Honouring Asian Heritage Month

May 9, 2022

Resources to acknowledge the contributions that peoples of Asian descent have made in Canada

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