Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian Pacific American History
Asian Americans 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.

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Resources
A list of K-12 curriculum and other resources from the Anti-Defamation League to bring Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month to your classrooms.

Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE)
In 2014, CAPE launched the #IAM Campaign to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) and to share these inspiring stories.

Department of Defense Education Activity
The observance of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is an occasion to remember the patriotism of AAPIs who have served, or are currently serving, in the Department of Defense (DOD), our nation and, specifically, here at the DoD Education Activity (DoDEA).

Learning for Justice
Free resources to educators, administrators, counselors and other practitioners who work with children from kindergarten through high school.

National Park Service
Every May during Asian American and Pacific Islander 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.

Pacific Islanders in Communication
Bring Pacific Islander culture into the classroom are with these teaching aids. Lesson plans are designed for a range of ages and grade levels.

PBS Learning Media: Asian Americans
Asian Americans is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate personal stories, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played.

22 Stellar Reads for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
These titles, which include YA and middle grade fiction, picture books, and nonfiction, are perfect to recommend to readers both this month and year-round.

NHK World-Japan TV
Watch NHK World Japan locally on UEN-TV 9.4 or Comcast 389 for the latest news from Japan and Asia, covering politics, economy, technology, culture and more. NHK World-Japan TV is free and available throughout Utah.

FNX - First Nations Experience
Watch FNX locally on FNX 9.3 can be found on Comcast Cable Channel 387. The FNX channel presents Native American stories and content to create a diverse and entertaining channel across all media platforms 24/7. The unique non-profit channel is the result of a shared vision and values between the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and PBS/KVCR both located in San Bernardino, California.

UEN-TV - 24/7 Educational Television
Watch UEN-TV locally on channel 9.1 can be found on Direct-TV Channel 983. The goal of UEN-TV is to educate, engage, and enrich the lives of Utah residents through broadcast programs and services

Native Planet
In a fight for mother earth, Host Simon Baker travels across a Native Planet and goes deep inside indigenous communities passionately defending their way of life against overwhelming environmental threats.

View on FNX 9.3 Sundays at 1 p.m. & Mondays at 1 p.m. beginning May 1

Tiga Talk
Tiga the wolf pup, Gertie the Gopher and Gavin the Goose are stuffed toys who live with Jodie and Jason, their Dad and Grandmother Kokum. The toys and the kids have a secret. When there are no adults around Tiga, Gertie and Gavin come to life to play with Jodie, Jason and their friends. Every time Kokum, or any other adult, is around they turn back into toys.

View on FNX 9.3 Sundays - Friday at 9 a.m. beginning May 1

Cooking Hawaiian Style
Cooking Hawaiian Style continues to be a gathering place that celebrates the richness of Hawaii's culinary culture featuring Hawaiian and Hawaiian-style recipes from all ethnicities. Our cooking show features local Hawaii Chefs, Celebrities & Musicians cooking local comfort foods and Hawaiian-Style favorites.

View on FNX 9.3 Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12 p.m. beginning May 2

A New Island: The Marshallese In Arkansas
"A New Island" Between 1946 and 1958 the United States tested 67 nuclear weapons in the Marshall Islands. Claims between the United States and the Marshall Islands are ongoing, and the health effects have created a legacy that still lingers from these tests. A New Island is a documentary about the displaced people of this region who have immigrated to Springdale, Arkansas. They come for better jobs, education, and health care. And they come legally. A New Island introduces us to some of the people who have made this journey, as they try to preserve their island culture while adapting to life in the middle of America.

View on FNX 9.3 Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12 p.m. beginning May 2

Travel & Delights
Chef Kelly Rangama takes us on a gastronomic road trip around the globe. Her Goal? Find the best products and recipes from overseas. On the way, this cooking prodigy goes out to meet traditional cooks and local producers sharing their passion and know-how. During her journey, Chef Kelly revisits local dishes with guests and involves young clerks. A human and tasty adventure!

View on FNX 9.3 Everyday at 12:30 p.m. beginning May 1

Somewhere Street
A unique walking-eye view of cities around the globe! Chat to the locals and enjoy encounters that only strolling the streets can bring.

View on UEN 9.1 Wednesdays at 9 p.m. beginning May 3

Shinmachi: Stronger Than a Tsunami
An hour-long documentary that shares the resilience of a unique Japanese community in Hilo, Hawaii. Their stories bring to life the once-thriving small business district founded by Japanese immigrant plantation laborers who made the bold decision to establish their economic independence from the sugar industry.

View on UEN 9.1 Saturday, May 6th at 8 p.m. & Tuesday, May 9th @ 1 a.m.

