Georgia Straight: What do you remember about Roy Mah?

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My friends George Chow, Wesley Lowe and myself were asked what we remembered about Roy Mah.  Also asked were Don Lee and Tung Chan.  I have known Wesley through his volunteer work with the the Chinese Canadian veterans Pacific Unit 280, and also the Chinese Canadian Military Museum.  Lowe recently completed his film biography “I am the Canadian Delegate” about Douglas Jung, WW2 veteran and the first Chinese Canadian elected to Parliament.  I know George through various community groups such as Anniversaries 07 Committee and his work as a City Councillor.  Earlier this year, George e-mailed me for some advice when he was asked to read a Robbie Burns poem for a Robbie Burns dinner.

 

Straight Issues


What do you remember about Roy Mah?

Straight Issues
Publish Date: June 28, 2007

George Chow
Vancouver city councillor

“I
read his magazines when I was younger. I think his contribution to the
community is that he spearheaded the English press in the Chinese
community and inspired Chinese Canadians who took up writing or arts.”

Todd Wong
Creator of the Gung Haggis Fat Choy intercultural celebration

“He
wanted the best for everybody. You never heard him whine or say bad
things about people. He just worked quietly and created the kind of
world that he wanted to live in and for other people to enjoy.”

Wesley Lowe
Film producer and director

“He
helped pave the way for a multicultural Canada. You and I wouldn't be
here if it wasn't for that. He was very proud of his role in helping
change the racist policies of Canada.”

Georgia Straight: Roy Mah strove to transend race

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Here's a lovely article in the Georgia Straight about Roy Mah
There is also a companion piece What do you remember about Roy Mah? in which I am asked along with George Chow, Wesley Lowe, and Tung Chan.


Mah strove to transcend race

By Carlito Pablo
Publish Date: June 28, 2007
As a journalist, soldier, and organizer, Roy Mah (here with his niece Ramona Mar) fought for equality. Daryl Kahn Cline photo.

As a journalist, soldier, and organizer, Roy Mah (here with his niece Ramona Mar) fought for equality. Daryl Kahn Cline photo.

For
many years, Roy Mah was the face of Chinese journalism in Vancouver.
The long-time publisher of the Chinatown News was also a pivotal figure
in many of the equal-rights struggles fought by Chinese Canadians.

For
the past six decades, people of Chinese ancestry have enjoyed the right
to vote as Canadian citizens. They're free to pursue their dreams in
the various professions. And they owe no small thanks to Mah, who died
at age 95 on June 22.

The head tax on Chinese immigrants had been
in place for 33 years when Mah was born in Edmonton in 1918. He was
five when the federal government introduced a law that barred Chinese
people from entering the country. As a young boy, he attended a
segregated school.

During the Second World War, Mah and hundreds
of Chinese volunteered to fight for Canada, a country that didn't even
allow them to vote. They believed that recognition would come later.
Two years after the war, in 1947, the Chinese were finally granted the
franchise.

“He was very proud of where the Chinese Canadian
community is at today,” Mah's niece Ramona Mar told the Georgia
Straight. “He looks around and they're everywhere in all professions,
and these are professions that used to be barred to him during his
time.”

Early milestones in the history of Chinese Canadians

>
1788: The first Chinese to arrive on the West Coast were 50 artisans
accompanying English captain John Meares. Their fate is unknown.

> 1858: The discovery of gold on the Fraser River attracted Chinese immigrants by way of California.

>
1861: On March 17, Won Alexander Cumyow was born in Port Douglas, B.C.
He was the first child of Chinese origin born in Canada.

>
1880s: Large-scale immigration from China began as labourers were
recruited to build the western section of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

>
1885: Following completion of the railway, the federal government
introduced a head tax to be paid by every Chinese immigrant. Initially
$50, it rose to $100 in 1900 and $500 in 1903.

> 1923:
Parliament passed the Chinese Immigration Act to exclude Chinese people
from entering the country and to regulate those already living here.

> 1947: The Chinese Immigration Act was repealed.

Source: Vancouver Public Library

Mar,
a former CBC journalist, interviewed her uncle for a documentary
project for Veterans Affairs Canada. “I know that we can't have
everything we want in life, but we can always strive to achieve our
objective,” Mah said in that interview. “So I always want to fight for
a cause, especially for a just cause. Fight for civil liberty, fight
for equal rights, fight for a fairer society. It has become reality
now, you know, it's just a matter of daily life.”

