“Gracious”
is the word that comes to mind, whenever I describe Wayson Choy.
I got to know Wayson during the summer of 2002 when I was on the
inaugural One Book One Vancouver committee for the Vancouver Public
Library. It was an exciting time, helping to create the first
library “One Book” program in Canada.
Highlights
of the program included organizing a “Dim Sum with Wayson Choy and
Friends” at the Floata Restaurant where Larry Wong had secretly invited
some of Wayson's friends who had provided some of the character
inspirations for “Jade Peony” as well as a videotaped greeting from
Carol Shields, who was ill with cancer at the time.
On
the 4th Sunday of September, Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop created
the first ACWW Community Builder's Dinner, recognizing Wayson, Paul Yee
and Roy Mah – founder of Chinatown News.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
All That Matter: a Tribute dinner for
Wayson Choy
Toronto (May 12th, 2006) – Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS), in
partnership with CelebrAsian (formerly Gay Asians Toronto), is hosting a
fundraising dinner on Friday May 26th to pay tribute to Wayson Choy, renowned
award winning writer and an Order of Canada recipient. Featuring readings,
charity auctions and live entertainment, the 10-course Chinese banquet will be
at Bright Pearl Restaurant in Chinatown with
reception starting at 6:00 P.M. and dinner served at 7 P.M.
The proceeds from the fundraising dinner will benefit the participation
of ACAS in the upcoming XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto and the set up of Wayson Choy
CelebrAsian Writer’s Scholarship to support the development of queer Asian
Canadian writers.
Preparing for the International AIDS Conference (IAC) this August, ACAS
is planning a series of workshops, presentations and special international
forums for PHA (People live with HIV/AIDS) leadership to showcase our
innovative and important work and to share best practices with more than 20,000
delegates from all over the world.
An acclaimed Vancouver raised writer,
Wayson Choy is a Professor Emeritus at Humber
College in Toronto. His first novel, The Jade Peony,
spent six months on The Globe and Mail's national bestseller list, shared the
Trillium Book Award in 1995, and won the 1996 City of Vancouver Book Award. All That Matters, a
companion novel to The Jade Peony, was shortlisted for the 2005 Giller Prize and
won the Trillium Book Award in 2005.
Tickets for this event are $50 regular, $100 for patrons and $1,000 for
a sponsor table of 10, and must be purchased in advance. Partial tax receipts
are available for patron tickets and sponsor tables. To purchase tickets,
please call 416-963-4300 x 22 or email support@acas.org
. For further information and updates on the event, please visit www.acas.org/TributeDinner
– 30-
About ACAS:
Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) is a charitable, non-profit,
community-based organization in Toronto,
we provide HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and support services to the East and
South East Asian communities.
For more information on ACAS, please contact Duncan Lau, media
coordinator. Call 416-963-4300, email publicity@acas.org or visit www.acas.org
theatre review
Rice Rockets and Yacht People:
Bet you haven't seen Chinese-Canadians like this before!
By Simon Johnston. Directed by Barbara Tomasic.
Gateway Theatre until Saturday, May 13
Emily Piggford and Nick Ko play teen siblings Winnifred and Leonard Lee – photo courtesy of Gateway Theatre
Winnifred Lee is a pre-teen sharing her journal writing with the
audience. Her older brother Leonard has just is yet to learn to
drive and his hobbies are smoking marijuana, but soon they will include
souping up Honda Civics, and racing them. Typical teens.
Their parents Barb and Ken have to go to Shanghai on business, because
the New China is the place to make money. They leave the kids
alone.
Astronaut wives, street racers and rich Chinese immigrants who don't
care about potential Canadian heritage sites are the new stereotypes in
Vancouver. But they are based on some truths. Welcome to
the new contemporary Asian-Canadian issues in Simon Johnston's new play
“Rice Rockets and Yacht People.”
“Another boring story about building the railway,” whines Ken Lee,
after attending the latest Chinese Canadian Arts fundraising
gala. “Why are they always concerned about the past? Chinese
people look to the future!” he declares. His wife is 5th
generation Canadian, but she goes along with her immigrant husband, as
they are both concerned more with making money, wearing the right
clothes, rather than reading books about child raising by Barbara
Coloroso.
