ASIANASIAN HHERITAGEERITAGE MMONTHONTH REPORTREPORT 20172017 www.asianheritagemanitoba.comwww.asianheritagemanitoba.com TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH OPENING CEREMONY ................................................................................................................................... 5 ASIAN WRITERS’ SHOWCASE ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 ASIAN CANADIAN DIVERSITY FESTIVAL ................................................................................................................................................ 11 ASIAN HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL SYMPOSIUM ..................................................................................................................................... 13 ASIAN FILM NIGHT REPORT ................................................................................................................................................................. 19 ASIAN CANADIAN FESTIVAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 23 ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH CLOSING CEREMONIES ............................................................................................................................... 26 INTRODUCTION In 2002, The Government of Canada officially recognized the month of May as ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH. The Asian Heritage Society has been coordinating events for this occasion every year since. In Manitoba, our working board consists of representatives from the Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indo-Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities. This group works diligently to facilitate the events that bring performers and artists, in a variety of disciplines and cultures, together. Similar festivities are held nation-wide to celebrate Asian culture, arts, and heritage. It also serves to recognize the contributions of Asian Canadians to Canadian society. www.asianheritagemanitoba.ca 2017 Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba Executive President Dr. Art Miki Vice President Yenny Trinh Treasurer Wendy Duong Secretary Alan Wong Past President Rod Cantiveros Board Members Jennifer Chen Olivia Do Maysoun Darweesh Bao Duong Jackson Duong Julie Javier Yoon Kim Fortunato Lim Dr. Muni Mysore Pamela Rebello Wonjae Song Sharan Tapia Jié Yang Participating Organizations and Individuals Aaron Floresco India School of Dance, Music & Theatre Aboriginal School of Dance Island Breeze Alan Wong Jean-Jacques Javier Amber Trails Hip Hop Tinikling Group Jiyu Lida Analee Pangan Kamel Dhillon Bhangra Dance Karlo Aguila Coffie Man Kyle Wong Colours of Indonesia Manitoba Great Wall Performing Arts Dance Friendly Chinese Dance Association Academy FUURIN JCAM Koto Ensemble Manitoba Korean Dance Group Happy Sister Dance Group Manitoba Northern Lights Drum Inc. Hazim Ismael Manitoba Chinese Women’s Association Hinode Taiko May Yung 3 Maysoun Darweesh Sunshine Dance Group Meena Bhuller Surjit Dhillon Nancy Nguyen Team X-Men Nour Ali The Manitoba Chinese Tribune Phoebe Mann Tiffany Ponce Ralph Abetria Tony Wong Raymond Sokalski Tracma Canada Raw Colors "U Can Flow" Tai Chi Group Ruth Ohi Villamor Filipino Martial Arts Soran Bushi Dance Group West K Bhangra Fusion South East Manitoba Filipino Association Winnipeg Kendo Club Sun Hee Chao Dance Academy Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy Sunny Fitness Dance Group X-Lion (Lion Dance Group) Contributors Thank you to the following organizations and individuals who helped to make the events possible: Canada Council for the Arts Province of Manitoba Ethnocultural Canadian Museum for Human Rights Community Support Program City of Winnipeg The Diversity Times Filipino Journal The Forks Market Global College The Korea Times Manhattan Financial Group, Inc. University of Winnipeg Manitoba Federation of Labour Winnipeg Chinese Media McNally Robinson Bookstore Winnipeg Public Libraries Mercado Trinh Law LLP Writers’ Union of Canada Mysore Medical Corporation Photo Credits: Winnipeg Chinese Media, Iron Garahico and Committee Members Find us online www.asianheritagemanitoba.com Facebook: Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba Instagram: Asianheritagemanitoba_ Twitter: AsianHeritageMB 4 ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH OPENING CEREMONY Manitoba Legislative Building (Grand Staircase) Friday, May 5, 2017 Submitted by Yenny Trinh The Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba (the “Society”) celebrated the 15th Year Anniversary of Asian Heritage Month with an Opening Ceremony on May 5, 2017. This year, Canada 150 was also celebrated. For the first time, the