News

Asian Heritage Month 2024

April 30, 2024

In Japanese culture, the wave symbol, or seigaiha, is symbolic of life-giving water, peace, and good luck, and can also represent power or resilience. It was originally used on ancient Chinese maps to depict the sea and later adapted for use on Japanese clothing. This interpretation was done by SFU designer Carolyn Liew.

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the diverse cultures, histories and contributions of Asian communities. Learn more about how you can participate in events and activities at SFU and the wider community below.

SFU events & resources

Entire Month | SFU Library guide to Asian Canadian books, films and more: Celebrate and learn about the histories, stories and experiences of Asian Canadians by browsing books, films and more available in-person and online through the SFU Library.
May 2 | Feminist and decolonial empires of Asia: In this one-day event, two leading scholars of feminist and decolonial history in Central Asia will explore issues related to research, documentation, and the writing of history in the region.
May 5 & 6 | DOXA film screening - Black Box Diaries: Presented by DOXA and SFU’s David Lam Centre, this documentary is a powerful addition to the #MeToo movement from Japanese journalist, author and filmmaker Shiori Itō, who in 2015 became part of the small minority of women in Japan who report a sexual assault.
May 7 | Breaking barries to inclusion webinar - Asian Heritage Month: Presented by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, this webinar will discuss barriers to inclusion for Asian communities and ways to address those barriers for a better workplace.
May 7 | The Indo-Pacific Region in the eyes of the Philippines: Presented by the Asia-Pacific Foundation and SFU's David Lam Centre, this panel includes Enrique A. Manalo, the Philippines' Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and will explore the diplomatic and trade relationship between Canada and the Philippines.
May 24 | The Lantern and the Night Moths: Reading and panel discussion of Chinese diaspora poet-translator Yilin Wang's debut book, which features English translations of work by five modern Chinese poets alongside personal essays on her journey as a translator and the art of translation.
Get connected through the SFU David Lam Centre and the SFU Global Asia Program