Bob (Dawn Petten) comforts a distraught Leonard (Nick Ko), while his parents Barb and Ken Lee (Lara Ong and Raugi Yi) look on.
Lara Ong and Raugi Yi do good turns playing Barb and Ken Lee, the
wealthy Asian couple, who spend months at a time in Shanghai, while
leaving the kids on their own. Nick Ko plays Leonard, the sullen
teen who can only express himself while rapping to the audience.
An Asian rapper? Not black? Young Asians are fast expanding
on the rap and hip hop scene or didn't you notice? Honda Civics
are accompanied by Honda Preludes and Accura Integras and RSX's on the
street racing circuit now dominated by young Asian dudes, long since
replacing the Camaros and Firebirds that were synominous with young
asian males when I was growing up.
Rice Rockets is the first half of the presentation, that really deals
with the issues that Winnifred and Leonard face. Yacht People
deals almost exclusively with Barb, Ken and Bob (not Roberta), a white
female employee that works in the factory that the Lee's have just
sold. Bob (Dawn Petten) shows up one evening and challenges the
values and judgements of the Lee's. She offers to buy the old
farmhouse that the Lee's have bought, declaring that she is entitled to
it because it used to belong to her grandfather before he lost it
during the depression. Bob offers the Lee's $100,000 because
that's what she figures it would be worth if the Asian immigrant
invasion hadn't driven up all the local real estate prices.
Who is entitled to their rightful place in Canada? New immigrants
who invest money, create jobs and help expand the economy? Or is
it the “lazy whining Canadians” who were here first, but don't work
hard, spend their time on recreation when they can, but feel a sense to
entitlement?
Rice Rockets and Yacht People pushes the buttons. It doesn't
point fingers at only one ethnic group, but it balances the issues and
presents different views, leaving the audience to judge.
The afternoon I attended there were some high school students and
seniors, who all seemed to really enjoy the play. The audience
was
reactive to the stage actions and the dialogue, and the actors
responded positively. They all shared that they really liked
being able to explore new characters who haven't been expressed like
the characters in Rice Rockets and Yacht People, playing against the
usual stereotypes and traditional roles.
Hip, Hapa and Interculturally Happening – May 11 to May 18
Asian Authors Night – featuring Kevin Chong, Kuldip Gill, Lydia Kwa and Terrie Hamazaki
May 11, Thursday Alice Mackay Room
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
350 West Georgia Street.
Celebrate Asian Heritage Month in a literary way! Join us for a panel
of local Asian authors as they read and discuss their work, and share
their experiences and perspectives on writing and culture.
Celebrate Asian Heritage Month in a literary
way! Join us for a panel of local Asian authors as they read and
discuss their work, and share their experiences and perspectives on
writing and culture.
Featuring:
Lydia Kwa: author of The Walking Boy and This Place Called Absence.
Kuldip Gill: Winner of a BC Book Award (2000), she is the author of Dharma Rasa and Kildeer's Dance.
Terrie Hamazaki:
her plays have been produced at the Fringe and Women in View Performing
Arts Festivals; her fiction and poetry have appeared in several
anthologies.
Kevin Chong: popular columnist and author of Baroque-a-Nova and Neil Young Nation.
May 13, 7 pm, St. Andrew’s Wesley Church.
Tix $10 at www.ticketweb.ca or at People’s Co-op
Bookstore, info 1-888-222-6608.
Scientist, environmentalist, and broadcaster launches his
new book, David Suzuki: The Autobiography, with a talk, multimedia
presentation, and book signing; proceeds to the David Suzuki Foundation. May
13, 7 pm, St. Andrew’s Wesley Church. Tix $10 at www.ticketweb.ca or
at People’s Co-op Bookstore, info 1-888-222-6608.
RICE ROCKETS & YACHT PEOPLE
To May 14, Wed.-Sat. at 8 pm (mats. Sat.-Sun. at 2 pm), Gateway Theatre (6500 Gilbert Rd.,
Richmond)
Tix $24/22, infowww.gatewaytheatre.com/ I
just saw this Simon Johnston’s
new drama about the clash of values between new Canadians and longtime
Caucasian
residents. It's great! It turns stereotypes on its head, as well
as presenting contemporary issues facing Vancouver area residents
today. Asian Canadians are no longer low income earners at the
bottom of the immigrant ladder, and sometimes they aren't even
immigrants = hence the term “yacht people.” “Rice rockets” is the term
used for souped up Honda Civics used for street racing in Richmond.
