WHO ARE WE?
A Voluntary, Non-political, Non-partisan Organization for Everyday Canadians
Our History
1993 – Canada began celebrations of Asian Heritage Month.
May, 2001 – Motion introduced in the Senate by Senator Poy, that the month of May be recognized as Asian Heritage Month, given the important contributions of Asian Canadians and its present significance to this country.
May 21, 2002 – an official declaration is signed by Senator Poy and other Members of Parliament in Ottawa.
Nancy M. Siew and her team played a crucial role in promoting Asian Heritage Month in Ontario. Since 2003, we extol Asian values such as respect, compassion and integrity. We have worked with School Boards, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Queen’s Park, Universities, United Way of York Region, The Blue Jays, The Toronto Public Library, Bata Shoe Museum and many others. We invited communities in the 519, 905 and 715 telephone areas to celebrate this meaningful Federal initiative in honour of Canadians of Asian extraction.
In 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic, We had to make some changes to our program and do ….
Our Mission
To offer 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.
Our Vision
Diversity represents one of Canada greatest strengths, and we strive to ensure that all have the opportunity to reach their full potential and participate in Canada’s civic life.
Our Accomplishments
Began in the U.S. as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in 1978 and in 1990, extended to a month.
Asian Heritage Month celebrates Canada’s vibrant and growing Asian community in the arts, business, science, sport and government. Asian 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 by providing artistic exhibitions and educational presentations about Asian culture at museums, educational institutions, community centres, and other venues that are open to the general public.
Our Committee Members
HONORARY PATRON
His Worship, Mayor Frank Scarpitti of the City of Markham
Mr. George MacDonnell, Hong Kong Veteran
HONORARY ADVISOR
Mr. Mobeen Khaja, Progressive Muslims Canada Association.
HONORARY PRESIDENT
Citizenship Judge (Ret’d)/H. LCol. N. M. Siew, OLJ, M.S.W., Dip. I.E.P.
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
Hon. Co-Chairs: Dr. Jason W. K. Kwok
Mr. William C. Wong, Queen’s Scout.
Hon. Secretary: Ms. Ellen So
Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Desmond Wong, C.A., C.P.A.
Hon. Overall Coordinators:
Mr. William and Mrs. Fanny Kan
MEMBERS
Media Liaison: Ms. Emily Law
Government Liaison:
Mr. Larry Lau
Community/School Liaison:
Ms. Ellen So
Mr. Don Ho
Mr. Raymond Hung
Veterans’ liaison: Ms. Kerri Tadeu
Programming: Mr. Peter Tuason
Web Master: Mr. Ian Payton
South Asian Cultures Advisor:
Mr. Mobeen Khaja
Members-at-large:
Ms. Joyce Geddes
Mr. Robert C. MacDonald (Photography)
20th Anniversary of Asian Heritage Month Celebrations (Click Here to Download a PDF verion)
Each event will go live on the day of the performance at 3 PM Access the website www.asianheritagegta.com.
| Saturday | Sunday | Remarks |
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1st May Celebrity Chef Frankie Yeung shares his successful WONTON soup and SWEET AND SOUR RECIPES |
2nd May *Visit to Cambodia, UNESCO World Heritage
Cantonese Opera *UNESCO Treasure – Excerpts from previous performances of Soong Kam Wing School of Art and Music |
Hon. Consul Chhour of Cambodia Soong Kam Wing School of Art and Music |
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8th * Islam – Ramadan by Imam Shaykh Faisal Pres., Islamic Forum of Canada *Asian scouts – Queen’s Scout W. Wong
*Happy stories from Malaysia – Hon. Consul H. Lee |
9th Macau (SAR) – Vibrant and Vivacious By permission of Macau International Institute Special thanks to Amigu di Macau Arts and Culture |
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15th China – Ancient Caves of Dunhuang Embassy of People’s Republic of China Quotes from Confucius – Arrg. And read by Dr. J Kwok
Snapshots of Hong Kong (SAR) – Special thanks to Hong Kong Trade and Economic Office in Toronto |
16th *Taiwan – Remarkable and Radiant With permission from Taipei Trade and Cultural Office in Toronto
St. John Ambulance Youths
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22nd *India – The Taj Mahal + Quotes from Gandhi – Downloaded from Youtube The Egyptian – A video downloaded from Youtube |
23rd From the eyes of a Foreigner – Visits to several Asian countries Mr. R. C. MacDonald |
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29th Stories of Vietnam’s ‘’Boat People’’ Arranged by E. So* The Joyful Filipinos – Music and Dance Arranged by Mr. Peter Tuason |
30th Tentative A Concert dedicated to Asian Heritage. With the compliments of Maestro Lai, Canadian Sinfonietta |
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Executives and Members of Asian Heritage Month -GTA are most grateful for the gracious support of the Honorary Patrons, Advisors and participants for their generosity in giving their time and expertise to this year’s events. The videos are the works of the producers and we downloaded them to share with you.
We thank Senator Oh, Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Parliament, Mayor Scarpitti, City Councillors of Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan. We appreciate their support and encouragement.
We wish to thank our Webmaster Ian Payton who has made this year’s presentations possible. Our previous Webmaster Benjamin Lau is credited with part of the contents.
| VIDEO | Credited to: |
| Celebrity Chef Frankie Yeung’s WanTon Recipes | With the compliments of Chef and Mrs. Yeung |
| Cambodia | Hon. Consul Chhour |
| Excerpts of Cantonese Opera | Soong Kam Wing School of Art and Music |
| Islam |
Imam Shaykh Faisal Pres., Islamic Forum of Canada |
| Asian Scouts | Queen’s Scout William C. Wong |
| Malaysia | Hon. Consul Lee |
| Macau (SAR) | Macau International Institute |
| China | Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada |
| Quotes from Confucius | Dr. J. Kwok |
| Hong Kong (SAR) | Hong Kong Trade and Economic Office in Toronto |
| Taiwan | Taipei Trade and Cultural Office in Toronto |
| St. John Ambulance Youths | Ms. E. So |
| Vietnam’s “Boat People” | Ms. E. So |
| Taj Mahal, Gandhi’s quotes and The Egyptian | All Downloaded from Youtube |
| The Philippines | Mr. P. Tuason |
| Concert (Tentative) | Maestro T. N. Lai |