Speaking & Events

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The Indos: An Overlooked and Misunderstood Dutch Eurasian Ethnic Group – Identity, Memory, and Cultural Preservation in The Indo Under the Maple Tree

Invited as a keynote speaker based on my book The Indo Under the Maple Tree, a literary fiction work inspired by true events, offering a rare and poignant examination of the Indo (Indische Nederlander), a Dutch Eurasian ethnic group from the former Dutch East Indies.

The talk explored themes of identity, heritage, resilience, and cultural preservation. It highlighted intergenerational experiences shaped by the Bersiap period and examined the journeys of Indo families who were displaced from the former Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia), repatriated to the Netherlands, and later settled in Canada.

By connecting historical realities with lived experiences presented in The Indo Under the Maple Tree, the presentation encouraged reflection on memory, cultural continuity, and the experiences of an often overlooked and misunderstood community.

Topics explored:
• Indo identity and heritage
• Memory and intergenerational experience
• Migration and settlement in Canada
• Cultural preservation and community traditions
• Trauma, resilience, and belonging