May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Every May, UNM celebrates Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month to recognize the contributions and achievements of these communities. This observance began as a weeklong celebration in the 1970s and extended to a full month in 1992 to honor the community.

UNM Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center (AAPIRC)
The Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center (AAPIRC, pronounced a-perk) was officially established in the 2021-2022 school year. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place April 28, 2022, in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month. The resource center aims to build a sense of belonging for AAPI students during their studies at the University of New Mexico.

AAPIRC also seeks to provide culturally relevant programs that cultivate Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders within communities. AAPI designation refers to all Asians, including heritages in East Asia, Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, West Asia/Middle East, South Asia and Central Asia. They include all AAPI-identified students, including those of mixed cultural/mixed race, adopted and part of the widespread diaspora. More information about the AAPIRC is available here.

AAPIRC Mission Statement: The mission of the Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center is to build a sense of belonging for students of Asian/Pacific Islander/Desi American Heritage during their studies at the University of New Mexico. AAPIRC also seeks to provide culturally relevant programs that cultivate Asian/Pacific Islander leaders within communities. Designation of AAPI includes East Asian, Southeast Asian, Central Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander and Arab American students at UNM.

AAPIRC Vision Statement: AAPIRC's vision is to provide a physical space where students can enrich their university social experience and access student services, programs, research, and education opportunities without feeling the guilt of the Model Minority Myth.

Sources of information for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month:

Click here for the history of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month.

This month celebrates the accomplishments and social contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities, whose ingenuity, grit and perseverance have pushed our great American experiment forward. From Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders whose ancestors have called their lands home for hundreds of years to Asian Immigrants who have newly arrived and those whose families have been here for generations - AA and NHPI heritage has long been a part of the history of our great nation, as artists and journalists, doctors and engineers, business and community leaders and so much more. AA and NHPI people have shaped the very fabric of our nation and opened up new possibilities for all of us.

Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) announces 2025 National AANHPI Heritage Month theme: A legacy of leadership and resilience
In 2025, FAPAC will celebrate four decades of service to the AANHPI community. This year's theme honors the hard work of AANHPI leaders who established a foundation for future generations to thrive and adapt to change and adversity. The 2025 AANHPI Heritage Month poster features bamboo as a symbol of strength, endurance, and resilience for its ability to withstand the harshest conditions. Bamboo's solid foundation ensures it can bend with the wind and stand tall after the storm passes. The bamboo also acknowledges the colloquial 'bamboo ceiling' and the cultural organizational and individual barriers that hinder advancement for AANHPIs in the workplace.

Throughout history, AANHPIs have transformed adversity into opportunities for public service, efficiency and innovation; resulting in lasting change that resonates beyond our community and has positively impacted our world. This resilience is woven into the fabric of our success, and it is a testament to the unwavering spirit of our ancestors who faced their own struggles with dignity and strength.

The National Museum of American History: Asian Pacific American History
Asian American and Pacific Islanders can trace their histories to a region that spans more than half the globe. They have played key roles in shaping America's past, leaving an enduring impact in areas such as work, politics, culture and law. They have done so as immigrants, sojourners, settlers, refugees, citizens, aliens, U.S. nationals, and members of overthrown sovereign kingdoms. Join us in exploring the rich and complex histories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through NMAH's collections, exhibitions, archives and scholarly research.

Smithsonian Institute
In May, we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history. Explore Smithsonian events happening online and in-person and find resources, podcasts, and collection items to learn more about AANHPI contributions to our nation.

The National Parks Service Celebrates Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage that is thousands of years old and has both shaped the history of the United States. Their lives have been dramatically influenced by moments in its history. Every May during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners share those histories and the continuing culture thriving in parks and communities today.

For more on how UNM honors Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, visit UNM's anthropology department's webpage.