Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee Presents Cultural Display at Kelowna City Hall in Celebration of Asian Heritage Month

9, Apr
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Kelowna, BC – April 7, 2025 – The Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee is proud to present an inspiring cultural display at Kelowna City Hall in honor of the upcoming Asian Heritage Month, open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (excluding statutory holidays)
on display from April 7 to June 15.

This exhibit highlights the vibrant and diverse histories of the Asian communities in the Okanagan, showcasing traditional crafts, personal stories of perseverance, migration, and cultural pride. The Committee is deeply grateful for the support of Canadian Heritage, Province of British Columbia and the City of Kelowna in acknowledging and honoring our vibrant and diverse heritage.

Photo Credit: Shawn Gu

Asian community leaders representing OCCA, OFC, KJLS, OKCK, the Okanagan Sikh Temple, and the Chinese Freemasons. Photo Credit: Shawn Gu for OCCA

From left to right: Shui Lee (Chinese Freemasons), Councillor Luke Stack, Councillor Loyal Wooldridge, Fei Liu (OCCA), Councillor Maxine DeHart, Dr. Joanne Taylor (City of Kelowna), and Mayor Tom Dyas. Photo Credit: OCCA

Mayor Tom Dyas standing in front of the Asian Heritage Month display cabinet at Kelowna City Hall. Photo Credit: OCCA

Fei Liu (OCCA), Councillor Mohini Singh, Shui Lee (Chinese Freemasons). Photo Credit: OCCA

Exhibit Highlights:

Traditional crafts from various Asian communities.
Personal stories of perseverance and migration.
A celebration of the rich cultural heritage and pride within the Asian community in the Okanagan.

Key Attendees:

Dr. Joanne Taylor – Cultural Advisor, City of Kelowna
Fei Liu, Qiuyan Li, Wendy Zhang – OCCA Communities Association (OCCA)
Bella Mockford, Brendalyn Belbin – Okanagan Filipino Canadians Society (OFC)
Mari Habuki – Kelowna Japanese Language Society (KJLS)
Yewon Yim, Hyoin Nam – Okanagan Korean Culture & Knowledge (OKCK)
Guri Bassi, Balzor Singh, Jagtar Singh – Okanagan Sikh Temple
Shui Lee – Kelowna Chinese Freemasons of Kelowna

Opening Times: The exhibit will be on display at Kelowna City Hall from April 7^th, 2025, to June 15^th, 2025, from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays.

We invite all members of the community to come celebrate, learn, and engage with the diverse and rich heritage of the Asian communities in the Okanagan.

Quotes:

“This exhibit is an important opportunity to showcase the cultural richness and resilience of the Asian communities in the Okanagan. We hope it will inspire people to reflect on the contributions of Asian cultures to the region and foster greater appreciation for our shared history,” said Fei Liu, Executive Director of OCCA Communities Association.

“The City of Kelowna is honored to host this Asian Heritage display at City Hall, and I strongly encourage everyone to visit, particularly during Asian Heritage Month in May,” said Dr. Joanne Taylor, Cultural Advisor for the City of Kelowna.

About the Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee: The Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee is a coalition of organizations committed to promoting cultural understanding and celebrating the diverse Asian communities in the Okanagan region. For the past 14 years, the committee has worked through events, exhibits, and educational initiatives to strengthen community connections and encourage respect and appreciation for cultural diversity. The 2025 Asian Heritage Month Opening Forum will take place on Saturday, May 3^rd, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at Metro Hub, and the 2025 Asian Heritage Showcase is scheduled for Saturday, May 31^st, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center. Additional activities such as Asian History Exhibition, Multicultural Family Sundays, Asian Heritage Movie week and Multicultural Drumming Rehearsals are listed in the attached AHM schedule.

For more information, please visit Okanagan Asian Heritage Month – Home or contact: Fei Liu
Email: ed@occabc.ca
Phone: 778-228-8660

Activity Schedule 2025