On October 5th, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution that designated the first ten days of the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May is significant because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7th, 1843, as well as the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10th, 1869. Chinese immigrants made up the majority of the workers who laid the tracks that shaped America.

The original bill to designate the first ten days of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was introduced by Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed.

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush declared that the celebration would expand to the entire month of May. Since its beginning, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month has expanded to include community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students.

In Mnnesota, the greater community has taken ownership of the celebration, planning many events and celebrations in honor of Heritage Month. It is a time for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to stand tall and be proud of the contributions that they make to Minnesota and the country.

The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans has declared the theme of this year’s Heritage Month “Soaring With the Eagles,” hoping to catch the spirit, energy, and force of the community.

President George W. Bush, in a speech at the White House on May 1st, said “during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we honor citizens whose families have come from halfway around the world, but who are now an integral part of America.” Asian Pacific Americans “make America's culture more vibrant, and we're a better place – and a more lively place, I might add – from Songkran celebrations in Los Angeles to Chinese New Year parties in Chicago to Diwali festivals right here at the White House.”

Here is a listing of many of the special events being held around the Twin Cities to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Month long

HIV AIDS Awareness Day DVD

On behalf of Asian Heritage Month (May) and National Asian Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (May 19, 2008), a free DVD about “HIV and AIDS Awareness” from ECHO (Emergency and Community Health Outreach) TV is now available in 7 languages: English, Hmong, Lao, Khmer, Vietnamese, Somali and Spanish.

To order your free copy, simply email Roy.Nelson@state.mn.us and provide your mailing address.

About The DVD:

Mention the word, "AIDS," and many people say it’s not my problem, or it’s not in my community. But the reality is, there is no cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS and it is present in nearly all communities. We all need to be aware on to protect ourselves and each other.

In this program, meet community experts who know about AIDS and the challenges their individual communities have in discussing taboo topics such as sex, protection and the fears of getting tested. And, although the numbers may be fewer in some communities, the messages are no less important as prevention remains the most effective weapon against the spread of AIDS.

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May 1-31

Spice and Slice of Asian Culture.  Hennepin County Library Asian Heritage Month Events.  

Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.  Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka, 952-847-8800.

Funny Bones.

Explore Asian social trends and cultural values through entertaining Asian Advertising Award-winning commercials. Discussion on parenting, family expectations and the Asian concept of the "good life" follows. Sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County with funding from the Comcast Foundation in collaboration with the Friends of the Ridgedale Library.

Sunday, May 18, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  Southdale Library, 7001 York Ave. S., Edina, 952-847-5900.

“Journey From the Fall”

One family's struggle and survival of the Vietnam War - family torn apart, detention camps, grueling escape to America. The film's management team will discuss and share their vision and experiences in the making of this moving and powerful movie. Sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County with funding from the Comcast Foundation; also in partnership with Asian Community Media Institute-Minnesota and Asian American Press in collaboration with the Friends of the Southdale Library.

Saturday, May 31, 1:30 pm.  Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center, 952-847-5600.

“Kung Fu Hustle”

Do kung fu movies relate to contemporary life in mainland China? Clips from this popular action-packed film will be used to illustrate the use of symbolism and start a discussion of Chinese values. Sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County with funding from the Comcast Foundation  in collaboration with the International Teen Club.

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May 1-31

Schedule your own Film Forum with Asian Media Access.  FREE.  Any Place, Any Time.  Asian Media Access is happy to announce the 2007-2008 “The Best Asian Television Commercials” are available for May Showings at your organization.  For schedule a showing please contact amamedia@amamedia.org.

The Best Asian Television Commercials (2007, 48 min)

The Best Asian Television Commercials (2008, 45 min)

Curated by Steve Lu, Asian Media Access, the " The Best Asian Television Commercials" has a wealth of collection of the best and funniest Asian TV ads from all over Asia, ranged from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korean, Thailand, and Turkey, and from different industries such as insurance & banking institutions, beverages & drinks, cars, restaurants & food items, beauty products, airlines, newspapers, clothing, etc.   Many commercials use satire to make jokes about popular cultures, for example, using Japanese scary movie technique to sell deeply discounted merchandise that will "SHOCK" you.   With a "Appreciate Little Things Come in Life"

slogan, the beer commercial featured people rejoicing on the street just for getting a parking spot, or getting the last crab leg, or even just because it is a Friday.  The best one goes to Turkey's bank commercial that used people to form various shapes and objects of expensive jewelry and gifts. The creativity and the quality of the commercials will for sure to win many "Ahhhhhhh" and "Haaaaaaa" from audience.

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May 9, 7pm

DanceWork Ensemble North America Tour - will be performing Taiwanese tap dances.  St. Paul Student Center Theater, Univ. of MN, 2007 Buford Ave., St. Paul.   FREE.  Information:  Kuang-Sheng 763-514-5197 or visit www.taamn.org

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May 9-10, 8pm

Hip-hop in Taiko Lab, an annual performance of new and experimental Japanese drumming works of Mu Daiko, the professional taiko drumming ensemble of Mu Performing Arts.  Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis.  Tickets:  $12/adult, $9/student-senior.  Information 612-338-6131 or www.mixedblood.com

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May 10, 1pm – 4pm

Kite Day 2008, in celebration of Children’s Day in Japan.  Sponsored by The Bloomington Sister City.  Valley View Play Fields, 90th & Portland Ave. S., Bloomington.  Entertainment:  Larry Yazzie, Native Pride Dancer;  Sanseiyonseikaii Japanese Dance Troupe;  St. Olaf Taiko Drum Group;  Kite Flying Exhibition-MN Kite Society.  FREE.  Public Invited.  Information:  952-563-8713.

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May 16, 6pm – 9pm

Asian Pacific American Annual Dinner & Award Presentation.   A community event celebrating the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  Dinner Highlights include Keynote Speaker, Shinae Chun, Director of Women’s Bureau, US Dept. of Labor; Halau Hula O Ka Hoku Akau Dance Group; Karen Community Youth Dance Group; Leadership Award Presentation, etc.  Sponsored by the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans and others.  Ramada Mall of America, 2300 E. American Blvd., Bloomington, MN 55425.  $40/person.  Reservation and Information:  Jovita Bjoraker, 651-296-0538 or Jovita.bjoraker@state.mn.us

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May 17, 10am – 4pm

A Passage to China, an interactive journey.  This family-oriented event will feature interactive games/activities from different regions of  China, and will transport visitors aloft with sights and sounds of autentic music and dance, and aromas of regional cuisines.  Center Court of Southdale Mall, Edina.  Sponsored by The Chinese Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with China Insight.  FREE.  Information:  contact chff@chineseheritagefoundation.org,org or ghugh@chinainsight.info.

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May 19, noon – 2pm

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration at the State Capitol.  Programs include story telling of over 120 years of the History of Asians in Minnesota;  Speakers on APA communities and topics of interest;  Exhibits (in Rotunda 5/19/08, in the North Corridor 5/19/08 – 5/30/08).  Sponsored by the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans.  FREE.  Information:  651-296-0538.

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May 20 and May 29, noon – 1pm

Lunch & Learn (performance, demonstration, presentation, storytelling).  Focus:  Hmong families.  Speaker:  Dr. Alyssa Vang.  Target Audience:  Healthcare Service Providers.  Sponsored by Center for Professional Development and Practice, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of MN.  Contact:  Elsa Batica, 612-813-7724.

May 20:  John Nassef Center, Miller Room, 255 Smith Ave., St. Paul.

May 29:  Education Center Front, 2525 Chicago Ave. So., Minneapolis

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May 24-25

WHERE’S MYSPACE, teen retreat.  Open to Asian teen girls ages 15-19 in St. Cloud and surrounding .  An exciting educational program; no cost involved – free room, meals & transportation; an opportunity to connect with the Asian teen community in St. Cloud and surrounding area; swimming, horse back riding, tennis, etc.  Arrowwood resort & conference center, 2100 Arrowwood Lane NW, Alexandria, MN  56308.  Sponsored by National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) St. Cloud Chapter.  Contact:  Angie Witte 320-492-684 or ivegotseoul@charternet.net; Anjali Dreyer 320-291-0309 or dran501@stcloudstate.edu; Hedy Tripp 320-309-3087 or hmtripp@stcloudstate.edu