VAHMS Retrospective

Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society Retrospective

Although the first migration of people to North America came from Asia 20,000-40,000 years ago, the recorded history of Pan-Asian immigration starts around 250 years ago when in 1788, fifty artisans from Guangzhou, China accompanied Captain John Maers to help build a trading post in Nootka Sound to encourage otter pelts trade between China and Canada. The discrimination that many Pan-Asian immigrants suffered in early history still stains the history of immigration to Canada, especially because Pan-Asian Canadians have played a significant role in shaping the country we live in today. The more we appreciate and learn about the many Pan Asian communities sharing this land, the stronger our society will become.

Asian Heritage Month Celebrations in North America have their origins in the United States. In 1976 a former congressional staffer, Jeanie Jew, brought Frank Horton, the idea of designating a month to recognize Asian-Pacific Americans following the bicentennial celebrations. In 1977 Frank Horton, Daniel Inouye, and Spark Matsunaga proposed resolutions to designate May as Asian Heritage Month. US president, Jimmy Carter Signed the resolution in 1978.

The history of celebrating Pan-Asian Cultures in Canada backs to 1993 when Bill Blair was encouraged to celebrate Asian Heritage Month. Toronto hosted some events in May to celebrate Pan-Asian Arts and culture. In 1995, Montreal produced the first organized Asian Heritage Month Festival.

Invited by Gary Christall and Saheed Khan, founder of the Canada Council for the Arts and director of the Toronto Asian Heritage, Jim Wong-Chu, Zainub Verjee, and Paul Wong attended a national meeting on Asian Heritage Month in Toronto alongside different stakeholders, including Toronto’s Desh Par Desh team, Accès Asie, Montreal Asian Heritage team with Janet Lumb, Bernard Nguyen and Attif Siddiq. The discussion revolved around the idea of creating Vancouver Asian Heritage Month by bringing together Asian and Asian Canadian artists, performers, and writers from a range of disciplines and backgrounds to showcase their talents and creative works in Vancouver.

In 1996 when the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act acknowledged that the treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after WWII was unjust and violated principles of human rights, Jim Wong-Chu decided that it was time to start the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society to showcase the vast and most vibrant cultural landscape of Pan-Asian heritage in Metro-Vancouver.

Between 1997-1998, Asian Heritage grew to present and produce events that reflected the importance of Celebrating Asian Heritage Month in Vancouver. Jim Wong-Chu then became the cornerstone of what is now known as explorASIAN Festival. One of the largest Pan-Asian heritage celebrations ever seen in Metro Vancouver.

1999 Marked the 50^th Anniversary of the universal enfranchisement of who in those days were called visible minorities (In 1949 Indigenous, South Asian, Chinese, and Japanese Canadians could freely express their democratic rights through their vote). Vancouver Asian Heritage Month celebrated that important milestone by presenting a series of panels of discussion commemorating the emancipation of Canadian minorities, and by becoming a registered Society. Jim Wong-Chu, Mishtu Banerjee, Wintson Chin, Grace Eiko Thompson, and Mo Ling- Chu became the official founders of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. That same year, Dr. Viviene Poy, the first Chinese Canadian appointed to the Senate of Canada, visited Vancouver and heard of the Asian Heritage celebrations for the first time.

Beverly Nann, a social worker at that time, saw the many possibilities and the impact that an organization like Asian Heritage could have to support underrepresented artists. Beverly Nann became the first President of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. Since then, she has supported the explorASIAN festival as President, Vice President, and Senior Advisor. In 2000, even though Asian Heritage Month was growing strong, the need for human and financial resources was critical. Dr. Poy decided it was time to recognize the significant contributions that Asian-Canadians made to this country.

