May is Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month — a month to recognize the extraordinary achievements of Asian-Canadian citizens. Although Asian-Canadians should be recognized every month, the specific month of May is a time to showcase the contributions of Asian-Canadians and to bring awareness regarding discrimination, and the injustice against those of Asian descent.
The History of Asian Heritage Month
For over 200 years, Canada has welcomed many immigrants of Asian descent ranging from East, Southern, Centreal, and Southeast Asia. At the same time, Chinese immigrants came to Canada to build the Pacific Railway. Asian-Canadians have not only physically helped build Canada, but also have made an impact on the diversity of our surrounding citizens.
The Recognition of Asian Heritage Month
Although we have recognized Asian Heritage Month since the 1990s, Canada did not officially recognize Asian Heritage Month until 2002 — all thanks to the work of Vivienne Poy. Vivienne Poy — an alumni from the Univeristy of Toronto — was the Senate of Canada in 2001. Coming from Asian descent, Poy was a spokesperson for Asian-Canadians as she proposed the motion to grant a specific month as Asian Heritage Month.
In an interview with RCI, when asked the reason behind Poy’s initiative to grant a month as Asian Heritage Month, she said, “I found out about the celebration of Asian Heritage Month in May 2001. I heard about it in Vancouver and I was invited to one of the celebrations in Calgary. I thought it was absolutely wonderful, but it was only Chinese Canadians celebrating. When I returned to Ottawa, I found out that for years back, there had been a Black Month that was recognized by the federal government. However, Asians were never recognized.... I thought it was time after all that we (Asians) have done collectively in the past three hundred years. We helped to build Canada as a nation.”
Following her initiative, the government of Canada signed a declaration for May to become the official month to celebrate Asian Heritage in 2002— and it has been celebrated ever since.
Celebrating Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage month. The month to celebrate and support Asian Canadians! Here are a few ways you can celebrate:
- Support Asian-ran companies
- Indulge in Asian cuisine
- Watch Asian-directed films
- Discover Asian-made artworks
- Bring awareness to Asian injustice
- Learn about the history of Asian-Canadians
- Be an ally
Canada itself has many festivities to celebrate this wonderful month! Here are only a few:
- ExplorASIAN festival in British Columbia
- Annual Asian Heritage Month Festival in Toronto
- FasinAsian film festival in Winnepeg
- The Asian Heritage Society in Manitoba
Awareness
Asian discrimination is a problem here in Canada now than ever.
If you want to do your part to help bring awareness to Asian discrimination, or to do your part in helping the community, take a look at your local charities that help combat AAPI hate.
A few charities that support Asian-communities:
- https://uniteforchange.com/en/fund/asian-solidarity-fund/
- https://www.cccgt.org/support/
- https://www.yeehong.com/foundation/ways-to-give/
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Conclusion
May is the month to celebrate Asian Heritage — whether you are of Asian descent or a supporter. This month, it is important to bring awareness to the unjustly Asian discrimination around the world, and to showcase Asian-Canadian talent. Asian-Canadians have been mistreated for as long as we have known — and still are today. As the kind Canadian’s we are, it is important to show our fellow Asian-Canadians the respect and awareness they deserve — not just in the month of May, but all year-round!
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