Latest news with #ChineseCanadians
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Chinese Canadian Museum Unveils New Military Exhibition: "A Soldier for All Seasons: Chinese Canadians in the Second World War"
Open to the public on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, "A Soldier for All Seasons" is located on the newly expanded and renovated third floor of the Chinese Canadian Museum. This powerful exhibition shares the heartfelt and often overlooked stories of Chinese Canadian soldiers who risked their lives to serve a country that, at the time, regarded them as "second-class" citizens. Their sacrifices were instrumental in prompting the Canadian government to repeal the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1947 - marking a critical step toward full citizenship and equal rights for Chinese Canadians. "These were men and women who risked everything for a country that did not yet recognize them as equals," says Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum. "Their bravery and sacrifice challenged deep-seated discrimination and helped lay the foundation for lasting change. It was through their service that the Chinese Exclusion Act was eventually repealed, and Chinese Canadians were finally acknowledged as full citizens. This exhibition honours their legacy and ensures their stories are remembered." Curated by Catherine Clement, Naomi Louie, Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, and Sarah Ling, A Soldier for All Seasons marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and highlights the powerful stories of Chinese Canadian men and women who served in every branch of the armed forces—despite being denied full citizenship. Their service at home and abroad helped challenge discrimination and reshape Canada's path toward equality. "Our mission is to ensure Chinese Canadian veterans are never forgotten," says Randall (Bud) Wong, President of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum and retired B.C. Supreme Court Judge and Chinese Canadian Museum Board member. "This exhibition with the Chinese Canadian Museum helps share their stories of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for belonging in Canada." This exhibition brings their stories to life like never before—with rare photos, immersive design, and a groundbreaking 3D holobox that lets visitors hear directly from Chinese Canadian actors retelling the powerful experiences of wartime soldiers." At the exhibition entrance, a commemorative artwork by Vancouver artist Jeanette G. Lee - niece of a Second World War veteran - honours Chinese Canadians who served in the World Wars. Through the Looking Screen features engraved names of known soldiers, offering a poignant tribute to their sacrifice and legacy. The exhibition highlights powerful stories of resilience and heroism, including: Albert Mah, a fighter pilot who, alongside his brother Cedric, survived hundreds of perilous missions transporting vital supplies from India to China. George Chow, who narrowly escaped death during the D-Day invasion when Allied planes mistakenly bombed his unit, killing two comrades beside him. Roger Cheng, who led a team of Chinese Canadian soldiers who parachuted behind enemy lines in Borneo on a top-secret sabotage mission for Britain's elite Force 136. "These stories are powerful reminders of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for dignity. Chinese Canadian soldiers served this country with honour and helped shape a more inclusive Canada," says the Honourable Spencer Chandra Herbert, B.C. Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. "I'm deeply moved by this exhibition, and proud that our government continues to support the Chinese Canadian Museum in sharing these vital histories with all of us." A Soldier for All Seasons is housed in the Chinese Canadian Museum's newly expanded third-floor permanent exhibition space, dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Chinese Canadian war veterans. Presented in collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, the exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Jack and Sylvia Gin Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia. For more information about the Chinese Canadian Museum and its current exhibitions, please visit About the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society | The Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society (CCMMS) was founded in 1998. Its mandate has been to collect, preserve, document and commemorate the role of Chinese Canadians in service to Canada's military with a focus on the role these "unwanted soldiers" played in the community's efforts to achieve full equal rights in Canada. Today, the society also works to educate a new generation of Canadians on the role the Chinese played in Canada's history. The Chinese Canadian Museum Society of British Columbia is an independent, non-profit organization established in March 2020 to create a museum honouring and sharing Chinese Canadian history, contributions, and living heritage. Guided by its mission statement "Connecting to the Chinese Canadian story – addressing inclusion for all", the Chinese Canadian Museum aspires to provide an invigorating and transformative experience for present and future generations through its exhibitions and educational programming throughout B.C. and Canada. The first of its kind in Canada, the Chinese Canadian Museum opened to the public in 2023, and is located in the historic Wing Sang Building in Vancouver Chinatown.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chinese Canadian Museum Unveils New Military Exhibition: "A Soldier for All Seasons: Chinese Canadians in the Second World War"