On May 29, 2001, Senator Vivienne Poy introduced the motion to the Canadian Senate. The motion was seconded by Senator Pat Carney. Senators Sheila Finestone, Noel A. Kinsella, Nicholas W. Taylor, and Laurier LaPierre spoke in favour of it. In December 2001, the Senate of Canada passed the motion designating May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada. This legislative action only made official what had already been celebrated in Canada and USA for many years. Even though, the history of Asian Heritage Month in Canada and South-Asian Heritage Month in Ontario is a recent one, South Asian Heritage Month was proclaimed by the Government of Canada with the passage of the South Asian Heritage Act, in 2001. May 5 was designated as South Asian Arrival Day, commemorating the first arrivals from the Indian subcontinent to the Americas on May 5, 1838. On May 18, 2016, Prime Justin Trudeau will offer an apology, 102 years after the Komagata Maru incident whereby the government of the day turned away more than 300 South Asians seeking a better life in Canada.

The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society is dedicated to promoting appreciation for Pan-Asian and Asian Canadian arts, culture, and heritage. Its vision aims at creating an environment of collaboration, unity, respect, and equity in all its activities as a not-for-profit organization. explorASIAN Festival month- long program invites the wider community to experience and learn from all Pan-Asian-Canadian communities in Metro-Vancouver.

Note: This timeline is a compilation from various official documents, written sources gathered, and past Board Members recollection of events. Please consider this a draft and kindly share your comments, possible additions, or changes.

Archival Compilation and Research – Leticia Sanchez

Collaborator – Isabel Espinosa

1999: Emancipation and Participation

To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the vote-post war for Asian-Canadian and the emancipation of Canadian minorities, the Asian Heritage Festival featured 40 events including a traditional tea ceremony at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Dr. Milton Wong, Chairman at the Laurier Institute and newly elected Chancellor at Simon Fraser University delivered the Keynote lecture to open Asian Heritage Month at the Round House. Dr. Milton Wong’s lecture called “Diversity and Vancouver in the 21^st Century” was attended by more than 300 guests. Asian Heritage Month received the official proclamation by the British Columbia Government declaring May as Asian Heritage Month in Vancouver and the month-long celebration produced around 50 events.

AHM Founding Board Members

Jim Wong-Chu – Main Founder
Mo-Ling Chui – Founder
Mishtu Banerjee – Founder
Grace Eiko Thomson – Founder
Winston Xin – Founder

2000: A Taste of Asian Heritage Month Festival

Beverly Nann joins Asian Heritage knowing the impact that the organization could have on underrepresented artists and communities. Asian Heritage Month becomes a not-for-profit society and

Beverly Nann becomes the First President of the Board of Directors

The festival’s opening was co-hosted by Centre A and Western Front.

In her first opening speech, Beverly Nann emphasized the significant role that the festival plays in identifying and articulating the vibrant Asian-Canadian culture within Canada.

The festival provided a platform for over 50 events around the lower mainland. Andrea Nann, a contemporary dance performer, opened Asian Heritage Month Festival. Kimonos Unlimited and Excess were two of the main events produced by VAHMS.

AHM Board of Directors

Beverly Nann – President
Jim Wong-Chu – Vice-President
Andrew Li – Director
Herb Jang – Director
Susan Au-Young – Director
Dr. Jan Walls – Director
Sonny Wong – Director

2001: Crossing Cultures

The Senate approves a motion made by senator Vivienne Poy to recognize May as Asian Heritage Month.

The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society adopts its acronym (VAHMS).

In the president’s opening letter of 2001, Beverly Nann encouraged Canadians to bridge the often-self-imposed boundaries between different Asian Canadian communities, inviting them to collaborate and work together.

The National Nikkei Heritage Centre hosted the opening gala and first silent auction for VAHMS.

CBC Radio 1 and 2, as well as CiTR Radio from UBC (101.9 FM) promoted the 45 events happening in Metro-Vancouver.

