5/20/2025 12:04:49 PM
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities have shaped the history and future of the United States in countless ways. Each year, we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month to recognize their lasting impact, honor their rich heritage and diverse traditions, and celebrate their remarkable achievements. This month also invites us to learn more about AANHPI cultures and deepen our understanding of their contributions to our shared story.
Governor Tim Walz has officially proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Minnesota. This proclamation acknowledges the significant impact and contributions of the AANHPI community to our state and encourages all Minnesotans to join in the celebration.
The term AANHPI encompasses cultures from the entire Asian continent, including East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, which include the Hawaiian Islands. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, approximately 20.6 million people in the United States identify as having Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander heritage. AANHPI individuals constitute about 6.2 percent of the total U.S. population.
The journey to establish Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month began in the late 1970s and took over a decade of advocacy. It started with resolutions proposed by Representative Frank Horton and Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye in 1977. Despite initial setbacks, President Jimmy Carter signed a resolution in 1978 proclaiming the first 10 days of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. This later expanded into a month-long celebration in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush's administration, officially designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
People of Asian or Asian American descent make up 19% of the MNIT workforce. Two of our AANHPI colleagues shared their unique cultural experiences, including history, traditions, and inspiring figures from the AANHPI community.
Padam shared his experience of celebrating the Nepali New Year, known as "Nepal Sambat" or "Navavarsha." This vibrant celebration marks the beginning of a new calendar year in Nepal and is a time for renewal, reflection, and cultural pride.
This year’s celebration was especially historic in Minnesota. On April 12, 2025, the Association of Nepalis in Minnesota (ANMN) hosted a landmark event—Nepali New Year 2082—at the St. Paul Student Center, University of Minnesota. The celebration was officially recognized by Governor Tim Walz, who proclaimed April 12, 2025, as Nepali New Year Day in Minnesota. This recognition marked a proud moment for the Nepali community and highlighted its growing presence and contributions in the region.
Hundreds of people gathered—families, friends, sponsors, and youth volunteers—for an evening filled with tradition, innovation, and heartfelt connection. The event featured cultural performances, traditional cuisine, music, and opportunities to celebrate shared values and identity. As the Nepali-American community continues to grow and thrive, celebrations like this reinforce the importance of cultural heritage, civic participation, and inclusion. Happy Nepali New Year!
Padam Ojha also shared his admiration for his cousin, Dr. Lujendra Ojha, an American planetary scientist who made a groundbreaking discovery at the age of 25. Dr. Ojha provided compelling evidence of current, seasonal liquid water flows on the surface of Mars while still an undergraduate at the University of Arizona. His journey from Nepal to working with NASA and becoming an assistant professor of planetary science at Rutgers University is nothing short of extraordinary. His accomplishments remind us that no dream is too far, especially for those of us from immigrant backgrounds. Dr. Ojha's curiosity, dedication to science, and ability to bridge multiple worlds make him a powerful role model.
Jen noted many people are unaware that from the late 16th century until the mid-20th century, Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands - known as the Dutch East Indies. During the Indonesian National Revolution, Japan occupied Indonesia, and many Indo men (of both Dutch Indonesian heritage) were segregated to internment camps. The Japanese surrendered in 1945, and Indonesia declared its independence.
Jen shared the story of her grandmother, a strong Indo woman who made tough decisions during World War II to take care of her family while her grandfather was in an internment camp. Jen noted, her grandmother’s story is not unique. Many women during this period had to make sacrifices and do what they could to take care of their families. Ultimately, many Indos were forced to flee Indonesia, often back to the Netherlands, bringing their own culture and food and changing the landscape of their mother country.
Jen's late father's memories were captured in a book titled "Darkness in Paradise: Memories of Onno VanDemmeltraadt From His Youth in Indonesia During WWII."
On Thursday, May 22, Employees of Asian Descent Employee Resource Group (ERG) will host a virtual conversation, “Culturally responsive mental health care for Asian American employees,” exploring culturally responsive mental health care.
This event is part of a four-part workshop series focused on culturally informed wellness tailored to our Asian American employee population, in partnership with the statewide MEAD (Minnesota Employees of Asian Descent) ERG and DHS's Office for Equity & Inclusion.
Questions? Contact: MEAD ERG at erg.mead.mmb@state.mn.us
Explore more ways to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month in Minnesota including festivals, exhibits and events with the following resources:
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