Asian Heritage Month 2024
May is Asian Heritage Month, a time to honor and commemorate the histories, cultures and contributions of people of Asian origin within Canada. The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2024 is “Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: Amplifying Asian Canadian Legacy.” This theme celebrates the rich heritage and contributions of people of Asian origin within Canada while also looking forward to the future with optimism and hopefulness. At RRC Polytech, we want to mirror this celebration of heritage, and future focused optimism, by offering the following resources, activities, and events aimed at deepening our shared understanding of Asian histories and cultures in order to engage meaningfully in our celebration and recognition of people of Asian origin within our community.
Resources and Training
- At RRC Polytech, all employees can access the Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship training through our learning management system. This training tackles urgently needed and under-acknowledged issues of racism within Canada, including anti-Asian racism, and explores the concepts of privilege, unconscious bias, anti-racism, systemic racism and microaggressions. The training provides concrete actions each of us can take towards racial equity and tackling discrimination to make a difference.
- RRC Polytech’s Library and Academic Services has further developed an Anti-Racism Learning Toolkit that provides information on historical racism including anti-Asian racism, and aims to acknowledge how racism has shaped our thinking and actions so that we can enhance our knowledge and speak out against continuing racism and systemic barriers.
- Through RRC Polytech’s employer partnership with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) employees can register for upcoming webinars and community of practice events. In recognition of Asian Heritage Month CCDI is offering a webinar on Breaking Barriers to Inclusion: Asian Heritage Month and CCDI’s Spring Community of Practice events are focused on Bridging differences: Generative dialogue as a catalyst for DEI transformation.
- The Government of Canada offers a variety of education and learning resources on: the history of Asian heritage within Canada; anti-Asian racism and discrimination; and notable Canadians of Asian origin who have made significant contributions to Canadian society. To access these resources, visit the Government of Canada’s Asian Heritage website.
- The advocacy arm of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Elimin8hate, also has a useful guide on how to stand up to anti-Asian racism.
Reading List
- RRC Polytech’s Library and Academic Services Anti-Racism Learning Toolkit includes featured titles and articles available within our libraries and further links to community resources, educational guides and toolkits.
- CCDI’s guide on Anti-Asian racism offers a variety of articles, reports, podcasts, books and other resources individuals can explore to deepen their understanding of Asian histories and cultures; and, to take steps to address anti-Asian racism.
- The Winnipeg Public Library offers an Asian Heritage Guide with resources for learning about Asian heritage, with a Canadian focus, and book suggestions for all ages.
Film Screenings
- RRC Polytech’s Library and Academic Services Anti-Racism Learning Toolkit includes featured videos on various topics including the Chinese Head Tax, the Komagata Maru incident and the Japanese Internment Camps.
- The National Film Board has curated this list of films that celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent.
- The FascinAsian Film Festival to be held May 24 to May 26 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery WAG-Qaumajuq 300 Memorial Blvd celebrates Asian contributions to film and media with a focus on highlighting the talents of Asian-Canadian and Asian-American artists.
Cultural Events and Performances
- The ‘CanAsian Arts On the Move’ virtual event presents an opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of Asian cultures through virtual performances by Canadian-Asian artists. The online event will take place on May 29 at 8:00 p.m. To learn more visit CanAsian Arts On the Move website
- The Virtual Museum of Asian Canadian Culture and Heritage is available online
Community Engagement Opportunities
- The Taste of Asia – Asian Pop Fest! to be held on May 25 and 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the CN Stage & Field at The Forks presents an opportunity to celebrate Asian-Canadian culture and participate in an event involving food, music, dance, art, fashion and more. To learn more about the festival visit The Forks website.
- The Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba is organizing additional local events to recognize and celebrate Asian Heritage Month. More information on these upcoming events is available through the Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba website.
RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Action Committee
- If you’d like to get involved in future efforts focused on advancing our shared commitments to Truth and Reconciliation; and, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the College consider joining RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Action Committee – a working group of motivated staff and students dedicated to addressing anti-racism through awareness, learning, events and initiatives that spark action and meaningful, positive change. If you are interested in attending an upcoming meeting, please fill out this EDI Working Group form and select “Anti-Racism Action Committee”
While Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich histories, cultures and contributions of people of Asian origin within Canada, it also serves as a reminder that our work to address historical and ongoing racism continues. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these resources; to participate in the various events and activities planned throughout the month; and to use this time to deepen our understanding, celebrate diversity, and foster a culture of inclusivity, belonging and anti-racism within our College community.