, and FASD Education
This creates a fantastic opportunity for communities to come together, enjoy food, and learn about FASD. These events feature educational booths, and the chance to speak directly with staff and advocates from the Lakeland Centre for FASD.
Everyone Plays a Part: What will yours be?
We invite you to join us. Together, we can create awareness, acceptance, and support for individuals and families impacted by FASD.
Want to get involved? Visit our website or contact us directly. Let’s raise our glasses—filled with mocktails, of course—to a successful and impactful FASD Awareness Month!
Cheers to change, and thank you for your support!
British Columbia plays a part
Written by arc programs.
WHO
arc programs is a proud partner of CanFASD. We exist to create thriving communities, free of systemic carriers and full of belonging, equity, and hope. We provide prevention, support and therapeutic services for children, youth, families, and adults with diverse and complex needs, including FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder).
WHAT
As part of our dedication to advancing awareness and support for those affected by FASD, the Okanagan FASD Awareness Committee is thrilled to unveil our initiatives for FASD Awareness Month. As part of the month-long celebration, we will host a community-wide screening of a film by the Alaska Center for FASD, entitled the 8 Keys, that vividly portrays the lived experiences of individuals with FASD. This film is aimed at raising awareness and deepening understanding within the community. We will also be onsite in Kelowna at the local farmers’ market to engage with residents, share essential information, and build valuable connections, and hope to see you there!
WHEN/WHERE
- Kelowna Farmer’s and Crafter’s Market: Saturday, September 14th, 8:00am-1:00pm at the Landmark District Market, 1717 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna.
- Film Screening: Wednesday, September 18th, 6:00-8:00pm at The Metro Hub – 1265 Ellis Street, Kelowna. Register on Eventbrite.
We hope to see you at one or more of the events.
Manitoba plays a part
Written by the Manitoba FASD Coalition.
The Manitoba FASD Coalition Inc. (MFCI) and community based FASD coalitions are playing their part during FASD Awareness Month by hosting events and awareness initiatives across the province. All FASD coalitions across Manitoba are made up of passionate volunteers who want to raise awareness about FASD and improve supports for people impacted by FASD in their communities.
FASD Coalitions are hosting a variety of FASD awareness events this year including: family fun events, community awareness walks, community barbeques, and distributing pregnancy test care packages that include information about health in pregnancy and available community resources. MFCI has been very active on its Facebook and Instagram accounts this summer sharing CanFASD Research Network’s FASD Awareness Month content to help people in Manitoba to better understand how “Everyone Plays a Part” to support people impacted by FASD. To learn more about MFCI, please visit our website or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
New Brunswick plays a part
Have you got a great mocktail recipe? Vitalité Health Network would love to try it! If you live in New Brunswick, send them your favourite recipe for a chance to win a Ninja Professional Blender 2.0. Three FASD Awareness Month Walks were also held across the province in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton. The NB FASD Centre of Excellence will also be taking part in CanFASD’s video event. Keep an eye on CanFASD’s social media to see it soon!
Newfoundland and Labrador plays a part
fasdNL educate, network, and share resources to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. Each year they post #DidYouKnow facts about FASD for the month leading up to Awareness Day. Find these posts on their social media or search the #DidYouKnow hashtag! City Hall, Confederation Building, and Cabot Tower – Signal Hill in St John’s lit up red on September 9th as part of the Canada Rocks Red movement.
Nova Scotia plays a part
Written by Fetal Alcohol Nova Scotia.
FANS – Fetal Alcohol Nova Scotia is a grass roots organization dedicated to increasing awareness and training for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. As September is FASD Awareness month, with September 9th set aside specifically as International FASD Awareness Day, we are encouraging all our government jurisdictions to light up local landmarks in red to start the conversation about FASD in the community. People are invited to our Facebook page and our website for updates. We are hosting our Family Day in Halifax on September 21st. Things are changing as we gain momentum here in Nova Scotia.
Ontario plays a part
Written by Rural FASD.
Rural FASD is proud to once again be a contributing partner during FASD Awareness Month in Ontario. Using CanFASD resources, our marketing department will be doing regular social media posts throughout the entire month. From September 5th –7th, Rural FASD shared their direct voice perspective at the National Summit in Timmins, ON on the rural and remote substance use crisis hosted by the CCSA. On Sunday, September 8th, Rural FASD hosted an information booth featuring FASD Fighter Mark Gainsford at the Beckwith Harvest Festival and promoted next year’s four Red Shoe Runs as part of National AccessAbility Week to celebrate the achievements of people living with FASD.
