My Uncle Daniel Lee is interviewed by Channel M in cantonese following
the Rememberance Day ceremonies at the Chinese Canadian Memorial in
Chinatown – photo Todd Wong
Monthly Archives: November 2005
Mayor Larry Campbell addresses the Chinese Canadian war veterans at the
Chinatown pioneer memorial, Nov 11, 2005 – photo Todd Wong
WW2 veteran Ed Lee of Pacific Unit 280, lays a wreath at the Chinese
Canadian Pioneers Memorial at Keefer Street Triangle in Chinatown for
Remembrance Day – photo Todd Wong
Chinese Canadian veterans with Mayor Larry Campbell and city councillor candidates
My Uncle Daniel Lee is 2nd from left in the back row.
Front row l-r: Bing C. Wong, ??, Cope candidate George Chow, city
councillor Raymond Louie, Mayor Larry Campbell, Alex Louie, NPA
candidates BC Lee and Colleen Hardwick-Nystedt, Wesley Young Unit 280
executive, and Ed Lee.
COPE's Chinese fundraiser dinner featured Libby Davies, Jenny Kwan and multicultural entertainment
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COPE's Chinese fundraiser dinner featured Libby Davies, Jenny Kwan and multicultural entertainment
I attended the COPE Chinese dinner
fundraiser at the 200 seat Rich Ocean Seafood Restaurant last week on
Nov 10th. We were warmly greeted at the door by city counsellor
David Cadman, whom I have recently gotten to know through my efforts
with the Save Kogawa House
committee. David is a warm and genial person, helpful and
smiling. The line up is moving slowly as people check in. We
stand behind city counsellor Tim Louis in his wheelchair, as MP Libby
Davies comes in smiling hello.
This was the 2nd ever campaign fundraiser dinner I have ever attended
and I am amazed by all the people that I know. I greet city
councillor Anne Roberts with a hug, and give a warm hello to her
mother, whom Anne had brought to our ACWW Ricepaper dinner in
September. I see Allan Wong, COPE Schoolboard trustee who often
says hello to me when he brings his children into the Champlain Heights
Branch Library if I am working there on a Saturday. I have
conversations with Noel Herron and Alan Blakely who remember the
presentation I did for Vancouver School Board when I worked for the
Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. Ellen Woodsworth and Jenny Kwan wave from across the room.
It is a diverse crowd. Mostly caucasians – but a definite COPE
crowd. Much more casual and friendly than the Vision Vancouver
event I attended for Raymond Louie and George Chow in October.
Chinese media darling Gabriel Yiu is MC for the evening. There
are multi-generational Chinese Canadians like myself and there are new
immigrant Chinese as well. But everybody likes Chinese food.
Speeches begin with Libby Davies and Jenny Kwan. Both are former COPE
city councillors that talk about their times on the previous NPA
dominated city councils. Both are passionate in their talks, and
recieve warm applause from the audience.
My friend Meena Wong organized the COPE Chinese fundraiser dinner
I am sitting at table #19 with the musicians – the entertainment for
the evening. It is because of me, they are here. Dinner
organizer Meena Wong telephoned me to ask for names of
performers. Because of the Chinese Head Tax issue, we were able
to book Sean Gunn, writer of the song “Head Tax Blues” – he is
accompanied by singer Ula Shines and guitarist Keegan. On my
suggestion, Sean dedicates the song to former MP Margaret Mitchell who
is present in the audience. Margaret was the first MP to bring up
the Chinese Headtax issue in parliament back in the mid-1980's. I
introduce her to Sean and Keegan after their performance
My good friend Joe McDonald plays bagpipes with Sunny on Indian tabla
drums, as the group Brave Waves. They open with Joe's own
composition “Gung Haggis Fat Choy” then move into a song featuring
vocals by Joe, along with his Chinese flute. The applause is
good, and people comment on how multicultural the entertainment is.
I am invited up to the stage, and I personally the thank the COPE
councillors, Ellen Woodsworth, Anne Roberts, David Cadman, Fred Bass
and Tim Louis for their unaminous vote supporting the preservation of
Kogawa House. I introduce myself as the person responsible for
putting Ellen Woodsworth drumming on a dragon boat for the St. Patricks
Day Parade, and having Jenny Kwan wear Joy McPhail's tartan and Joy
wearing Jenny's cheongsam for the 2005 Gung Haggis Fat Choy
dinner. I introduce the song “Chinatown My Chinatown” then lead
an audience singalong of a chorus – then change the words to
“Vancouver, My Vancouver.” Lots of fun.
