Honouring Asian Heritage Month

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada. Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage to the growth and prosperity of Canada, as well as the challenges they have experienced. It is also a reminder for all Canadians to come together to combat anti-Asian racism and discrimination in all its forms. Read VIU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Deborah Saucier’s message.

The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2022 is “Continuing a legacy of greatness.” Throughout the month, we are reflecting on and celebrating the contributions that peoples of Asian descent in Canada have made, and continue to make, to the growth and prosperity of Canada. We also recognize the historic racism and present day rise in anti-Asian hate since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a collection of resources to help you celebrate Asian Heritage Month, learn more about the history of Canadians of Asian heritage and take action.

 History (and past wrongs) 

• Royal BC Museum: Chinese Canadian History in British Columbia
• Knowledge Network: British Columbia: An Untold History
• ExplorASIAN: Chinese Canadian History
• Simon Fraser University: A Brief Chronology of Chinese Canadian History
• Hastings Park 1942: The internment of more than 8,000 Japanese Canadians at Hastings Park (PNE grounds)
• Westerly News: Japanese Canadians in Ucluelet
• Canadian Museum for Human Rights: The Story of the Komagata Maru
• Toronto.com: This is Canada’s History of Anti-Asian Racism that COVID-19 has Amplified

 Anti-Asian racism

• CBC.ca: This is What Anti-Asian Racism Looks Like in Canada
• The Try Guys: We Need to Talk About Anti-Asian Hate
• Faces of Racism
• CBC Toronto: Anti-Asian Racism Across Canada Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic
• CBC Gem: COVID & Who I am Now

 Inspiring people

• Canada.ca: Noteworthy Canadians of Asian Origin
• BC Government News (March 31, 2021): Medal of Good Citizenship Recipients Announced (includes VIU Anthropology Professor Dr. Imogene Lim)
• Order of British Columbia recipient Baljit Sethi
• First Sikih councillor in North America: Naranjan Singh Grewal
• Architect who designed the Canadian War Museum: Raymond Moriyama
• Canada’s first Senator of Asian descent and a creator of Asian Heritage Month: The Honourable Vivienne Poy

 Learn

• Canada.ca: Significant Events in the History of Canadians of Asian Heritage
• Government of Canada: Asian Heritage Month 2022: Celebrating Innovation and Perseverance
• Winnipeg Library: Info Guides: Anti-Asian Racism
• ExplorASIAN: Festival 2022

 Take Action

• Chinese Canadian National Council: Fighting Racism in Canada Video Series
• Growth & Solidarity: Fight Anti-Asian Racism
• Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy: Resources Guide: Responding to Anti-Asian Racism
• University of Victoria: Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression teaching guides
• UBC Department of Asian Studies: Anti-Racism Resources
• Complex.ca: Anti-Asian Racism is Surging in Canada. Here’s How to Help Fight It
• Elimin8Hate: Resources
• Elle Canada: Here’s How You Can Support the Asian Community Right Now