To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
WHEREAS Swahili, or Kiswahili, is a beautiful Bantu language spoken throughout eastern and central Africa and across the global African diaspora, including in Ontario.
WHEREAS Ontario’s thousands of Swahili speakers and their families, many of whom have called this province home since the 1960s, deserve to be celebrated and honoured for the cultural, artistic and economic richness that they bring to Ontario’s neighbourhoods.
WHEREAS by proclaiming July as Swahili Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes Swahili’s increasing role in Ontario’s linguistic and cultural landscape and celebrates the unique culture, traditions and history of Swahili speakers in Ontario and around the world. The month of July is a perfect time to honour Swahili heritage as it aligns with UNESCO’s World Swahili Language Day, celebrated each year on July 7.