After my first article in March 2024, which generated some interest, this is the second article I have written concerning the work of the Chinese Canadian Reconciliation Advisory Group and related activities.
2024/03/17: Vancouver Chinatown Walking Tour
As an Advisory Group member, taking my role seriously, I decided to dig deeper into Chinese Canadian history in this part of the world and joined a walking tour in Vancouver’s Chinatown on March 17, 2024.
During the tour, we saw the monument of “中,” which means “middle” but in this context symbolizes Loyalty (“忠”), honouring the contributions of Chinese soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Canada during WWII. We were introduced to the world’s skinniest building, the Millennium Gate, Canton and Shanghai Alleys—popular gathering places for early Chinese Canadians—along with historical insights into unequal voting rights, a commemorative plaque honouring Chinese Canadian soldiers, and the Chin/Chen Clan Association. We even saw the actual railway spikes used in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, preserved as historical artifacts.
It was an inspiring visit, and I hope to return to explore the Chinatown Storytelling Centre next time.
2024/04/04: Dinner Discussion with Chinese Historic Families
On April 4, 2024, the City of Burnaby hosted a dinner at the Riverway Clubhouse for Chinese historic families from Burnaby. This event provided a space for them to freely express their views on the City’s formal apology and discuss the reconciliatory actions needed to move forward.
There were varying perspectives—while some descendants felt the City’s apology should explicitly acknowledge their families, others emphasized that, since their ancestors were no longer alive, the focus should be on ensuring that discriminatory practices never recur.
At my table, I engaged with descendants ranging from teenagers to middle-aged individuals and noted significant generational differences in their views. The middle-aged participants preferred to commemorate history through monuments, while the younger generation favoured interactive, high-tech ways to remember the past.
2024/04/09: Staff Lunchtime Learning
To ensure City of Burnaby staff were aware of the important work being done, a lunchtime learning session was held on April 9, 2024. This session provided insights into past discriminatory practices within the Municipality of Burnaby when these practices were abolished, and how the reconciliation project was using various tools—such as surveys, storytelling sessions, community dialogues, and focus groups—to gather ideas and suggestions.
A surprising fact emerged during the session: the first Chinese individual employed by the Municipality of Burnaby was as recent as 1953.
A big thank you to all the staff who participated in this learning session!
🔗 Watch the session here
2024/05/30: Asian Heritage Month
The City’s Asian Heritage Month, held on May 30, 2024, came at an opportune time and was hosted at the Council Chambers. While the event was multicultural and featured several Asian communities, it also incorporated Chinese Canadian history, cultural dances, and traditional treats.
I had a great time getting my name written in Islamic calligraphy, sampling delicious treats from across Asia, and joining a Chinese cultural dance. To celebrate the occasion, I wore red—an auspicious colour in Chinese culture—to add to the festive spirit.
2024/06/11: Second Community Dialogue
Throughout 2023 and into June 2024, the City of Burnaby and its partner, the Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table (BIPT), engaged with the Chinese Canadian community to gather input on the City’s apology and actions for reconciliation.
The second Community Dialogue took place on June 11, 2024, at the Bonsor Recreation Complex and was conducted in multiple languages: English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. This dialogue served to summarize the feedback received so far and further refine the City’s priorities for action.
Participants emphasized the importance of an apology that acknowledges linguistic diversity, resilience, and the contributions of Chinese Canadians. In addition to discussing the proposed apology framework, attendees identified key priority actions, including community safety, anti-racism initiatives, and the need for a governance council to support minority communities—not just the Chinese community—in facing racism.
Even though the community engagement portion of this project has concluded, there is still more work to be done. A final report on Chinese Canadian Reconciliation will be presented to Burnaby City Council, incorporating recommendations that reflect the experiences and priorities of Burnaby’s Chinese community.
— Kim Lai