Saskatchewan Community

Celebrate Asian Heritage Month 2025 with CBC Saskatchewan

Highlighting the rich heritage and contributions of Asian Canadians in the community.

Highlighting the rich heritage and contributions of Asian Canadians in the community.

Red text, yellow patterned background with a CBC gem in the middle. It has a series of Asian patterns inside it.
May is Asian Heritage Month (Rana Liu/CBC)

May is Asian Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to our country.

To commemorate the occasion, CBC Saskatchewan is sharing the stories and voices of some amazing Asian Canadians, highlighting those who are making meaningful contributions in the community and proudly celebrating their culture.

Artist Patrick Fernandez

Patrick Fernandez was confident he could launch himself into a new art career in Canada when he first came here in 2017. The reality turned out to be a little more complicated for the Filipino artist, but now he's one step closer to achieving his dreams, having been named the newest artist-in-residence at the Mackenzie Art Gallery in Regina.

A man in a black and gold shirt stands next to wall artwork of a boy sitting atop a fish.
Patrick Fernandez spent nearly 20 years in the Philippines as an artist, before coming to Canada to pursue an art career here. An opening reception took place at the Mackenzie Art Gallery last week, celebrating his work as the gallery's new artist in residence. (Janani Whitfield)

Saskatoon Bites features SULU

Where in Saskatoon can you enjoy bao buns made from scratch, a cocktail featuring rum from the Philippines and skewers grilled to perfection on an authentic Japanese grill?

The answer is SULU, now open at 226 Second Ave S. in Saskatoon.

Red lanterns hang above while a man in a light coloured shirt smiles at the camera.
Andy Yuen along with his wife, Rachel, have opened SULU restaurant in Saskatoon, their second Asian restaurant. They're also behind Odd Couple. (Naomi Hansen)

Regina Bites brings the best of bubble tea

Hot weather is already upon us. What better way to cool off than with a fruity or creamy (and chewy tapioca or coconut jelly) bubble tea?

You'll find multiple variations of the popular Taiwanese treat throughout Regina. For Asian Heritage Month, Regina Bites columnist Allan Pulga sat down with three bubble tea operators to learn about the best they have to offer.

A three-photo collage, each showing a person posing in front of a bubble tea store while holding a cup of bubble tea.
From left, Ray Chien of IHADAY Cafe & Bubble Tea Bar, Tam Streisel of So Tealicious! Café and Yoni Lantayona of Sweet Chaperone Café Corner. (Allan Pulga)

Xiaofeng Wu spreads Tai Chi 

This Regina teacher came to Canada 30 years ago, and found it to be a difficult adjustment. Connecting with a healthier lifestyle and embracing the art of Tai Chi helped her cope with those mental struggles. Now, she volunteers to share her knowledge and experience of Tai Chi with others.

A woman with black hair and glasses, wearing a white robe with flowered decoration, poses with her hands pressed together.
Xiaofeng Wu demonstrates a pose after teaching a Tai Chi class at Regina's YMCA. The educator volunteers much of her time to teach classes in order to spread the word about the benefits of practicing this gentle form of exercise. (Janani Whitfield/CBC)

Finding freedom to run

Atefa Rahimi always loved to run in her home in Afghanistan, even though doing so was an act of defiance against her family and society that frowned on girls and women participating in sports. Now, having come to Canada, she's rediscovered her love of running and hopes to encourage others to find their own inner power. 

A young woman with long black hair and a black top takes a selfie with a library behind her.
(Submitted by Atefa Rahimi)

Journalist explores Chinese family's experience with discriminatory immigration policies

When Florence Hwang worked at CBC Saskatchewan, she reported on the Chinese Exclusion Act and the history of Chinese immigration in the province. Now, for Asian Heritage Month, she's delivering a lecture on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at Moose Jaw's Western Development Museum about her great-grandfather's own experience immigrating in 1910 and having to pay the Chinese Head Tax.

Journalist explores Chinese family's experience with discriminatory immigration policies

13 days ago
Duration 7:55
When Florence Hwang worked at CBC Saskatchewan, she reported on the Chinese Exclusion Act and the history of Chinese immigration in the province. Now, for Asian Heritage Month, she's delivering a lecture on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at Moose Jaw's Western Development Museum about her great-grandfather's experience immigrating in 1910 and having to pay the Chinese Head Tax.

Looking for more? 

Visit CBC Gem for a collection of series, documentaries and films that honour the culturally diverse and rich heritage of Asian Canadians.