Doctor Lily Sui-Fong Sun, the granddaughter of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, presented a book album dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen memory and achievements in Vancouver.Jim Wong-Chu and K. Linda Tzang produced “A Brief History of Asians in North America”. The information compiled and researched is one of VAHMS important projects to know more about Pan-Asian Communities in Canada the research is stored at VAHMS website explorasian.org

VAHMS Board of Directors

Beverly Nann – President
Jim Wong-Chu – Vice President
Andrew Li – Vice President
Herb Jang – Secretary
Dr. Jan Walls – Director
Susan Au-Yong – Member
Bernard Seo – Member
Sonny Wong – Member

2002: Exploring the Canadian Asian Experience

In May of 2002, the article “Asian Heritage Month sharpens focus on East-West relationships” written by Michael Scott of The Vancouver Sun, it is made evident that Vancouver had become the most Asian city in North America, with a rich succession of artistic and intellectual initiatives intending to bridge the two continents.

The festival adopts the name of explorASIAN a month-long festival with more than 150 poetry, video, storytelling, electronic music, cultural exchanges, film, choral music, horticulture, calligraphy, regional cuisine, visual art, traditional arts, literature, dance, and martial arts events made explorASIAN the largest festival in all Canada. One of the most compelling events that year was the first national symposium produced by Hank Bull.

For the first time, VAHMS produced the explorASIAN Canadian Heritage Awards, an annual program to recognize and honor individuals and organizations who had made contributions and promotion of Asian-Canadian arts and culture. Wayson Choi was the keynote speaker.

VAHMS Board of Directors

Beverly Nann – President
Jim Wong-Chu- Vice President
Andrew Li – Vice President
Vidhya Mageridran _ Treasurer
Noorjahan Rana – Member
Brian Sullivan – Member
Mel Tobias – Member
David Wong – Member
Susan Au-Yeung Member

2003: Exploring the Silk Routes

The explorASIAN festival theme aimed at celebrating the riches of the Asian-Canadian culture attracting around 50,000 people in the lower mainland. The 2^nd Canadian Heritage Awards Gala held at the Pendulum Gallery honoured individuals who made significant contributions towards understanding, preserving, transforming, and promoting Asian Heritage in Vancouver. Dr. Kuldip gill was a speaker along with Senator Mobina Jaffer. Andrea Nann with Michael Ondaatje’s Dance Imagery and Caravan with Zenobia Salik were the feature performances at the opening gala.

VAHMS Board Members

Beverly Nann – President
Jim Wong-Chu – Vice-President
Vidhya Magendran – Treasurer
Pamela Chapple – Member
Frances Gordon – Member
Kelly Ip – Member
Andrew Li – Member
Brian Sullivan – Member
Don Montgomery – Member
Susan Au-Yeung – Member
Leo Cunanan – Member

2004

VAHMS volunteer and Financial Services Manager at BMO Surrey, BC, Susan Au-Young, donated S1,350.00 towards the completion of the Asian North American History web-based project. “It feels very good to know that my employer is helping me make a difference in my community, Susan said.” Bev Nann and Jim Wong-Chu appreciated the support to this project for all Canadians to learn more about Pan-Asian Canadian history.

VAHMS Board Members 2004

Beverly Nann – President
Jim Wong-Chu – Vice-President
Vidhya Magendran – Treasurer
Pamela Chapple – Member
Frances Gordon – Member
Kelly Ip – Member
Andrew Li – Member
Brian Sullivan – Member
Don Montgomery – Member
Leo Cunanan – Member

2005: explorKOREA – Korean Arts and Culture

Ya-Wen, Vivienne Wang, was the 2004 explorPERFORMANCE winner, the Korean Youth Orchestra and, the Korean Choir showcased the beauty of the Korean arts and culture. The explorASIAN Gala took place at the Centre for Performing Arts in Vancouver. It premiered the Baudeogi Musical from Korea.

The program showcased 67 events sponsored by the Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, CBC Canada Now, and CBC Radio One. Reel Canada showcased its first films to celebrate Canada Film Day in April of the same year.

