Asian Heritage Month 2023

Asian Heritage Month is a time to recognize the innumerable contributions that Asian-Canadians have made to our country. On May 18, 2023, the Lieutenant Governor's suite hosted a reception in honour of Asian Heritage month. Canadians from across the province were invited to celebrate the rich history and culture of people of Asian origin in Ontario.

Keynote Speaker Judge Albert Wong spoke about 2023 being the 100th Anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act, also known as the Exclusion Act and its impact on the Asian-Canadian Community. Learn more about the Act here:
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/chinese-immigration-act

Dr. Vivienne Poy spoke about her work in creating an Asian History Month in Canada, and why it is necessary to represent the diversity and breadth of Asian cultures and histories in our province. Read more about her journey here: https://www.torontomu.ca/alumni/news-and-stories/2021/05/meet-dr-vivienne-poy-the-senator-behind-asian-heritage-month/

Wish trees are culturally significant in many Asian communities. At the reception, guests were invited to write down their wishes, hopes and dreams, and attach them to the branches to send them out into the universe. They viewed a collection of Asian Heritage Minutes from Historica Canada, and interacted with an installation provided by the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, featuring a sewing machine rescued from an internment camp.

All photos from the event can be found here: https://bit.ly/OLGOAHM