Celebrating Asian Heritage Month | MyNews | Seneca Students

May is Asian Heritage Month and Seneca Polytechnic is hosting a number of events to mark the rich heritage and ongoing contributions people of Asian origin have made and continue to make to Canada.

One such person is Dr. Vivienne Poy, a Seneca Fashion Arts alumna, author and philanthropist, who ran her own successful high-end knitwear company. Ms. Poy became the first Canadian senator of Asian descent in 1998, serving until her retirement in 2012.

Thanks to the motion put forward by then-Senator Poy, Canada officially declared May as Asian Heritage Month in 2002. 

More than two decades later, Asian Heritage Month has continued to serve as an opportunity to learn about the diverse culture and history of Asian communities in Canada. This year’s theme is “Stories of Determination” and is a reminder for us to come together to combat anti-Asian racism and discrimination in all its forms.

Many activities are taking place this month, including a Speaker Series showcasing Asian women in the media. For more information on these events, please visit the Asian Heritage Month space on MySeneca.

• Kick off of Asian Heritage Month Speaker Series with Jenny Jay, South Asian story teller and creator, through Zoom on Tuesday, May 16 at noon
• Dragon Dance Demonstration at The Pond, Newnham’s Cafeteria on Thursday, May 18 at noon
• Bollywood Dance Demonstration at The Pond, Newnham’s Cafeteria on Tuesday, May 23 at noon
• Asian Heritage Month Speaker Series with Hannah Sung, television producer and former Much Music VJ, at Seneca@York, Room S2143 or virtually through Zoom on Thursday, May 25 at noon
• Asian Heritage Month Speaker Series with Domee Shi, Canadian filmmaker and Director of Disney-Pixar’s Turning Red, through Zoom on Monday, May 29 at 1 p.m. 
• Asian Heritage Month Conversation Corner: A Seneca Student Panel through Webexon Tuesday, May 30 at noon