President Steenkamp: Asian heritage is BC heritage

This is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, and I spent some time recently in the Japanese Garden on campus, reflecting on the contributions of people of Asian descent in our province and country. In my video this week , I talk a bit about this heritage at Royal Roads and the history of anti-Asian racism.

While we might be tempted to think that we are citizens of a better world, anti-Asian racism is on the rise in Canada, and along with it, hate crimes targeting those of Asian descent. To better understand this troubling trend and how to combat it,  I plan to attend the National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism, hosted by UBC, on June 10 and 11. If your schedule allows, you might want to register to attend, especially for the break-out sessions offered in the afternoon of June 10.

We will be welcoming Dr. Sonia Kang, Canada Research Chair in Identity, Diversity and Inclusion who will lead a presentation and workshop for the Royal Roads community entitled “Confronting Anti-Asian Racism in Academia and Beyond” later in June. 

Asian Heritage Month gives us cause to celebrate our diversity, reflect on our history and take action to fight racism at every turn.