In 1977, U.S. Representatives Norman Y. Mineta and Frank Horton introduced legislation to designate 10 days in May as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. They were soon joined by U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga. The legislation passed in October of that year, and transformed in the following decades to become a month-long celebration that is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
In 2000, the Washington State Legislature followed suit and declared the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This year, following the language of the Presidential Proclamation, Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed the month of May to be ANHPI Heritage Month! It is a time to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultures of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the state of Washington. Public entities are encouraged to designate time for activities commemorating the lives, history, achievements, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
Here in Washington, we have people from 42 different nations across Asia and the Pacific Islands that now call our state home. This month is a time for us to recognize the contributions of our ANHPI individuals and communities to Washington state, celebrate our cultures, and tell our stories.
Here are some events to look forward to this month, and some resources to learn more about ANHPI history and heritage. You can also follow us on Facebook for the latest information. Happy ANHPI Heritage Month!
AANHPI Heritage Month Events
AANHPI Heritage Month Resources
Heritage Resource Guide
The APA Heritage Resource Guide, created by CAPAA in 2001, is intended to help you develop and integrate Asian Pacific American (APA) history into curriculum and teaching strategies. This guide offers an overview and history of Asian Pacific Americans in Washington State. It offers ways to understand themes around migration, labor, community development, political empowerment, identity, citizenship, and cultural similarities and differences. With specific activities and recommendations to effectively help students understand such issues at all grade levels, the guide recommends select videos and resources for the classroom.
View the Heritage Resource Guide here.
“We Are Not a Stereotype” Video Series
“We Are Not a Stereotype” is a video series from the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center that breaks down bias against AANHPIs by examining our history and identity, exploring a variety of topics in deep dives into what it means to be AANHPI in America.
Introduction to “We are not a stereotype”
How Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders shaped the legal landscape
The Racialization of Undocumented Asians
Filipino/a/x Americans as Cross-Coalition Builders
Making the Invisible, Visible: Southeast Asian American Experience in the US
Exploring Identity Through a Broken Lens: Caricature as Portraiture
Asian-Black Solidarity Movements for Liberation
Books by AANHPI Authors
15 Asian American Children’s Books to Read As a Family Right Now | Elementary & Middle Grade
39 YA Books to Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month | Young Adult
Books About AAPI Leaders: An Elementary AAPI Studies List | Elementary & Middle Grade
Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month: 15 Diverse Books to Tell Our Stories | Elementary, Middle Grade, & Young Adult
15 Books by Pacific Islanders That Tell Incredible Stories About Their Culture | Elementary, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult, & Poetry
10 Diverse Books about Asian American and Pacific Islander History | Elementary, Middle Grade, Young Adult, & Adult
Books about Samoa | Elementary, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult, & Poetry
60 Children’s Books for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (AAPI) | Elementary, Middle Grade, & Young Adult
Books that show Asian Americans have never been silent | Young Adult, Adult, & Poetry
Incorporating Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in the Early Grades | Elementary
12 Children’s Books to Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage | Elementary
10 Essential Books by Vietnamese American Writers | Young Adult, Adult, & Poetry
Misc. Resources
Honor Asian Women Syllabus: a crowdsourced compilation of books and essays about Asian American women’s history, poetry, portrayal in media, and more.