THE GULL: THE STEVESTON NOH PROJECT
To May 14, Wed.-Sat. at 8 pm (mats. Sat.-Sun. at 2 pm), Plaza at Richmond City Hall (6911 No. 3 Rd.).
Tix $25 at Gateway Theatre box office, 604-270-1812,
info www.pangaea-arts.com/.
Daphne Marlatt is hot! and she's cool!
Earlier in February she was made a member of the Order of Canada.
She read in support of Joy Kogawa at Chapters, and she is recently a
contributor of a anthology of Lesbian writing.
Pangaea Arts presents Daphne Marlatt’s new play about
Japanese-Canadian fishermen returning to the coast after the internment.
Featuring Japanese Noh performers and Canadian theatre artists.
What Are You Anyways? Jeff Chiba Stearns - film maker May 14th, 10:15am to 12:30 pm Vancouver Museum Workshop on Hapa Issues and animation
May 15th and 16th Sunday and Monday night 7:30, 9:30pm at the Pacific Cinematheque with the movie FACE.
Jeff is the award winning animator and film maker of "What Are you Anyways?" a short film about growing up Hapa or "Half Japanese/Half Caucasian" in Kelowna BC
Filmmakers Workshop with award winning Director/Producer Bertha Bay-Sa Pan (NY, USA) 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Scriptwriting Workshop with Grace Chin & Kathy Leung (BC) 2:45pm to 4:45pm
Bertha Bay-Sa Pan's FACE - Western Canada Premiere May 12-15
F A C E
Losing face. Finding soul.
a Bertha Bay-Sa Pan film starring Bai Ling – Treach – Kristy Wu
“Face”
– Winner of the Best Director Award at Urbanworld Film Festival, The
Critics Award for Best Director at CineVegas, an Open Palm nomination
from the Gotham Awards and the Premio Speciale Prize at Torino
International Women’s Film Festival.
Western Canada Premiere at explorASIAN 2006
Director in Attendance
May 12 – 7:30pm & 9:30pm
May 13 – 7:30pm & 9:30pm
May 14 – 7:30pm (followed by explorFILM: Asian Canadian Short Films at 9:30pm)
May 15 – 9:30pm (after explorFILM: Asian Canadian Short Films at 7:30pm)
Special members ticket prices in effect for this event!
Single Bill: $9.00 (students/seniors $7)
Double Bill: $12 (students/seniors $9)
Membership
in Pacific Cinémathèque or the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society
required for this event. VAHMS memberships available at the door.
THE MIKADO (OR THE TOWN OF TITIPU)
May 21, 27-28 at 3:30 pm),
Surrey Arts Centre (13750 88th Ave.).
Tix $23.50/19.50 (preview $16.50),
info 604-501-5566.
The Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents a
traditional version of one of the pair’s best-loved romantic-comedy operettas.
May 18-20 & 24-27 at 8 pm (preview May 17 at 8 pm; mats.
EVENING OF ROSES
May 12, 8 pm,
St. Mark’s-Trinity Church (W. 2nd & Larch).
Tix $15/10, info 604-873-1372.
Okay…. I am including this event because Karen-Lee-Morlang
is a friend of mine.She accompanies
the the Vancouver City Singers conducted by Tom McPherson for a concert
celebrating love in its many forms.
OCEAN CROSSINGS
May 13, 8 pm,
Orpheum.
Tix and info 604-876-3434.
This sounds interesting…. Lots of Asian Canadian musical
performers, an Asian Canadian conductor with works inspired by Asian
influences.Alexina Louie is a
Vancouver born composer now living in Toronto.
Ken Hsieh conducts the VSO, with guests Grace Lee (kayagum)
and Gui Lian Liu (pipa), in a concert of Eastern-inspired music by
Vivier/Rea, Simon Holt, Ray Zhuo, Grace Lee, and Alexina Louie.
DRUM ‘N’
DANCE II
May 13, 7:30 pm,
WISE Hall (1882 Adanac).
