Celebrating Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada; an opportunity for us to learn more about the diverse culture and history of Asian communities in Canada, as well as to acknowledge the many achievements and contributions of people of Asian origin who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the country we know and love.
The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2025 is: "Unity in Diversity: The Impact of Asian Communities in Shaping Canadian Identity". This theme acknowledges the abundance of diversity present among Asian Canadian communities, and how this richness has contributed to building a unifying Canadian identity. The diverse nature of Asian Canadian communities is considered as one of their strengths, just as it is in our Canadian identity.
At Nipissing University, we aspire to create and sustain an inclusive campus which values the richness that diversity brings to our campus, our classrooms, and our communities. This month, take some time to learn about the many contributions, achievements, and lived experiences of Asian Canadians by reviewing the resources below.
Celebrate Canada's Asian Heritage - Asian Heritage Month
Canadians of Asian heritage have helped build our great country. These contributions are important to our past and present, and will help shape Canada's future.
Asian Heritage Month Resources
CBC Recommendations
- 15 books by Asian Canadian authors to read for Asian Heritage Month | CBC Books
- 23 books for kids and young adults to celebrate Asian Heritage Month in Canada | CBC Books
CCDI - Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion – Asian Heritage Month Resources
- Anti-Asian Discrimination Resources
- Anti-Asian Racism Education Resources
- Anti-Asian Racism Guide: A Guided Learning Journey
- Asian Heritage Month - Panel
Films and Videos
- Asian Americans
PBS, 2020. A five-hour film series on the history of identity, contributions and challenges experienced by Asian Americans. - Asian Communities in Canada - NFB
- CBC Gem - Asian Heritage Month
- Heritage Minutes: "Boat People" Refugees
A family escapes persecution in Vietnam, travelling by boat to a Malaysian refugee camp before finding a new home in Montreal (1980). - Heritage Minutes: Vancouver Asahi
In 1942, after Canada declared war on Japan, 22,000 Japanese Canadians were interned in the interior of BC, including the Asahi players. - Nitro | Historica Canada
A young Chinese worker volunteers to set a dangerous nitroglycerine charge at a CP construction site in British Columbia in the 1880s
Novels, Poetry and Non-Fiction
- Chop Suey Nation: The Legion Café and Other Stories from Canada’s Chinese Restaurants by Ann Hui
- Dim Sum Stories by Larry Wong
- Familiar Face by Michael DeForge
- Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai
- Human Acts by Han Kang
- Hotel by Karen Tei Yamashita
- Obasan, by Joy Kogawa
- Love Work by Janie Mirikitani
- Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
- Paper Shadows by Wayson Choy
- Rolling the R’s by R. Zamora Linmark
- Seventeen Syllables by Hisaye Yamamoto
- Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
- Tales from Firozsha Baag by Rohinton Mistry
- The Gangster We Are All Looking For by Lê Thi Diem Thúy
- The Gutter Spread Guide to Prayer by Eric Tran
- The Library of Legends by Janie Chang
- The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
- The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya
- We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib
- Wild Swans by Jung Chang
Webinars, Training Sessions and Events
- CCDI Webinar: Breaking Barriers to Inclusion: Asian Heritage Month (Pre-recorded)
- CCDI Webinar: Addressing anti-Asian racism in the workplace (Pre-recorded)
- CCDI Webinar: The intersection of race, mental health & stigma in the age of COVID-19 - YouTube (Pre-recorded)
- How To Respond To Harassment For People Experiencing Anti-Asian/American Harassment - Right To Be
Webpages
- About Asian Heritage Month
- Act2endracism – Provides resources and tools for the general public, community organizations, and survivors of racism. Created by a coalition of Asian Canadians and organizations.
- Anti-Asian Racism in Canada: Where Do We Go from Here?
"East Asian Young Adults Talk About Multiculturalism and Anti-Asian Racism in Canada, and Recommendations for Building an Inclusive Future" - Asian Heritage Month
- Canada’s Asian Heritage Month
- Combatting anti‐Asian racism in the workplace
This is a panel discussion event that has passed, but a video recording is available on the page - #Elimin8Hate: #Elmin8Hate strives for racial equity and inclusive society for all Asian Canadians
- Resources for Combatting Anti-Asian Racism & Learning About Canadians of Asian Descent
- Responding to Hate Toolkit: Combat anti-Asian racism by taking action
- Spotlight on Asian Heritage Month
- The RepresentASIAN Project: The RepresentASIAN Project™ is a Canadian platform dedicated to celebrating, advocating and elevating Asian representation and voices in media and beyond.
- The Virtual Museum of Asian Canadian Cultural Heritage
For further information related to equity, diversity and inclusion, please contact Traci Malkowski, Human Resources and Equity Advisor at tracim@nipissingu.ca.