OneNature is pleased to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. According to the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), the theme for 2023’s AAPI Heritage Month is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” This year’s theme is a continuation of the “Advancing Leaders” theme series, which began in 2021. In their theme announcement, FAPAC stated that “No matter who you are, you can achieve anything in this country if you put your mind to it. To keep the Nation moving forward, the capable ones must lend a hand to those in need and provide an opportunity for them to advance, as well.”
In 1977, New York Representative Frank Horton and Senator Daniel Inouye both introduced similar resolutions proclaiming the first ten days of May as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. Since neither of these passed, the following year, Representative Horton introduced another resolution that requested the president proclaim the week. Once the House of Representatives and Senate passed the resolution, President Jimmy Carter signed it into public law in October of 1978. It wasn’t until 1990 that Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week became Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. In 2009, the month was renamed as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month).
Environmental Leaders to Celebrate in May
David Suzuki
David Suzuki is a professor, broadcaster, activist, author, and zoologist. Suzuki was and is a passionate activist who fought to reverse global climate change and urged politicians to act on climate change. In 1990, Suzuki founded the David Suzuki Foundation as a way to “find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that [sustains] us.” The David Suzuki Foundation focuses on issues like climate change, clean energy production, sustainability, sustainable fishing, and cleaning up the ocean.
Vandana Shiva
Vandana Shiva is a physicist, author, ecologist, activist, food sovereignty advocate, and ecofeminist. Shiva, based in Delhi, is known as the “Gandhi of grain” thanks to her tireless activism in association with the anti-GMO movement. She’s a member of the International Forum on Globalization, the scientific committee of the Fundacion IDEAS, and the International Organization for a Participatory Society. Vandana Shiva has worked tirelessly for years in the environmental sector, whether through writing books, speaking at conferences, fighting in activist campaigns, or assisting grassroots organizations. Shiva believes that we should not be subjected to live in a “world where five giant companies control our health and our food”.
George Helm Jr
George Jarrett Helm Jr was a Native Hawaiian activist, musician, writer, and speaker from Kalamaʻula Molokai. In 1975, Helm began as an activist for the Moloka‘i group, Hui Aloha. He also became involved in the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana organization, which aimed to end the bombing of the Kaho‘olawe island, which was often used as target practice by the U.S. Helm dedicated his life to fighting for the protection and restoration of the island. In 1977, Helm went missing, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of the Aloha ʻĀina Movement’s most distinguished activists.
Junko Tabei
In 1975, Junko Tabei, a mountaineer, author, and teacher, became the first woman to summit Mount Everest. Tabei denied countless corporate sponsorship deals so that she could remain financially independent. Instead, she earned money as a hiking guide, teaching music and English, or making public appearances. Junko Tabei was a passionate advocate for the degradation and preservation of Mount Everest’s environment. Tabei’s life motto was “Do not give up. Keep on your quest.”
We at OneNature believe all voices deserve to be heard and respected. In the conservation sphere, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are often left out of the conversation. It’s critical that we uplift and showcase the voices of all individuals and communities, especially those that are frequently overshadowed. Thank you to all of the Asian and Pacific Islanders who impacted our world in positive ways. We wish you all a great AAPI Heritage Month.