The Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights held a number of events yesterday to celebrate Asian Heritage Month in the province. 

The Museum hosted a panel discussion called "Being Asian in Winnipeg", a film screening of Facing Injustice: The Relocation of Japanese Canadians to Manitoba and traditional Asian performances to mark the occasion on Sun. May 28, 2017. 

Art Miki is the President of the Asian Heritage Society and both he and his parents were born in Canada. But he says that hasn't exempt him from facing discrimination throughout his life, including when him and his family were forced to relocate when he was just five-years-old. 

"There's a misconception that because people are visible minorities it means they weren't born here," said Miki, who was on yesterday's panel. "So we're trying to correct that and let people know there are many Asians here who are Canadian-bred and don't have any allegiance to any country except Canada." 

Miki's family was relocated during the Second World War, during which time the Canadian Government sent thousands of Japanese-Canadians to internment camps. And while he thinks Canada has made great strides, he believes we can always do more to improve life for visible minorities and Indigenous people in Canada. 

"The more we talk about it the more chance we have of overcoming the differences," he said. "I think with the Truth and Reconciliation; the main emphasis is we need to talk about the past and understand the past so we don't make the same mistakes in the future. The goal of these panel discussions is to educate people about what has happened and why we need to move forward." 

Muni Mysore is the Treasurer for the Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba and was also on the panel yesterday. 

She says education is the main pillar in breaking down barriers. 

"At the grassroots level we want to enhance people's understanding and sense of belonging and see what faults there may be and how we can improve it," said Mysore. "Once we begin there then there will be a broader acceptance of why people came to Canada and why people believe that Canadian values are good and why they want to call this their homeland."

Mysore believes prejudice will never go away completely. But she also believes it's up to Canadians to promote togetherness and heal with minority and Indigenous communities who have been harmed in the past. 

"The key to all of this is education," she said. "We need to begin there and then build tolerance and respect for others."