About this blog


the yak occidental is the third feminist, Canadian blog by Emily Yakashiro.


Why is this blog called 'the yak occidental'?


The 'yak' is a nod to part of my last name, Yakashiro, which is Japanese in origin and mine.

Practically speaking, yaks are Asian animals so why not, and 'occidental' is to centre me as a person living in 'the West'. It's also a wry look back since I have so often been identified as oriental. 


About Emily




Based in East Van*, B.C., I was born and raised on Canada's west coast. I currently work in the animation industry where I hope to change our media landscape by working through a intersectional feminist lens.

 Though I've been in animation for 9+ years I have a background in non-profit work and have worked for the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival. Education-wise, I have an Arts degree from UBC Vancouver, where I studied religion and literature. 

 Before the yak occidental I have blogged on and off for over ten years, previously on The Closet Feminist, which offered a feminist perspective on fashion and clothing, and before that a personal style blog (I have deactivated these two previous blogs). 

 I identify as a feminist and mixed-race yonsei. I've been known to dabble in witchy magic, and am #childfreebychoice.

For fun I watch a shocking amount of CanCon for a woman my age--I swear some days I'm on CBC Gem more than Netflix. I like local travel, reading (especially books by women), and listening to music (no podcasts though, thx). I also greatly enjoy a good party (at least pre-COVID) which may come as a surprise given I'm a major introvert and homebody. My preferred drink is whisky on the rocks, though I also greatly enjoy sparkling white wine.

 I would like to recognize that as someone who is cis, thin, mixed race with light skin, and have a university education, I have an enormous amount of privilege and can pass safely in many spaces. 

*I also recognize that I live and blog on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) NationsAn acquaintance once reminded me that this means I am a visitor, not a guest. 

 You can learn more about land acknowledgements here or here. If you are Canadian especially, I strongly encourage you to read Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-Up Call by Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ronald M. Derrickson. 


Terminology Update: Womxn vs. Women

Up until and including March 1, 2021, I had been using "womxn" instead of "women" or "woman" on this blog. My intention was to take out the "men" in "women" and "womyn" felt a little too 2nd wave-y for me. However, I'm reading online that this term has fallen out of favour and is more often hurtful than helpful for a lot of folks, so I'll be removing its usage from this blog and my social media channels. Thanks for your patience!


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