Tix $22 (plus service charge) at Highlife, Scratch, and Zulu
Records, info 604-408-8582, www.caravanbc.org/.
Caravan World Rhythms and Vancouver Rhythm and Dance present
performances by Thione Diop’s Senegalese band Yeke Yeke, Pepe Danza’s Drum
Prayers, and dancer Jacky Essombe from Cameroon.
Jean Barman – Vancouver Asians and Stanley Park May 15th, Monday
Alice Mackay Room
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
350 West Georgia Street.
The author of Stanley Park's Secret will explore the shared stories of Stanley Park's forgotten past.
The author of Stanley Park's Secret
will explore the shared stories of Stanley Park's forgotten past. Early
Vancouver was an inhospitable place with the dominant society using
various means to segregate itself from racial groups it considered
inferior. One of the few locations where everyone could enter on a
basis of rough equality was Stanley Park.
Jean Barman is a founding member of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC and UBC professor emeritis.
Sponsored by
explorASIAN
http://www.explorasian.org
VPL Asian Heritage Month series
Judy Fong Bates & Janice Wong: Chinese Restaurants Real and Imaginary
May 16 Tuesday
Alice Mackay Room
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
350 West Georgia Street.
The author reads from her novel, Midnight at the Dragon Cafe.
Set in the 1960s, it is a vivid portrait of childhood divided by two
cultures and touched by unfulfilled longings and unspoken secrets.
Judy Fong Bates reads from her novel, Midnight at the Dragon Cafe,
the story of a young girl, the daughter of a small Ontario town's
solitary Chinese family, whose life is changed over the course of one
summer. Set in the 1960s, it is a vivid portrait of childhood divided
by two cultures and touched by unfulfilled longings and unspoken
secrets. Midnight at the Dragon Cafe won the ALA Alex Award (2006).
Janice Wong is the author of Chow from China to Canada: Stories of Food and Family. Her father Dennis Wong ran his restaurants in Sasketchewan, but had grown up in Victoria BC.
Sponsored by
Canada Council for the Arts
http://www.canadacouncil.ca
NATALIE MACMASTER AND DONNELL LEAHY
May 17-18, 8 pm,
Orpheum Theatre.
Tix $38-60, info 604-876-3434.
Hmmm…. Cape Breton Scottish Canadian fiddlers meet the VSO
with Chinese-Canadian conductor.I love
MacMaster’s work.
Juno-winning Canadian fiddlers perform with the VSO,
conducted by Ken Hsieh.
OKINAWA CULTURE EXTRAVAGANZA
May 12, 7:30-9:30 pm, Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall
(475 Alexander).
Tix $10 adults/$40 group of five adults/$5 children/$20
group of five children, info 604-254-2551
Oklinawan culture is unique – not Japanese and not Chinese, even
though each country colonized it for periods of time. The Kogawa family name came from Okinawa, as David
Kogawa has told me.
As part of its centennial celebrations, the Vancouver
Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall hosts a celebration of Okinawan
music and arts, featuring a performance by the traditionally attired Okinawan
Children’s Choir, plus a demonstration and sampling of bukubukuu-cha,
Okinawa’s traditional tea.
KAZUMI TSURUOKA & SAGEEV OORE
May 12-13, 8 pm,
Vancouver Elks Lodge (1–2177 W. 42nd).
Tix from $20 to $50 at the door, info
604-683-8240. Singer-storyteller
Tsuruoka and pianist Oore use rhythm ‘n’ blues to tell the love story of a man
with cerebral palsy. Hmmm…. Sounds interesting. Japanese story telling and Blues music? Very folking… (Did you ever see the movie Mongolian Blues?”
Today is my birthday – May 11: sharing my favorite quote from Marianne Williamson
Last weekend I went to see the movie Akeelah and the Bee.
A wonderful movie about an 11 year old girl from South Los Angeles, who
learns self-worth and confidence, along her journey to the Scripps
National Spelling Bee in Washington DC. The movie was also
special to me, because in 2005, my 2nd cousin Tracey Hinder
went to both the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC, and
the Canspell Spelling Bee in Ottawa ON. You can read my stories and
media stories about Tracey Hinder.
