A new book published by the province aims to shed light on the hardship, legislated discrimination and contributions of B.C.’s Chinese community.
Titled Celebration: Chinese Canadian Legacies in British Columbia the provincial government says the book acknowledges Chinese Canadians’ painful history by profiling 96 British Columbians of Chinese descent. Included are entrepreneurs, philanthropists, politicians, medical researchers, athletes, artists and community allies.
“Celebration: Chinese Canadian Legacies in British Columbia recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Chinese Canadians in British Columbia,” said Ravi Kahlon, parliamentary secretary for sport and multiculturalism in a press release.
“This book delivers an important narrative about our collective history that must be told. It is a valuable source for all British Columbians to learn more about the contributions of Chinese Canadians, and reminds us of our commitment to ensure that legislated discriminatory practices, and other inequitable practices, never happen again in B.C.”
The book was produced by the Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council which was established by the province in 2014.
“I am proud of the work we’ve achieved to recognize and celebrate the struggle of the Chinese community in B.C. against the discrimination they faced, and how in their struggles they forced British Columbia to be a more inclusive society,” said Henry Yu, co-chair of the Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council in a press release.
“We’re very pleased these stories will be shared with all British Columbians as an acknowledgement of the past, and hope they will contribute to strengthen British Columbia’s diverse society.”
Celebration: Chinese Canadian Legacies in British Columbia will be given to schools, cultural centres and libraries throughout the province. It will also be available in digital format later this year.