Before They Take Us Away
At the start of World War II, as the US Government prepared to forcibly remove and incarcerate all Japanese Americans living on the West Coast, a small number of Japanese Americans took their fate in their own hands and fled the coast, becoming refugees in their own country, on a forced migration into the unknown. Before They Take Us Away is the first documentary to chronicle the untold stories of the "self-evacuees" who spent the war years outside the camps, as they struggled to rebuild their lives and overcome poverty, isolation, hostility and racial violence.

View on UEN 9.1 Sunday, May 6th at 9 p.m. & Tuesday, May 9th @ 2 a.m.

Vanishing Chinatown: The World of the May’s Photo Studio
t a time of public outrage over anti-Asian hate crimes, this new documentary shines a light on everyday life in San Francisco's Chinatown a century ago. Hundreds of photographs, serendipitously rescued from a Chinatown dumpster, chronicle the lives of an immigrant community from an insider's perspective. Through images from the early to mid-1900s, they reveal the artistry of a preeminent photographer of the time, preserving community life from civic parades to small businesses to fantastic Cantonese opera scenes.

View on UEN 9.1 Wednesday, May 10th at 8 p.m. & Wednesday, May 17th @ 1:00 a.m.

Bloodline
BLOODLINE is an intimate profile of Vietnamese-American chef Tu David Phu and the evolution of his culinary aesthetic - borne from a bloodline that traces back through childhood and his family's unspoken history of war. The film's narrative is framed around Tu as he returns home to Oakland, California after competing on the cooking series Top Chef (Season 15). As he reflects on that experience and his new visibility as a celebrity chef, Tu traces his unlikely journey. From the son of refugees growing up in West Oakland to a professional chef, Tu's acclaimed culinary creations are heralded as the next wave of Asian fusion representing Vietnamese culture. The documentary features illuminating conversations between Tu and his parents on their initial reservations about his career path, their pride in his success in the food industry, and how their experiences during the Vietnam War influenced Tu's upbringing and cooking style. Beyond a personal examination of family ties and food heritage, BLOODLINE is also an exploration of how in placing a premium on pedigree and formal training, the culinary industry often disregards the rich experiences, flavors and practices falling outside those parameters. This is illustrated by how the physical bloodline of the fish - running down the middle of the fillet - is often thrown away by chefs even though it carries the animal's "essence."

View on UEN 9.1 Wednesday, May 10th at 8:30 p.m. & Wednesday, May 17th @ 1:30 a.m.

Danjuro: A Kabuki Star for Three Centuries
In November of 2022, Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo assumed the name Ichikawa Danjuro XIII in an important milestone in his career. The names of performers are passed down for generations in the world of kabuki, and actors may have several names over the course of their career. The first Ichikawa Danjuro established many well-known kabuki traditions 300 years ago and quickly rose to prominence. Those who have assumed the Danjuro name have created many popular works such as Sukeroku and Kanjincho, and the name has become one of the most venerable in kabuki. Ichikawa, who has become the 13th-generation Danjuro, is undoubtedly the world's most famous kabuki actor, having performed at the Palais Garnier in Paris and in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Join us as we take a look at a special performance to mark the name change and some of the highlights of his repertoire in a program that will entertain and educate both kabuki novices and aficionados.

View on UEN 9.1 Saturday, May 14th at 8:00 p.m.

Come Back Anytime
Self-taught ramen master Masamoto Ueda and his wife Kazuko have run their Tokyo ramen shop, Bizentei for more than forty years. Together with their customers, they have created a welcoming place of community. On the weekends, they venture together across the Japanese countryside, harvesting pears, bamboo shoots, and wild mountain yams. An intimate portrait of Japan's culture of food, community, and work, COME BACK ANYTIME features gorgeous scenery, mouth-watering dishes, and a delightful cast of regular customers. It's a heart-warming reminder of life's simplest pleasures: a delicious meal, relaxed conversations with friends, and a special place to call one's own.

View on UEN 9.1 Wednesday, May17th at 8:00 p.m. & Wednesday, May 24th at 1:00 a.m.

A Thousand Pebbles on the Ground
Roger is a Chinese-American medical worker facing rising anti-Asian sentiment, he's grieving the loss of his father, but he loves to perform and make people laugh.

View on UEN 9.1 Saturday, May 20 at 8:00 p.m. & Tuesday, May 23 at 1:00 a.m.

Unknown Master of Restoration
Mayuyama Koji is an art restorer who works with antique dealers and museums nationwide in Japan. His unique skills allow him to flawlessly restore broken works to their former condition, earning him the nickname "God Hand." The practice originated from his father in the postwar period, when many antiques would be repaired secretly through underground means. The documentary THE UNKNOWN MASTER OF RESTORATION reveals the details of his techniques, as well as his mission not just to restore art, but to preserve it for generations to come.