I was thrilled to see my favorite quote by Marianne Williamson used at such a key pivotal moment in the movie. The first time I read this quote about 6 years ago, it brought tears to my eyes. It spoke to me.
I
enjoy the writings of Marianne Williamson, especially her book Return
to Love, and also the community work of Nelson Mandela, to whom the
quote is often mis-attributed too. But both these people are good
of heart and come from the same place. They are both gifts of
Spirit.
Nelson
Mandela will always be special to me, because of my study of his work
to bring racial harmony to South Africa. I was honoured to
assigned to represent the Southwest African People's Organization at
the National Model United Nations in New York City in 1989, as well as
Mandela's own African National Congress for my own Political Science
class Model UN at Capilano College. In 1990, while I was still
recovering from chemotherapy treatment, and my hair starting to grow
again, I was fortunate to be watching the news when Nelson Mandela
stepped off the plane and into freedom, after his many years of
politicaly imprisonment. Both Mandela and Williamson are
inspirations for me.
When
I think back on my life to each of the failures and the triumphs, the
fears and the joys, I know it has been an amazing life. And to
think that I almost died at age 29, from a cancer tumor in 1989, makes
it all the more accentuated. When I turned 30, I was just happy
to be able to celebrate a birthday. When I turned 40, I was
dealing with a depression.
Today,
life is good. I am pleased to be a part of so many good things in
the world: The Save Joy Kogawa House campaign, the Chinese
Canadian Head Tax redress committees, The Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon
boat team and dinner events.
Life
is about what we do with our gifts. Life itself is a gift.
And our lives are best lived by sharing our joys, wisdom and talents
with others.
Our Deepest Fear
by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles (See note below)
Our
deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we
are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that
most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are
a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is
nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel
insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were
born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not
just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light
shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As
we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically
liberates others.
by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3
Note:
This is often found on the Internet incorrectly stated as a quote by
Nelson Mandela from the Inauguration Speech, 1994. Here are links to
two official African government sites with Mandela's speech:
100th anniversary of Newfoundland Chinese head tax recognized today – May 10.
Below is a statement from the Newfoundland and Labrador Head Tax Redress Committee today. According to archival documents, 334 Chinese entered the colony from 1910 to 1949.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Head Tax Redress Committee
was established earlier this year and participated in the cross-country
consultations organized by the federal government. The Committee has
also met with the provincial government.
“We have identified
some 30 families in Newfoundland and another dozen across Canada,”
Robert Hong, Co-Chair of the Committee said today.
“An apology and meaningful redress from both
levels of government means that our families' common experience with racism is recognized and our dignity restored.”
“We
support our colleagues in Newfoundland in seeking an apology from the
provincial government and urge the federal government to redress this
issue expeditiously and preferably before July 1st this year,” Dr.
Joseph Wong, Chinese Canadian National Council Founding President said
today in Calgary.
Dear friends/colleagues,
On behalf of the NF & LAB Head Tax Redress Committee, we wish to note that today
(May 10) marks the 100th anniversary of the imposition of the NFLD Head
Tax on Chinese immigrants to this province. This is a day not to be
soon forgotten, nor should it. Our many ancestors made the trek here to
the Dominion of Newfoundland in the early part of the last century that
established our roots here in this province.
The following is a synopsis of what has transpired in recent weeks…….
On April
4, 2006, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor
General of Canada; read the following in
Government's Throne Speech…… “The Government will act in Parliament to offer an apology for the Chinese Head Tax.” This statement set
the tone and start of the beginning of a reconciliation process with
the Government of Canada. The Chinese Canadian community across the
country reacted positively to this Throne Speech.
On
April 19, 2006, the 1st generation descendants of some Newfoundland
Head Tax payers were provided an opportunity to participate in a
Government of Canada teleconference call with Honourable Jason Kenney,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister; to discuss the
Newfoundland Head Tax and the Chinese Exclusion Act. We commend Prime
Minister Stephen Harper's government for their initiative and efforts
to resolve this longstanding injustice.
