Asian Heritage Month: Stephanie Bishop

Asian Heritage Month: Stephanie Bishop

Most people don’t realize I am part Japanese at first glance. While I have inherited many physical traits from my father, I also carry features from my mother that shine through. My mother is a third-generation Japanese Canadian, and my father is Caucasian. Growing up, I was deeply immersed in Japanese culture — from attending Japanese school and practicing taiko drumming to learning folk dances and making traditional dishes with my mom and grandmother. It was always important to my parents that I stay connected to my Asian heritage, and looking back now, I’m truly grateful they made sure I did.

I have such fond memories of making udon noodles, tempura, and gyoza with my grandmother when I was younger. She would prepare large batches of these dishes, carefully packaging them in labelled Ziploc bags to share with friends and family. Even now, when I make gyoza and other dumplings myself, they never quite look or taste as perfect as hers.

My grandparents’ families came from Wakayama and Shiga-ken on Japan’s main island, Honshu. I feel so fortunate to have travelled to both places and seen where my family roots lie. It was truly remarkable and surreal to experience this heritage alongside my mom and sisters during our trip to Japan last summer — a true trip of a lifetime. I’m proud of my Japanese heritage and am committed to passing down these cultural traditions to my own family one day and future generations.

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