In Fall 2019 there was a National Park Service (NPS) Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Theme Study in the PNW where many individuals and organizations came together with a passion to preserve AAPI heritage and sites. The group acknowledged that the systems are not set up for recognition by all. It will take a community effort among the many sites involved to build on a shared goal together.
There are major gaps in the stories that the National Park System is supposed to be gathering and telling. Previous obstacles have been not having a historic context to nominate properties. With the publication of the NPS AAPI Theme Study, we can build from that foundation. NPS also wants to ensure that communities continue to drive the initiative through their voice and perspectives. This is especially important as NPS desires to embrace history in sites that don’t necessarily have “historic integrity.”
4Culture similarly desires to support this initiative and is excited to see the flow of a national study to the local level. This is a case study for how 4Culture can support community initiatives as well.
The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (WLM) is serving as a convener for the task force, following its role in the Fall 2019 convening and building on its unique combination of place-based work and community process. As an NPS Affiliated Area, WLM is also uniquely situated to carry forth the national at a local level.
This group includes:
Anna Tran, Betty Lau, Charles Beall, Chieko Phillips, Christopher Johnson, Dana Phelan, Emily Lawsin, George Cloy, Glenn Nelson, Huy Pham, Maria Batayola, Nicholas Vann, Sameth Mell, Stephanie Toothman, and Tanya Woo.
We also thank the following special advisors who provided input specifically for this website: Aleta Eng, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; Hilda Kwan, Mendocino National Forest; John Kusano, US Forest Service (retired); Teddy Gong, 1882 Foundation; and Winfred (Fred) Wong, Inyo National Forest.
WLM Staff:
Alex Plemitscher, Cassie Chinn, and Wren Wheeler
Web Developer:
Vivian Li