2021 (May 1 – May 31)
	Elephants play a key role in Asian cultures, symbolizing power and strength. This exhibit is an exciting interactive exploration of Asian-Pacific culture, stories and performances. Our partners and community leaders gather to interact on the APAHC webpage that flows with artists, authors, educators and dancers unfolding online as we celebrate Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Panels highlighted local Asian Pacific history, focusing on the Laotian Americans in Elgin. The panels were created with help from the Elgin History Museum and individuals from the Laotian community.

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Celebration

The Elephant will be on display throughout May at the Main Library!

Events

The Beauty Queen and the Elephant Monday, May 10 \| 7 pm In honor of American Asian Pacific Heritage month, join Ms. Lao Universe and the designer of the elephant statue for their story on the journey to the pageant. Please register!	Taste of Asian Pacific Heritage Wednesday, May 19 \| 7 pm Enjoy clips of music, dance, fashion and cooking demos from various countries. Please register!

Attend the virtual celebration!

Join us for an exciting interactive exploration of Asian-Pacific culture, stories and performances. Stay tuned for agenda and further details to be published soon!

Our partners and community leaders will gather to interact live and on the APAHC webpage that flows with artists, authors, educators and dancers unfolding online as we celebrate Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Welcome

Welcome Video

GBPLD Trustee Tiffany Henderson, Mayor David Kaptain, Aloun Khotisene and Lisa Luangsomkham of the Multicultural Education Outreach Foundation, Kristine Darvin Elgin Community College Student Life, David Sam President of Elgin Community College

Dance

Asian Pacific American Dances and Music Performances

Gauri Jog Indian Dance School - Interactive Instruction and Education

Exhibits & Links

	Henna What it is and how it is used
	Elgin Public Museum Facebook Page All this week, our Facebook Field Trips take you on a musical journey to the Asian Pacific region, as we join Gail Borden Public Library in their annual Asian-Pacific American Heritage Celebration! Each day's post will be accompanied with links to youtube videos of music and dance performances. Join us, please, and help spread the word of Gail Borden's day-long virtual celebration this Saturday, May 16th!
	Laotian Immigration to Elgin, 1976 Board from the Elgin History Museum
	Laotian Oral History Project Community volunteer Aloun Khotisene worked to preserve the memories of elder Laotian immigrants as they traced their stories of leaving Laos and coming to Elgin in the 1970s and 1980s. They hope to promote a connection between the younger generation and the elderly Lao, so they can all take pride in their shared history.
	Their Stories - Elgin Lao Oral History Project Listen to their stories. Contains sensitive content.
	Library of Congress May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.
	Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art Features Ancient Near Eastern Art, Art Across Asia, Chinese Art, Arts of the Islamic World, Contemporary Art, South Asian and Himalayan Art, American Art, Japanese Art, Korean Art, Southeast Asian Art

Audio

Storytimes and Books

Activities

	Asian Pacific American Heritage Quiz How much do you know about the Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration?
	Origami Paper Crane Video & Poems
	Origami Cow Video & Poems
	Korean Fan Craft As part of our online contribution to Gail Borden Public Library's annual Asian American/Pacific Islander festival, Judy Hayner shows how to make a Korean fan based on fans used in traditional Korean Fan Dancing.
	Preschool Craft Rainbow Shape Elephant Print out, cut and color!
	Elgin Community College Student Life Cooking Demo Lily Khoxayo, Administrative Assistant III