View on FNX 9.3 Sunday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m. & Sunday, May 28 at 2:00 a.m.

Armed with Language
ARMED WITH LANGUAGE tells the story of how a little-known military intelligence school in Minnesota played a pivotal role in ending World War II. The institution trained more than 6,000 Japanese Americans, or Nisei, to be translators, interrogators, and Japanese military specialists. After decades of being classified, the story of their courage, sacrifice, and valor is finally being told.

View on FNX 9.3 Saturday, May 27 @ 8:00 p.m. & Tuesday, May 30 at 2:00 a.m.

Ka Hana Kapa
Ka Hana Kapa documents the history of kapa in Hawai'i and follows the complex process of Hawaiian kapa making from start to finish. Hawaiian kapa is one of the most beautiful art forms in the Pacific. In ancient Hawai'i, kapa, or bark cloth made from the wauke plant (Broussonetia papyrifera), was used for clothing, bedding, the wrapping of precious iwi (ancestor's bones), important ceremonies, and a myriad of other purposes, making it an integral part of everyday life in Hawaiian society. Ka Hana Kapa is the story of kapa making in Hawai'i, as told by these dedicated kapa practitioners and their students, who have given new life to this intricate cultural practice. The film features interviews with kapa practitioners Marie McDonald, Roen Hufford, Dalani Tanahy, Moana Eisele, Dennis Kana'e Keawe, Ka'iulani de Silva, and Eric Enos. Ka Hana Kapa also showcases the thrilling appearance of Halau O Kekuhi led by kumu hula Nalani Kanaka'ole attired in original kapa made specifically for the Halau at the opening of the 2011 Merrie Monarch Festival.

View on FNX 9.3 Saturday, May 27 @ 8:00 p.m. & Tuesday, May 30 at 2:00 a.m.

China: Frame By Frame
Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker Bill Einreinhofer reflects on the time he spent in China, what he discovered, what he learned and the dramatic changes he witnessed. His pictures include original interviews and scenes shot throughout China, as well as little seen historical footage discovered in the most unlikely of places: America's National Archives and the Library of Congress.

View on FNX 9.3 Wednesday, May 31 @ 9:00 p.m.

Iqaluit
Saturday, May 6 @ 5:30 pm on FNX 9.3
In the twentieth century, the Maori of New Written and directed by Jason Brennan. Northern Canada is home to the oldest tattooing traditions on the planet. Ippiksaut Friesen, a well-known young Inuk artist, was inspired to follow the many Inuit women before her and develop tattooing skills for her sisters. Notwithstanding the challenges in maintaining and reclaiming Inuit traditions in a world strongly affected by contemporary society and climate change, the importance of female tattooing among Inuit women continues to grow. Ippiksaut hopes to play a vital role in the resurgence of traditional tattooing.

Amsterdam
Saturday, May 13 @ 5:30 pm on FNX 9.3
Written and directed by Randy Kelly. In the 1950s, warriors from the Dutch-controlled Maluku islands who were fighting alongside Dutch soldiers against the Indonesians were brought back to the Netherlands by force. As a descendant of that Moluccan diaspora, Joe Patty-Sabandar has been rediscovering and reconnecting with his traditional ancestral culture. As a tattoo artist, he is very keen to preserve and share Moluccan culture as it existed before the Portuguese colonized the Maluku islands. He is part of a group of third and fourth generation Dutch-Moluccans who are thirsty for knowledge and the ancient culture of their homeland.

Haida Gwaii
Saturday, May 20 @ 5:30 pm, on FNX 9.3
Written and directed by Courtney Montour. When Haida artist Kwiaahwah Jones picked up the needle and traditional Haida tattoo practices that were once outlawed, she inspired a whole new generation to embrace their Haida culture and make it their own. She has curated Haida art exhibits across Canada but found her true calling in Haida hand poke tattoos. Tattooing was an important part of Haida culture, signifying family lineage and rank in society. Kwiaahwah draws inspiration from being out on the land and water in Haida Gwaii. She sees the revitalization of Haida tattooing as a reconnection to her ancestors.

Tunisia
Saturday, May 27 @ 5:30 pm, on FNX 9.3
Written and directed by Sara Ben-Saud. Manel Mahdouani is a tattoo artist living in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. As a descendent of the Amazigh people native to North Africa, Manel specializes in Amazigh tattoos. With tattooing traditions no longer practiced, her grandmother's generation are the last to carry the traditional designs and knowledge. Since many still depend on oral transmission of their cultural knowledge, Manel travels to remote villages and searches for the knowledge found in the collective memory of elderly people. When she finds a tattoo, she takes pictures and adds it to her research. She then modernizes the design for present-day reproduction. Manel is the only person archiving traditional Amazigh tattoos.