Developed in collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War VANCOUVER, BC, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - With May being Asian Heritage Month, the Chinese Canadian Museum, in collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society, has unveiled their new military exhibition, "A Soldier for All Seasons" to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Open to the public on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, "A Soldier for All Seasons" is located on the newly expanded and renovated third floor of the Chinese Canadian Museum. This powerful exhibition shares the heartfelt and often overlooked stories of Chinese Canadian soldiers who risked their lives to serve a country that, at the time, regarded them as "second-class" citizens. Their sacrifices were instrumental in prompting the Canadian government to repeal the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1947 - marking a critical step toward full citizenship and equal rights for Chinese Canadians. "These were men and women who risked everything for a country that did not yet recognize them as equals," says Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum. "Their bravery and sacrifice challenged deep-seated discrimination and helped lay the foundation for lasting change. It was through their service that the Chinese Exclusion Act was eventually repealed, and Chinese Canadians were finally acknowledged as full citizens. This exhibition honours their legacy and ensures their stories are remembered." Curated by Catherine Clement, Naomi Louie, Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, and Sarah Ling, A Soldier for All Seasons marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and highlights the powerful stories of Chinese Canadian men and women who served in every branch of the armed forces—despite being denied full citizenship. Their service at home and abroad helped challenge discrimination and reshape Canada's path toward equality. "Our mission is to ensure Chinese Canadian veterans are never forgotten," says Randall (Bud) Wong, President of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum and retired B.C. Supreme Court Judge and Chinese Canadian Museum Board member. "This exhibition with the Chinese Canadian Museum helps share their stories of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for belonging in Canada." This exhibition brings their stories to life like never before—with rare photos, immersive design, and a groundbreaking 3D holobox that lets visitors hear directly from Chinese Canadian actors retelling the powerful experiences of wartime soldiers." At the exhibition entrance, a commemorative artwork by Vancouver artist Jeanette G. Lee - niece of a Second World War veteran - honours Chinese Canadians who served in the World Wars. Through the Looking Screen features engraved names of known soldiers, offering a poignant tribute to their sacrifice and legacy. The exhibition highlights powerful stories of resilience and heroism, including: Albert Mah, a fighter pilot who, alongside his brother Cedric, survived hundreds of perilous missions transporting vital supplies from India to China. George Chow, who narrowly escaped death during the D-Day invasion when Allied planes mistakenly bombed his unit, killing two comrades beside him. Roger Cheng, who led a team of Chinese Canadian soldiers who parachuted behind enemy lines in Borneo on a top-secret sabotage mission for Britain's elite Force 136. "These stories are powerful reminders of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for dignity. Chinese Canadian soldiers served this country with honour and helped shape a more inclusive Canada," says the Honourable Spencer Chandra Herbert, B.C. Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. "I'm deeply moved by this exhibition, and proud that our government continues to support the Chinese Canadian Museum in sharing these vital histories with all of us." A Soldier for All Seasons is housed in the Chinese Canadian Museum's newly expanded third-floor permanent exhibition space, dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Chinese Canadian war veterans. Presented in collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, the exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Jack and Sylvia Gin Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia. For more information about the Chinese Canadian Museum and its current exhibitions, please visit About the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society | The Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society (CCMMS) was founded in 1998. Its mandate has been to collect, preserve, document and commemorate the role of Chinese Canadians in service to Canada's military with a focus on the role these "unwanted soldiers" played in the community's efforts to achieve full equal rights in Canada. Today, the society also works to educate a new generation of Canadians on the role the Chinese played in Canada's history. About the Chinese Canadian Museum | The Chinese Canadian Museum Society of British Columbia is an independent, non-profit organization established in March 2020 to create a museum honouring and sharing Chinese Canadian history, contributions, and living heritage. Guided by its mission statement "Connecting to the Chinese Canadian story – addressing inclusion for all", the Chinese Canadian Museum aspires to provide an invigorating and transformative experience for present and future generations through its exhibitions and educational programming throughout B.C. and Canada. The first of its kind in Canada, the Chinese Canadian Museum opened to the public in 2023, and is located in the historic Wing Sang Building in Vancouver Chinatown. Instagram: @ccmuseumbc Facebook: @ChineseCanadianMuseum Linkedin: @ChineseCanadianMuseum SOURCE Chinese Canadian Museum View original content to download multimedia:
CBC
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Stratford filmmaker Keira Loughran on the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed more than 100 years ago on July 1, 1923. That day was also known as Humiliation Day for many Chinese Canadians. It was a racist policy that stopped Chinese immigration, and forced Chinese people living in Canada to register with the government or risk deportation. Keira Loughran, a Stratford-based writer and director, wanted to tell the story of her own grandmother, who was one of those who fought to end the policy. Exclusion: Beyond the Silence is being screened on May 7 at Cineplex theatres across the country. It will also be showing at Galaxy Cinemas in Waterloo on the same day.