Ellen Woodsworth drumming on a dragon boat on St. Patricks Day Parade
The Chinese Vote in Vancouver: how to access – what to say
The Chinese Vote in Vancouver: how to access – what to say…
The
so-called “Chinese Vote” in Vancouver is really about the Chinese
language vote. Mistakenly, I thought I was part of the Chinese
vote, because people have been calling my multi-gernational family
“Chinese” ever since my great-great-granfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan
arrived in Canada in 1896, following his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing
Kai in 1888, when he came to help found the Chinese Methodist Church in
Vancouver.
so-called “Chinese Vote” in Vancouver is really about the Chinese
language vote. Mistakenly, I thought I was part of the Chinese
vote, because people have been calling my multi-gernational family
“Chinese” ever since my great-great-granfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan
arrived in Canada in 1896, following his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing
Kai in 1888, when he came to help found the Chinese Methodist Church in
Vancouver.
Vancouver Sun reporter Frances Bula interviewed me for a Nov 5th
printed an article about Vision Vancouver trying to woo Chinese voters
from the NPA. But she didn't print my comments
directly, because as a 5th generation Vancouverite, I support
individuals across the spectrum on the basis on personal qualities
rather than black and white party lines. I talked about Raymond Louie and George Chow's long involvement and family history with Vancouver. Remember it was COPE that elected by Raymond Louie and Jenny Kwan.
My friend Meena Wong wears her “Win with Woodsworth – Vote COPE” button.
My friend Meena Wong
has been working with COPE, helping them access Chinese language media
and attending Chinese language events. Meena even found former
NPA city counsellor Don Lee saying one thing in Chinese, and another
thing in English – which he denies… Don Lee has also been
representing the National Congress of Chinese Canadians on head tax
issues, when it is actually the Chinese Canadian National Council which
has done the most work on raising the Chinese Head Tax issue,
registering head tax payers and descendents…. go figure!
Read these following articles. Meena is doing a lot in the
community to help native Chinese speakers learn more about important
civic issues.
Chinese vote critical to win
By Allen Garr
COPE hopes worker translates into votes
By Mike Howell-Staff writer
http://www.vancourier.com/issues05/112205/news/112205nn4.html
COPE says Lee calls for scrapping Four Pillars
By Mike Howell-Staff writer
Ricepaper Magazine on CBC radio: Shelagh Rogers interviews Jim Wong-Chu and Jessica Gin-Jade
Ricepaper Magazine on CBC radio: Shelagh Rogers interviews Jim Wong-Chu and Jessica Gin-Jade Listen to the interview on CBC's Website!
Shelagh Rogers interviewed Ricepaper Founder & Publisher Jim
Wong-Chu and Editor-in-Chief Jessica Gin-Jade on November 10! Check out http://www.cbc.ca/soundslikecanada/ and tune your dials (or find webcasts) for CBC Radio One's “Sounds
Like Canada” 10:00am (10:30 am NT) – or listen as I do at CBC Radio online.
Maybe it's the great editorial that grabs attention. Maybe it's the
design, which keeps getting better with each issue. Maybe, just maybe
it's the 10 years of publishing, surviving in the Canadian mag industry
(and outlasting some) that caught their eye.
Ten years in the magazine industry is no small feat. More like a
small miracle. So CBC Radio's “Sounds Like Canada” shared Ricepaper
Magazine's successes (and misses) with a national audience of 1.3 million listeners across Canada.
It was a great interview. Listen to Jessica talk about how
difficult it is to find kimchee in Halifax, and Jim talk about the
“cultural engineers” that are turning Ricepaper into the hip and
happening success that is so exciting.
Ricepaper was first on “Sounds Like Canada” back in January 2003, the same day Toddish McWong made his SLC debut.
Shelagh co-hosted the 2005 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese
New Year dinner that was a fundraiser for Ricepaper Magazine and the
Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team. Ricepaper is published by Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop, for which I am a vice-president.
Ricepaper: the magazine for creative Asian Canadians
Office 604-879-5962
info@ricepaperonline.com
Media contact: Michelle Siu (604) 616-3588 or Jenny Uechi (604) 879-5962
REVIEW: Save Kogawa House Nov 12 Special Concert
REVIEW: Save Kogawa House Nov 12 Special Concert
The concert event went well today. About 100 people in the Alice
Mackay Room, at the Vancouver Public Library + CTV coverage.
