The St. Louis Park City Council passed a proclamation this month observing Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Heritage Month. Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian (AAPINH) Heritage Month is celebrated nationally in May in recognition of the rich history and contributions of AAPINH communities. St. Louis Park is better because of our diverse communities which include many AAPINH residents. This month is an opportunity to recognize this.

In Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the City of St. Louis Park invites you to:

• Learn about the history of AANHPI communities
  • Why Asian Pacific American Heritage is celebrated in May | NPR
  • Understanding the Term AAPI and Who Makes Up the Community
• Consider supporting AANHPI owned businesses and attending an event or exhibit that highlights AANHPI heritage
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Minneapolis | Meet Minneapolis
  • Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month: Stories, Facts, History & More | PBS
• Connect with AANHPI organizations in Minnesota
  • Local and National Community-Based Organizations | Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
  • Wat Promwachirayan – St. Louis Park

Proclamation 

The proclamation reads:

Whereas, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities are an integral part of the diversity that makes St. Louis Park a great place to experience life; and

Whereas, this month celebrates the stories and resilience of Americans from across the Asian continent, and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia including South Asia; and

Whereas, AANHPI Minnesotans are over 320,000 individuals representing over 40 different AANHPI nationalities including but not limited to: Asian Indians, Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipinos, Hmong, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Lao, Nepalese, Pakistani, Taiwanese, Thai and Vietnamese; and Whereas, AANHPI peoples are the fastest growing population in Minnesota and the City of St. Louis Park is home to approximately 2,286 residents of AANHPI heritage; and

Whereas, this month serves as an opportunity to build a brighter future while acknowledging how these communities have historically faced persecution, discrimination, oppression, xenophobia, anti-Asian Hate and model minority myth that contributed to the increase of violence against AANHPI communities; and

Whereas, employee resource groups provide valuable opportunities for the city to collaborate with historically marginalized staff to improve the workplace as well as attract, hire and retain employees to strengthen the strategic priorities of the City of St. Louis Park to serve all residents; and

Whereas, AANHPI from all walks of life - small business owners, community leaders, non-profit organizations and advocates have contributed greatly to the foundation of our country and helped create a more just and inclusive community for all,

Now therefore, let it be known that the mayor and city council of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, hereby observe May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage month in our community.