Red Shoes Rock Ottawa presented by Health Nexus took place at Britannia Park in Ottawa. Surrey Place, featuring Myles Himmelreich, RJ Formanek and Maggie May with Indigenous partners at St. James Park, Toronto, walked to the Toronto Courthouse. On September 21st at 10:30am, ALC Changemaker and yoga therapist Shannon Butt will soft launch her Anchors program which demonstrates eight key strategies for people living with FASD. Finally, the first ever FASD app on Play Store for all Android devices will launch in September. This app will include Red Shoe Run merchandise, direct stories from people living with FASD, and general information written by CanFASD’s Foundations author.
Prince Edward Island plays a part
Several landmarks on Prince Edward Island lit up red to show support for FASD Awareness. These included the Summerside City Hall and the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.
Quebec plays a part
On September 9th, the Omicron Clinic organized a special event to mark International FASD Awareness Day. Attendees learned about FASD and discovered how we can all help improve prevention, diagnosis and support for people with FASD. Activities included informative presentations on FASD, testimonials from families affected by FASD, distribution of educational materials and question-and-answer sessions with health experts. Participants wore red shoes or other red clothing to show their support for this cause. In Quebec City, the Hotel Le Concorde lit up red to show support for individuals and families impacted by FASD.
Saskatchewan plays a part
The FASD Network hosted walks in downtown Saskatoon and Regina to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This was followed by some short speeches and refreshments. The Network provided promotional t-shirts for the walks. Several monuments lit up red to show support for FASD including Saskatoon City Hall, Prairie Wind, The Orbs and Regina City Hall Front Foyer.
Yukon plays a part
Written by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society Yukon.
With the support of the FASD Interagency Committee, FASD Awareness Month will be celebrated in several ways here in the Yukon. Pictures drawn by folks living with FASD will be handed out at our community grocery stores in the form of a coloring contest for youth in our community. Ads to raise awareness have been created for social media and our liquor stores across the Territory are holding periodic “mocktail tastings” throughout September. On September 9th there was a large Community BBQ in the capitol city with information sharing and entertainment for all ages.
On September 11th we hosted a “Birth Stories” event in partnership with Yukoner’s for Birth Choice where we will discuss the many reasons someone may drink during their pregnancy and focus on reducing stigma. On September 13th at the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society of Yukon office we will host a lunch and learn dedicated the topic of FASD and Housing: Strength’s and Challenges. Taking into account the theme for this year of “Everyone Plays a Part” we have worked hard to include many community partners in this year’s activities. We all benefit from a healthy awareness of what FASD can look like!
Northwest Territories play a part
The Foster Family Coalition of the NWT hosted a Voyageur Canoe Event in Yellowknife to contribute to the 2024 theme “Everybody plays a part”. They are also advertising a short film at Capitol Theatre which has played for the past four years across the whole month of September. Red Shoes Rock T-shirts with Signed Yellowknife are available at a range of FASD events over the month. FASD awareness posters are being distributed in Yellowknife and posted to communities.
On Thursday, September 12th there was a Beading Circle themed evening with Tree of Peace. There will be a red shoes making workshop held at Makerspace in partnership with Makerspace and HomeBase on Friday, September 13th. A Drum Dance will be held on September 21st in partnership with Tree of Peace. There will be a Human Library at Yellowknife Library on Friday, September 27th.
Nunavut plays a part
Written by Piruqatigiit Resource Centre.
Piruqatigiit Resource Centre is a grassroots nonprofit organization located in Iqaluit Nunavut providing information, support, programming and advocacy for people and families in Nunavut with FASD and other neurodiversities. Piruqatigiit celebrates International FASD Awareness Month by running a month-long social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram centered on FASD and neurodiversity informed practices and awareness that celebrates the needs and strengths of all Nunavummiut. Tips and strategies for people with FASD, caregivers, educators, service providers and community members are shared online as well as links to freely downloadable information booklets and other resources in all four official Nunavut languages.
In the community of Iqaluit, Piruqatigiit Resource Centre will host three public events celebrating diversity and the strengths of Nunavummiut with FASD including swag give aways, print literature and the online course provided in USB/DVD format. Piruqatigiit Resource Centre also offers a free online course in English and Inuktitut. An emphasis on honouring the unique strengths and contributions to the community by people with FASD is always our focus. Tamatta – All of Us Together is our model and approach to talking about FASD and wrapping around people and families. Tamatta – Help us end stigma surrounding FASD.