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Keizer proclaims May as AANHPI Heritage Month; Samoan culture leader Tasi Keener speaks
Summary
Council presented a proclamation for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and heard from Tassie (Tasi) Keener, a Samoan Matai and culture keeper, about performances, youth education and a World Beat Festival gallery.
Keizer — The council opened Monday’s session with an AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month proclamation and invited Tassie (Tasi) Keener to speak about local Pacific Islander cultural work.
The proclamation, read by the mayor, recognized May 2026 and cited historical immigration and transcontinental railroad anniversaries as context for the month’s observance. Council praised Keener’s work with a local Samoan dance group, noting the troupe’s community outreach, scholarships and recent participation in festivals. Keener described a new gallery, “Navigator of the Sea,” at the World Beat office featuring handmade Pacific artifacts (tapa and siapo), and said the group brings cultural performances to the region and supports youth scholarships.
Council members encouraged residents to visit the World Beat exhibit and thanked Keener and local volunteers for preserving Pacific Islander languages, dance and arts. The proclamation was entered into the record and the council moved on to committee reports.
