Asian Heritage Month 2024
May 1 marks the start of Asian Heritage Month. Mount Royal’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) recognizes the importance of the month; celebrating the successes and accomplishments of students, alumni, faculty and staff of Asian heritage while holding space for the challenges they’ve faced, both past and present.
Canada's vibrant and diverse Asian heritage has influenced our country in a myriad of ways. Asian Canadians have been integral to this land for centuries and have been central to the very act of nation building. From constructing the railroad that connected Canadians from coast to coast, to serving in both World Wars, Asian Canadians have contributed much under unjust and perilous circumstances.
During Asian Heritage Month, let us commit to celebrating traditional and contemporary Asian Canadian cultures, learning about the many achievements and contributions of Asian Canadians, understanding the historical and ongoing struggles of various Asian Canadian communities, and recognizing how institutional racism continues to impact Asian Canadians around the country.
Asian Canadian history is part of Canadian history. This piece of our national narrative deserves a place in curricular and co-curricular programming, not only during the month of May, but throughout the academic calendar. Let us commit to year-round allyship with our Asian Canadian students, staff, and faculty, so that our community is one where everybody is valued and where everybody belongs.
The month serves as a reminder that together we can continue combating all forms of anti-Asian racism and discrimination, creating a campus that is equitable for all. We strive to elevate Asian voices, and remain committed to educating about Asian cultures and histories.