Pretty good for very short notice.
The event started with Harry Aoki and Alison Nishihara playing
Pachabel's Canon on harmonica and piano. Then I welcomed everybody and
explained what the SAVE KOGAWA HOUSE committee was all about. I
also told people that we were very grateful for the Vancouver Opera
Touring Ensemble gifting us with a performance. I had seen
excerpts at a Roy Miki lecture, the Vancouver Arts Awards, and still I
had tears in my eyes when I saw performances on opening weekend and
just last week at the library.
Harry Aoki next talked about some of his experiences during the war
years, and afterwards at the sugar beet farms in Alberta. He next
played some pieces on his double bass that he wrote during that
time. A surprise dance performance by Toronto
choreographer/dancer Andrea Nann brought a spellbinding tone to the
music. Harry closed with a final piece on his harmonica that he
played while traveling in Romania and they asked for “Canadian music” –
a bit of a hoe-down.
Next up was artist Raymond Chow. We introduced the acrylic
painting that he has done for limited edition reproduction to help
raise funds for SAVE KOGAWA HOUSE (see
www.kogawahouse.com). This was the first day Joy had seen
the painting. Raymond spoke about how he was inspired by “Naomi's
Road” and the pictures to paint the old house with a 6 year old Joy
standing in front. I told how when Ann-Marie and I went to see
Raymond and the painting on Thursday that he had played us a short
rendition of a song based on the story. He then played “House of
Joy” for the audience.
Introducing the Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble, I told the audience
that they had just returned from Vancouver Island playing an amazling
show of Naomi's Road in Uculet, and also in Campbell River and other places + a
standing ovation on Denman Island.
The room filled with song from the voices of Jessica Cheung, Gina Oh,
Sam Chung and Sung Chung. The audience sat rapt in attention, as
the story unfolded. The singers coming up to their 30th
performance, as fresh and as exhuberant as each time I have seen
them. I am getting familiar with the songs and story, and still –
I am amazed at the staging, the acting and the performance.
Everybody does such as good job.
The applause was healthy and the cast was called back for more
bows. I then told the audience that it was easy to see why if
Obasan was the book every Vancouverite should read, then Naomi's Road
was the book every Vancouverite should see. The audience
responded very positively when I asked them “Do you think every Canadian should see Naomi's Road?” Again, I invited
people to tell all their friends about Naomi's Road, and about Kogawa
House, and that we were accepting donations at the back.
I invited the cast back as well as our earlier performers so that
Ann-Marie could give each person a gift. I named them each –
Gina, Jessica, Sam, Sung, David, Angus, Harry, Andrea, Raymond and
Alison. Next, I invited Joy to say a few words. There were tears
in her eyes, as she said “There are no words to describe how happy I am….
To the Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble, Joy said “Everytime I see you perform, I am amazed. It is so wonderful.”
She looked at Jessica, and said “You're e-mail mentioned how the opera
is healing for some people. You're absolutely right….
Everything that is happening. It is all so wonderful.”
People lined up to buy books at the back and have them
autographed. People lined up to talk with the performers.
One person came up and talked with Ann-Marie and myself about having
Naomi's Road staged at a Heritage Site and splitting 50/50 with the
Save Kogawa House campaign.
It was a good day.
City Councillor Ellen Woodsworth runs for re-election in Vancouver
City Councillor Ellen Woodsworth runs for re-election in Vancouver
Ellen and her friend Alex, don the official Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon
boat team shirt at the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival June 2005 – photo Ray
Shum
I am pleased to know Ellen Woodsworth,
Vancouver City Councillor, and to be listed as one of many endorsers on
her website. She has a long committement to social activism and
is proud to be a descendant of J.S. Woodsworth, one of the original
founders of the CCF party.
Ellen Woodsworth is one of the hardest working city councillors in
Vancouver. She has led the efforts to make Vancouver the co-host for
the World Peace Conference next year, fought for child and youth
advocacy and childcare spaces in Vancouver, emphasized the importance
of neighborhoods, the revitalization of Woodwards and the Downtown
Eastside, increased emphasis for pedestrians, cyclists and transit
users, increased arts funding, gender equality, cultural diversity,
ethical purchassing, more festivals, and a more open City Hall.
The first day I met her was when she attended our Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop Community Builders Dinner.