This nation-wide series
of consultations in recent weeks have provided the Government of
Canada an opportunity hear from people who were directly affected by
years of legislated racism and discrimination. This consultation
process has empowered these individuals to speak publicly, many for the
first time, about the pain and suffering they have endured over the
last 100+ years. During the consultation process, many individuals from
the Chinese-Canadian community gave heart-wrenching testimonials and
family stories, the vast majority of which are 1st generation
descendants. As direct victims, they spoke emphatically about the pain
and suffering they experienced due to family separation, lost
opportunity, poverty, discrimination, and racism. A fair and just
redress settlement must include not only the surviving head tax
payers/spouses, but ALL direct victims.
The Dominion of Canada introduced its first federal anti-Chinese bill in 1885 which
instituted a $50 head tax. This head tax was increased to $100 in 1900 and then $500 in 1903. The Dominion of Newfoundland followed suit by legislating “An Act Respecting the Immigration of Chinese Persons” on May 10, 1906. To that effect, this act imposed a head tax of $300 per person
on every Chinese immigrant entering Newfoundland between May 10, 1906
and March 31, 1949. When the Chinese Head Tax could not curb the influx
of Chinese immigrants into this country, the Canadian Parliament on
July 1, 1923, passed the Chinese Exclusion Act which excluded all, but about 50 Chinese immigrants into Canada between 1923 and 1947. The Chinese Exclusion Act was not repealed until 1947. No other immigrant group was ever targeted in this way by such racist legislation.
When
Newfoundland joined Confederation, the Newfoundland Head Tax Act was
repealed. It has been documented in the Library and Archives Canada
that as many as 334 Chinese immigrants arrived in Newfoundland between
1906 to 1949 and paid the $300 head tax. It's a small number compared
to the over 80,000 head tax payers that entered Canada around the same
time. To the best of our committee's knowledge, only three (3)
surviving NFLD Head Tax payers and a number of their spouses remain
alive today. It is of extreme urgency that a resolution be provided
before these surviving NFLD Head Tax payers pass away.
On
April 26, 2006, Betty Wong (CANL President), Robert Hong and myself met
with the Honourable Paul Shelley – the NFLD Minister of Human
Resources, Labour and Employment, regarding the NFLD Head Tax redress.
It is our understanding that the provincial government are receptive
to the NFLD Head Tax redress issue. As well, Minister John Ottenheimer
-Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat; has also been apprised of the
situation and both provincial government departments are
now studying the NFLD Head Tax redress issue very closely and awaiting
further feedback from our committee.
Our
intensive consultation process with the surviving Newfoundland Head Tax
payers and their immediate descendants and families is still ongoing,
and remains to be completed. Many
descendants of these Chinese immigrant families have left this
province. We have contacted many head tax descendants/families about
the NFLD Head Tax redress and we thank you for your suggestions and
feedback. This has provided our committee a common voice, to bring this
issue to the forefront at both levels of government. We
feel strongly that what has happened to Chinese immigrants in the past
needs to be addressed by the present Government of Canada and
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, speaking as the
representatives of the former Dominions.
On
May 7, 2006, a letter was sent to Federal Minister Bev Oda – Minister
of Canadian Heritage; outlining our committees concerns and redress
items. The “wrongs” need to “righted” once and for all. If this injustice
isn't addressed, it will continue to shadow future generations as this
issue will never disappear, nor should it. We are the living history of
what has happened in the past and the facts speak for themselves.
Chinese immigrants suffered severe discrimination from both the
Canadian and Newfoundland governments of its day.
CBC Radio and CBC News have also interviewed both the committee
co-chairs over the last 24 hours regarding the NFLD Head Tax redress.
The
Newfoundland and Labrador Head Tax Redress Committee are committed to
working with both levels of Government to resolve this long-standing
issue in a just and honourable manner.
_________________________________________ Gordon Jin, P.Eng., FCSCE Co-Chair, NF & LAB Head Tax Redress Committee
_________________________________________
Robert Hong, BA(Hons), MA(History/MUN) Co-Chair, NF & LAB Head Tax Redress Committee
Newfoundland considers apologizing for $300 Chinese Head Tax imposed 100 years ago today
A lot of people don't realize that Chinese immigrants to Newfoundland
paid $300 for a head tax from 1906 to 1949. Newfoundland was its
own Dominion, a separate country from Canada, prior to 1949.
The following is a story on CBC today.
