Asian Heritage Month: Find out how these Montrealers are making a difference
May is Asian Heritage Month, commemorating the achievements and contributions of people of Asian origin across Canada.
The theme for this year, according to the Government of Canada, is "preserving the past, embracing the future: amplifying Asian Canadian legacy."
"This theme celebrates the rich heritage and contributions of people of Asian origin in Canada while also looking forward to the future with optimism and hopefulness," the government notes. "We are acknowledging the voices, stories, and achievements of people of Asian origin in Canada and recognizing their contributions to all aspects of our society, including the arts, sports and social justice."
Here are some Montrealers making waves in the Asian community, as well as Canadian society at large:
Celeste Trianon
A child of Chinese immigrant parents, Celeste has faced numerous struggles in her life, including being diagnosed with autism and gender dysphoria.
Celeste turned her personal challenges into social activism, fighting for gender equality.
She says she wants to bring a person of colour's perspective to the gender debate, as transness isn't determined by race.
As a law student, Celeste works to tear down the barriers trans people face every day, including allowing people to mark gender X on their official documents and helping people who've been victimized by hate crimes or discrimination.
As a proud transfeminine activist and member of the Chinese community, Celeste stands tall in the fight for trans rights and the celebration of queerness in all its forms.
Kim Thúy
Kim Thúy's books have been translated and published in 29 languages in 40 countries.
She is best known as an author and TV host, but she's also been a seamstress, a translator, a lawyer and a restaurant owner.
As a child, Kim came to Quebec in the 1970s in the wave of Vietnamese people referred to as the "boat people" fleeing the fall of Saigon.
She's now a decorated Québécoise with a medal of honour from the National Assembly and recognition from the National Order of Quebec.
Kim writes about the things she knows and finds beauty and joy in the simple things in life: friends, family, food and art.
Pauline Wong
Pauline Wong is a successful businesswoman, philanthropist and activist for the Chinese community.
Her family founded Wong Wing in 1948, a brand recognized across Canada.
As a dedicated activist for the preservation of Chinatown, she has helped countless families and new immigrants through her involvement in the Chinese family services of Greater Montreal and the Centre Sino-Québec de la Rive-Sud.
Pauline and her late husband, George, are noted philanthropists who have supported numerous causes for the Chinese community, the Montreal Chinese Hospital, Father John Walsh, Nazareth Community and Saint Monica's Parish.
Pauline is a member of the Order of Montreal and the Order of Quebec.
Julie Tamiko Manning
Julie Tamiko Manning is a talented, award-winning Japanese-Canadian actor, playwright, theatre creator and mentor.
Julie has paved the way for racialized theatre artists and spoken up about the need for more diverse stories to be produced on Montreal stages.
She also developed a powerful verbatim play with Matt Miwa called The Tashme Project: The Living Archives, telling the story of the unfair internment of Japanese Canadians during World War Two.
The Tashme Project won a Montreal English Theatre Award (META) for best new text.
Antonio Park
Antonio Park co-owns Park restaurant in Westmount, serving Japanese food and sushi.
There's a glamour to how Antonio brings people together, according to his closest friends.
The chef also boasts connections with rapper Drake from Toronto and former Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban.
Antonio works to elevate and raise the Asian community to a different level, one dish at a time.
May Chiu
May Chiu has been an inspiration to many in the fight for social justice.
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Trois-Rivières, Que. as a first-generation immigrant, May has always been passionate about social change, whether it be as a lifetime community activist for Montreal's Chinese community or as a low-income family lawyer fighting for access to justice.
For over three decades, May has been a pioneer in building anti-racism coalitions among racialized and marginalized communities in Quebec, all struggling against the same systems of oppression.
May's motto in life: speak truth to power and live authentically.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amber Alert issued for 2 toddlers near Quebec City
Police have issued an Amber Alert for two children who have gone missing from the Saint-Raphaël area.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a 'tragic mistake' had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and killed at least 45 people, according to local officials.
What Canadian grocery shoppers need to know about anticompetitive allegations
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Canada pledges visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to Canadians
Canada said on Monday it would grant temporary visas to 5,000 Gaza residents under a special program for Canadians' relatives living in the war-torn enclave, a preparatory move in case they are able to leave in the future.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Latest deadly weather in U.S. kills at least 20 as storms carve path of ruin across multiple states
Powerful storms killed at least 20 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
North Korea says its attempt to put another spy satellite into orbit has failed
A North Korean rocket carrying its second spy satellite exploded midair on Monday, state media reported, after its neighbours strongly rebuked its planned launch.