VAHMS Board Members 2005

Beverly Nann – President
Jim Wong-Chu – Vice-President
Vidhya Magendran – Treasurer
Pamela Chapple – Member
Frances Gordon – Member
Kelly Ip – Member
Andrew Li – Member
Brian Sullivan – Member
Don Montgomery – Member
Leo Cunanan – Member

2006: “explorINDONESIAN” and “explorTAIWANESE”

2006 marked the 10^th Anniversary of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. The festival showcased the arts and cultural expressions of two dynamic Asian-Canadian communities and provided an opportunity for the lower mainland community to share and experience their creativity and work. The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Bunyan Saptomo, encouraged understanding among Indonesian and Canadian people, as well as with other countries. Generation One an exhibition curated by VAHMS was featured at VAHMS Opening at UBC Learning Exchange. The exhibition showcased Raymond Chow, Yuk-Man Lai, SYM Mendoza, Wayne Wong, Leo Cunanan, Jr. among others.

VAHMS Board Members

Joy Lin Salzberg – President
Raymond Liens – Vice President
Kelly Ip – Member
Andrew Li – Member
Brian Sullivan – Member
Don Montgomery – Member
Leo Cunanan – Member

2007: Pan Asian Arts

The Metro-Vancouver community shared and experienced Pan-Asian Canadian arts and culture at events that featured emerging and established actors, artists, dancers, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and writers. VAHMS Executive Director, Don Montgomery, collaborated with Todd Wong from Gung HAGGIS Fat Choi, a fusion of Scottish and Chinese cultural events, and the Dragon Boat team to promote the festival. Some of the explorASIAN 2007 events featured the 100^th anniversary of Anti-Asian Riots Walk, and the 2007 Anniversaries of Change program at the Wayback Machine in Japantown, Little Tokyo. The Canadian Society of Asian Arts presented the Rice Is Life exhibition, 2007-2008, at the Museum of Vancouver (former Vancouver Museum).

The 2007 explorASIAN Grand Finale Concert and fundraiser partnered with The chan Centre for the Arts and the Alma Mater Society of UBC to present the International World Music Artist DADAWA (Zhu Zheqin) who delighted the audience with an evening of contemporary world music blended with sounds of Pan Asia.

VAHMS Board Members

Joy Lin Salzberg – President
Raymond Liens – Vice President
Don Montgomery – Executive Director
Brian Sullivan – Member
Iris Chen – Member
Shiva Mojtabavi – Member
Ju Hee Sohn – Member
Ayah Ouziel – Member

2008: 80^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Canada and Japan

VAHMS and explorASIAN adopt their first motto “Many cultures… Many languages… One celebration”

explorASIAN celebrated the 80^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Canada and Japan with the opening of traditional Japanese Music at the Frederic Wood Theatre inside the Museum of Vancouver Infinite Echoes from Japan: New Directions in Traditional Japanese Music featured Sho Asano, Ayano Nishimura, Hanafu,

Todd Wong, VAHMS Program Coordinator, said the event isn’t simply about having Asian roots “it’s about understanding the history of Asians in Canada, just as other ethnic groups, like the Scottish or French populations, may celebrate their heritage as part of overall Canadian culture”

VAHMS Board Members

Mo Dhaliwal – President
(Members not Found)

2009: 13^th Annual explorASIAN Festival

VAHMS opening took place at the Frederic Wood Theatre at UBC and featured 30 events with many talented Asian-Canadian artists that showcased their classical and contemporary musical knowledge, as well as the vision and written craft of poets and filmmakers. Vince Mai who was nominated in 2009 for the Wind Instrumentalist of the Year by the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, performed at the opening gala. Yoyo Ma performed at the Chan Centre for the Arts to celebrate Asian Heritage Month.