Province considers apologizing for Chinese head tax
Newfoundland and Labrador is considering apologizing for a head tax
once imposed on Chinese immigrants to the province.
Wednesday marks the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the $300
tax that was imposed on each Chinese person who immigrated to
Newfoundland.
John Ottenheimer says the province is considering whether to issue a formal apology for the Chinese head tax. (CBC)
More than 300 Chinese immigrants paid the tax before it was abolished
in 1949, when Newfoundland joined Confederation.
Gordon Jin, whose relatives were among the people forced to pay, says
it's time for the province to formally apologize for the tax.
“My grandfather was a head-tax payer – he came in 1911” said Jin.
“My father was a head-tax payer; he came in 1931. My uncle was a
head-tax payer as well, and my mom's older brother was a head-tax
payer.”
The federal government is already preparing to apologize for the head
tax it collected from about 81,000 Chinese immigrants to the country
between 1885 and 1923.
Provincial Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs John Ottenheimer said
the request sounds reasonable. Jin says it's not enough for Ottawa to
apologize. His relatives
paid the tax to Newfoundland, not to Canada, so the province should
apologize, he says.
“It seems to me that that's an issue that has some credibility,” said
Ottenheimer.
“I mean, we were a dominion prior to 1949 and this head tax was put in
place by Newfoundland prior to us joining Confederation.”
Ottenheimer said the provincial government is studying the issue. The
federal government will make its apology this summer.
CBC reporter Mark Quinn interviews Gordon Jin about the head tax imposed on Chinese immigrants to Newfoundland before 1949.
St.
John's Morning Show host Jeff Gilhooly speaks with Intergovernmental
Affairs Minister John Ottenheimer about whether the province should
apologize for a head tax once imposed on Chinese immigrants.
Raymond Chow celebrates latest artwork with May 11 presentation
Raymond Chow is a nationally recognized artist. I first became aquainted with his work in the early 1970's, when he painted older houses adding his own bit of humour to them. His painting of my grandmother's Chinatown Victorian style house now hangs in my grandmother's appartment, many decades after she left that home.
Raymond's family paid the head tax, and lived in Richmond long before the recent overwhelming Chinese immigration of Richmond of the last century.
"House of Joy" was a painting that Raymond did to celebrate and aid the "Save Kogawa House" campaign. He based the painting on paintings of the House, and of Joy when she was about 5 years old.
You are cordially invited to an exhibition featuring Raymond Chow's latest artwork!
Date: May 11, 2006 (Thursday) Time: anytime from 3pm to 9pm Place: Nikkei Place, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby (604-777-7000) Theme: Women in Kimonos, Landscapes of France, Hawaii, Vancouver Inquiries: 604-274-3587 or clart@telus.net
* prize draws for original Raymond Chow's paintings * refreshments + fun * admission by donation
Raymond Chow's profile: Raymond Chow is an internationally renowned artist based in Vancouver, Canada. Graduated at UBC in Art Education, Raymond has been painting over the last 50 years. He won his first painting award when he was 12. He first became known in 1960s for his drawings of old Victorian homes and buildings. His drawings of Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles form a unique history of the heritage of the pacific coast. His range of art media includes watercolors, acrylics on canvas, limited edition lithographs and geeclay prints on canvas.
His paintings on canvas reached 15 galleries across Canada, Hawaii and the USA. Raymond travels extensively to his subject locations and he paints portraits on request of people as well as homes and buildings. He has painted and exhibited in many cities of Europe, USA, Hawaii and Canada. Collectors of Raymond's work have included Indira Gandhi, Paul Anka, Raymond Burr, David Lam etc. His paintings and drawings now decorate homes of prominent personalities, collectors and gallery owners.
Finding your head tax tax certificate documentation at the Vancouver Public Library.
The Vancouver Public Library's
History Division has created a wonderful information sheet on how to
search for your head tax documenation on micro film.
Many
Canadians of Chinese origin are interested in finding records of the
head tax paid by their immigrant ancestors. This guide is designed to
help in the search for this information.
