A joint message on Asian Heritage Month
A message from UM President and Vice-Chancellor Michael Benarroch and Distinguished Professor Tina Chen Executive Lead (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion):
In recognition of Asian Heritage Month, the University of Manitoba joins with Asian communities in Manitoba and nationally to recognize and celebrate the achievements of those of diverse Asian heritage.
This month serves as an opportunity to reflect and understand the diversity and richness of Asian communities and individuals, and to recognize the important work we must do to eliminate anti-Asian racism in all its forms on our campus.
Manitoba is enriched by Filipino, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and West Asian individuals, and the dynamic communities they build. And in UM’s ongoing efforts to help affirm and celebrate identities, various units from across campus have come together to launch the UM Model Minority Mutiny Workshop on May 17 to help foster Asian community solidarity. This in-person workshop, which we encourage Asian community members to register for, will support individuals in exploring their identity and to consider the idea of model minority mutiny as an act of solidarity with Black and Indigenous communities.
UM is also hosting a ballroom dance evening for Asian staff and faculty, with lessons by competitive ballroom dancer Horace Luong, Associate Dean (Student Experience), in the Faculty of Science.
The University of Manitoba is proud to support research, teaching, and community engagement that advances critical understanding of the histories, languages, and cultures of Asians in Canada and globally. This includes global interdisciplinary collaborations such as the Dried Fish Matters project, commitments to carry forward the work from the National Forums on Anti-Asian Racism, language teaching, and the impactful work of so many at UM.
Let this month be a reminder for how we must continue to work across this institution to respect and rectify the unique challenges and needs of Asian community members, and to celebrate and be grateful for the diversity and contributions Asian community members bring to campus and communities around the world.
Michael Benarroch, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor
Distinguished Professor Tina Chen
Executive Lead (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)