About

The Asian Heritage Month activities for month of May is organized by the Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba, an incorporated non-profit organization with members from the Asian Canadian communities since 2002, founded by Dr. Art Miki. Each year the Society assesses the outcome of the previous year’s activities and determines which projects will be repeated and new projects added. Projects organized by individual Asian Canadian groups for May are encouraged and will be advertised as part of the Asian Heritage Month program.

Acknowledging contributions of Asian Canadians in Manitoba through the arts, culture and heritage.

Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba members gather and reside on Treaty One Territory, ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, Ininiwuk, and Nehethowuk peoples. We acknowledge Manitoba is located on the National homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.
 
We, the Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba, humbly acknowledge our place within this rich tapestry of cultures and histories. Committed to the principles of truth and reconciliation, we pledge to actively engage in fostering relationships, understanding, and collaboration with Indigenous peoples.  With commitment and action, we contribute to the ongoing spirit of reconciliation, ensuring a future where our shared responsibilities keep us all together.

President’s Message

Who We Are

Goals

Expected Outcomes

Our Logo

Participating Organizations And Individuals

Contributors


President’s Message

As the President of the Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba, I am honored to emphasize the significance of our organization’s work, especially as we approach Asian Heritage Month in May. Our mission goes beyond mere celebration; it embodies a deep-rooted commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural tapestry of Asian communities across Manitoba. Through our events, initiatives, and educational programs, we aim to foster understanding, appreciation, and harmony among people of all backgrounds.

In acknowledging the importance of Asian Heritage Month, we also recognize the imperative of fostering meaningful connections with Indigenous communities in our pursuit of reconciliation. By embracing cultural diversity and engaging in dialogue with Indigenous peoples, we endeavor to build bridges of understanding and solidarity. As stewards of heritage and advocates for inclusivity, we are dedicated to honoring the histories, traditions, and voices of both Asian and Indigenous communities, fostering mutual respect and collaboration for a more harmonious society towards mino-bimaadiziwin, the good life.

As we embark on this journey of celebration and reflection, let us remember that our work extends far beyond a single month or event. It is a continuous endeavor to cultivate a society where diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated, where understanding and empathy flourish, and where the bonds between different cultural groups are strengthened through shared experiences and mutual respect. Together, let us strive for a future built on the principles of inclusivity, equity, reconciliation, and harmony.

Fortunato Lim
President, Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba

Who We Are

The Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba is comprised of talented and dedicated individuals who help make Asian Heritage Month a success each year. In Manitoba our Asian Heritage Society consists of representatives from the Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Sri Lankan, Vietnamese, Indo-Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Syrian, Singaporean and Malaysian organizations.

2025 Executive Board

  • President: Fortunato Lim
  • Vice President: Julie Javier
  • Treasurer: Wendy Duong
  • Secretary: Jay Jimenez
  • Past President: Yenny Trinh

Board Members

  • Rod Cantiveros
  • Niina Dubik
  • Jié Duong
  • Darashdeep Kambo
  • Dr. Yoon Kim
  • Andrea Kitano
  • Dr. Art Miki
  • Dr. Muni Mysore
  • Pamela Rebello
  • Sharan Tappia
  • Chahat Sharma

Our Goals

  • To actively engage in fostering relationships, understanding, and collaboration with Indigenous communities to contribute to the ongoing spirit of truth and reconciliation.
  • To bring together members of the Asian Canadian communities in Manitoba to participate in projects to celebrate Asian Heritage Month.
  • To acknowledge the contributions of Asian Canadians to Canadian society through the arts, culture and heritage.
  • To share the Asian Canadian arts, culture, cuisine, faiths and traditions with Manitobans.
  • To develop cultural identity among Canadian Asian youths through the generations.
  • To forge a working partnership between all Asian cultures in Manitoba.
  • To foster understanding and appreciation of Asian culture within the Canadian mosaic.

Expected Outcomes

  • Build on relationships with Indigenous communities, engage in Indigenous traditions and celebrations
  • Continue networking, communications and collaboration amongst the Asian Canadian groups as established last year by undertaking collective community projects
  • Increase public awareness of the Asian Canadian cultures through food, education, music, dance and writings
  • Highlight to the Canadian public the contributions made to Canada by Asian Canadians
  • Develop partnerships with mainstream Canadian businesses to host the events
  • Increase the involvement of Asian Canadian youth in the activities
  • Share knowledge of Asian medicinal and meditative traditions that have become part of the Canadian milieu
  • Reduce racism towards Asian Canadians through awareness, understanding and appreciation of the contributions made to Canadian society

Our Logo

The “A” and “H” are the initials for Asian Heritage and are intertwined to represent the working together of the Asian communities in Canada as signified by the red maple leaf.
The symbolized globe indicated that Asian heritage exists throughout the world.