Historical Background
The
head tax on Chinese Immigrants was introduced by the Dominion (federal)
government in the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885. Initially, an amount
of $10 was proposed, but due to anti-Chinese agitation, this was
amended to $50 before the bill's final passage. The Chinese Immigration
Act of 1900 (which went into effect on January 1, 1902) increased the
tax to $100, and finally, in the Chinese Immigration Act of 1903, it
was raised to $500. Some Chinese were exempt. For example, under the
1903 legislation, there were six classes of persons who did not have to
pay: merchants and their families, diplomats, clergymen, tourists,
students, and men of science.
Efforts
to control Chinese immigration, including the administration of head
tax, were overseen by a federal Chief Controller of Chinese
Immigration. The Chief Controller's Department documented Chinese
immigration in detail, generating a large amount of corresponding
paperwork, including certificates, registers and other records. These
are held by Library and Archives Canada. Copies of selected records are
also available on microfilm at a number of libraries and archives
across Canada, including the Vancouver Public Library.
Chinese Restaurants – BEYOND FRONTIERS:
Director CHEUK KWAN and Cinematographer KWOI in Attendance
Cheuk Kwan is a cool guy – so is his cinematogapher (camera man),
Kwoi. Last year I watched his incredible documentary series
Chinese Restaurants.
Cheuk travels the world checking out Chinese restaurants, and getting
the stories behind them. He is also an ardent support of Chinese
Canadian head tax redress.
I LOVE his “3 Continents” documentary. It includes a visit of
“Noisy Jim Cook” at his small restaurant in Outlook Sasketchewan, where
Cook was a beloved town institution and encouraged to run for mayor.
BEYOND FRONTIERS Filmmaker Cheuk Kwan travel to
India and Brazil delving into Chinese communities who transcend geographical,
political and social frontiers.
THREE CONTINENTS Filmmaker Cheuk Kwan visits
Madagascar, Norway and Canada, exploring the meaning of “home” in Chinese
communities that have established themselves on three
continents.
Here's a message sent to me from my friend Joyce Lam, producer and president of Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre.
Asian Comedy Night is a great way to celebrate being Asian Canadian, by
sharing a common mind set, poking fun at stereotypes of Asians,
Asian-Canadians, White-Canadians, etc. I have attended various
incarnations of ACN over the years, and many of VACT's
productions. They give great insight to the Asian Canadian psyche
and identity.
Your white boyfriend or girfriend, says she just doesn't understand your Asian sense of humor? Bring her/him down!
Your Asian girlfriend or boyfriend says they want to be more sensitive and supportive of Asian issues? Bring him/her down!
OPM
Part IV: Return of the Chung King
7th
Annual Asian Comedy Night
presented by
The
Show
Main
Course
Three-time
winners of the coveted Rice Bowl, OPM (Open
People’s
Minds) is back in town for only two
evenings of comedic aphorisms from an Asian slant
Featuring appearances by 50
Yen, Kimora Lee, Iron Chef Bobby Flay, North
Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il, and Savuri from “Memoirs of a
Geisha,” the night’s performance will be charged
with new sketches from OPM’s latest show, Get Laughs or Die Tryin’
Side
Dish
Local favourite stand-up
comedian and CTV comedy star, Jeffery
Yu, along with Seattle’s funniest comic, KermetApio, will kick-off the night tickling your
funny bones
Hosted by Tom
Chin, the night will surely have Auntie Mah shouting “Aiya!”
Dessert
Party
On!
Join the performers and producers at 2 AFTER
PARTIES:
è Friday
Night at SHIRU-BAY with fighting Chef, KodaiUno
è Saturday
Night at THE
DINER (both within steps from the
theatre)
$5
gets you in. You hang with the comics and have a fun night out!
Cash Bar.AFTER
PARTY Tickets available on-line
Show
Details
Location
& Dates
Return
of the Chung King –
7th Annual Asian Comedy Night
è at
the Roundhouse Performance Centre
è 181
Roundhouse Mews (Davie
& Pacific
Blvd, Vancouver)
For more information or group
rates, please visit www.vact.ca or call
(778) 885-1973
Note: 14+ years, some coarse
language and suggestive material
Other
Event
Public
Forum
Also check out the Dissection of
Comedy, a free public forum with demonstrations and discussions
on sketch comedy.OPM, Jeffery
Yu, and KermetApiowill share their insights on their
processes and careers
