At the UO, we have a long and robust history of paying tribute to the achievements and contributions that generations of Asian, Desi, and Pacific Island Americans have made to the UO, Oregon, and the United States. In 1990, Congress expanded Asian Pacific American Week to the full month of May. At the UO we celebrate in May and throughout the year and work to more accurately reflect the community’s diversity by referring to the month as Asian Desi Pacific Island American (ADPI) Heritage Month.
ADPI Heritage Month in the Midst of COVID-19
As the world continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing an emboldened anti-Asian sentiment sweep throughout the country, despite the fact that Asian Americans are overrepresented on the front lines fighting COVID-19. This story, unfortunately, isn’t new, but it’s a reminder of the importance of learning about and celebrating the historical contributions of ADPI communities, both this month and all throughout the year. During this watershed moment in American history, Asian, Desi, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month takes on even more importance.
“WHAT’S (Y)OUR STORY” #YOUMATTER
Registration: Open to the public, virtual event, FREE.
Presenter(s): Migetu (Acfalle Gumataotao) Tuncap
Have you ever been told “oh, you’re (INSERT PASIFIKA ETHNICITY HERE)? You don’t look/sound like you’re (INSERT PASIFIKA ETHNICITY HERE)”? Identity is a tricky topic and identity conversations can often lead folx feeling like they’re not “enough” - not Marshallese enough, Fijian enough, Sāmoan enough, etc. Through storytelling, we believe that Pasifika in diaspora can build resiliency, community, and much more that can combat these feelings of “enoughness”. Join us during the month of May as we engage in different workshops to identify, strategize, and heal from “enoughness”. We will approach this work by building connections, sharing information, and engaging in critical conversations while not shaming folx who don’t know and/or who aren’t connected to the Pasifika community/land/language/etc.
“E KOMO MAI E ‘AI!”
COME LET’S EAT AT A LU’AU!
Registration: Audience is limited to UO Athletics staff only.
Presenter(s): UO Hawaii Club Board members, club advisor (Aunty Kris Galago)
UO Athletics BeOregon education program. This presentation will introduce you to the UO Hawaii club, their background history as well as club goals and objectives. Students will provide a brief history of Hawaii and Hawaiian Lu’au while also debunking false notions of what a lu’au is. This presentation will feature video clips of current and former UO student-athletes and athletics staff.
OUR FIGHT TO SAVE THE WORLD
Registration: Open to the public, virtual event, FREE.
Presenter(s): Makerusa Porotesano, Kevin Aipopo, Heifara Matutau, Trina Sound
Why is Climate Justice important to Pacific Islanders? Especially in the US and folx in the diaspora. A lot of students in the diaspora (born outside the islands) might feel a disconnect to movements happening in Oceania, but the call to save our islands needs us more than ever. Learn how our Pacific Islander Climate Justice works, who's involved and how this can be the movement that connects our identities, history and relationship climate justice.
Our local PDX team will lead the first part of the workshop and then we will include our members of our global team to share why this work is important on the islands and why they need us in the US.
Registration: Open to the public, virtual event, FREE.
We don’t know how y’all are feeling, but we MISS community spaces! Join us as we connect, talk story, and co-create a virtual community space. This will be a space where we can meet one another, talk through community challenges, and develop intentional relations.
Registration: Open to the public, virtual event, FREE.
Presenter(s): Jhustin Custodio
A study showed that 48% of Filipinos identify as Pacific Islanders over Asian. For many while filling out applications or the census, an identity ambiguity occurs that leads to the possibility of an unintentional, but problematic erasure of Pasifika Community centered issues and stories. What is the history that this ambiguity stems from? What exactly is the root problem? And what are some ways, regardless of the box we check, to rise against oppressors who benefit from this confusion?
Registration: Open to the public, virtual event, FREE.
Presenter(s): Heifara Wheeler
BIPOC communities are most likely to experience the hardships of climate change and access to healthy food is no exception. In this workshop we will be discussing the importance of growing and gathering our own food to help prepare us for a world with an ever changing climate, supporting and building solidarity with other BIPOC communities, farmers, and businesses, as well as free-to-low-cost techniques that can help you build a lasting resilient garden.
ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI VS. PIDGIN
Registration: Open to the public, virtual event, FREE.
Presenter(s): Leialoha Kaula
Decade after decade, the native language of Hawaiʻi as often been challenge with the notion that pidgin is the language of Hawaiʻi. Pidgin, also known as broken English, has been commercialized and declared as such, which over time has created a disadvantage for those who speak the language of Hawaiʻi.
Registration: Open to the public, virtual event, FREE.
Presenter(s): Tavae Samuelu
This workshop will explore the origins of A(ANH)PI as an umbrella term, the current impact of its use, and imagining a future without it.
Registration: Open to the public, virtual event, FREE.
Presenter(s): Milikaleakona Tonga Hopoi
The Closing Conference Event will allow us all to reflect and celebrate the month long activities that happen during PISACON21. As we close off our first ever online conference, we want to take time to celebrate the achievements of graduating seniors, students who earned a PISACON21 certificate and showcase the impacts that PISACON has had on students since its inception in 2010.