By Jacqueline Nanali
Identity is the door that will open your soul. I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My parents immigrated to Canada in the early 1970’s from the Philippines. They spoke their language to one another, but did their best to adjust to the Canadian ways for my older brother and me. Often conversations among the elders were spoken in their language and they would speak English to the children.
As a young girl, I remember at the Elementary School I attended I would learn the French language and the school also offered Filipino language classes. Growing up, it didn’t really occur to me how language played such a large part in connecting with others.
My first visit to the Philippines in 1999 opened up a whole new experience. I had the same hair, eyes, and skin colour as many of the girls I encountered, but they often asked me where I was from. They all spoke the same language and it seemed as if they knew I did not belong. When I spoke English, it confirmed their assumptions. Some tried to communicate with me, while others didn’t attempt to. As an adolescent, I wasn’t sure how that made me feel. I didn’t realize until I returned to Canada, that the girls I met in the Philippines looked at me as if I was a Canadian, although we shared the same hair, eyes, skin colour and ethnicity. Even though I was raised in Winnipeg, I would often be asked if I was born in the Philippines.
Being Asian Canadian is my identity. I am not one, or the other . . . I am both. For many first generation Asian immigrants, some may still have a deep connection with their native land. Second generation Canadian-born Asians, like myself, seek that opportunity to learn about our parents, grandparents and ancestors. However, being a third generation in today’s society speaks wavelengths about ethnicity and nationality. Which is why I believe it is significant to take the time to learn and share stories about your identity because without it, Canada would not be known for its historical development of Asian Canadians.
Celebrate the 14th year of May 2016 as Asian Heritage Month in Manitoba:
May 8, 2016 – Steinbach where the local Asian community members will participate for the first time
May 11, 2016 – Canadian Museum for Human Rights Event – Asian Fusion
May 12, 2016 – University of Winnipeg
May 26, 2016 – Asian Canadian Writers
May 28-29, 2016 – Asian Canadian Festival at the Forks
For more details on the festivities, please visit: http://filipinojournal.com/asian-heritage-month-of-may-2016-promises-another-multicultural-extravaganza/
Jacqueline Nanali is the UNE’s regional representative for human rights, Manitoba