HOMEHistory of Chinatown in Calgary
卡城華埠
The Calgary Chinatown
by Paul K.P. Wong
The First Chinese Pioneers in Calgary
The first group of Chinese pioneers arrived in Calgary at least as early as 1883, after the CP railway was completed; they were the CPR railway workers came from B.C., and some of them came across the Rockies to here looking for works.
In 1900, there were less than 100 Chinese lived in the city. In 1910, there was over 400 Chinese resided in locations spread throughout the city.........
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The “Pioneer Organizations” in Calgary Chinatown
September 24, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong
The Calgary Chinatown Centennial
The present Chinese settlement –Chinatown-- will be a century old next year, the community is planning to have lots of celebration for this extraordinary event in 2010.
Don’t forget our predecessors
As one of the most famous Chinese poets in Southern and Northern Dynasties (A.D. 317-581) Yu Xin said, “Don’t forget the origin while you drink the water”. Today, when we are ready to celebrate this remarkable occasion, we shouldn’t forget.........
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The “Traditional Organizations” in Calgary Chinatown
September 24, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong
Organizations Established after WWII
All those social and kin organizations organized after the WWII and up to the end of 70s, there was even a few of them that were not active or don’t exist any more; as they were played an important part of the developments in the history.........
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The “Newly Established Organizations” in Calgary Chinatown
September 24, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong
The Turning Point of Calgary Chinatown
In the 80s, it was the turning point of Calgary Chinatown. Starting from 1980, the area was facing huge changes, such as the population kept growing, the new business and building developments increasing, the beatifications of Chinatown, more associations and organizations are established, and the contributions from the City of Calgary, the Calgary Police Service (CPS), and other developments in the Chinese community.........
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The Calgary Chinese Schools
September 24, 2009
by Paul K.P. Wong
Education is a serious subject in Chinese families. Most parents pay a great deal of concentration to their children’s future, most of them believe that if their kids get a higher education, they will have a better life in the future; it became a significant tradition, since Confucius opened the door for public learning. Before him, the education was provided to the royal and noble families only.
The root and heritage
Today, oversea Chinese people want to maintain their tradition and roots.........
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"Those who came before planted the trees, so that future generations can enjoy the shade"
Words from the "Wall of Names" monument.
 Sien Lok Park's monument, called "Wall of Names" was unveiled on October 2001. |
Gold Mountain
The Chinese first landed on Canada’s West coast in 1788, as carpenters and craftsmen of a trading vessel. It was not until 1858 that thousands of Chinese immigrants came to Canada with hopes and dreams of a better life. They joined the gold rush in Barkerville, British Columbia, which was the new “Gum San” or “Gold Mountain”. By 1863, some 4,000 Chinese were mining the gold fields, or were working as farmers or labours. Chinese crews constructed the Cariboo Wagon Road, strange telephone wire through the new settlement, and dominated the canning industry.
The Canadian Legacy
The next group of Chinese immigrants arrived from 1881 to 1885. The Canadian Pacific Railway recruited 17,000 Chinese labours from the U.S. and China. They toiled for $1.00 a day – half the wages of white people/workers – and under extremely dangerous conditions, laying over 600 km. of track from Eagle Pass to Port Moody. Some 1,500 workers were killed, two men for every kilometer of the railroad, in landslides and dynamite blasts. Others died from poor food and harsh living conditions. When the “Last Spike” was struck, the Chinese workers suddenly found themselves out of work. Many headed to the Prairies and East Canada.
 Central monument located in the Sien Lok Park is called "In search of Gold Mountain" was unveiled on November 1999. |
From 1885 (after the C.P.R. was completed) to 1903, the government passed three harsh Immigration Acts to stop Chinese Immigration. The Acts imposed a “Head Tax” that rose from $50 to $100, then finally $500. Over $23 million was collected. The ultimate humiliation came on “Dominion Day” July 1, 1923. For the next twenty-four years, the Chinese Immigration Act 1923, or “Exclusion Act” barred Chinese from even entering Canada, thus separating wives and families. Instead of fading, the community grew stronger. During World War II, the Chinese were not welcomed as Canadian soldiers, but over 500 men and women volunteered for service. The community raised $10 million selling victory bonds. The “Exclusion Act” was rescinded in 1947, but not until 1967 did Chinese receive “Equal Rights”.
Passing the Torch
Through generations, Chinese have been attracted to Canada. Today, the Chinese come from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan as well as many other places, including Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, India, Peru, Mauritus and the Caribbean. Deeply Committed to the development of their "chosen land", the Chinese, both men and women, have met the many historical challenges and truned diversity into enrichment for themselves and Canada.