Betty Fox with Vic and Todd Wong – two cancer surviving Terry's Team
members with Terry's mother at the unveiling of the Terry Fox $1 coin –
photo Deb Martin
Category Archives: Chinese Canadian History
Todd Wong & Darrell Fox, executive director of Terry Fox Run National Office , with giant cardboard Terry Fox $1 coin – photo Deb Martin
Join CBC Radio's Margaret Gallagher & Gung Haggis Fat CHoy in the St. Patrick's Day parade on a dragon boat float
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“I'll be celebrating my dual heritage,” said reporter Margaret Gallager on CBC Radio's Early Edition with host Rick Cluff, referring to her Chinese Malaysian and Irish American parentage.
Every Friday morning on CBC Radio 690 AM, Margaret gives a run down on
great weekend events in a segment called “690 to Go” and often gives
away a prize package for a lucky listener with the right answer to a
trivia question (which I won 2 weeks ago!)
Thursday Morning on March 19th, “Maggie Gallagher,” as she called
herself, said that she would actually be in Vancouver's 2nd annual St.
Patrick's Day Parade, as part of Celtic Fest Vancouver – celebrating all things celtic!”
“And… I'm going to be on a dragon boat… of all things. It's just part of Gung Haggis Fat Choy – of course!”
Joining Margaret on the float will be Vancouver City Counsellor Ellen Woodsworth
See pictures of the 2004 St. Patrick's Day Parade pictures for Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat float.
Chinese Head Tax Redress: Recent letters to the Editors for Vancouver Courier and Shared Vision articles
Here are recent letters to the editor that have appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Courier and Shared Vision magazine regarding their recent articles on Redress for the Chinese Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act (1897 to 1947).
Vancouver Sun, March 2, 2005
Letters: Liberals float a red herring on redress
There are still seniors alive who paid the racist head tax and targeted by legislation separating families. They and their descendants should be the focus of any redress settlement and also dictate the terms of community compensation.
Given that the Japanese Canadian redress did not incur any liability with individual pay-outs and community compensation, why would it be different for Chinese Canadians?
The obvious conclusion is Conservative Brian Mulroney's justice depatment lawyers for the Japanese Canadian redress are smarter
than Liberal Paul Martin's for a Chinese Canadian redress. Or is the liability issue cited by Multicultural Minister Raymond Chan a poor excuse?
Sid Chow Tan, director
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Original article, Settling the Score February 2005
Shared Vision, March 2005
Letters: Head Tax Not Just a Chinese Issue
I am a fifth-generation Vancouverite. My grandfather paid the head
tax, my great-grandfather paid the head tax. I had the pleasure to talk with filmmaker Karen Cho ( In the Shadow of Gold Mountain ), and I was amazed when she told me that the British/white side of the family was more angry about the head tax than the Chinese side of the family.My cousins have all been marrying non-Chinese people, mostly of Scottish, Irish, or English ancestry.
We have fifth-, sixth- and seventh- generation descendents who are only one-quarter Chinese.
We have First Nations children whose great-great-grandfather had to pay a Chinese head tax.
This is no longer a Chinese issue—it is a
Canadian issue. When the Canadian government finally realizes there are non-Chinese Canadians demanding head-tax redress for their grandfathers and great grandfathers, maybe then they will wake up.
How many generations will it take to inter-marry into the families of Canadian politicians?
Todd Wong, Vancouver
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original article: Chinese Says Apology Long Overdue
02/09/2005
Vancouver Courier, February 13,
2005
Letters: Canada owes Chinese justice
Happy Lunar New Year and many thanks for your story on Daniel Lee's
efforts to seek an apology for the racist head tax on
Chinese immigrants from 1885 to 1923 (“Chinese senior says apology
long overdue,” Feb. 17).
It enriches our country when elders such as Daniel
Lee speak up for a redress that tests Canadian laws and
conscience. All Canadians should be inspired by this.
Since 1984, over 4,500 head tax payers, spouses and
descendants, each representing a head tax certificate, have asked
the Chinese Canadian National Council to represent them in seeking
not only an apology, but a symbolic return of a portion of the
head tax money collected.
Where possible, the money should be returned to
individuals and families who paid it. The present day valuation of
the head tax collected would exceed a billion dollars. In the early
1900's, the $500 could buy two houses in Chinatown. Keep in mind
the CCNC seeks a refund of head taxes paid, not compensation for their
application.
The Canadian government unjustly enriched itself by
$23-million with a law to initially deter and then profit from
Chinese immigration. That was close to the cost of building the
Canadian Pacific Railway, which tied together a coast to coast
confederation called Canada. So not only did Lo Wah Kiu (old
overseas Chinese) forbears build the most difficult and dangerous
last 300 miles of the railway, they paid for all of it!
