WHAT IS ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH? In Canada, the month of May is officially recognized as Asian Heritage Month. This acknowledges the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada. Canada's cultural diversity strengthens the country socially, politically and economically in innumerable ways. Asian Heritage Month is an ideal occasion for all to celebrate the beauty and wisdom of various Asian cultures. Since the inaugural Asian Heritage Month celebration in Toronto in 1993, cities across Canada including Vancouver, Victoria, Kamloops, Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Fredericton, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg have been holding annual festivities during the month of May to recognize Asian Heritage Month. A Motion to designate the month of May as Asian Heritage Month was introduced in the Canadian Senate by Senator Vivienne Poy on May 29, 2001, and seconded by Senator Pat Carney. Senators Sheila Finestone, Noel A. Kinsella, Nicholas W. Taylor and Laurier LaPierre spoke in favour of it. In December, 2001, the Senate of Canada passed a motion officially designating May as Asian Heritage Month. Canadians are invited to take part in the festivities that celebrate the legacy of Asian Canadians and their many contributions which have helped Canada to become the multicultural and diverse nation it is today. Click here to download the Asian Heritage Month Declaration (65 kb PDF) WHO IS OF ASIAN DESCENT? The definition of "Asian" may be inclusive and broad, and applies to people who come from or whose ancestors come from: (not a complete list) - East Asia - China, Hong Kong S.A.R., Japan, Mongolia, Korea, Taiwan. - South Asia - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. - Central Asia - Iran/Persia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. - Southeast Asia - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. WHO IS THE VANCOUVER ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH SOCIETY? The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society is a registered non-profit society that celebrates Pan-Asian arts and culture by presenting diverse educational and community outreach programs. We are a multicultural diverse volunteer driven organization with a dedicated Board of Directors. The Society presents and participates in many community ethnocultural events throughout the year and produces the Lower Mainland's Asian Heritage Month festival known as "explorASIAN" in the month of MAY. Since 1996, the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society's "explorASIAN" Festival has endeavored to explore the diversity of Asian Canadian life and culture and promote the discussion of relevant issues and concerns within and beyond the Asian Canadian community. WHAT IS explorASIAN? explorASIAN is the name of our annual Asian Heritage Month festival in May. Vancouver's "explorASIAN" Festival is Canada's second oldest Asian Heritage Month festival. Thousands of people will share and experience Pan-Asian Canadian arts and culture at events featuring emerging and established actors, artists, dancers, filmmakers, musicians, performers and writers. explorASIAN is also about celebrating Pan-Asian arts and culture by presenting culturally diverse educational, cultural, and community outreach programs to all ages throughout the year. The purposes of the Society are: 1. To deliver an educational program of high-quality culture and arts events featuring the diversity of Asian Canadian cultural and artistic expression and traditions, including the annual Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Festival called "explorASIAN" 2. To provide audiences opportunities to further their knowledge, awareness and appreciation of these cultural and artistic expressions and traditions through workshops, lectures, displays, written materials, exhibitions, and internet resources 3. To collaborate with artistic and cultural organizations and individual artists, who share the goals and purposes of the Society, to contribute to the richness and quality of the educational program 4. To provide opportunities for Asian Canadian artists to share their artistic and cultural talent through the delivery of an educational program Honorary Patron Senator Vivienne Poy Honourary Advisors Wayson Choy, O.C. Dadawa Colin Foo Kwoi Gin Alice Ming Wai Jim, PhD. Joy Kogawa, O.C., O.B.C. Cheuk Kwan Evelyn Lau Fred Wah Diana Wong, PhD. Patron Milton K. Wong, O.C., O.B.C. Board of Directors 2008 Joy Lin Salzberg / Co-President Jan Walls, PhD. / Co-President Brian Sullivan Ayah Ouziel Mo Dhaliwal Winnie Cheung Sarah Kim Advisory Panel Cecilia Chueh Jim Wong-Chu Kelly Ip Shyh-Charng Lo Bob Sung Mel Tobias David Wong Sonny Wong Staff 2008 Don Montgomery - Executive Director Crystal Hung - Assistant Festival Director Annabelle Lucero - Office Manager Jennifer Tseng - Special Events Coordinator Amy Bao - Volunteer Coordinator Volunteers 2008 Amy Bao Annabelle Lucero Anne Xia Armin Navabi Ashley Montgomery Audi Setiadi Bona Xiao Camilla Shi Colleen Lau Crane Wu Eljay Pang Emily Huang Eva Ngyuen Gabriel Wong Helen Hong Inika Wong Irene Qiu Jennifer Tseng Jin Hong Xiao Julie Choi Justin (Guang) Li Kevin Ushey Libby Liang Lily Han Matthew Montgomery Mia Chung Peter Stein Ray Shum Sarah Yang Sarah Yu Sharron Wilson Shirley Wen Stefanie Eng Steve Yew Tina Pai Vivian Chen Ying Mu Yiwei Liu Yujung Ko Zahra Shebnam Founding Members Mishtu Banerjee Mo-Ling Chui Grace Eiko Thomson Jim Wong-Chu Winston Xin Media VAHMS welcomes members of the media to attend our explorASIAN events. For media accreditation, media passes, and to receive our media releases, please contact Don Montgomery - Executive Director Acknowledgements The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society is financially supported by members, individual donations, corporate and institutional sponsorships, and public funders. The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society gratefully values and acknowledges the artists, cultural and community workers, volunteers, and all who are involved with the explorASIAN festival. VANCOUVER ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH SOCIETY Office & Mailing Address: 110 Keefer Street Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4 Telephone 604.677.1383 Email vahms@explorasian.org