CBC
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Jack Wang reimagines lost stories of Chinese Canadians during WWII
When Canadian writer Jack Wang read about Richard Mar, the only Chinese Canadian to serve in the First Canadian Parachute Battalion in the Second World War, he was compelled to imagine a character like him. Inspired by Mar and other Chinese Canadians who served abroad, Wang's debut novel, The Riveter, follows a Chinese Canadian man named Josiah Chang who is a soldier during the Second World War. Buoyed by his love for Poppy, a singer who works with him in the shipyard, Josiah is determined to survive the battlefields and make it back home — but finds himself fighting injustice on all fronts. "I became fascinated by the courage and sacrifice of people who didn't have full citizenship rights, who couldn't vote," said Wang on Bookends with Mattea Roach. "But nonetheless, they were eager to serve their country and prove their loyalty." Wang is a N.Y.-based writer and professor originally from Vancouver. He teaches in the department of writing at Ithaca College and his writing has appeared in publications such as Joyland Magazine, The New Quarterly and Fiddlehead. Wang's debut short story collection, We Two Alone was longlisted for Canada Reads in 2022, shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize and won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award. He joined Roach to discuss the historical context of the story and why he's interested in diverse historical perspectives. Mattea Roach: Can you paint us a bit of a picture of what kind of a character Josiah Chang is? Jack Wang: His name is Josiah Chang and those initials are meant to make people think of Johnny Canuck, who's this Canadian equivalent to Uncle Sam and is part of the popular imagination and represents Canada and Canadiana. He reemerged during the Second World War as a cartoon figure who fought fascism and the Nazis and he was a lumberjack. So Josiah Chang is an attempt to suggest that Chinese Canadians were very much Canadian and part of the history of this country. He is someone who starts as a faller or a lumberjack and moves into a wartime industry building Victory ships in a shipyard in Vancouver as many Chinese Canadians did. On the one hand, he's a larger-than-life figure. He's strong and he's able and he's confident. On the other hand, we have to ask ourselves why should an Asian male character who is simply strong and able and confident seem larger than life or unusual? Many stories depict Chinese males and Asian males differently, but I think that many Chinese Canadians in fact were full of self-belief like he was. MR: In the 1940s, Chinese Canadians were not considered equal citizens and didn't have access to the same sorts of rights that white settler Canadians did. Josiah is an interesting character because he's not an immigrant. He was born in Caribou, British Columbia. He's one of several generations of his family to have been born in Canada. What would life have been like for someone of Chinese ancestry living in British Columbia during this wartime period? JW: Because subsequent generations of Chinese Canadians have gone on to assimilating Canadian society and are successful in many ways, and because new generations of Chinese immigrants often arrive already affluent or fairly affluent, I think we forget just how abject it was to Chinese Canadians 100 years ago. Many people know about the head taxes that were levied expressly to keep people of Chinese descent out of Canada. By the time we reached the Second World War, the Chinese Immigration Act, otherwise known as the Exclusion Act, had been in effect for nearly 20 years. The goal was to keep Chinese people out and also to essentially keep the population already in Canada from further growing. One couldn't be a doctor or a lawyer or a pharmacist or even a teacher and one couldn't be a British subject and so on. We really forget that Chinese Canadians were not just second, but even third class citizens in the 20th-century. But someone like Josiah Chang, he's been in Canada for a long time. There is a point at which people cease to be immigrants, especially after many generations. My children, for example, in many ways have ceased to be immigrants, have ceased to understand the challenges of being an immigrant because they're so thoroughly assimilated. The challenge is that sometimes the culture, the society around you still sees you as the outsider. MR: You dedicate the book to your wife and to your daughters. I'm wondering what you hope your children will take away from this book. Have they read it? JW: I've given the book to both my daughters and my older daughter is reading it now, judging by the book lying around her room, thumbed through. I dedicate the book to them because since I'm a late bloomer, I just spent so much time away from them. I wish I had published when I was younger so that when my children were born, I could do nothing else but pay attention to them. But it was after my children were born that I was most desperate to get a book out in the world. I've had to spend so much time away from them, locked away in my writer's garret. I hope that what they come to appreciate is the freedoms they enjoy. It's a reminder to myself, it's a reminder to other people of my generation, to Canadians who will come after me, that these rights were hard won. It wasn't always the case. The arc of the moral universe is bending, and can continue to bend for others. A novel is always particular, but it's also metaphoric. And there are many other people who are still in an analogous situation, who don't have full citizenship rights in a place or in a country. So what can we do to expand that circle of freedom and equality for everyone? It's not just to look at the past, but also at the present and the future.