The few living head-tax payers are in their 90s so
redress is urgent if they are to see it. We hope Prime
Minister Paul Martin will finish his father's work to redress this
racist chapter of Canadian history. In 1947, the elder Paul
Martin, as Secretary of State, brought forth in the Commons the
Canadian Citizenship Act, which allowed the Chinese, then with
“domestic aliens” status even if born here, to become citizens.
No amount of money can take away the hurt, angst and
oppression of Lo Wah Kiu heroes and heroines who endured and
prevailed over 62 years of targeted racist legislation. However, a
redress which commemorates them and their achievements is a start.
Along with an apology, we are asking for what any Canadian
would want- refund of an unjust tax and amends for the
racist family-separating exclusion. Where there are no claimants, the
money could start a foundation for education and research to end
racism.
Justice now. It's only fair.
Sid Chow Tan, director
Chinese Canadian National Council
Vancouver
Vancouver Sun newspaper addresses the evolution of Chinese New Year
A Holiday in Everything But Name: Chinese New Year is now celebrated locally like never before – is it time to make it official?
Vancouver Sun – February 12 – page D1 & D19
The Vancouver Sun's Kevin Griffin addresses issues
around the evolution of Chinese New Year in Vancouver and Canada.
He asks the question: Should Chinese New Year become an official
holiday?
Griffin also cites how “the uniquely local Canadian
banquet Gung Haggis Fat Choy that mixes and matches Scottish and
Chinese New Year's traditions continues to grow and threatens to morph
into its own festival.”
Griffin interviews Dr. Jan Walls and explores the history of the
Vancouver Chinatown parade that originally emerged in the 1960's, faded
then re-emerged in 1974. He then addresses Toddish McWong's Gung
Haggis Fat Choy and its spin-offs. I have only included the parts about
Gung Haggis Fat Choy and Todd Wong.
“Another multicultural tradition that's 100 percent local is Gung
Haggis Fat Choy, the creation of fifth generation Chinese-Canadian Todd
Wong. The postmodern mix of chinese New Year and Robbie Burns Day
started seven years ago when Wong invited 16 friends for dinner.
Two weeks ago, about 600 people turned out for a feast that included
Haggis Wun-tun in maple syrup at Chinatown's Floata Restaurant.
This past year, Wong added something new to the mix: The first annual Gung Haggis Fat Choy Canadian Games
at SFU that started off with a Highland dance, a tune by a bagpiper and
a Lion Dance. The main event was dragon cart racing with teams
sporting names such as Haggis Hooligans and Fat Choy Chunkies.
Crystal Buchan had the honor of steering the winning team. At 20, she's in her second year in the theatre-finarts program.
Asked if Chinese New Year should be a holiday, Buchan said, “Sure, why not?.”
Todd Wong – aka 'Toddish McWong' – isn't nearly as certain.
'It depends on the will of the people.” Wong said. “It's hard to say at this point.”
In part, Wong's perspective comes from his own family history. He's a descendent of Rev. Chan Yu Tan,
his great-great-grandfather who came to B.C. from Hong Kong in 1896
when immigrants were actively discouraged and had to pay a head tax of
$50 (later increased to $500). Wong recalls growing up in the
1960's and 1970's when Chinese culture was maginalized.
Wong's family history spans the historiy of discrimination towards
Chinese immigrants and the complete prohibition of immigration from
china from 1923 to 1947 with the Chinese Exculsion Act.
Because the emphasis was on fitting in when Wong was growing up int he
late 1960's, his fmaily never celebrated chinese New Year.
He believes that the next challenge for Chinese New Year is not only
to integrate the old and new Chinese Canadian communities but to make
it a uniquely multicultual and Canadian event.
“That's where the future lies,” Wong said. “Canada is an evolving
culture. Lunar New Year will continue to grow and be inclusive –
not just limited to Chinese.”
For more of Kevin Griffin's story in the February 12 Vancouver Sun – pick up a copy or check www.vancouversun.com
My Uncle Daniel Lee, wants an apology from the Canadian Government for the Chinese Head Tax
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My uncle Daniel Lee, wants an apology from the Canadian Government for the Chinese Head Tax My Uncle Dan is one of the sweetest people you will For more information on the Chinese Head Tax – check out the Chinese Canadian National Council's web page for Head Tax Redress Check out the Vancouver Courier website and story by Mike Howell.
