Written by Tiff Kim, Transfer Jacks Peer Mentor
The month of May is known as Asian American Pacific Islander month and Pride Month is celebrated in June. NAU celebrates AAPI and Pride month in April instead to dedicate a full month to all those who identify with these identities while most students are still taking classes.
Pride month is celebrated in June to honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. This event helped pave the way for the Gay Liberation Movement. NAU celebrated pride through events like Open Mic Night, a Pride Cooking demo and more! The Office of Inclusion and additional partners like the LGBTQIA Commission work hard to be inclusive and informative. IMQ has offered Safe Zone and Transparency Zone trainings to inform others on LGBTQIA+ history, terminology and more!
AAPI heritage month celebrates identities who resonate with Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. May is chosen as AAPI month as a commemoration to the first Japanese immigration to the United States in 1843. Throughout April, the Office of Inclusion (IMQ) and the Center for International Education hosted many events to honor the AAPI and LGBTQIA+ communities. These events reflected the customs of many cultures and identities. The Snack Swap was put on by the Chinese Cultural Club as Chinese dramas were shown. The Indian Film Night and Holi Festival of Colors organized by the Indian Association of Northern Arizona. More events included several various Asian ethnicities as well. Korean, Hawaiian, and Filipino cultures were also celebrated. It was fulfilling to see multiple representations of a myriad of cultures.
Our team consists of a number of those who identify as AAPI! We would like to highlight them and their stories!
Jeanine Horio
How do you identify within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community?
I identify as Japanese American. I was also raised in Hawai’i and have been surrounded by the Hawaiian culture for a large part of my life.
How has your heritage shaped who you are today?
Growing up in Hawai’i, I was constantly surrounded by the Hawaiian and Asian culture. My heritage has taught me to appreciate where I come from and my identity, especially having moved away from home and being surrounded by a different culture. I have always appreciated my heritage, my culture, and where I come from, but I have grown much more appreciation for it and have learned to appreciate the many different cultures I am surrounded by today and the cultures I will be surrounded by in the future.
What are your favorite cultural traditions or holidays that you and your family celebrate?
The Merrie Monarch Festival is something I look forward to each year. I danced hula for 10 years, which further grew my appreciation for the Hawaiian culture. I can’t remember when this became a thing, but my mom and I watch the hula competition during the festival every year. Even after moving away, my mom reminds me when the competition would start streaming and we text each other throughout the performances of each halau. My family doesn’t necessarily traditionally celebrate Hina Matsuri (Girl’s Day), but I know we do keep up the tradition of wishing each other a Happy Girl’s Day every year. It’s a nice reminder of the culture that is a huge part of my identity.
What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?
AAPI Heritage Month to me, means being able to celebrate, appreciate, and embrace the different cultures within the community. It’s also a time that really gives me the chance to remember where I come from and to appreciate it.
Tiffany Kim
How do you identify within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community?
I identify as Khmer-Vietnamese American. I grew up with many cultural customs and am proud to represent both.
How has your heritage shaped who you are today?
I sometimes felt not enough as just Viet or Khmer but eventually learned to appreciate both of my ethnicities. I grew up mostly with my Laos and Khmer grandparents, so I learned the language well. However, I did not have much practice with Vietnamese, so I plan on learning more!
What are your favorite cultural traditions or holidays that you and your family celebrate?
Being a part of two cultures, I get to celebrate multiple new year’s! In Vietnamese culture, we celebrate Tết which is Vietnamese New Year celebrated in February. Khmer New Years is usually in April. On this day, we pay respects to our ancestors, gather the whole family, and have good food. Usually there’s Phở, traditional sticky rice cakes, eggrolls and more!
What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?
AAPI Month to me is a month of celebration of all Asian cultures. It helped me to be more embracing of my culture!
Leilei Renaud
How do you identify within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community?
Native Hawaiian
How has your heritage shaped who you are today?
Native Hawaiians encourage building communities and to live harmoniously amongst each other. Because of this, I work well with others and find the pleasure in helping others to grow. Another beautiful thing that my culture has taught me are the strengths that I attain. Some Hawaiian values such as demonstrating humility and having compassion for others has made me realize that I am indeed strong.
What are your favorite cultural traditions or holidays that you and your family celebrate?
Lei making for special occasions, dancing hula, hug and kiss greeting to locals, and much more.
What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?
It’s a month to recognize those who identify under the AAPI community. However, I find this month to be more of starters guide to learn more about them and to continue appreciating them every month of the year.
Thank you to those who shared their stories! As the AAPI and LGBTQIA+ are approaching, let’s celebrate!
https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/
https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov