Prof. Henry Yu was recognized for his role in a broader movement at UBC and across Canada to remember the forgotten stories of the Canadian past. Long ignored because of racism, the histories of Chinese Canadians and other Canadians who suffered anti-Asian discrimination still remain outside of the story of Canada. Working with students and alongside passionate community members across Canada, Henry is helping reshape how we understand our common past.
As a Founding Board member of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia, and as a committed community volunteer co-chairing projects such as the City of Vancouver’s “Dialogues between First Nations, Urban Aboriginal, and Immigrant Communities” from 2010-12 and the year-long “Anniversaries of Change” events in 2007 that brought together labour unions, community organizations, and Asian Canadian and First Nations communities, Henry passionately believes in recognizing the injustices of our past as a way of building a stronger Canada in the future. Having coined the phrase “Pacific Canada” to emphasize the importance of understanding the long history of interactions in Canada between First Nations and aboriginal peoples with migrants from all around the world, Henry has helped broaden Canadian history beyond the story of European settlement. At UBC, and through working closely with colleagues around Canada, Henry has been a leader in fostering programs that engage students with the neglected stories of Asian Canadians and trans-Pacific migrants. By involving young students directly in the discovery of the important stories of so many Canadian families, by using the latest technologies to document and distribute stories, and by making the recovery of history relevant to a new generation, Henry has helped unleash the power of young Canadians.
In connecting younger generations with the stories of their elders, Henry has provided the opportunity for our youth to create a new understanding of Canada’s past and of our common future together.
All of us at St. John’s College congratulate our Principal for this much deserved honour!