Today wraps up Asian Heritage Month in Canada. It is a time to reflect on and recognize the many contributions that Canadians of Asian heritage have made and continue to make to Canada. Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated since the 1990s. The Senate of Canada adopted a motion in 2001 proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy and in 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to announce May as Asian Heritage Month.

What does Asian Heritage Month mean for us? Well, Yee Hong was founded to remove language and other cultural barriers that Asians experience in accessing long-term care. Over the past 27 years, Yee Hong has grown, expanding its mission to reach seniors at every stage of life and in every setting. We consistently work towards achieving our vision – “Seniors living their lives to the fullest – with health, independence and dignity” though our vast onsite active seniors programs, adult day, congregate dining programs and long-term care, to our home support and caregiver support services, and educational resource centre, and our residential and virtual hospice/palliative care programs. We support Asian and other cultures when we provide education, advisory services, and participate in research studies.

This year we contributed our voices at several Asian Heritage Month events:

• Anti-Asian Racism Roundtable – Yee Hong was asked by the Toronto Mayor’s Office to participate in a study led by Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice to examine our experience with Anti-Asian racism and to offer pragmatic solutions to prevent and address systemic discrimination, oppression and racism. Yee Hong Senior and frontline staff provided invaluable input and we look forward to not only seeing the recommendations but continuing to work with our allies to fight racism.
• Asian Heritage Month Festival – Opening Ceremony Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Signing of the Asian Heritage Month Declaration by the Senate of Canada – Our Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation President, Stephen Siu, provided the Opening Remarks for this celebration. During his remarks, “For the Sake of Our Multicultural Heritage” Stephen, an accomplished photographer, explored human rights issues that impact Asian Canadians and the First Nations. Stephen advises several Chinese and cultural groups, is founder of the CanAsian Creative Exchange, and a recipient of several prominent awards for his contributions to improving Canadian society.
• CPAC Equity Diversity and Inclusion Award – On Sunday, May 29, 2022, Dr. Joseph Wong, our Founder received an inaugural award recognizing outstanding Canadians who have made significant contributions to the advancement of human rights, equal access, racial equity, diversity and inclusion within an organization, a community or nationally. Dr. Wong was recognized for his ground-breaking work in improving health, social justice, and equity for Chinese Canadians and diverse cultural groups since the 1970s. CPAC recognized his tireless work removing barriers – as a champion for equal right to education for Chinese-Canadian students, fostering diversity at the United Way and establishing Yee Hong. In addition to this award and countless others, and being founder of numerous social justice initiatives, Dr. Wong is an Order of Canada Recipient. Congratulations also to Jennifer Tory, recipient of a second CPAC Award on the 29th. Jennifer was recognized for trailblazing work as a champion of equity, diversity and inclusion in her leadership role at the Royal Bank of Canada, where she is Chief Administrative Officer. Jennifer is previously a winner of the Harry Jerome Award (2013) and the Leading Executive Ally Award by Start Proud (2016). CPAC, founded over 30 years ago as the Chinese Professionals Association of Canada, is a not-for-profit organization with a community membership of 30,000 internationally educated professionals.

As I reflect on what Asian Heritage Month means for me, I think about my grandparents, parents and relatives. I reflect on their journey – how they immigrated to Canada with nothing in hand but big dreams for bright futures for their children and grandchildren. When I reflect on the sacrifices they have made, the many years of hard work and struggle, and the years of enduring overt and systemic racism, I feel a pang of sadness but then immense gratitude for where I am today. While racism persists (we continue to actively experience and witness racism firsthand) and we know that there are many changes that need to be made for social justice, I see how far we have come and what a beautiful and blessed country we live in. This gives me hope, strength and resilience to continue my journey against racism today and tomorrow.

I hope that you will reflect on what Asian Heritage Month has meant for you, and what Yee Hong looks like when we honour all races, cultures, socio-economic status’, gender identities, ages, and abilities of our residents, clients, family members, staff, volunteers, students and board, and of communities across Canada. A key value of Yee Hong is “advocating for improved equity and social justice.” As a key priority of our Yee Hong Centre Strategic Plan, we will embark on our journey of unpacking what systemic discrimination, oppression and racism mean for us as individuals, teams and as an organization through a dedicated focus on “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”. To begin, we will form a “Yee Hong Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council” which will create opportunities for everyone to shape and participate in this collective work – building a Yee Hong and society where everyone feels that they belong and have opportunities to contribute their full potential. I look forward to this doing important work with you.