The East Asian Literary Scene in Canada
By Siena McCleery
As young people, we have come to recognize the immeasurable impact that diverse literature, representative of a wide array of voices, has on our understanding of the world around us. Literature created by diverse individuals, whose writing is informed by their unique backgrounds and experiences, helps to bridge together readers and authors alike, transcending cultural barriers and exposing us to the experiences of people with life stories different than our own so that we can better understand our peers and foster diverse communities.
Following Asian Heritage month, we can turn to literature as a truly valuable tool for understanding the varying experiences of Asian Canadian individuals and carry forward our learning beyond just one month. The history of East Asian people in Canada, especially Japanese and Chinese immigrants who came to Canada in the late 1800s and early 1900s is deeply entrenched in systemic racism and mistreatment. For many years, the vast majority of Canadian history lessons omitted crucial information regarding the blatant discrimination that East Asian groups faced (and continue to face) in Canada. However, neglecting to incorporate teaching regarding the experiences of East Asian individuals in Canada’s highly problematic history in education systems overlooks the incredibly large role that Japanese and Chinese immigrants had in shaping Canada into what it is today.
With this in mind, to better understand the East Asian diaspora in Canada, while acknowledging that the experiences of various East Asian groups can be widely different and there is no single story, here is a quick glimpse into the contemporary East Asian literary scene in Canada:
Notable Authors
Joy Kogawa
Japanese-Canadian Author
Author of Obasan
Experienced the Japanese internment camps as a child
Wayson Choy
Chinese-Canadian Author
Author of The Jade Peony
Madeleine Thien
Born and raised in Vancouver
Author of Do Not Say We Have Nothing
Jen Sookfong Lee
Author of Superfan
Columnist for CBC Radio
Literary Events
LiterAsian
Literary festival held across Canada that seeks to uplift Asian Canadian voices in the literary scene
Brings in authors of Asian descent to foster discussion on pertinent topics in the literary community in relation to Asian representation
Vancouver Writers Fest
Set festival held annually
The organization also hosts events throughout the year that highlight authors from a wide variety of backgrounds
The above individuals are just a small portion of Asian Canadian authors making strides in terms of representation in the literary scene of Canada. Additionally, literary events that spotlight Asian voices have a tangible impact on fostering spaces where historically ignored voices can find their place in the writing communities of Canada. When we look to unpack the East Asian diaspora in Canada and how the storied experiences of early East Asian immigrants to Canada manifests today, seeking out literature produced by East Asian individuals is a notable way to do this. Not only is it necessary to understand your country’s history in relation to marginalized groups, but placing this history in the context of arts and culture, especially in a time when the writing communities of Canada’s neighbour have been so heavily impacted by censorship, is paramount. Writing, as a form of art, self-expression, and even generational healing, allows for both the acknowledgment of the past as well as the celebration of Asian culture and accomplishments. Ultimately, incorporating diverse perspectives into our book rotation while also going a step further and seeking out ways to engage meaningfully in the Asian literary scene allows us to take our learning past one month out of the year and develop a more well-rounded approach to engaging with the literary community.
Works Cited
Government of Canada. “About Asian Heritage Month.” Canada.ca, 4 May 2023, https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month/about.html. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Kanavaros, Kyrani. “About – Jen.” Jen – Sookfong Lee, http://sookfong.com/?page_id=6. Accessed 23 June 2024.
LiterAsian. “LiterAsian.” LiterASIAN 2024 – Join us for the 12th annual LiterASIAN Writers Festival, 2024, https://literasian.com/. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Raymundo, Bridget. “10 Canadian books to read during Asian Heritage Month.” CBC, 5 May 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/books/10-canadian-books-to-read-during-asian-heritage-month-1.6832758. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Thien, Madeleine. “Madeleine Thien.” Madeleine Thien, https://madeleinethien.com/bio. Accessed 23 June 2024.