2009 VAHMS Board Members

Jan Walls – President
Mo Dhaliwal – Vice-President
Lisa Wajong – Director

(Other members not found)

2010: Re-Percussions: Drums of the World Beat as One

VIBC joined VAHMS at the opening with an ode to the drum and dance from a variety of Asian cultures who represented the rich Vancouver’s diversity. More than 20 events from the South Asian Community were part of the festival. That year, Vince Mai created the VAHMS musical theme through a mixture of the different native sounds in the Pan-Asian Heritage. The theme showcases the many indigenous artistical musical beats that can be found in the Asian society.

2010 VAHMS Board Members

Michael Hwang – Co-President
Winnie Cheung – Co-President
John Leung – Treasurer
Liza Wajong _ Director
Jan Walls -Director

2011: Many Drums, Same Beats

To open the explorASIAN Festival & VAHMS 15^th Anniversary, multiple cities across Canada joined the first National AHM Video Conference linking Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Toronto.

The opening of Many Drums, Same Beats was at the CBC Outdoor Stage featured drummers Tetsu Taiko, Cheondoong, Kathara, Persian, Mohamed, Assani, and the iconic trumpetist, Vince Mai.

UBC and Canada Arts Council BC sponsored the festival World Poetry once more joined the festivities along with Generation One exhibition. President Mo Dhaliwal, said. explorASIAN Festival should not be exclusive it should be a Bazar of engagement.

VAHMS Board Members

Milton Wong – Patron
Mo Dhaliwal – President
Jan Walls – Past President, Treasurer
Winnie Cheung – Interim Executive Director
Ayah Ouziel – Secretary
Monica Monroy – Director
Lisa Wajong – Director

2012: Magical Encounters

VAHMS musical theme created by Vince Mai in 2010 showcases a mixture of the different native sounds in the Pan-Asian Heritage and the many indigenous artistic musical beats and sounds. For the First Time, The Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU hosted the opening of Asian Heritage Month. More than 80 artists, performers representing Asia conformed the festival.

Generation One and World Poetry showcased Visual art and poetry.

Fei Wong becomes VAHMS Patron after the passing of Milton Wong in 2011.

VAHMS Board Members

Winnie Cheung – Co-President
Michael Hwang– Co-President
Pirouz Ebadypour – Vice-President
John Leung – Treasurer
Ken McAteer- Director
Bev Nann- Director

2013: explorASIAN 2013 @ Vancouver Chinatown

Asian Heritage opening took place at Richmond City Hall. For the first time, Roberta Price welcomed guests with an Indigenous prayer and a blessing to acknowledge the First Nations Coast Salish territory.

“Generation One Art Exhibition” was one of the signature programs at multiple sites throughout Metro Vancouver Esmie McLaren supported the production of the exhibit.The festival featured more than 40 events in which Chinatown was showcased with tea ceremonies, book launches, Chinese dress shows, poetry readings, and Jim Wong-Chu’s Old Chinatown Storytelling. A Canadian premiere and signature program of explorASIAN 2013 was a fusion of Western opera and Eastern myth produced by the Vancouver Opera. Ai Wei Wei: Never Sorry, film Screening was released in Vancouver followed by a panel of discussion. Charlie Smith, Georgia Straight’s own editor, and retired publisher, Scott McIntyre of D&M Publishing were recognized at the gala for their contributions in supporting Asian Canadian communities.

VAHMS Board Members

Winnie Cheung – Co-President
Michael Hwang– Co-President
John Leung – Treasurer
Ken McAteer – Director
Bev Nann – Director
Esmie McLaren – Director
Ariadne Sawyer– Director
Raminder Dosanjh– Director

2014: So, this is Canada

The explorASIAN festival opened at the International Arts Gallery with Elder Larry Grant, VAHMS President Ken McAteer, Consul of Philippines, Consul of Korea as speakers. Generation One exhibitions curated by Grace Eiko Thomson and Katherine and John Chan featured Danvic Briones art and Water Poon’s photographs and traditional Chinese paintings. More than 30 events including a comic workshop by David Wong, author of the Graphic Novel “Escape to Gold Mountain.”