I hosted the dinner and Ellen sat beside my father, making instant
friends. The next time I met Ellen was soon after, at a press
conference where
Mike Harcourt endorsed COPE mayoralty candidate Larry Campbell in front
of the Chinese Cultural Centre. I went down to say hello to Ellen
and she introduced me to Raymond Louie and Allan Wong. It was then
that I learned more about Ellen's work with seniors and the Downtown
Eastside.
The following year, Ellen and I were both panelists for the 2003 CARFAC
National convention (Canadian Artists Representation/Le front des
artistes canadiens). I spoke about my experiences networking in
the Asian Canadian arts community and developing opportunities for
artists. Ellen spoke about the City of Vancouver initiatives and
programs for artists. We immediately liked what each other had
said and where each was coming from.
Since then we have kept in touch, sometimes helping each other network
and bouncing ideas. Ellen brought her father to my Gung Haggis
Fat Choy Robbie Burns/Chinese New Year dinner and I seated them at my
father's table. They had a great time, and since I was learning
about Ellen's passion for cultural diversity and her sense of fun, I
invited her to join me for the 2004 St. Patrick's Day parade. I
offered Ellen the drummer's seat and she banged out a rhythm for CBC
Radio broadcaster Margaret Gallagher to paddle by (see picture below),
as our Taiwanese dragon boat
float for Gung Haggis Fat Choy paddled
along Granville Street, to the cheers of many people. The float was
very popular last year, so the parade officials asked me again to
create an entry emphasizing multiculturalism.
Ellen Woodsworth, Adrianna Ermie, Margaret Gallagher and Dave
Samis are all part of the Gung Haggis Fat Choy float. – photo Todd Wong
Ellen Woodsworth waving to
the crowd during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Vancouver this year,
Margaret Gallagher and Dave Samis paddle as part of the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat float – photo Todd Wong
Waiting for the parade
to start… Adrianna Ermie, EllenWoodsworth, Dave Samis, Margaret
Gallagher and me – with the Chinese Lion Head mask – for the Gung
Haggis Fat Choy multicultural dragon boat float. – photo by Trev
Sue-A-Quan..
To help celebrate her May birthday, Ellen invited me to perform for the COPE fundraiser event Encouraging Women in Politics. For this event I read her impressive bio,
and then I carefully documented the significant achievements of her
life, identified her values, her goals and her dreams… and crafted
the words to fit the rhythm of my chosen form…. the Police song
“Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.” I sang the words as I
played my accordion, and I think I floored the audience.
But this is how I feel about Ellen Woodsworth. I really do believe that every little thing she does…. is
magic. Below is a photo of us at the close of the party event –
you can tell I am the one wearing the skirt…. I mean kilt!
I was very pleased to be able to see her at work, when I made a
presentation for the Save Kogawa House committee before the City of
Vancouver standing committee on planning and environment. Ellen
asks critical questions and clearly summarizes impacts of the issues
before council. She spoke of the importance of having Kogawa
House as a literary and cultural landmark for Vancouver, and its impact
for our multicultural population and our future generations.
But more than just a hard worker – Ellen also knows how to have fun, and loves to explore and see all aspects of Vancouver.
She loves Vancouver dearly, its peoples, its heritage and its cultures – and that makes her a wonderful city councillor.
Janice Wong's Book CHOW featured on CBC Radio North By Northwest with host Sheryl Mackay
Janice Wong's Book CHOW featured on CBC Radio North By Northwest with host Sheryl Mackay
This morning Janice Chow was interviewed by Sheryl Mackay on CBC
Radio's North By Northwest, just after the news about 8:40am to 9am,
Sunday Morning, Novemeber 13th.
CHOW From China to Canada: Tales of Food + Family, has been making all
the local talk show rounds. It is a unique book that blends
together the recipes of her father's Chinese Restaurant “The Lotus”
together with stories of how her great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan
came to Canada, his 6 children and their integration into Canadian
life, and growing up with her family in Prince Albert. The book
is a combination cookbook, family history, Chinese-Canadian history and
memoir.
Janice described giving a book launch at Prince Albert, SK, at the site
of her father's first restaurant called “Wings.” She had never been
there before, but the present owners had found boxes in the storage
area containing menus and items from the original restaurant.
Chow is available for sale on Amazon.ca and was #132 of Amazon's top 10,000 selling books yesterday. You can even flip inside the book for select pictures and quotes
Janice has also let me know that you can hear some of the past CBC radio interviews at archived bits, 20051021 is Shelagh Rogers, Week 43 is Don Genova.