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War veteran Daniel Lee is sending off |
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Chinese senior says apology long overdue By Mike Howell-Staff writer At 84, Daniel Lee knows he doesn't have a lot of time left. But while he's still alive, the Second “I'm not asking for money, or any Since the 1980s, Lee has sent letters On Monday, he showed the Courier This year, more than any year, would At the time, the 600 were not When Lee's grandfather and father In Vancouver at the time, Chinese were A 1902 Royal Commission described Lee's father died in 1927, and his Lee pointed out a quote from Wong in During the war, Lee was an aircraft Janice Summerby, a spokesperson for “It would be very hard to comment on A spokesperson for Guarnieri's office, In May, Lee plans to be in Holland for “Over there, we get a lot more respect.” posted on 02/09/2005 |
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Here's another Vancouver Courier story that featured my Uncle Dan along with his friend Roy Mah
My mother, Betty Mar Wong, looks at pictures of her Great grandfather
Rev. Chan Yu Tan and his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing Kai, of the
Chinese United Church. I gaze down at the pictures from our 1999
Rev. Chan Yu Tan family reunion.
Marisa Alps is an ACWW board member, and editor/manager for Harbour
Publishing. I first met her when I interviewed her about Asian
Canadian literature in 1994.
History Fair is a big success for Chinese Canadian Historical Society
History Fair is a big success for Chinese Canadian Historical Society
My mother Betty Wong and me with pictures from the Rev. Chan family archives.
The History Fair put on at the Vancouver Museum on Saturday January 22, 2005 by The Chinese Canadian Historical Society
was a great success. The Joyce Whalley room was packed with
displays and visitors. I was almost constantly answering
questions or explaining about my two displays: Rev. Chan Legacy Project and Gung Haggis Fat Choy: the 2005 dinner event.
The formal welcomes took place with Dr. Edgar Wickberg welcoming
everybody. He very peceptively told the audience that while we as
a society know a lot of how the mainstream community reacted to or
against the Chinese community, we don't know a lot about how the
Chinese community thought about these same situations, or what went on
in the families and the community. Dr. Wickberg emphasized that
is is very important right now to take stock of what we do have, so
that we can move forward in including Chinese Canadian history within
the larger context of Canadian history. He explained that BC is often
the last end note in Canadian history.
I had four poster cards filled with pictures of the families of Rev.
Chan Sing Kai and Rev. Chan Yu Tan on display, standing upright –
while other poster cards were flat on the table including the Chinese
ancestral family tree written by Rev. Chan Yu Tan in 1924, and the 2000
Rev. Chan Yu Tan family tree of descendents. These posters
displayed picture of Rev. Chan Sing Kai soon after he first arrived in
Canada in 1888 and soon after wearing “European costume.”
Pictures also included Rev. Chan Yu Tan's 50th wedding anniversary
picture with his wife. The most recent pictures were from the
1999 Rev. Chan Clan Family and featured pictures of each of the
attending generations from my Grandmother's 3rd generation with her
brothers, sisters and cousins to the 7th generation featuring my cousin
Lisa's two granddaughters who are both only 1/4 Chinese now.
Marisa Alps visiting me at my Rev. Chan Legacy display.
The display attracted lots of attention from attendees. Some
had attended the Chinese United Church as they grew up in
Chinatown. Some recognized friends in the pictures. Some were
inspired and wanted to research their own famility histories and family
trees. Some people had heard me on CBC Radio being interviewed by Sheryl MacKay for her North By Northwest CBC radio show.
My parents came down and brought my 94 year old grandmother to see the
show. Sing Tao Newspaper photographer Richard Li took a picture
of us with pictures of us with the Rev. Chan Legacy display.
Channel M also had a television camera shooting picutres
too. Filmaker Nettie Wild had some good conversations with
myself and my mother regarding the lives of our ancestors 100 years
ago, as Nettie is researching stories for her next project.
Gung Haggis Fat Choy™ was my other display.
I displayed posters for the 2005 dinner event, the SFU GHFC Canadian
Games and the 2004 CBC television special. As well, I displayed
past newsclippings and one of the first pictures ever taken of me in a
kilt in 1993, by SFU media photographer Marianne Meadhal. Many
people came by had heard me on CBC radio, saw me on The National with
Peter Mansbridge or saw the CBC tv special Gung Haggis Fat Choy.
They all enjoyed the concept of a combined Robbie Burns Chinese New
Year Dinner, as I explained that I was partly inspired by my Chan
Family's 6th and 7th generations who are now only 1/2 or 1/4 Chinese
and will need to find inclusive expressions to express their dual or
multi-ethnic hybrid culture and ancestry.
“I think you've identified Vancouver's 'Two Solitudes',” Vancouver
Museum's history curator Joan Seidl told me. We joked about how
in BC, the influencing forces were Scottish and Chinese as opposed to
English and French. While the Scots were on top and the Chinese
on bottom, Vancouver's history is filled with stories of both
interaction and non-interaction between these groups.