The project First Families, First Stories, a VAHMS produced initiative, started this year. The aim was to give voice and share stories from Pan-Asian pioneer families. Five Filipino Canadian pioneer families were recognized, among those recognized were Mike & Julia Tecson. The Recognition Awards Gala was held at the Pink Pearl Restaurant with a ten-course Chinese Dinner. Margaret Gallagher, CBC Radio Host, and Bob Sung were the Masters of Ceremony.

VAHMS Board Members

Ken McAteer– President
Bev Nann – Vice President
Esmie McLaren – Vice President
Raminder Dosanjh – Vice President
Patricia Lim – Secretary
John Leung – Treasurer
Ariadne Sawyer– Director
Pirouz Ebadypour – Director
Larry Grant and Fei Wong – Patrons
Jim Wong-Chu – Media Contact

2015: A Taste of Pan-Asian Cultures

explorASIAN Festival opened at the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at Simon Fraser University Woodward’s location. Dr. Paul Crowe, Director of the David Lam Centre, was the Master of Ceremonies. Speakers at the opening were Laurie Anderson, Minister of Citizenship, Chris Alexander, Minister of Trade, Teresa Wat, and VAHMS President, Ken McAteer. Embracing Asian Languages in Canada, was a multicultural calligraphic exhibition, curated by Leticia Sanchez, featuring the calligraphy of China, India, Japan, Korea, and Persia along with translations in both English and French. The scrolls were on view in the foyer of the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum. The text, a translation of Rumi’s quote, “I am neither from the East nor the West; no boundaries exist between my breast”. More than 40 events produced the month-long celebration that culminated with the Recognition Awards Gala at the Inlet Theatre and Gallery in Port Moody. An evening of Iranian cuisine, performances, dancing, and Silent Auction. The Iranian community featured Soleyman Vaseghi, singer.

VAHMS Board Members

Ken McAteer – President
Beverly Nann – Vice-President
Raminder Dosanjh – Vice -President
Patricia Lim – Secretary
John Leung – Treasurer
Allan Cho – Director
Carol Hamshaw – Director
Leticia Sanchez – Director
Ariadne Sawyer – Director

2016: Following the Silk Routes and Beyond in Vancouver

The 20^th Anniversary of the explorASIAN Festival, focused its month-long events on the Japanese Canadian community. The opening took place at the Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre, Simon Fraser University. The festival hosted more than 60 family-friendly events across the city and was supported by more than a hundred media and community partners. The 2016 signature project, curated and produced by Leticia Sanchez “Following the Silk Routes and Beyond in Vancouver,” an interactive photographic exhibition celebrating the past and present of exchange and multiculturalism that portrayed examples of spaces and commercial networks in Asia and Vancouver, connecting ancient routes to modern life, as well as a one-day display of Generation One artists. The Recognition Gala honoured outstanding Japanese and Canadian leaders. The reception was at Nikkei Place and offered delicious Japanese food, a silent auction, and entertainment!

VAHMS Board Members

Ken McAteer – President
Beverly Nann – Vice-President
Carol Hamshaw – Director
Patricia Lim – Secretary
John Leung – Treasurer
Allan Cho – Director
Leticia Sanchez – Director
Ariadne Sawyer – Director
Esaine Mo Verney – Director
Toni Zhang McAfee – Director
Candie Tanaka – Director