Opening Ceremony was held at the Manitoba Legislature Building (Grand Staircase). Special guests included Philip Lee (former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba), Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage), Jon Reyes (MLA for St. Norbert), Flor Marcelino (MLA for Logan), and Jason Schreyer (Councillor for Elmwood-East Kildonan Ward). They all spoke at the event, bringing greetings and good wishes. On behalf of the Province of Manitoba, Minister Squires and Mr. Reyes presented the Society with a Proclamation designating May the official Asian Heritage Month for the Province of Manitoba. Jennifer Chen, Dr. Muni Mysore, Jon Reyes, Rochelle Squires, Philip Lee Flor Marcelino, Jason Schreyer 5 Rochelle Squires, Dr. Muni Mysore, Jon Reyes 6 Performances at the Ceremony included a lion dance by the X-Lion Dance Group, a traditional dance by the India School of Dance, Music, and Theatre, and performances with Japanese Koto by the FUURIN JCAM Koto Ensemble. AZADI Kurdish Dance Group, a Khurdish youth refugee dance group, also performed for the first time with the Society. X-Lion Dance Group, FUURIN JCAM Koto Ensemble India School of Dance, AZADI Kurdish Dance Group To mark the celebration, the Society presented a cake that included the flag of Canada to celebrate Canada, the crocus, the provincial flower, to represent Manitoba, and the logo of the Asian Heritage Society. Dainties along with coffee and water were also served after the performances. 7 The event was attended by approximately sixty (60) people. As it was held in an area of the Legislature Building open to the public people who did not come specifically for the event stayed to view the event. The audience appreciated all the performances and stated that they would attend again next year. One recommendation is that the Ceremony be held again in the Legislature Building. Another recommendation for next year is to advertise the event more widely to increase attendance. 8 ASIAN WRITERS’ SHOWCASE Submitted by Dr. Art Miki This year we were able to have two Asian Canadian authors of young peoples’ books conduct readings at Winnipeg public libraries. Sally Ito Louis Riel Library, Dakota Street Friday, May 5, 2017 Sally Ito read from a children’s poetry book entitled “Are You an Echo” based from the lost poetry in Japanese of Misuzu Kaneko that was co-translated by Sally and Michiko Tsubio. Two classes of elementary school children from a near-by school and some grade eight girls attended. About 30 students enjoyed the variety of poetry read and the colorful illustrations to accompany each poem. Marty Chan Morning – Millennium Library, Donald Street Thursday, May 18, 2017 Marty’s presentation had the 110 students from Hugh John Macdonald Junior High School, 6 teachers and 5 visitors enthralled with magic as he described the content of his many young readers books and involving some students in his demonstrations as he attempted to get out of straight jacket. He held them captive during his one-hour and the response from teachers were extremely positive. Afternoon – Fort Garry Library, Pembina Highway Thursday, May 18, 2017 In the afternoon 60 grade 4 to 6 students and teachers from Ralph Maybank and Crane Schools attended the reading. Marty tailored his presentation to the levels of the students and kept them engaged and enthusiastic. The teachers commented with praise for his excellent reading. The three readings were well received. All the librarians expressed appreciation to the Asian Heritage Society for bringing Marty Chan to Winnipeg and having Sally Ito and Michiko Tsubio read as well. 9 Marty Chan Recommendations: 1. Having children’s authors is a great way to reach out to students and involve the local public libraries. Continue to seek out authors that will appeal to students at all levels. 2. Invite Marty Chan back if we are having difficulty finding appropriate Asian writers. 10 ASIAN CANADIAN DIVERSITY FESTIVAL Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach Sunday, May 7, 2017 Submitted by Muni Mysore One of the missions of The Asian Heritage Society is to involve other cities in the province to celebrate the Asian Heritage Month. In addition to Brandon we celebrated for the second year the Diversity Festival in Steinbach. Wonjae Song our committee member was instrumental in organizing and publicizing the event. The event was well attended by people who travelled from Winnipeg, the locals and the visitors to the Mennonite village. The audience was close to 100 – 125 and consisted of a number of young children who had come to see their siblings and friends perform. President Dr. Art Miki started with the opening remarks followed by Greetings from MP Ted Falk,