The history fair had a wonderful atmosphere of comraderie as friends
greeted each other, of discovery as old friends reunited, and of
importance as insights were made. The following is a list of the
presenters and my comments.
Strathcona House Genealogy
– James Johnstone had a picture of my grandmother's old house and a
list of the houses' genealogy of occupents. He talked with both
my mother and grandmother about the house.
Chinese Family Laundry & Enping County
– Elwin Xie and his partner Fanna brought together pictures and
artifacts for this cool display. Elwin is also a friend and an
ACWW board member.
Chinese in Guyana – Trev
Sue-a-Quan had copies of his two books about the Chinese in Guyana and
his own family stories. Trev is also a poet and a friend through
dragon boating.
Multicultural Canada is
a Simon Fraser University project that is creating “…a freely
and highly accessible and visible cultural heritage portal online.”
Historical Cartoons – Patricia Roy had her book and collections of cartoons detailing the clashes and atteitudes about the Chinese
Won Alexander Cumyow – Janet
Nicol had been reseaching the life of the first Chinese born in
Canada. Cumyow married the daughter of Rev. Chan Sing Kai – and
just discovered that “Eva” was actually an adopted daughter
Historica – Shannon Steele will be putting together an educational fair for youth about their place in history
Canadians for Redress –
Sid Tan, Linda Jang and Sean Gunn all had a great display on Head tax
redress with lots of copies of Shared Vision which featured them on the
cover and in the story Settling the Score
Chinese Stoneware Record – Trelle Morrow
WWII Veterans & Chinese Cemeteries – Judy Maxwell worked on a research paper about the veterans and a wonderful display was provided by the Chinese Canadian Military Museum
WWII Chinese Canadian Female Aviators
– Patti Gully featured pictures and stories about young attractive
Chinese woman who helped lead the war effort promotion.
Very insightful.
Chinese Burial Practices – Laura Pasacreta
Chinese Artifacts from Salt Spring Island – Chris Hatfield has found many many pottery pieces and shards on his Saltspring Island farm.
Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society – Don Montgomery, executive director shared his table with Rice Paper Magazine
Yan Family Tree – May Yan-Mountain
Lau/She Family Tree – Jennifer Lau
Kamloops Chinese Cultural Association – Heroes of Confederation Museum Project
Chinese in Kamloops & Railway Workers – Joanna Maxwell
Chinese Opera Costumes – Elizabeth Johnson brought together a display from the Museum of Anthropology where she is curator.
Todd appears on CBC Radio's “North by Northwest”: Chan Legacy Project
I visited radio host Sheryl MacKay in her North By Northwest
studio early on Sunday morning. Upon my arrival, Sheryl greeted
me, and I was amazed to see that she was the only person on the
floor. No production assistants. Nobody. Sheryl does
it all. She is an amazing woman.
“You brought Show-and-tell!” she exclaimed when
she saw the large package I was carrying. I had brought archival
pictures of my family history, as I was being interviewed out my
upcoming presentation for the January 22 A Taste of History Fair,
organized by the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC. This event will be held from 10am to 4:30pm and will be at the Vancouver Museum on Chestnut Street.
My Great Great Grandfather
Rev. Chan Yu Tan and Mrs. Chan Yu Tan (seated), second from the right
is my Great Grandmother Kate Chan Lee(standing). On the far right
is her husband Ernest Lee, my Great Grandfather.
I opened up the package and spread the poster cards out
along the floors and walls of the CBC radio studio, explaining which
one was my Great great grandfather, the Rev. Chan Yu
Tan. His elder brother Rev. Chan Sing Kai had arrived in 1888 at
the request of the Methodist Church of Canada to help found the Chinese
Methodist Church in Vancouver. My great great
grandfather had followed his brother from Hong Kong to Canada in
1896, their two missionary sisters Phoebe and Naomi came later.
Here was a picture of Grand uncle Luke
who became an actor in Hollywood. Here was my mother's cousin
Rhonda Larrabee who became First Nations Chief of the Qayqayt (New
Westminster) Band with her grand children who are now only 1/8
Chinese. Here is my grandmother's cousin Carol who married the
cousin of just former Washington State Governor Gary Locke. Here
is my grandmother's eldest brother who married the aunt of Canada's
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. Not all descendents of Rev.
Chan Yu Tan – but related through marriages to the family.
We had a great chat – it was warm, just like
Sheryl's voice – warm, velvety and reassuring. Perfect for Sunday
morning radio. The time passed quickly, and before the show
ended, Sheryl asked me to put on my other hat and tell the radio
audience about Gung Haggis Fat Choy events – the poetry reading with
Fred Wah, and the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner on January 30th. I
shall try to make a transcription of the show in the days to come.