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Asian Canadian Heritage Month
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is proud to celebrate Asian Canadian Heritage Month in May. The theme for the 2023 Asian Canadian Heritage Month is Learn Asia through Travels.
Asian Canadian Heritage Month acknowledges the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada. It also provides an opportunity for Canadians across the country to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Asian Canadians to the growth and prosperity of Canada.
Asian Canadian Heritage Month has been celebrated across Canada since the 1990s. In December 2001, the Senate of Canada adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially designate May as Asian Canadian Heritage Month in Canada. In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to designate May as Asian Canadian Heritage Month.
Official Declaration of Asian Canadian Heritage Month
Diversity represents one of Canada’s greatest strengths, and we strive to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to reach their full potential and participate in Canada’s civic life. Over the last two centuries, immigrants have journeyed to Canada from East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Southwest and Southeast Asia, bringing our society a rich cultural heritage representing many languages, ethnicities and religious traditions.
The people of this diverse, vibrant and growing community have contributed to every aspect of life in Canada — from the arts and science to sport, business, and government. Asian Canadian Heritage Month offers all Canadians an opportunity to learn more about the history of Asian Canadians and to celebrate their contributions to the growth and prosperity of Canada. Thereby, we declare May as Asian Canadian Heritage Month in Canada.
2023 Workshops and Events Registration
Explore the events and workshops that we have planned for Asian Canadian Heritage Month.
Geography of Asia
Regions of Asia
Proclamation
Refer to the following Asian Canadian Heritage Month proclamation:
Tamil Genocide Education Week (May 11 to 18)
Education about the Tamil Genocide and the Sri Lankan Civil War context is a key component to helping Sri Lankan communities heal.
Resources
Learn more about Asian Canadian heritage with these resources:
Asian Canadian Educators Network (ACENET) Educators’ Guide: The Educators' Guide published by ACENET contains suggested book titles, activities, and more.
Anti-Asian Racism Resources: Check out the Canada.ca webpage, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) guide on Anti-Asian Racism and History of Anti-Asian Racism in Canada.
Model Minority Myth: Do you know what this is? Learn about how Asian communities have been used to perpetuate racism against Black people and consider how this contributes to the neglect of Asian communities in schools.
Islamophobia: Many Asian students experience oppression specific to Muslim communities. Learn more at Islamophobia Is....
Enjoy the following books and author readings:
TCDSB Community Engagement
TCDSB Digital Asian Recipe Book: Asian Dishes, Anyone? Access our digital recipes containing Asian cuisine through our Digital Asian Recipe Book (TCDSB login required). Feel free to contribute your own recipe and contact david.riachi@tcdsb.org or tina.marroum@tcdsb.org.
Asian Alumni Corner (from St. Malachy): Featuring the 7 Strings Girl Band (Class of 2018 – Marianne Chua, Sophia Arellano and Gialia Bautista; Class of 2020 – Mayumi Chua, Anjela Cruz; Class of 2021 – Ella Barrientos).
Asian Heritage Month Webinar Panel Discussion on Cultivating Asian Joy, Engagement and Belonging through the Arts: Join our webinar on May 24, 2023 (Wednesday) from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Video Message from Bishop Nguyen: View our video message from Bishop Nguyen for Asian Canadian Heritage Month 2023 below.
Learn Asia through travels: Explore our Asian travel choice boards videos featuring Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Brunei, Mongolia, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Sri Lanka.