Asian Heritage Cultural Symposium

Kelvin's Asia Pacific Studies scholars took part in the 10th annual Asian Heritage Cultural Symposium at the University of Winnipeg recently.  Students from grades 9 through 12 took part in a Chinese tea ceremony, created Japanese kokeshi dolls, applied henna tattoos in traditional Indian patterns and practiced T'ai Ch'i, among other activities.  A highlight of the day-long event was a presentation by Dr. Art Miki, recipient of the Order of Manitoba, the Order of Canada and the Order of Japan for his work on behalf of the Japanese Canadian community.  He taught students about the checkered history of Canada's relations with it Asian immigrant citizens, from the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act, through the Komagata Maru Incident, to the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II.  In addition, Kelvin scholars were able to pose questions to a series of Asian Canadians who have achieved excellence in their fields, among them, former Manitoba Liberal leader Rona Bokhari, entrepreneur Peter Truong, and arts journalist Tracy Koga.  The day concluded with a discussion about contemporary racism and the millenial generation's roles in addressing it.  Kelvin is the only high school in Manitoba to offer the Asia Pacific Studies diploma, with credits at three levels, in addition to Japanese language and opportunities for travel; next year, students will earn a credit as they study about and travel to Thailand.  For more information, contact rsokalski@wsd1.org

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