Introducing : The Public Gallery, stories from people on Parliament Hill and across Canada.

Last week, Senators gathered with members of Canada’s various Asian communities to celebrate Asian Heritage Month. Below are five brief stories from people in attendance.

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Benedetta

“When I was little, I always liked playing with the violin and strings. Since I have two sisters who also played the violin, I wanted to learn myself. My entire family plays instruments actually but not all strings. So then I started learning and I had a great teacher but then he left.

Next, I went to the conservatory in Gatineau where I had another amazing teacher. Now, I have tons of concerts and exams.

I learned the song I played tonight by reading the sheet music. I feel like it brings honour to the Philippines.”

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Former Senator, the Honourable Vivienne Poy

“Asian Heritage Month is important in particular because Asian means all Asians. It doesn’t mean East Asian only. That’s a mistake many Caucasian Canadians make – that you have to be East Asian. Asia is huge. It goes all the way to Middle-East.

I believe celebrating Asian Heritage Month now is even more important because we’re welcoming so many refugees from that area and it would be wonderful for them to feel like they are part of this country. They are part of our national character.

I understand my culture and I’m very proud of my heritage. I think everyone should be proud of their heritage. It doesn’t matter where you come from – be proud of who you are. To me, Asian Heritage Month means sharing our culture with the rest of Canada. We learn to celebrate each other.”

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Peter

“I’m a Brit. I immigrated to this country. I transferred from the Royal Navy to the Canadian Royal Navy in 1949. I’d been in this country for only a year when next thing I find myself in a ship to Korea!

So I used to say ‘What the heck is this country I’m supposed to come to called Canada!?’

When we left in 1950 en route to Korea, we spent Christmas Day in Honolulu too, which was nice, because we’d just left Halifax which was damn cold.”

Peter Wilkins was a Chief Privy Office in the Navy during the Korean War. In this photo, he is joined by Senator Yonah Martin

 

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Paul

“My name is Paul and I come from Ontario. I’ve lived in Canada for 20 years now. I volunteered to come here to show the Chinese tradition of Tai Chi.

You refresh your body and mind. It’s about good movement and good exercise. No matter how old or young you are, you can practice Tai Chi.

I’ve been doing Tai Chi in Toronto for about 10 years now.”

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Sadia

"My name is Sadia Siddiqi, I’m 22 years old, and I’m a professional henna artist. I was born and raised here in Ottawa, but my parents are from Pakistan – Karachi and Sukkur – and my grandparents were all from India – Deli and Mumbai.

Henna has been a cultural thing since ancient times, mainly for bridal and Eid celebrations. Henna is all about art. If there’s no art, there’s no way we can be creative. My late grandmother did traditional henna style when I was a baby. She would literally do just a moon on her hand and on her fingertips. It wasn’t very elaborate but it was meaningful. For me, henna has really been a family bonding thing too, because I come from a very big family.

I started doing my own henna when I was just twelve years old, on my own hands. It wasn’t that great but by practicing and practicing I’ve gotten better. Eventually I created my own company – now I’m booked all summer for bridals and events just like this!”