The Asian Heritage Month (AHM) Opening Forum is taking place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Metro Hub, 1265 Ellis Street in Kelowna.
This community-wide event celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the Okanagan and highlights the voices and contributions of Asian Canadians, as well as allies from both Asian and non-Asian communities. The Opening Forum will feature remarks from local leaders, cultural performances, and a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Stepping into Active Allyship: Uplifting Asian Voices in the Okanagan.”
Forum Moderator: Matteo Stewart (3-time International TEDx Speaker)
Forum Theme:
“Stepping Into Active Allyship: Uplifting Asian Voices in the Okanagan”
Panelists:
- Denise Young (she/her) – DEI Specialist
- Lady Dia – Co-founder, Africa Ubuntu Association
- Dr. Meilan Ehlert – Languages and World Literatures, UBC Okanagan
- Saul Gomez (he/him) – Latin Voices Society
- Aaron Hemens – Multimedia Journalist
- Dr. Delacey Tedesco – Associate Director, EDI, Okanagan College
Guests will also enjoy free refreshments and have the opportunity to experience a variety of cultural expressions through music and dance.
a rich lineup of cultural events throughout May and June.
Highlights include:
- AHM Opening Forum – May 3 at Metro Hub, 1265 Ellis St.
- AHM Showcase – May 31 at Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center, 839 Sutherland Ave.
- Asian History Exhibition – Kelowna Downtown Library – May 1- 31
- AHM Movie Week – Kelowna Downtown Library – May 12 – 16
- Multicultural Family Sundays – Kelowna Art Gallery – May 4, 11, 18 & 25, Sundays
- Multicultural Drumming Rehearsals – Weekends in May and June, Ben Lee Park
Full details and the latest updates are available on the Okanagan Asian Heritage Month – Home page
The Asian community groups, include the Okanagan Filipino-Canadians Society (OFC) and BIBAK, Okanagan Korean Culture & Knowledge Society (OKCK), Kelowna Japanese Language Society (KJLS), Okanagan Sikh Temple, and the Chinese Freemasons of Kelowna, are all set to celebrate Asian heritage with us. This year’s forum will feature dynamic discussions led by both Asian and non-Asian panelists from UBC Okanagan, Okanagan College, and various industries, with opportunities for interviews afterward.
