Asian Heritage Month 2023: Celebrating Asian heritage in Canada

May 3, 2023 - Defence Stories

The month of May is Asian Heritage Month, an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and learn more about the countless contributions Canadians of Asian heritage have made to the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, and to the country. Acknowledgement of the ethno-linguistic pluralism and diversity of Asian communities is an important part of celebrating this month with a culturally sensitive approach.

Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated across Canada since the 1990s. In 2001, the Senate of Canada adopted a motion to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month and in 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration. The month of May was chosen because the first known Japanese immigrant to come to Canada—a man named Manzo Nagano—arrived in May of 1877.

Early beginnings of Asian immigration to Canada

The first Chinese to settle in the land we now call Canada were 50 artisans who accompanied Captain John Meares in 1788 to build a trading post for sea otter pelts in Nootka Sound (Vancouver Island). The first Chinese community in Canada was established in 1858 when Chinese immigrants came as gold prospectors to the Fraser River valley and Barkerville, British Columbia. Just two years later, the Chinese population of BC was approximately 7,000 people.

The first wave of Japanese immigrants came to Canada between 1877 and 1928. By the start of the First World War, there were already approximately 10,000 Japanese living in Canada.

The first Sikhs came to Canada at the turn of the 20^th century. Over 5,000 South Asians, with more than 90 per cent of them being Sikhs, settled in British Columbia before their immigration was banned in 1908. The first permanent Sikh gurdwara or temple was built that year.

From the very beginning of their arrival, Asian communities in Canada faced acts of racism and discrimination in the form of immigration bans, head taxes, anti-Asian riots, adverse working conditions, voting bans, and more.

Over the last two centuries, immigrants have journeyed to Canada from East Asia, Southern Asia, Western, Central and Southeast Asia, bringing our society a rich cultural heritage representing many languages, ethnicities, and religious traditions. Today, almost half of Canada’s immigrant population is born in Asia.

Honouring Asian Canadians

During this month, we recognize, appreciate, and honour the courage and resilience that Asian communities have shown over the years. Diversity is one of Canada’s greatest strengths and the participation of Asian Canadians in our country’s civic life is of tremendous value. This vibrant community has contributed to every aspect of life in Canada, from business and politics to arts and culture, sports, science, and much more.

Sadly, Asian Canadians have faced and continue to face horrendous acts of racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and violence. Anti-Asian hate is an ongoing problem in our world, and its harmful effects continue to hurt Asian individuals and communities around the globe. This is a month to reflect on the fact that while progress has been made, Asian people in Canada continue to face discrimination every day.

For DND/CAF, this is a month to stand in solidarity with Asian Defence Team members and reaffirm our goal to eliminate all forms of racism in our workplace, which are unacceptable and morally reprehensible. Let us ensure that all Asian DT members feel they belong and can contribute meaningfully to operational success.

Educating ourselves

Let us educate ourselves on the rich history of Asian communities in Canada and all their unique identities, traditions and achievements. Let us learn from the lived experiences of Asian DT members and promote open dialogue regarding any discrimination they have faced, past or present.

In relation to Asian heritage, there are several resources and organizations available to DT members:

Learn

• May is Asian Heritage Month - Canada.ca is the official Government of Canada website for Asian Heritage Month.
• Asian Heritage in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia describes the Asian Canadian experience from its beginnings to now.
• The Virtual Museum of Asian Canadian Culture and Heritage (vmacch.ca) showcases various aspects of Asian Canadian heritage.
• The Terrifying But Beautiful Sea, the story of LCdr Kim Poirier, a member of the Canadian navy.
• Dentistry on the High Seas, the story of Captain Aaron Lee, a Canadian Armed Forces dentist.
• Captain M. Cletus Cheng - Veterans Affairs Canada, the story of a Chinese Canadian who died in service of his country.
• Chinese Canadians - Veterans Affairs Canada chronicles Chinese Canadian military service.
• Asian Canadians and Canada’s Military | Canadian War Museum is an overview of the history of Chinese, Japanese, and Sikh Canadian military service.
• The Defence Team Anti-Racism Resource Hub is a website with guides, tip sheets, and resources to help Defence Team members on their journey to accelerate systemic change within the Department.
• Addressing anti-Asian racism - Canada.ca outlines how to confront and denounce anti-Asian racism and discrimination.

Connect

• Defence Visible Minorities Advisory Group (mil.ca) (only accessible on DWAN) establishes a dialogue between members of the Defence visible minority community and DND/CAF as a whole, to implement Employment Equity throughout the DND/CAF.
• Watch the recording of last year’s Asian Heritage Month Ask Me Anything session, Asian Heritage Month. - wiki (gccollab.ca).