KELOWNA, BC – April 9, 2026 – The Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee is proud to present the annual cultural display at Kelowna City Hall. This display recognizes the observance of the annual Asian Heritage Month, which kicks off in May 2026 under the theme “Intercultural Collaboration and Social Innovation.”
The exhibit is open to the public Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (excluding statutory holidays) and will be on display from April 8 to June 8, 2026.
This year’s display celebrates the diverse histories and contributions of Asian communities across the Okanagan. Through traditional crafts and personal stories, the exhibit highlights themes of migration, resilience, and cultural pride, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the communities that help shape the region.
“Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the stories, history, and contributions of Asian communities in Kelowna and across Canada,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “This display at City Hall helps highlight those experiences and the important role they continue to play in shaping our community.”
Joanne Taylor, Cultural Advisor for the City of Kelowna, is a strong advocate for Asian Heritage Month, recognizing its importance in weaving the city’s rich cultural fabric, showcasing its artistic expression, and celebrating the historical significance of Asian communities in Kelowna.
The launch event on April 8 was made possible by the dedicated participation of our community partners:
-The OCCA Communities Association: Fei Liu, Gary Jiao, Adrian Marr
-Okanagan Filipino Canadian Society (OFCS): Jordg Lemita, Elna von Dach
-Okanagan Korean Culture and Knowledge (OKCK) Society: Jun Perron, Hyoin Nam
-Kelowna Japanese Language Society (KJLS): Junko Sekiguchi, Akemi Boily, Kaorin Hirano
-South Asian Community: Guri Bassi, Mann Sidhu, Balzor Singh
-Kelowna Chinese Freemasons: Shui Lee
-Dragon Spirit Taichi Association: Linda Jia, Anna Lam, Jie Zhang
-Persian Community: Noushin Mahmoudpour
-City of Kelowna: Joanne Taylor, Laura Day
-Media: Shawn Gu (Photographer)
“We sincerely thank the City of Kelowna for providing space at City Hall to help share these important stories with the community. Building on 14 years of Asian Heritage Month activities, we continue to create opportunities to highlight voices that have too often gone unheard and to celebrate the richness of our diverse cultures,” said Fei Liu, Executive Director of OCCA Communities Association and Chair of Asian Heritage Okanagan.
The Committee acknowledges the support of Canadian Heritage, the Province of British Columbia, and the City of Kelowna for their continued commitment to recognizing and uplifting cultural diversity.
Visitors can expect:
-Traditional crafts representing various Asian cultures.
-Personal stories of migration and perseverance.
-A celebration of heritage, identity, and community pride.
Upcoming Asian Heritage Month Highlights:
-AHM Opening Forum: May 2, 2026, from 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM at Trinity Church – Family Room. Featuring heritage dialogues and Asian cultural performances.
-World Tai Chi Day: Hosted by Dragon Spirit Tai Chi.
-Vaisakhi Parade: Join us at the AHM booth to learn more about our month-long celebrations.
For more information, visit www.occabc.ca or contact:
Kevin Chu, AHM Manager | Project Coordinator heritage@occabc.ca | 250-575-8561
Gary Jiao, Outreach Manager events@occabc.ca | 250-899-5298
About the Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee: The Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee is a coalition of organizations dedicated to promoting cultural understanding and celebrating the diverse Asian communities in the region. For over a decade, the Committee has led events, exhibits, and educational initiatives that strengthen community connections.
About The OCCA Communities Association: The OCCA Communities Association is a registered charity and non-profit umbrella organization serving multicultural communities across the Central Okanagan. We commit to fostering an inclusive, vibrant, and equitable society where immigrants, refugees, and equity-deserving groups can thrive and meaningfully contribute to building a sustainable community.
More about Asian Heritage Month: http://www.asianheritage.ca/
We respectfully acknowledge that the OCCA is operating on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
Please note that we will have a photographer on site during the events. If you prefer not to be featured in any photographs, kindly contact OCCA at info@occabc.ca.