2017: “Happa” Mixed-Roots and Silk and Spice

The opening of explorAsian took place at the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre and feature more than 40 events that year. The program showcased more than 40 events and the theme celebrated the mixed Routes of Asian Canadians. “First-generation Asian Canadians face unique integration challenges related to language, adaptation, employment, and housing issues, just to name a few,” Candie Tanaka, Chair of Generation One and displayed at the Lipont Centre in Richmond. For the first time, posters advertising explorASIAN were displayed at transit stops across Vancouver, thanks to the Service Grant awarded to VAHMS by the City of Vancouver. The second-year of Following the Silk Routes and Beyond in Vancouver curated by Leticia Sanchez, portrayed the Maritime Trade Routes from East Asia, South Asia, the Orient, Africa traveling to America. Mah-jong Social promoted the game at various locations in Chinatown including Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden.The government of Canada unveiled a plaque commemorating the National Historical Significance of Vancouver, Chinatown. The Recognition Awards Gala held at the Museum of Vancouver recognized Individuals of Happa descent and featured a choral group, raffles, and silent auction.

VAHMS Board Members

Ken McAteer – President
Beverly Nann – Vice President
Patricia Lim – Secretary
John Leung – Treasurer
Bessie Chow– Director
Toni Zhang – Director
Ariadne Sawyer – Director
Candie Tanaka – Director
Esaine Mo – Director
Leticia Sanchez – Director
Allan Cho – Director

2018: Pan Asian Routes

The festival theme placed a special focus on Pan Asian migration and the legacy, culture, and accomplishments of the growing and diverse communities of Canadians with Pan Asian heritage. Over 50 Pan Asian cultural co-presented events happened throughout Metro Vancouver. In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, The Vancouver City Hall was illuminated in red for the first time. National Canadian Film Day featured the film screening of “A Time to Swim & Re Lekuah”, directed by Ashley Duong and presented in partnership with VAFF, explorASIAN, SEACHS, REEL CANADA, and MOV. The screening took place in the domed screen at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. The Three-year project, “Following the Silk Routes and Beyond in Vancouver presented a slideshow with the best photographic works from the complete exhibition and featured new photographs from Gloria King, Ted and Evelyn Nodwell, and Nina Kustnetsova. The Pink Pearl Restaurant was the returning venue of the Recognition Awards Gala featuring outstanding Pan-Asian community leaders and organizations.

VAHMS Board Members

Ken McAteer – President

Beverly Nann – Vice President
Toni Zhang McAfee – Vice President
Leticia Sanchez – Vice President
Grace Chin– Secretary
John Leung – Treasurer
Alvin Tang – Director
Ariadne Sawyer – Director
Candie Tanaka – Director
Esaine Mo – Director
Leo Cunanan – Director

2019: Embracing Pan-Asian Communities

The theme uncovered Canadian immigration stories and explored the intersections of art and culture. The explorASIAN opening took place at the Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre, Simon Fraser University. VAHMS President, Leticia Sanchez, was interviewed by Alireza Ahmadian radio host of the program “Review”. (Alireza Ahmadian passed away in June 2019). The program featured more than 60 events. The first Cross-Cultural Strathcona Walking Tour, led by Carmel Tanaka and Michel Schwartz, brought 30 organizations including VAHMS to collaborate in the production. VAHMS launches the book, “Embrace the Chicken”, a story of a teenage girl trying to fit in the Canadian culture by hiding her Indian roots. The Recognition Awards gala was attended by more than 300 guests. Co-Hosts, Margaret Gallagher and Alireza Ahmadian, Jeff Chan, and Esaine Mo recognized Ken McAteer & Beverly Nann for their service as long time Board of Directors, along with other outstanding community leaders and organizations who were the accolades of the night. Indonesian performers, Son of James, and a live painting performance by the Leung siblings made the event a success. A ten-course Chinese Dinner, silent auction, and raffle took place at the Pink Pearl Restaurant. In October, VAHMS partnered with the Emily Carr University of Art + Design and the UBC Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, Rare Books Collection Library to organize an exhibition and a Listening Event to showcase the legacy and continuing impact of Jim Wong-Chu, Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society founder, who passed away in 2017.

VAHMS Board Members

Leticia Sanchez– President

Dong Yue Su – Vice President
Phyllis Tang– Secretary
Sally Ha-Hau – Treasurer
Fred Farhad Soofi– Director
Leo Cunanan – Director
Jeff Chan – Ambassador
Martin Prijatna – Coordinator

2020: Virtual explorASIAN

Before the COVID-19 public health crisis emerged, VAHMS partnered with Simon Fraser University to open the festival at the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre. The lockdown in B.C. forced VAHMS to cancel live events. The original program featured around 60 events from which around 20 were postponed or canceled. explorASIAN transit posters were up until mid-November. With the help of VAHMS coordinator Jasper S. Yip and VAHMS President, the live Festival transformed into the Virtual explorASIAN Festival. VAHMS Connections with Shahid Abrar ul-Hassan and the 2020 INTERCONNECTED Project, curated by Leticia Sanchez, became virtual events. VAHMS presented “From C to C” on Virtual Canada Film Day. The first virtual explorASIAN Opening Ceremony presented live stream performances from the Vancouver City Hall which illuminated in Red that night. MC Jasper S. Yip, greetings from Wade Grant on behalf of the Musqueam Nation, Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry, Deputy Mayor Rebecca Bligh, Minister George Chow Dr. Laurie Anderson and Dr. Paul Crowe and Leticia Sanchez. Recorded performances by Vince Mai, Kage, and Noriko. The First Virtual Recognition Awards Ceremony showcased Hon. Anne Kang, VAHMS Board of Directors, musical guest VI-AN, and local musician Son of James. Renowned BC visual artist ceramicist, Wayne Ngan, passed away at the age of 83. In September of that year, VAHMS became the virtual satellite venue of the 2nd National Asian Heritage Month Symposium in Montreal, Quebec. Sangeeta Wylie, Phyllis Tang, and Jing Palad participated in the events. The newly funded National Asian Heritage Network (CANASIAN) members were Khosro Berahmandi, Montreal, Art Mikki, Manitoba, Leticia Sanchez, Vancouver in coordination with Farah Fancy, Montreal.

VAHMS Board Members

Leticia Sanchez– President

Jimmy Yan– Secretary
Clara Lo– Treasurer
Fred Farhad Soofi– Director
Jing Palad – Director
Shahid Abrar ul-Hassan– Director
Bert Monterona – Director
Carol Hamshaw – Director
Phyllis Tang – Director
Patricia Woroch – Director
Jeff Chan – Ambassador
Jasper Sloan Yip – Coordinator

2021: VAHMS & explorASIAN Festival 25th Anniversary

The 25^th Anniversary poster and the more than 60 Asian Canadian events featured in the program were internally designed by Dong-hee Seo and VAHMS Director, Valentine Ostaszewski. The Spotlight of Artists presented 12 different artists throughout the year. Interconnected Project second-year presented more than six gallery exhibitions. VAHMS Anniversary events started with Bird tracks in the Air book reading with Jan & Yvonne Walls, Oceans of Stories: Komagata Maru “Continuous Journey” panel with Jasper Yip, Sangeeta Wyle, and Patricia Woroch. Asian Stages and Asian Heritage with Jimmy Yan, and “On the Move”, a collaboration with VAHMS, Montreal and Manitoba AHMS. VAHMS hosted the first year of the monthly Critical Conversations for Asian Canadians in the Arts, a national initiative for Pan-Asian artists to discuss their points of view about arts and other related topics.The Virtual Opening Ceremony featured a touring of iconic buildings including Vancouver City Hall, Bloedel Conservatory, Science World, and BC Place illuminated in red. Government officials, VAHMS Honorary Patron, Vivien Poy, and VAHMS president participated with live and pre-recorded messages. Vince Mai and Sujit Vaidya performed that night. The 2^nd Virtual Recognition Awards celebration recognized, among others, Beverly Nann for her long-term trajectory as First President and Senior Advisor of VAHMS.

VAHMS Board Members