In 1923, the Chinese Exclusion Act was implemented in Canada, halting Chinese immigration and severing the family ties of many Chinese labourers already in the country. This tragic event left these individuals without descendants to carry on their stories, resulting in their lives being forgotten and their legacies being lost. Some even ended up in mental health institutions like Essondale Hospital, becoming the face of exclusion. However, now their stories are being brought to light at the Chinese Canadian Museum’s inaugural exhibition, titled “The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.”
The choice of the exhibition’s opening date, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the law’s enactment, is a deliberate effort by the museum to shed light on a part of Canadian history that has often been overlooked. The museum aims to provide public education and tell the complete history, as it believes that many people are unaware of the full extent of this dark chapter in Canada’s past.
After more than six years of planning, the Chinese Canadian Museum has finally found its permanent location in Vancouver’s Chinatown’s historic Wing Sang Building. The museum’s establishment was mandated by then-premier John Horgan, who wanted to ensure that the province’s tourism, arts, and culture ministry established this important institution. Since its launch in 2020 and the acquisition of the physical location in 2022, the society behind the museum has worked tirelessly to bring it to fruition, with the province providing $27.5 million in funding.
At the opening ceremony, attended by B.C. Premier David Eby and other officials, Eby commended Horgan for championing the museum, especially during a time when anti-Asian racism has been on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He condemned the Chinese Exclusion Act as the most racist legislation ever passed in the country’s parliament, emphasizing the importance of confronting and acknowledging Canada’s past discriminatory policies.
Melissa Karmen Lee, the museum’s CEO, sees the institution as a startup and believes that its success will be determined by the number of visitors it attracts. She hopes that the museum’s presence will contribute to the revitalization of Chinatown and bring more foot traffic to the community. The museum aims to collaborate with partners, shops, and cultural institutions in Chinatown to create a comprehensive visitor experience that embodies the spirit of the Chinese Canadian Museum.
Catherine Clement, curator of the museum’s inaugural exhibition, became interested in the topic of the exclusion act when she interviewed Chinese Canadian war veterans for another exhibit. These veterans, who were born in Canada, would produce immigration cards dated 1924, which puzzled Clement. It was later revealed that these cards were evidence of the exclusion act’s impact on Canadian-born individuals of Chinese descent. These veterans, who had served their country, were still subjected to immigration restrictions and were the only community in Canada where Canadian-born children were issued immigration cards.
The Paper Trail exhibit showcases documents primarily gathered from private collections and official records from institutions like psychiatric hospitals. In addition to this exhibit, the museum aims to highlight Chinese migration to Canada from as early as 1788 in a separate display. By presenting a diversity of voices within Chinese Canadian history, the museum hopes to represent the experiences of Chinese immigrants not only from China but also from other countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, and Mauritius.
Ultimately, the Chinese Canadian Museum belongs to all Canadians, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. The museum’s board chair, Grace Wong, hopes that people from all walks of life will take advantage of this new facility to gain a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by those who contributed to building a multicultural Canada. The history of Chinese Canadians is an essential part of both British Columbia’s and Canada’s overall history, making this museum a significant milestone for all.
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