Celebrating Asian Heritage Month at USask

During Asian Heritage Month and throughout the year, members of the USask community are invited to recognize the wide-ranging contributions of Asian-identifying students, staff and faculty members. The month also provides an opportunity to explore the complexities and differences as well as the unique contributions of Asian communities at the university coming from a variety of backgrounds, settlement and community experiences, and differing racial attachments.  

For Dr. Hyunjung Shin (PhD), the month is an opportunity to learn about and acknowledge the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage, and how this shared history benefits us all. 

“It is a time to reflect on, continue to learn, and recognize the rich history of and various contributions that Canadians of Asian heritage have made and continue to make to every aspect of Canada, as well as struggles and challenges faced by them and their resilience,” said Shin. “Even though diversity represents Canada’s key strength, there is still room for more learning and further action for us all to grow and prosper together.” 

Born in South Korea, Shin, an assistant professor in curriculum studies in the USask College of Education, acknowledges that there is a marked challenge in presenting the history and traditions of diverse Asian experiences. Shin said it is important to note that Asian Canadian Cultures in Canada include: East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Western Asia and Central Asia.  

She added that the month is a reminder for all Canadians to come together to take time to learn and reflect on our shared history, and to be a part of a thriving campus community that is dedicated to creating a more equitable world for all.  

“Immigrants have long played a critical role in shaping Canada’s culture, economy, and society,” said Shin. “Without the contributions of Canadians of Asian descent, Canada wouldn’t be the country that it is now.” 

Dr. Jerome Cranston (PhD), vice-provost, students and learning, hopes that the initiatives throughout the month will help shine a light on the work collectively needed to find solutions that lead to greater equity and racial justice for those all too often denied them. 
 
“As we collectively become more knowledgeable about the various facets of human diversity that exist among the students, staff, faculty, and alumni of USask – including the diversity of those of Asian descent – the more we can learn to appreciate how different histories, cultures and traditions have contributed to build a more inclusive province and nation,” said Cranston, who traces some of his ancestral roots to tribal communities located in the areas of Nepal and Burma (now Myanmar), as well as other communities within the large geography of South Asia. 

Asian Heritage Month first became an official designation after the Government of Canada signed the declaration in 2002. Although the university has a storied history of honouring the legacy, contributions, and stories of members of the Asian community in our province and our country, this is the inaugural convergence of a planning committee designed to highlight and share the stories of the wide-ranging Asian communities on campus. 
 
For Shin, the month also offers a chance to have conversations regarding various manifestations of anti-Asian racism experienced by Asian and Asian Canadian communities. 

Shin said that having lived in larger cities, such as Vancouver and Toronto, where Asian communities are bigger, she has noticed how challenges differ for Asians in smaller communities like Saskatoon, and in turn USask, such as how to navigate different social spaces, and subtle microaggressions. She believes USask highlighting Asian Heritage Month is a step towards supporting the university’s Asian community. 
 
Leading off this year’s Asian Heritage Month initiatives on campus is a panel event, which presents an exciting opportunity to explore the complexities and differences as well as the unique contributions of the Asian communities at the university coming from a variety of backgrounds, settlement and community experiences, and differing racial attachments.  
 
Panelists have been invited to share their lived experiences related to unconscious bias that may hinder leadership, economic/social/career opportunities for Asians, along with their contributions, and discuss the opportunities/challenges the university community has, according to Shin.  
 
“This opening panel is an opportunity to create a social space where panelists from diverse Asian Heritage communities share their stories so the campus communities can recognize their contributions and collectively work to turn any remaining challenges into opportunities so USask will ‘be the university the world needs’ in its true sense,” said Shin.  
 
The panel discussion, entitled Locating “Asian” communities at USask: Complexities, challenges, and opportunities, takes place on Wednesday, May 1, from 3-4:30pm in the North Concourse in Upper Place Riel at the Saskatoon campus. All members of the USask community are invited to take part, including attending and learning from the panel event, as well as other initiatives undertaken on campus during the month of May. 
 
This year’s Asian Heritage Month festivities will also include extensive learning resources which can be found at the University Library, in addition to a film screening hosted by the College of Education on May 16. The event will feature a screening of Riceboy Sleeps Film in Quance Theatre, along with a post-movie debrief in which audience members can share what resonated with them from the theme of the movie. 
 
“I am so grateful that the university communities, including amazing members of our planning committee, all come together to make this new history happen,” said Shin. 
 
To find information about important initiatives, events and featured stories from across campus about Asian Heritage Month and other topics, visit spotlight.usask.ca throughout the year.