Mah was also a
labour organizer. According to a profile drawn by the B.C. Federation
of Labour, he organized thousands of Chinese workers in Vancouver, from
the Fraser River to Hope, and throughout communities on Vancouver
Island. The same account noted that Mah was also the editor of the
Chinese version of the BC Lumber Worker, then the only Chinese-language
labour paper in North America.

In the early 1950s, Mah started
the Chinatown News, Canada's first English-language newsmagazine for
the Chinese community. Howe Lee, president of the Chinese Canadian
Military Museum Society, recalled to the Straight that the publication
was known as much for its coverage of society events as for Mah's
editorials and for the feature stories he ran about social issues such
as the need to end discrimination.

Mah edited and published the
paper until the mid-1990s. In 2002, the Asian Canadian Writers'
Workshop presented him with its inaugural Community Builder Award. In
his acceptance speech, Mah insisted that Asian Canadian writers can
compete with anyone because they're now “free from the racist barriers
imposed on earlier generations”.

Cultural activist Todd Wong was
among the writers who listened to Mah's speech. “At that dinner…he said
it would be wonderful if we were just known as the Canadian Writers'
Workshop,” Wong told the Straight. “It means that we should be able to
transcend race and ethnicity and all be recognized as oneness.”

Head-tax
activist Sid Tan was also present at that event. He has been an
advocate of compensation for all victims of the head-tax policy, a
position not shared by Mah, who had argued that government apology was
sufficient.

“I just wonder what life would have been like if Roy
Mah had joined me and said, 'We want a just and honourable redress for
all head-tax families',” Tan told the Straight. “It wouldn't have been
as much work as it is now. He has a lot of influence within the
community.”

A public memorial will be held for Mah on July 12 at the Chinese Cultural Centre.

Roy Mah's address for the 2002 ACWW Community Buiilder's Award

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Roy Mah's address for the 2002 ACWW Community Buiilder's Award

Special
from Sid Tan.  Sid was on the ACWW organizing committee with me,
when we helped to create the inaugural ACWW Community Builder's Dinner
in September 2002.  Sid filmed the event for his community
television program “Saltwater City.”

I considered Roy a friend and
community leader, often wondering how redress would be if we could have worked
together. He was a kind, courteous and gentle man. 

He once jokingly introduced me as
“the notorious Sid Tan” to a friend. I joked back, “Not as
notorious as you Roy, especially around all those Miss Chinatowns.” He
smiled and retorted without hesitation, “Occupational hazard. Comes with
the job.”

Here's hoping you feel the following
speech by Roy Mah is worth printing. Roy Mah delivered this speech on September
29, 2002 upon receiving the inaugural Community Builder Award from the Asian
Canadian Writers' Workshop.

Yours sincerely,

Sid Chow Tan

—

Roy Quock Quon Mah, OBC, was born in
Edmonton , schooled
in Victoria and died June 22, 2007 in his 89th year. A WWII veteran, he was
among the first Chinese Canadian full-time labour organisers and publisher of
the Chinatown News (1953-1995), an influential English language magazine based
in Vancouver .
Following is his acceptance speech upon receiving the inaugural Community
Builder Award from the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop on September 29, 2002.

===

Thank you for presenting me with
this unique award. I feel greatly humbled and honoured in accepting it. To me,
the significance of this award is that it is being presented by the Asian
Canadian Writers' Workshop.

When the Chinatown News was founded
a little more than four decades ago, there was no such fraternity as the Asian
Canadian Writers'

Workshop around. Our community then
could best be described as a cultural desert. Yet less than a half century
later, that desert has been transformed into a blossoming colourful literary
garden with authours, novelists and poets popping up everywhere.

Even more gratifying, these writers
have been producing fantastic works in tribute to their skills and
storytelling. Many of their creative masterpieces have been receiving attention
and winning book prizes. This is terrific. At this rate of proliferation of
literati in our community, I predict before long, you will see the emergence of
many literary stars whose writings will qualify for book of the month club and
receiving prestigious awards. And why not?

Free from the racist barriers
imposed on earlier generations, today's Asian Canadian writers can compete with
anyone on a level playing field. In fact, this is already happening. In today's
pluralistic society, the sky's the limit in all areas of national life,
including the cultural realm for gifted individuals.

What a change from the time
Chinatown News had to implore the corporate world and crown corporations to
remove the glass ceiling from job opportunities for ethnic minorities. One of
our pet editorial themes in those days was to needle the mainstream media to
hire more Chinese Canadian journalists for their staff. Now the profusion of
Asian Canadian anchorpersons and reporters in both electronic media and print
is a certainly a source of pride and satisfaction to all of us.

Could it be in the not too distant
future, the Asian Canadian writer's brigade will decide to drop the designation
and just look upon themselves as professional writers like those now working in
the mainstream media?

Second Annual Chinatown Redress Rally on Canada Day:Head Tax Families to Gather at Chinatown Memorial

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This media advisory is sent to me from Sid Tan and the Head Tax
Families Society of Canada.  Last year I took pictures of both the
rally and the Canada Day celebrations at Chinese Cultural Centre:

Canada Day in Chinatown: ceremonies + head tax redress march

Media
Advisory – June 28, 2007

Second
Annual Chinatown Redress Rally on
Canada Day:

Head Tax
Families to Gather at Chinatown Memorial 

Vancouver, BC –  Head Tax Families Society of
Canada
will mark this Canada Day with the Second Annual Chinatown Redress Rally. They
will call on Prime Minister Stephen Harper for an inclusive just and honourable
redress to start with good-faith negotiations with representatives of head tax
families. 

Time:  10:30am
call time – program to begin shortly after

Date:  
Sunday July 1, 2007

Place: Memorial to Railway Workers and War Veterans

           
Keefer and Columbia (NE corner),
Vancouver

The Head Tax Families Society of Canada is today's Canadians on a
twenty-three year struggle for an inclusive redress with justice and honour for
affected head tax families. Go to www.headtaxfamilies.org for more information.

– 30 –

Contact:

Sid Tan – 604-783-1853

Jim Chu is the new police chief in Vancouver!

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Jim Chu is the new police chief in Vancouver!

Vancouver
has a brand new police chief.  Born in Shanghai, he is locally
raised, growing up and playing band and rugby at Charles Tupper High
School in Vancouver, graduating in 1978.  Gee…. I played band
and rugby in my grade 12 year at Carson Graham in North Vancouver in
1978!

There used to be a time in Vancouver when the police seemed to be all
British descendants with lots of Scots, and they looked at the Chinese
with suspicion.  In 1924, A Scottish nanny named Janet Smith was
killed, a Chinese houseboy was accused, and the Scotland Yard was
called in.

In the mid 1980's the Vancouver Police department addressed trying to
recruit visible minorities, and how to deal with the multiculturalism
in their own department.  My cousin Hayne Wai, worked on
multicultural issues, and created a slide show called “Stakeout in
Anglotown.”  It took a lot of the stereotypes about Chinese and
Asians and flipped them onto the dominant white Canadian mainstream
population.  

For instance, the Police and Fire Departments used to have height
restrictions for recruitment.  If you were too short, you couldn't
get hired, and of course, Asians and women were significantly shorter
than White Males.  The slideshow grew into a video, and was always
a hit at conferences.  Hayne was the Chinese-Canadian cop, and his
friend Dave Sangha was the Indo-Canadian cop, and they patrolled the
tough part of the city that kept its secrets to itself –
Anglo-town.  They recieved an APB for a white male caucasian, and
go on the search for him checking out local “Anglo” establishments
(Government Liquor Store) and religious centres (St. Andrews-Wesley
Church) where “their people talk to ghosts and spirits.”

It was very tongue-in-cheek, and it was one of my inspirations in
learning how to flip cultural stereotypes as I have developed “Gung
Haggis Fat Choy.”

Times have really changed in Vancouver now.  The Vancouver Sun has
recently written a series of articles about him, and I think that Jim
Chu has been a real leader on the Police Force.  Chu has helped to
pave a high tech roadway for the Police Department and has been
successful on his own merits.  There seems to be a lot of support
for him.

We wish him luck and success as Vancouver becomes a truly multicultural 21st Century City.

See news stories and more on
http://chineseinvancouver.blogspot.com/2007/06/
jim-chu-becomes-vancouvers-first-police.html

Vancouver Sun story on Roy Mah: 'Gentle' man touched so many people's lives

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This the story the Vancouver Sun published about Roy Mah on Monday, June 25th. Roy's niece Ramona Mar is interviewed.  I have been friends with Ramona since 1986, when we worked together on the Saltwater City exhibit held in the David Lam Multipurpose Hall at the Chinese Cultural Centre.

'Gentle' man touched so many people's lives

 

Chantal Eustace

Vancouver Sun


Monday, June 25, 2007

 

Community leader Roy Mah died Friday at the age of 89.

CREDIT:
Ian Lindsay, Vancouver Sun

Community
leader Roy Mah died Friday at the age of 89.

VANCOUVER –
Chinatown 's soft-spoken revolutionary, Roy Mah, may be
gone, but the freedom fighter's legacy will live on, say his friends and
family.

Mah
— publisher, human rights activist and soldier — was above all a champion of
Canadian multiculturalism, said his niece, Ramona Mar.

“He
was a passionate, humble man with a strong passion for human rights,
particularly vis-a-vis Chinese-Canadians because he
grew up in such racist times,” said Mar in an interview with The Vancouver
Sun on Sunday.

Mah,
who suffered from kidney disease, passed away peacefully in a
Vancouver hospital Friday at the age of 89.

Mar
said he will be dearly missed.

“He
was just there for everyone,” said Mar, 50, a former CBC journalist.
“I'm going to remember him as a role model in the Chinese community.”

She
said that more than 720 people showed up to celebrate her uncle's last birthday
at Chinatown 's Floata
Seafood Restaurant, a testiment to
many people he touched in the community.

Not
that he was showy or loud.

“You
would never think that that guy was responsible for bringing multiculturalism
and the vote to Chinese-Canadians. I have trouble being able to believe he was
able to rally people around issues — but he did,” said
Mar. “Quietly.”

Mah
preferred to do things in a behind-the-scenes manner with a quiet
determination, said his long-time pal, Fred Mah, 72, a retired scientist with
Environment Canada. (He is no relation to Roy .)

He
said his friend was a good communicator. Together, they helped to form the
city's Chinese Cultural Association back in 1973.

“He's
quite gentle — not like me,” he said. “He's very good with
people.”

He
said he is a better person because of their friendship.

“To
me, anyway, he expanded my outlook on life — especially on multiculturalism on
that sort of thing. He was a champion for multiculturalism,” said Fred
Mah. “I think that throughout his life, equality has been an important
thing for him.”

Roy
Mah was born in Edmonton in 1918 and moved to
Victoria when he was six
years old. Back then, schools were segregated. He wasn't allowed to swim in the
public pool.

It
wasn't an easy time to be a Chinese-Canadian.

“Somehow
he developed this incredible passion for fighting for the underdog,” Mar
said. “I never knew him to complain. Not a once.”

Instead
of griping, Mah turned to action.

He
joined the army and became one of the first Chinese-Canadians to fight in the
Second World War, encouraging others to join him.

“He
really went to fight in two wars, one for the allies and one for
Chinese-Canadians,” Mar said.

When
he returned, Mah lobbied the government for the right to vote, something that
was granted to Chinese-Canadians in 1947.

His
fight didn't stop there.

Mah
became a union organizer when he took a job with the International Woodworkers
of America where he worked fighting for Chinese-Canadians' rights.

In
1953, he started the country's first Chinese-Canadian English-language news
magazine, The Chinatown News. During the 40 years he operated the News, he also
founded the B.C. Ethnic Press Association.

Mar
said the publication even caught the eye of then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau,
who invited Mah to accompany him on a trip to
China .

“He
wanted to build strength and have people be proud of
their lives here,” said Mar.

In
an interview with The Vancouver Sun in May, Mah said that throughout his life,
he wanted to help transform Canada
into a multilingual and multicultural society. Looking back on it all, he said:
“Now we're equal.”

ceustace@png.canwest.com

© The
Vancouver Sun 2007



http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=3686d5e4-fc00-4af7-82e7-0f9a6c0853da

Roy Mah, founder of Chinatown News dies. Saltwater City laments the passing of a true local Chinatown hero.

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Roy Mah, founder of Chinatown News dies.  Saltwater City laments the passing of a true local Chinatown hero.

Chinese Canadian veterans: John Ko Bong, Roy Mah, Ed Lee – photo Todd Wong

It's a sad day in Vancouver Chinatown today.  Roy Mah died on
Friday. He was the WW2 veteran who joined a “suicide squad” to fight
for a country called Canada – that wouldn't even let him vote in the
land he was born in.  The Edmonton AB born son of a head tax payer
was founder and long time editor of Chinatown News, founder of the BC
Ethnic Press, 1st Chinese-Canadian admitted to the Canadian Club
Vancouver, and recipient of the Order of BC.

Just after noon I was contacted by a Georgia Straight reporter asking
about my thoughts and relationship with Roy Mah.  I told him that
Roy was one of my iconic role models.  I used to read Chinatown
News at my Great-Grandmother's house when I was a child.  I used
to see Roy in Chinatown during the 1970's and knew where his office
was.  During the 1980's I approached Roy, and submitted some arts
reviews for Rosie's Cafe, and Cats – including my developing social
commentary about Asian Canadian arts and history and racism.  Roy
even gave me a letter when I travelled to New York City, to request a
review pass for M. Butterfly on Broadway.

In 2002, with my involvement with Asian Canadian Writer's Workshop, we
honoured Roy with the inaugural Community Builder's
Award. Roy also enjoyed attending the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner.  He last
attended in 2005, and when I acknowledged him to the 570 strong
audience, he was given a spontaneous standing ovation.

In recent years, he would always wave hello to me when he
walked past me working at the Vancouver Public Library information
desk.  Roy always liked to come into the library to read the
newspapers.  It was harder for him because he was on kidney
dialysis.  But we usually managed to have some nice chats, and
occasionally some coffee together.

I last saw Roy on May 12th at the 60th Anniversary dinner for Canadian Citizenship, sponsored by Pacific Unit 280.  I was sorry I had to miss his “90th Birthday party” on Easter Weekend. This was the first time I had seen Roy in a wheelchair.  His health had taken a downturn a couple of years ago, and I had missed him hobbling into the library with a big smile on his face whenever he saw me.  At the dinner, the Chinese Canadian Military Museum gave out dvd's containing interviews with many of the veterans.  Claudia Ferris was the documentary producer.  Roy's niece Ramona Mar was one of the interviewers.  Gloria Leung is Claudia's sister-in-law, and also heloed out on the project.  And we all adore Roy Mah!
 

There will be a public Celebration of Life for Roy Mah on Thursday, July 12 at 2:00 pm
at the Chinese Cultural Centre in the David Lam Hall. 

Vancouver Sun published a story Monday on Roy with interviews with his nice Ramona Mar.
CBC Radio interviewed Ramona and Wesley Lowe on Monday, and Larry Wong was interviewed for Channel M.

Here are some links about Roy Mah:

O.B.C. Biography – Name

Roy Quock Quon Mah – Vancouver. Click on image for full-size version Roy Mah was … He sat on the board of the Vancouver Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society when it …

GungHaggisFatChoy :: Vancouver Sun: Chinatown's 'quiet …

It is always great to see a story about Roy Mah in the media. … Roy Mah has left his imprint on almost every major event in Vancouver 's Chinese community …

Chinatown Monument

When Chinese veterans like Roy Mah & Daniel Lee

Roy Mah's ACCW award dinner 29 Sep 02: Roy Mah receives his Community Builder Award from Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop President Jim Wong-Chu on September 29, 2002
Roy Mah and Jim Wong-Chu at the 2002 ACWW dinner where we honoured Roy with the inaugural ACWW Community Builder's Award.

50 Years of Chinatown Stories Dinner Sept. 2002

Tonight's dinner honoured Roy Mah by presenting him with the first ever Asian … Here's a picture of Roy Mah (on the left) receiving his award from ACWW …

Welcome to the Vancouver Courier – On Line – News

Their faces, lit by the afternoon sun, bear the lines of years of hardship and sorrow. …. Roy

Roy Mah – Veterans Affairs Canada

Did you know that Roy Mah led an emotional debate arguing that Chinese-Canadians should go to war before they received the right to vote? …

Adventures in Vancouver's SoMa / Riley Park neighborhood – June 23

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Adventures in Vancouver's SoMa / Riley Park neighborhood – June 23

The SoMa (South Main) or Riley Park area at Main St. and King Edward / 25th Avenue, is definitely one of my many Vancouver neighborhood hang-outs.  Sometimes I can be found working at the Riley Park Branch library.  I have attended and hosted writing events at The Grind coffee shop for Asian Canadian Writer's Workshop.  This is a great coffee shop for studying in, hanging out, or using for meetings.  I have also attended  performances by friends at the Montmarte Restaurant or the Legion. It's an incredible two block strip that I particularly like from 24th  to 26th Avenue along Main St, and includes one of Vancouver's best Chinese restaurants, Sun Sui Wah.

Today we had brunch at The Crave restaurant at 3941 Main St. to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday.  The floorspace is intimately small, and as we waited at the entrance for our table – I found myself beside “the bar” so I ordered the “smoothie of the day”, a delicious blend of raspberries.  Since my girlfriend's favorite drink is a gin and tonic, I asked them to substitute gin instead of the vodka for the “adult smoothie.”  11am, and we are on our way to a great brunch.

We squeezed 5 adults and a 7-month baby into our booth.  The items are quite reasonably priced.  All the bennys and “Eggs Your Way” ($7) came with buttery potatoes, so savoury I didn't even use ketchup or HP sauce.  My girlfriend ordered the California Benny ($8 1/4) and also really likes french toast ($7) so that's what I had.  It was a deliciously rich challah french toast with raisins inside, served with maple syrup.

After brunch I dropped into the “House of the Spirit Bear Gallery” at 3957 Main St.  I had noticed when the gallery had opened about a year ago, but had never been inside.  Upon entering I quickly saw a wonderful display about Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas.  Yahgulanaas is also known as “Haida Manga Guy.”  I first met him when I was asked to introduce him at Word on the Street festival a few years ago.  As he read from his book, I held the book up for the audience to see, and turned the pages.  He really appreciated it. 

Anyways, gallery owner Darrell Gilmore told me that Michael is having a opening at the Museum of Anthropology on Tuesday, July 10th, 2007 at 7pm.  Darrell tells me that Michael has collected argillite dust from all his fellow carvers and used it to create an “argillite paint” which was used to cover a Pontiac Firefly car, upon which more uniquely Yahgulanaas artwork was painted.  It sounds inspirationally crazy – just like Michael.  Darrell gives me one of the post cards, and right away I zoom in on the words “Live music and refreshments to follow, “tailgate style,” on the grounds of the Museum.  Definitely going to have to check out this party…  That guy Darrell… nice guy.

Next I walk into the Riley Park Branch library.  I talk to my co-workers there and book some more hours.  We chat briefly about library stuff, including worksites, supervisors, co-workers, library culture, library videos on youtube.com

Windsor Quality Meats at 4110 Main St. is a great butcher store.  Staff are really friendly, and I like to pick up the specials.  My tongue still remembers the incredible rib-eye steaks that I picked up last year.  Today I picked up Maui Ribs, and salmon fillet steaks marinated in orange and spices.  Yum Yum – I think my girlfriend will enjoy an  extra-special home-cooked birthday dinner tonight.

Today, June 22 is is the one year anniversary of the Chinese Head Tax Parliamentary Apology

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Today, June 22 is is the one year anniversary of the Chinese Head Tax Parliamentary Apology

It's been 60 long years since Canadians born of Chinese ancestry were given full franchise voting privileges in the country they were born in. Prior to that they were called “resident aliens.”  It took their willingness to fight for their country during WW2 and to continue campaigning to recall the “Chinese Exclusion Act” which had followed the Chinese Head Tax.  And still they campaigned for an apology.

My grand-Uncle Daniel Lee would send a letter to Ottawa each year asking Parliament for a simple no-cost apology.  Finally, the veterans who saw their numbers dwindling each year settled for “an acknowledgement” and no financial settlement.  This was met by a rising grass roots opposition led partially by the Chinese Canadian National Council, who maintained their call for equal and fair redress, similar to the settlement that New Zealand had made.  The United Nations even said that Canada should make fair and equal settlement.  The Canadian courts said it was a political matter and should be dealt with in Parliament, not forced by the courts.  And still the Government would not apologize. Until last year.

While many Canadians, and Chinese-Canadians continue to remain on opposite sides of the continued redress issue, I think that many people agree that the apology and ex-gratia payments has helped Canada move forward in its development as a fair and inclusive country.  Over 220 head tax payers and souses have recieved ex-gratia payments of $20,000.  The price of $500 head tax from to 1903 to 1923, after initially starting at $50 in 1895, could buy one or two small houses back then, and families spent years paying off their debts.  No other ethnic group was charged an immigration head tax, then completely banned from coming to Canada.  The exclusion from 1923 to 1947 caused separation to families, which also did not happen in any other immigrating ethnic group.

But 220 payments represent less than 0.05% of the total 3000 head tax certificates paid for.  While some spouses such as Mrs. Der died waiting for her payment after being promised personally by Prime Minister Harper and Secretary of State for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, there were thousands of head tax payers and spouses who had already died, leaving their sons and daughters to carry on the fight for the redress of a racist and unjust tax.

The government says they will not issue a cheque to any family, where the head tax payer or spouse died before February 2006, when the Conservatives came to power.  This is wrong.  Each head tax certificate should be treated equally and fairly.  One certificate – one payment.

The following press release is from the Chinese Canadian National Council's national office in Toronto.
As far as I know, Vancouver redress campaigners have not organized any activities to mark the one-year head tax apology, except for a March on July 1st, because the BC Coalition of Head Tax Families does not believe the redress process is finished… yet.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2007

Chinese Canadians Mark One-Year Anniversary of Chinese Head Tax Parliamentary Apology

220 Redress Payments Issued In One Year
 
TORONTO – The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) and the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Families (Ontario Coalition) today mark the one-year anniversary of the Chinese Head Tax Parliamentary Apology. On June 22, 2006, more than 200 Chinese Canadian seniors and their families were present to witness Prime Minister Stephen Harper deliver the Parliamentary Apology in the House of Commons. The other three Party leaders: Hon. Bill Graham, Mr. Gilles Duceppe and Hon. Jack Layton also made statements. The federal Government also announced direct redress of $20,000 to living head tax payers or surviving spouses one year ago today. “We want to recognize the achievements over the past year: already 42 head tax payers and 178 spouses have received their redress payments (see report below),” Colleen Hua, CCNC National President said today. “But, at the same time, we continue to seek a just and honourable resolution that includes the 3000 head tax families where both the head tax payer and spouse have passed away – they were excluded in last year’s announcement.”

“These families were also directly affected by the Chinese Head Tax, Newfoundland Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act.”

Today, Chinese Canadian seniors and their families gather to mark the one-year anniversary of the Parliamentary Apology. There is a reception at Queen’s Park hosted by Hon. Mike Colle, Ontario Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, and then a community forum at 5:00pm and dinner at 7:00pm at the Bright Pearl Restaurant.

June 22 event #1: Ontario Legislature Reception at Queen’s Park, Room 247 at 1:30 pm (Today)

June 22 event #2: CCNC/Ontario Coalition Head Tax Redress Day Events at the Bright Pearl Restaurant in Toronto, 5pm Forum, 7pm Dinner (Today)

Other community events include the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Monument of the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada, West of Roger’s Centre (Skydome) on July 1st at 10:30am organized by the

Foundation to Commemorate the Chinese Railway Workers in Canada .

The Chinese Exclusion Act (1923 – 1947) replaced the Chinese Head Tax (1885 – 1923) and prohibited Chinese immigration for more than a generation, separating families and stunting the development of the community. Only a handful of Chinese were allowed to enter Canada during this period which included the Great Depression and Second World War. The sons and daughters of the head tax payers were also directly affected by this legislation and experienced poverty, racism, family separation and lost educational opportunity first hand. Their families also paid the head tax and the Canadian Government should offer a meaningful apology in the form of direct redress to all head tax families.

CCNC continues to work with other redress groups including the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Families, Head Tax Families Society of Canada (formerly the B.C. Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants), Newfoundland and Labrador Head Tax Redress Committee, and Montreal Head Tax Redress Committee in the campaign to fully redress the Chinese Head Tax, Newfoundland Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act.

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For media interviews, please contact:

Victor Wong (CCNC) at (416) 977-9871 or (647) 285-2262

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CBC Generations documentary series features BC's Rev. Chan family and descendants (including me!)

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CBC Generations documentary series features BC's Rev. Chan family and descendants (including me!)
 
Generations

Chan family

Generations is a 6 part series and the lead installment is The Chan Legacy – which is about my great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan, and our family descendants who are committed to community service – like me!  The episodes of the series are:


Watch The Chan Legacy on CBC Newsworld

July 4, 10 pm ET/PT,
July 8, 10 am ET/PT,
July 29, 7 pm ET


Producer Halya Kuchmij is very proud of her work, and that we are the first in the series.  It must be a very strong, emotional,
educational documentary.  I have been an adviser and witness to many of
the interviews, as well as some of the script.  I have to say it made
me very proud of our family, and the show is very emotionally
touching.  And I haven't even seen it yet!

Many family members were interviewed:

  • Victor Wong, grand-son, WW2 veteran and Victoria resident who visited his grandparents in Nanaimo BC.
  • Helen Lee, grand-daughter, who lived with Rev. & Mrs. Chan Yu Tan in Nanaimo.
  • Gary Lee, great-grandson who tells about some of the challenges overcome by the family.
  • Janice Wong, great-grand-daughter, and award winning author of CHOW: From China to Canada, memories of food and family.
  • Rhonda Larrabee, great-grand-daughter, and chief of the First Nations Qayqayt (New Westminster) Band, featured in the NFB film “Tribe of One.”
  • Todd Wong, great-great-grandson, community and cultural activist,
    creator of Gung Haggis Fat Choy: Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner.
  • Tracey Hinder, 5th generation high school student who was the inaugural Vancouver CanSpell champion and went on to compete in Ottawa and Washington DC.  Tracey is a member of her school's “multicultural club.”


Rev. Chan Yu Tan came to Canada in 1896, following his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing Kai who had earlier arrived in 1888 at the invitation of the Methodist Church of Canada.  These two brothers were later followed by sisters Phoebe in 1899, and Naomi who later moved to Chicago.  Throughout seven generations, the family has spread throughout Canada and the United States.  The Rev. Chan Yu Tan Family was featured in the photographic exhibition Three Early Chinese Canadian Pioneer Families. 


Read my blog entries about Rev. Chan Legacy Project which includes stories during the making of the documentary and events for Janice Wong's award-winning book C H O W: From China to Canada memoris of food and family.

http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/RevChanLegacyProject
http://c-h-o-w.blogspot.com/
Please tell all your friends and relatives about this upcoming documentary, very informative about the history of Chinese-Canadians, and the legacy they have built in Canada.

the following is from the CBC Generations home page:
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/generations/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Generations
Generations: The Chan Legacy
 

The
documentary begins with Todd Wong playing the accordion, wearing a
kilt. He promotes cultural fusion, and in doing so, he honours the
legacy of his great, great, grandfather The Reverend Chan Yu Tan. The
Chans go back seven generations in Canada and are one of the oldest
families on the West Coast.
 
Chan family
The Chan family
 
Reverend Chan left China for Victoria in 1896 at a time when most Chinese immigrants were simple labourers, houseboys and laundrymen who had come to British Columbia
to build the railroad or work in the mines. His wife Mrs. Chan Wong Shee followed him later in 1899.  The Chans were different.
They were educated and Westernized Methodist Church missionaries who
came to convert the Chinese already in Canada,
and teach them English. The Chans were a family with status and they
believed in integration. However even they could not escape the racism
that existed at the time, the notorious head tax and laws that excluded
the Chinese from citizenship.
 
In
the documentary, Reverand Chan's granddaughter Helen Lee, grandson
Victor Wong, and great grandson Gary Lee recall being barred from
theaters, bowling alleys and restaurants. The Chinese were not allowed
to become doctors or lawyers, pharmacists or teachers. Still, several
members of the Chan family served in World War II,
because they felt they were Canadian and wanted to contribute. Finally,
in 1947, Chinese born in Canada were granted citizenship and the right
to vote.
 
Todd Wong
Todd Wong
 
Today, Todd Wong,
represents a younger generation of successful professionals and entrepreneurs scattered across North America.
He promotes his own brand of cultural integration through an annual
event in Vancouver called Gung Haggis Fat Choy. It's a celebration that
joins Chinese New Year with Robbie Burns Day, and brings together the two cultures that once lived completely separately in the early days of British Columbia.

We also meet a member of the youngest generation, teenager Tracey
Hinder, who also cherishes the legacy of Reverend Chan, but in contrast
to his desire to promote English she is studying mandarin and longs to
visit the birthplace of her ancestors.

Produced by Halya Kuchmij, narrated by Michele Cheung.