May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month!
It's a time to shine a spotlight on the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of people of Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander descent.
Bonus Onsite Learning
Join Museum Educators on the exhibit floors weekdays to learn about the following topics. Days and times may vary.
Tattooing 101
The art of tattooing has been around for thousands of years. Learn how the process works as we focus on the beautiful styles of the Pacific Islands.
Spilling the Tea
Did you know that tea was grown in China for thousands of years before becoming the second most popular drink in the world? Or that all teas come from only one species of plant? Learn about tea culture and traditions around the world, the science behind this plant, and how the rest of the world became obsessed with tea.
Netsuke
What is practical, fashionable, incredibly detailed, and smaller than a credit card? Netsuke! Learn about these intricate miniature statues that helped solve a widespread fashion problem in Japan 400 years ago.
Origami Cranes
Have you ever tried origami? Learn how to fold a paper crane while also discovering the history of origami, the importance of cranes across Asian cultures, and why the origami crane is so significant.
Community Partner Spotlight
Burmese Rohingya Community of Wisconsin (BRCW)
Located in Milwaukee's Clarke Square neighborhood, BRCW Religious, Education, and Cultural Center stands as a multi-faceted direct service provider, community conduit, and safe place where Burmese and Rohingya people can find needed services. BRCW serves local Burmese and Rohingya resettled refugees in Milwaukee and beyond by providing high-quality interpretation and language services and needed education and health programs through advocacy and academic partnerships and hosting a wide range of religious and cultural services.
Organization of Chinese Americans-Wisconsin Chapter (OCA-Wisconsin)
OCA-Wisconsin is a Milwaukee-area organization that aims to promote Chinese cultural heritage and advocate for the welfare and civil rights of Asian-Pacific Americans.
Hmong American Women's Association (HAWA)
The Hmong American Women's Association (HAWA), Inc. is a grassroots, culturally specific nonprofit organization that was founded in 1993 by a group of 13 community women who had a strong passion to advocate, organize, and share concerns reflected by women in the larger Hmong community. HAWA is dedicated to advocating for Southeast Asian women, girls, LGBTQ+ individuals, and youth. HAWA focuses on supporting survivors of intimate partner and family violence through advocacy, education, and community awareness. The association also works on issues such as civic engagement, sexual assault, and LGBTQ+ rights, striving for gender justice and collective liberation. Through programs like the Southeast Asian Youth in Milwaukee (SAY MKE) fellowship and the Community Closet, HAWA empowers individuals and strengthens the local Southeast Asian community by providing essential services, fostering social justice, and building the community's drive to be their own advocate.
Additional Resources
Act 266
Signed into law in April 2024, Act 266 requires Wisconsin public schools to include Hmong American and Asian-American history and contributions in their K-12 curriculum. See below for some great resources to help teach about these American stories:
- 2023 WI Act 266 Hmong American and Asian American Studies
- Act 266 Asian- and Hmong American Resources
AANHPI Reading List
Check out our booklist curated by MPM Educators for recommended reading on AANHPI topics.
Library of Congress Resource Page
For additional resources, information, teaching materials, and more about AANHPI on a national scale, consider visiting The Library of Congress' Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month website: