My grandmother turns 100 years old today.

Mabel Lee was born July 4th, 1910, in Victoria BC.  Her grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan came to Canada in 1896 to serve at the Chinese Methodist Church, which had been co-founded by his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing Kai in 1888.


My grandmother has lived through two world wars. She lived through the Chinese Head Tax era, and the1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.

She welcomed 3 brothers and a cousin home who served in WW2, who were first not allowed to join the Canadian Forces, even though they wanted to fight for the country they were born in.

She couldn't vote in the country she was born in until she was 37 years old, after the Exclusion Act was appealed in 1947 - because up until then, she was considered a resident alien.

She has watched her grand-children become: Miss Canada runner-up, TV news reporter, BC Lions Cheerleader, lawyer, RCMP officer, Calgary city councilor, killer-whale habitat warden, mining environment consultant, and then there's me... Toddish McWong,

One niece is Chief of the Qayqayt First Nations.  And my Granny was interviewed for the the NFB film documentary Tribe of One, about Rhonda Larrabee.

My Grandmother had 3 siblings... 4 sisters and 2 brothers are still very much alive.

She has 22 great-grand-children, and 4 great-great-grandchildren...

She appeared with me in the 2004 CBC television performance special Gung Haggis Fat Choy, along with my parents, girlfriend and friends. 

In 2007, CBC created a TV documentary about her grandfather and family descendant history titled Generations: The Chan Legacy.  We used family home movies that showed my grand mother and her siblings at their mother Kate Lee's 75th birthday party.

Daniel Lee 1920 - January 26, 2010 

With sorrow... we share the news that Grand-Uncle Daniel Lee passed away this morning of January 26th, 2010.  He had been in the Burnaby Hospital since Wednesday.  His daughter Grace,  she said it was quite sudden - his going into the hospital.  I had been receiving reports from my mother Betty, as her mother Mabel (Dan's oldest sister at 99 years old) was visiting the hospital each day.

Uncle Dan was born the 11th child of 14, the 5th son of seven to jeweler Ernest Lee, and Kate Chan Lee - the 2nd child, and 1st daughter of Rev. Chan Yu Tan.  As a young child he spent some time living in Nanaimo with his grandparents Rev. and Mrs. Chan Yu Tan, after the early death of his father.

When Dan was 20 years old he tried to enlist in the Canadian Army, but was turned away because at that time they did not allow any Chinese Canadians.  Instead, he went to aircraft mechanics school in Toronto and graduated two years later.  By 1942, Chinese were allowed into the Army due to pressure from Great Britain.  Dan Lee was one of the the first Chinese-Canadians accepted into the Canadian Air Force.  Soon, he was joined in England, by his brothers Howard and Leonard, plus cousin Victor Wong, who were enroute to the Pacific Theatre to serve with the Army special forces.

In the years after WW2, Dan Lee and his fellow Canadian born veterans would continue to face racial discrimination and prejudice.  The were not allowed to join any of the existing Canadian Legions for veteran soldiers.  They turned to the oldest veteran organization, the Army, Navy, Air Force Vets of Canada and were accepted to form their own unit - Pacific Unit 280.  After WW2, he and his fellow veterans and good friend Roy Mah, petitioned the Canadian Government to gain voting rights for Chinese Canadians, and also to repeal the Chinese Exclusion Act.  This was accomplished in 1947.

 

But the challenges weren't over yet.  Every year Uncle Dan would write a letter to Ottawa asking for an apology for the Chinese head tax and exclusion act.  The Chinese head tax redress movement took on a larger significance after MP Margaret Mitchell brought the issue up in Parliament in 1984, and also when Prime Minister Mulroney apologized to Japanese Canadians in 1988 for the the government's interning of them during WW2.

In the 1980's, Dan Lee would continue to work head tax apology issue.  With Douglas Jung, a former veteran, lawyer, Member of Parliament, and the Chinese Benevolent Association, they proposed that a national organization be formed to deal with the Head Tax issue.  Dan Lee became one of the founders of the National Congress of Chinese Canadians(NCCC) and a national conference was held.  After many years, an apology was finally made in Canadian Parliament by Prime Minister Harper in 2006.

In 1998, the Chinese Canadian Military Museum was founded.  Dan Lee's air force uniform was one of the first displays.

In 1999, we held the first Rev. Chan Legacy Family Reunion.  Uncle Dan was a consultant for the committee.  At the reunion, it was Dan Lee who gave the Elder Address, as he talked about his grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan. 

In 2002, the Rev. Chan Yu Tan family was featured in the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum exhibit "Three Canadian Chinese Pioneer Families"  - pictures of Uncle Dan and the contributions of himself and his brothers and cousin were included.  

In 2007, Dan Lee is one of the lead stories in the film documentary Heroes Remember, produced by the Chinese Canadian Military Museum.

Dan Lee's dedication to community service is exemplary.  In 2004, Dan Lee received the Award of  Merit from Dominion Command.  It is one of the highest honours a veteran can receive.  Uncle Dan told me that to receive an Award of Merit, you must first receive the Medal for Appreciation, which he received in 1987.  In 1999 he next received the Award for Service.

And through all these years, Uncle Dan would sell poppies in downtown Vancouver for Remembrance Day, and help organize the Poppy Drive every November.  He was one of the best sellers.  He was also one of the organizers of the Victory Square Cenotaph Remembrance Day ceremonies.  In 2004, Remembrance Day ceremonies began at the Canadian Chinese Pioneer Monument in Chinatown.  The veterans of Unit 280 would attend both Victory Square and Chinatown ceremonies, even if it was raining and cold.

The contributions that Dan Lee made, will last and be remembered, while he will be missed.

We offer support and love to Uncle Dan, his wife Irene, and their children Vincent and Grace.

Peace & Blessings to all, Todd Wong - Vancouver

As part of his commitment to community, Dan annually organized the poppy campaign in Vancouver. It's not surprising he was a top-seller. For his community efforts Dan has received many veteran honours, such as the Award of Appreciation, and Award for Service - but none higher than the Award of Merit from Dominion Command in 2004. It's a fitting tribute to the grandson who evidently learned his values and strong faith in community from his Methodist Church pioneer, Grandfather Chan Yu Tan.

See VIDEO of Daniel Lee from the Chinese Canadian Military Museum

Uncle Daniel Lee is colour guard for Pacific Unit 280 at the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Chinese Canadian Pioneer Monument in Vancouver Chinatown   more »

My cousin's son Johnee Wong Smedley lives in Calgary. He has studied martial arts and Asian philosophy, as ways to connect with his Asian heritage. We reconnected this summer at my grandmother's 99th birthday. Johnnee was last in Vancouver in 2000 when we held a Rev. Chan family reunion. Today he met the Dalai Lama.   more »

I didn't expect to be in the same Georgia Straight Headline as Obama... but maybe because it's because I am a person of colour?

re: Why Canada will never have an Obama, except maybe Todd Wong

http://www.straight.com/article-197382/why-canada-will-never-have-obama-except-maybe-todd-wong

I told the Georgia Straight's Pieta Woolley - that it was author Terry Glavin who first told me about bi-racial Gov. James Douglas's vision for a British Columbia that could welcome people from every corner of the world... that it was Douglas who invited Black Americans from San Francisco when he heard that were being discriminated against...

BC's history is not the two solitudes of English and French - but it is the 3 pioneer cultures of First Nations, Scottish, and Chinese.  But we have had to go through the Potlatch Law, the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act, the Komagata Maru, the Internment of Japanese Canadians - before we could understand ourselves and our future.

It has taken 150 years for us to finally understand the multicultural/ intercultural vision that Douglas wanted for BC, instead of BC as a "White Man's Province" in the years that followed Douglas.

The Obama presidency in the United States is historic.  He has a vision to bring people together, to move beyond racial divides, perceived stereotypes and the cultures of blame and "otherness."

My own life views have been shaped by growing up as a multi-generational racial minority in Canada.  I have learned about the discrimination and hatred faced and overcome by my ancestors, since the time my maternal great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan arrived in 1896, as a Methodist lay preacher for the Chinese Methodist Church of Canada.  Similarly, my paternal grandfather also faced many challenges arriving in Canada in 1882 at the young age of 16.

But I have also learned about the importance of communities working together.  My life path has involved me with many community organizations such as Canadian University Press, Hope Cancer Health Centre, Terry Fox Run Organization, Canadian Mental Health Association, Chinese Cultural Centre, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens, Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop, Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, and many many more.

In the past few years, I have learned much about Robert Burns' views on social justice, equality, political change, speaking up for others, love of life.  These are as important today as there were 250 years ago in Burns' time, or 150 years ago in Douglas' time.  Maybe it's actually more important today, because we have the choice to embrace our responsibilities or to take them for granted.  We have the choice today, to choose to be selfish or community minded.  We have the choice today -  not tomorrow - not yesterday, but the choice is today -  to make a difference or not.

Why Canada will never have an Obama, except maybe Todd Wong

I am always amazed by the talents, dedication and accomplishments of the people that I know and see in our communities.   While 2008 was a year for me blessed with personal recognition from the Province of BC, and the Royal BC Museum, I am inspired by the people that I know.


2008 BC Community Achievement Award recipients: 45 of BC's most dedicated citizens stand with Premier Gordon Campbell and Lt. Gov. Stephen Point, and BC Achievement Foundation Chair Keith Mitchell, following the ceremonies. I can be spotted wearing my cream jacket directly behind Premier Campbell.  I am standing between my Vancouver arts community friends Naomi Singer on my left, and Savannah Walling on my right,Terry Hunter is immediately behind Savannah.  Also on my left is fellow kilt wearer Gordon Barrett in his Irish Pipes and Drums uniform - too bad you can't see our kilts.  http://www.bcachievement.com/community/2008/


2008 raised the first real possibility of Vancouver's first Chinese-Canadian mayor with Raymond Louie running for the mayoral nomination of the Vision Vancouver party.  Former SFU wrestler Carol Huynh won Canada's first gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.  Octogenarian Bill Wong, was the subject of a CBC documentary film "Tailor Made."

In August, I attended the 150 Years in Golden Mountain Gala in Victoria, where my grand-uncles Daniel Lee and Victor Wong received the awards on behalf of Chinese Canadian veterans.  I also stood with them as descendants of Rev. Chan Yu Tan (my great-great-grandfather and their grandfather) who received a community achievement award for this work as a pioneer missionary for Chinese communities in BC.

Last year I wrote: Chinese-Canadians that inspired me in 2007

Here is a list of the Chinese-Canadians that I found inspiring in 2008:

The Royal BC Museum created an exhibit to celebrate 150 years of BC History and BC people, called "Free Spirit".  They also created a life-size photo collage display called "The Party"to which they invited 150 of BC's most interesting people.  The first 132 people were selected by the museum, then in August six invitees were "voted in" including myself.  More people were voted in for November.

Check out "The Party" display at the Royal BC Museum
http://www.freespiritbc.ca/virtualexhibition/theparty.aspx

Cindy Lee (T&T)
Hon. David Lam
James Cheng (architect)
Peter Joe  (Sunrise Tofu)
Tong Louie
Todd Wong
Ida Chong MLA
Carol Huyhn Olympic Gold Medalist

Adrienne Wong is an actor.  In 2008 she starred in the one woman play "My Name is Rachel Corrie" for Neworld Theatre.  It opened in Montreal than played in Vancouver to packed houses for an extended run.  
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/1/18/3473659.html

Rhonda Larrabee is my mother's cousin. Rhonda single-handedly re-established the Qayqayt "New Westminster" First Nations Band.  Unfortunately she wasn't included in the CBC documentatry Generations: The Chan Legacy, because the executive producer thought that Rhonda's story really deserved her own documentary.  Surprise!  CTV made a documentary on Rhonda titled "One Women Tribe"
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/3/14/3580742.html

Bill Wong Modernize Tailors - Bill is the octogenarian former UBC Engineering grad who couldn't get hired in post-war Canada because of racism, so he put his energies into his father's tailor shop.  Tailor Made is the CBC documentary about Chinatown's Modernize Tailors featuring brothers Bill and Jack Wong and their family story.
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/2/9/3514584.html

Tailor Made: CBC TV documentary highlights Modernize Tailors' 80 year history in Vancouver Chinatown
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/2/12/3520713.html

Grace Chin is a writer/actor.  She wrote and performed in "The Quickie" is very Vancouver play about diversity and expectations in relationships.  Last year was her first written theatre play with partner Charlie Cho.  "The Quickie" is written solo by Grace.  Wow... now if only I could get my own writing projects off the back burner!
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/2/10/3515872.html

Brandy Lien-Worrall - In 2007 Brandy led 2 writing workshops which produced the book Eating Stories: Chinese and Aboriginal pot luck.  She also bravely battled breast cancer. 
Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC honours Brandy Lien-Worrall
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/3/10/3573332.html

Wayson Choy wrote a new autobiography titled Not Yet: A Memoir of Living and Almost Dying. In 2002, I met Wayson when his novel Jade Peony was the inaugural choice for the One Book One Vancouver program.  I was on the committee, where I learned that Wayson had almost died earlier that year.  We were so fortunate that Wayson's health recovered, and that he has written two more splendid books sinced.  The Governor General Award nominated "All That Matters" and now his memoir "Not Yet."
Wayson Choy gives "spirited" reading for Vancouver Cultural Olympiad
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/3/12/3577512.html

Chinese-Canadians are top Canadians figure skaters! Patrick Chan and Mira Leung
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/3/24/3599475.html
Patrick Chan, the 17 year old teenager who is Canada's current reigning Men's National winner  finished ninth in his World Championships debut.  Chan only last year had won silver at the World Junior Championships, and last November won gold at the Grand Prix in Paris.  Mira Leung finished 14th.
 
Wallace Chung donated his personal collection to UBC.  He is a philanthropist, and recipient of Order of Canada and Order of BC... and he loves Chinese Canadian history.  Check out this Vancouver Sun story about the Wallace Chung Collection at UBC.  $5 million, 25,000 items and UBC = a collection with special meaning http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/5/10/3683632.html

Raymond Louie – ran for the Vision Vancouver's mayor nomination in the spring  – and in the fall he was nominated for a NAAAP award.  I endorsed Raymond for his nomination: Todd Wong supports Raymond Louie's campaign to be Vancouver Mayor. Raymond came second to Gregor Robertson for the mayor nomination, and on November 15th, he was re-elected to Vancouver City Council with the highest number of votes for councilors.


Dr. Kerry Jang ran for City Councilor.  He is a hard-working community builder, who is also on a national committee for Mental Health, and a professor of Psychiatry at the UBC School of Medicine. It was easy to give my endorsement for Kerry.  In 2006 he was named academic of the year.  In 2007, he was named to the BC Community Achievement Award.  In 2008, he was elected a rookie Vancouver city councilor.

Joyce Lam's Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre put on the Neil Simon play "The Odd Couple" with an all Asian + 1 cast.  And she continues producing the annual Asian Comedy Night and  Etch-YOUR-SketchOFF
Odd Couple - Friendship with an Asian style twist on the Neil Simon play
check out www.vact.ca

Victoria celebrates 150 years of Chinese Canadian History with a grand dinner and awards.
It was a grand party at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, organized by the Victoria Chinatown Commerce Association.  My great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan was awarded a Community Achievement Award. and my grand-uncles Daniel Lee and Victor Wong represented the Chinese-Canadian veterans for their special award.
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/8/11/3833528.html

In Memoriam:

Ed Wickberg
Ed Wickberg is known in our community circles as an honourary Chinese Canadian.  He was a professor emeritus for the UBC History department.  He contributed so much to the understanding of Chinese Canadian history and was the founding president for the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC.
http://www.uglychinesecanadian.com/?p=403

Betty Ho
I met Betty during the writing workshops for the Chinese Canadian Historical Society.  Our contributions were published together in the anthology Eating Stories.  She always brought smiles and great positive energy wherever she sent. 
Betty Ho goes to that big kitchen in the sky.

Phil Vernon submitted a story to CBC Radio ' s BC Almanac last month, as they were soliciting family stories. Mark Forsythe had it read on the air and said it will be included in the Stories of BC being collected as a part of the BC150 celebrations.

Phil also asked Mark to tell people I ' m looking for stories from the Chinese Canadian side, and he added this to the posting on the site:

Phil would also like to hear from descendants of Chinese Canadians living in Vancouver at the time, to hear other perspectives on the same events: philvernon@telus.net or call 250-653-9485.

Here's the story:

You can scroll down the story list and find what I wrote about the Rev. Chan Legacy, the story of my great great grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan - which was turned into a CBC documentary called Generations: The Chan Legacy

Chinese Canadian achievements feted at Victoria's Empress Hotel, attended by Hon. Norman Kwong, Sen. Vivienne Poy, Dr. David Lai, Dr. Wallace Chung and many others.

Hon. Norman Kwong, Lt. Gov. of Alberta, addressing the 150 Years in Golden Mountain dinner audience - photo Todd Wong

It was a night to recognize achievements in Chinese Canadian history, and it was best summed up by the Hon. Lt. Gov. of Alberta Norman Kwong.  He told a story about how challenging it was being the first Chinese in the Canadian Football League, and how the Calgary Stampeders had given up on him. 

"Don't ever give up," he told the audience.  The he proudly showed his Stanley Cup ring and mentioned his four Grey Cup victories, "And I'm Chinese!" he said.

David Obee and Lucinda Chodan, Editor and Editor in Chief of the Vicotoria Times Colonist stand with Todd Wong, Victor Wong and Daniel Lee, holding up copies of the 12 page insert titled Chinatown that celebrated 150 years of Chinese Canadian Chinatown history - photo Deb Martin.

Archival picture displays of Chinese Canadian history greeted the audience for the "150 Years in Golden Mountain" gala event - photo Todd Wong

The evening had began with a reception in the Palm Court of the Empress Hotel.  There were picture displays, music, food and mingling.  I was finally able to meet Amanada Mills, the chair of the Victoria Chinese Commerce Association, who I had communicated with for months, as well as Sinclair Mar, the chair of the 150 Years in Golden Mountain Celebrations Committee.  And I also finally got to meet Dr. David Lai, Victoria Chinatown historian, whom I have heard so much about over the years.

Todd Wong & Sen. Vivienne Poy - photo Deb Martin.

Senator Vivienne Poy is the patron senator of Asian Heritage Month throughout Canada, and I first met her in Ottawa when I worked for Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society.  It's always nice to see Vivienne, as her husband's late Aunt Cecilia had been married to my grandmother's oldest brother Henry.

NDP leader Carole James & Todd Wong - photo Deb Martin

I chatted with Gabriel Yiu, news commentator, and Carole James, NDP Opposition Leader.  I asked Carole about her family ancestry, and she shared with me that her father was First Nations.  I thought it would be real cool if she became Premier, because then we would have both a Premier and Lt. Gov. of First Nations heritage!  I got to know Gabriel when we were both active on the Chinese Head Tax Redress campaign.  Unfortunately Jenny Kwan couldn't attend, as she is due with her second child in one month.

Many people traveled from Vancouver to attend this event.  I bumped into Tung Chan, executive director of SUCCESS.  We remarked that this was a great event and lamented that nothing of this scope was happening in Vancouver.... yet.

It was wonderful to see Dr. Wallace Chung and Dr. Madeline Chung of Vancouver.  They have given so much to the community in Vancouver, the Chinese Cultural Centre, the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the UBC Asian Library.  They are friends of my parents, and it was Dr. Madeline who delivered me as a baby many many years ago.

Deb Martin, Valerie Sing Turner & Todd Wong - photo Deb Martin

Actor/Writer Valerie Sing Turner was there with her family, as her father James Sing was an award winner.  I had last seen Valerie's family at the opening of her theatrical production of Malaysia Hotel, when I helped promote it through Asian Heritage Month, and also find her some sponsorship.

Victoria councilor Charlene Thornton-Joe with Todd Wong - photo Deb Martin

Charlene Thornton-Joe came over to our table during the dinner to say hello.  It was the first time I had met this Victoria city councilor, after reading about her efforts to preserve Victoria's Chinese heritage.

It was nice to speak with MLA Ida Chong, who brought greetings from the Government of British Columbia, as Premier Campbell was in Beijing for the Olympics.  Ida Chong is one of the 6 newest invitees (along with me) to "The Party" exhibit at the Royal BC Museum, which features life-size photos of almost 150 of BC's most colourful and interesting characters.  Ida is the first Canadian-born MLA of Chinese ancestry.

150 Years in Golden Mountain Awards

My role at this dinner and awards evening  was to represent the Rev. Chan Yu Tan family along with my grand uncles Victor Wong and Daniel Lee.  We all sat at the same table, accompanied by Uncle Victor's wife Auntie Dorothy and my girlfriend Deb Martin.

Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe was the dinner Emcee, Hudson Mack of A-Channel was Emcee for the awards.

Norman Kwong, the Hon. Lt. Gov. of Alberta was invited to say a few official words of greeting, representing the Queen.  But instead he turned it into his acceptance speech for his award.  I guess there was some confusion, or else Mr. Kwong was very canny, because sadly there were no acceptance speeches allowed for the award recipients, as the program didn't allow for any on a very tight schedule.

But as each winner was escorted to the stage, there was a short video played on a large video screen with a voice-over, as pictures flashed before the audience.  It was a lovely gesture and helped to give meaning to each person's contributions to history and why they were deserving of the award.

Here's what the program said about the winner of the British Columbia Lifetime Cultural or Multicultural Award:

Picture of Rev. & Mrs. Chan Yu Tan's 60th Wedding Anniversary, surrounded by their family and descendants - photo Deb Martin.

Rev. Chan descendants Todd Wong, Daniel Lee, Victor Wong, stand beside Celebrations Chair Sinclair Mar and Awards Emcee Hudson Mack from A-Channel - photo Deb Martinev

Rev. Chan descendants Todd Wong, Daniel Lee, Victor Wong, stand beside Celebrations Chair Sinclair Mar and Awards Emcee Hudson Mack from A-Channel - photo Deb Martin

The evening's final award, the Golden Mountain Pioneer Legacy Award, was given in recognition to the Chinese Canadian Veterans.   Both my grand-uncles Victor Wong and Daniel Lee went to accept it.

Here's an excerpt from the program about the veterans:

Daniel Lee and Victor Wong stand onstage, as a picture of Victor Wong in India during WW2 is shown on the giant screen - photo Todd Wong

Uncle Dan and Uncle Victor proudly accepted the award, and the entire audience rose to give them a standing ovation.  They represented one of the most important moments in Chinese-Canadian history.  They both saluted the audience, the the applause grew louder.  I am very proud of my uncles, because I know about all the work and devotion they have to keeping the legacy of the Chinese Canadian veterans alive. 

Victor Wong and Daniel Lee, cousins and grandsons of Rev. Chan Yu Tan saluted the audience after accepting the Golden Mountain Pioneer Legacy Award on behalf of their fellow Chinese Canadian veterans- photo Todd Wong

Every November, Uncle Dan is out selling poppies in the streets of Vancouver and he is now 88 years old.  He has helped organize the Armistice Ceremonies in Vancouver's Victory Square for many many years.  Uncle Victor was interviewed for the CBC documentary Generations: The Chan Legacy, as he recounted stories about not only his grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan, but also about being in the service, and that he had been a part of a covert force behind enemy lines that were to be assigned suicide missions.  This is the legacy of the Chinese Canadian veterans - that even though the Canadian government wouldn't let them vote in the country they were born in, they were willing to lay down their lives to defend it.

Giles, Amanda Mills (VCCA Chair), Serena, Sinclair Mar (Celebration Chair), Deb Martin, Todd Wong shared thoughts and company after the event at The Empress Hotel's Bengal Lounge. - photo Deb Martin

More pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53803790@N00/sets/72157606697779094/

Here is a complete list of the awards:

The Golden Mountain Achievement Awards:
"...the recognize persons of distinction in the Chinese community or for being intrumental in the growth and development of Chinese culture and business..."'

Canadian Lifetime Individual Achievement Award
Dr. David See-Chia Lam

Canada Lifetime Public and Community Serivce Award
Ron Lou-Poy, Q.C.

Canada Lifetime Public and Community Service Award
Senator Vivienne Poy

Canada Lifetime Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
Hon. Norman L. Kwong

Canada Lifetime Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
James Alan Loo Sing

British Columbia Lifetime Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
Hok Yat Louie (post-humous), Tong Louie (post-humous), Brandt Louie, H.Y. Louie Co. Ltd, and London Drugs Ltd.

British Columbia Lifetime Public and Community Service Award
Sgt. Roy Quock Quon Mah (post-humous)

British Columbia Lifetime Cultural or Multicultural Award
Rev. Chan Yu Tan (post-humous)

Inaugural Golden Mountain Achievement Awards British Columbia:
"For recognition of persons or businesses, who are persons of Chinese descent or an organization having "Chinese" roots, who have excelled in their field of endeavor benefiting the Chinese Canadian communities or Canadian society.  These awards are to be for nominations in or related to British Columbia

BC Business and Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
H.Y. Louie Co. Ltd.

British Columbia Arts, Culture or Educational Achievement Award
Dr. Hua Lin

British Columbia Community and Public Service Award
Phillip J. Chan (post-humous)

British Columbia Online or Multi-platform Achievement Award
Mainstream Broadcasting Corporation

Inaugural Golden Mountain Roots Awards and All-Canadian Benefactor Awards:
"The 'Roots' awards are for recognition of distinguished work and dedication to preserving our heritage, culture, and or to advancing our economic impact or advancing business enterprises or projects or research, in or related to, or tied to Victoria BC and/or creating better understanding between Canadians of all backgrounds and/or advancing the entrepreneurial spirit emanating from our roots, Victoria, BC.  they are the safekeepers of our heritage and roots in Victoria, the first Chinatown in Canada.

Victoria, British Columbia Individual or Family Victoria Heritage Award
Don Yuen

Victoria, British Columbia Individual or Family Heritage Award
Dr. Yuen-Fong Woon

Victoria, British Columbia Corporate or Organizational Heritage Award
Fairway Market

Victoria "Roots" Community and Public Service Heritage Award
Dr. David Lai

Victoria "Roots" Community and Public Service Heritage Award
Lee Mong Kow Family

British Columbia All-Canadian Benefactor Award
&
Victoria "Roots" Community and Public Service Heritage Award
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Victoria "Roots" All-Canadian Benefactor Award
Victoria Chinese Presbyterian Church

Golden Mountain Pioneer Legacy Award
Chinese Canadian Veterans

150 Years in Golden Mountain
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/capital_van_isl/story.html?id=ee16c99d-5863-44a9-a0ba-09aac28a6ade

Pageant will tell tales of Golden Mountain
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=867dcebe-097b-4652-9ac6-a4c65456d34c

Celebration Pageant
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/capital_van_isl/story.html?id=ee16c99d-5863-44a9-a0ba-09aac28a6ade

August 3-10 is Chinese Canadian Heritage Days, in honour of 150 years of Chinese Canadian achievements - throughout many municipalities on Vancouver Island.

http://www.150goldenmountain.ca/EN/main/18.html

Victoria Chinese Commerce Association is hosting two events Friday August 8, and Saturday August 9th to celebrate 150 years of achievement of Chinese Canadians in Canada.  August 8th is a gala dinner and awards event celebrating the achievements of individuals and organizations.  August 9th is a theatrical "pageant" celebrating 150 years of historical events.

Victoria, British Columbia, (which the Chinese call 'Dai Fau' or Big Port) is where the early Chinese created the first Chinatown. Historically, Chinatowns were the focal points of the early Chinese communities, each being a "haven" and a base from which new immigrants could begin their new lives.

My grandmother's granfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan arrived in Victoria in 1896, following his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing Kai, who had come to Canada in 1888 at the invitation of the Methodist Church of Canada, to help found the Chinese Methodist Church of Canada.  Many of Canada's pioneer Chinese all came through Victoria, as they traveled to Nanaimo, Vancouver, New Westminster, Barkerville, and throughout Canada to mine the Caribou goldfields, build the railway, or find other work.

The awards nominees represent some of the best, brightest and most creative Chinese Canadians ever.  They are:

ANA vets Pacific Unit #280, Philip Chan, Chinese Canadian Veterans, Denise Chong, Wayson Choy, CHMB AM 1320, Hon. Ida Chong, Derek Chow, John Chew, Adrienne Clarkson, Mel Cooper, Won Alexander Cumyow, Fairchild Group, Chow Dong Hoy, Shouying (Sue) Jiang, Douglas Jung, Lee Mong Kow Family, Larry Kwong, Hon. Norman Kwong, Cynthia Lam, Dr. David Lai, Dr. David Lam, Dorothy Lam, Howe Lee, Jack Lee, Dr. Hua Lin, Dr. Victor Ling, Ronald Lou-Poy, Q.C., Frank Low, Alan Lowe, Alexina Louie, H.Y. Louie Company Limited, Hok Yat Louie, Tong Louie & Brandt Louie, H.Y. Louie Company Ltd & London Drugs, Willis Louie, Sgt. Roy Quock Quon Mah, Tak Wah Mak, Gary Mar, Hon. Inky Mark, Fairway Market, Wayne Ngan, Senator Vivienne Poy, Gordon Quan, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, James Sing, Rev. Chan Yu Tan, Jack Tang, Victoria Chinese Presbyterian Church, Victoria Chinese Public School, Milton Wong, Sheung Wong, Dr. Yuen-Fong Woon, Don Yuen, & Jim Yu.

I am attending as a descendant of Rev. Chan Yu Tan, who was earlier announced as a Community Achievement winner.  My grandmother's brother -  Daniel Lee is representing Army/Navy/Airforce veterans Unit #280.  My grandmother's cousin Victor Wong is representing Chinese Canadian Veterans of Victoria.

Today I talked with Amanda Mills, co-chair for the event.  Amanda said that she is really pleased that everything is unfolding for a grand event that will be very special. 

She told me that some of the "celebrity" Chinese Canadians attending on Saturday include: Hon. Norman Kwong, now the Lt. Gov. of Alberta - the famous "China Clipper" Edmonton Eskimos football player who not only won the Grey Cup, but also the Stanley Cup as an owner of the Calgary Flames.

Sen. Vivienne Poy, the patron senator of Asian Heritage Month in Canada is attending, from her home in Ontario.

MLA Ida Chong will be representing the BC Govermnent.  Ida was also recently invited to "The Party" at the Royal BC Museum.  She is the first Canadian-born BC MLA of Chinese ancestry.

MLA Jenny Kwan is also attending.  Jenny was the first Chinese-Canadian MLA and cabinet minister.  MLA Carole James, leader of the Opposition, is also attending.

It's going to be a star-studded night in Chinese-Canadian history.

Hmmm.... Should I go as Todd Wong, great-great-grandson of Rev. Chan Yu Tan, or as Toddish McWong and wear my kilt?

Amanda says she is looking forward to finally meeting me, after many phone and e-mail conversations.  She is hoping I will wear my kilt.

Sing Tao: "Late Reverend Chan Yu Tan won Golden Mountain Achievement Award".

Sing Tao Chinese language newspaper has just printed a story about my late great-great-grandfather and his contributions to the community that he served from his 1896 Arrival in Canada until his retirement in New Westminster during the 1930's. I think it is great that Chinese language media is taking an interest in the history of Chinese pioneers in BC and Canada.

Check it out:
http://www.singtao.ca/van/2008-07-16/1216203096d1157945.html

Here is a picture of Mrs. and Rev. Chan Yu Tan at their 60th Wedding Anniversary event in New Westminster back in 1934.

I never met my great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan or my great-great-grandmother Chan Wong Sze.  But I have grown up hearing stories from my mother, my grand mother and her brothers and sisters.

In fall 2006 I became a consultant for the CBC documentary Generations: The Chan Legacy which aired July 4th on my grandmother's birthday, and also repeated in July and August.  It really became a tribute the legacy that Rev. Chan left to his family.  We have had many family members dedicated to community service that acknowledge inspiration from the Rev. Chan stories. 

Check it out:
http://www.singtao.ca/van/2008-07-16/1216203096d1157945.html

Here is my story on www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com with the original press release from the Victoria Chinatown Commerce Association

http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/7/9/3785517.html

Rev Chan Yu Tan is inaugural Golden Mountain Achievement Award winner as the Victoria Chinese Commerce Association celebrates the 150 year history of Chinese-Canadians.


Rev. Chan Yu Tan was one of the first Chinese ordained in Canada.   He arrived in Canada in 1896, at age 33, following his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing Kai, who had arrived in 1888 at the invitation of the Methodist Church of Canada.

The Victoria Chinese Commerce Association has launched an ambitious awards program that will be celebrated at the Empress Hotel in Victoria BC, coinciding with BC 150 celebrations.  see www.150goldenmountain.ca.

Rev. Chan Yu Tan, my great-great-grandfather, is the first pioneer award recipient to be named for the
“British Columbia Lifetime Cultural or Multicultural” 2008 Golden Mountain Achievement Award.  Through the Chinese Methodist Church, he helped teach the congregations about Canadian ways, and to live a Christian life.  The Church was also the first organization to provide English language classes to Chinese immigrants.   Rev. Chan always emphasized learning to adapt to Canadian ways and culture, and was always wearing Western clothing.  Rev Chan Yu Tan ministered to Chinese people in Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo and New Westminister.

Our family now has reached the 7th generation, and is spread throughout North American with descendants being active in the communities of Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, as well as Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles and Colorado. 

Our family has become very integrated into Canadian and American society.  Rev. Chan's son Luke became an actor in Hollywood.  Grandsons became Canadian soldiers during WW2 when they couldn't vote.  Subsequent generations became a lawyer, a doctor and even an Indian Chief -  as well as a city councilor in Calgary, a CBC television news reporter in Vancouver, and even a Miss Canada 2nd runner up.

Here's a picture of Rev. & Mrs. Chan Yu Tan with Rev. Chan's sister Phoebe on the far left.  Standing behind them are son Solomon and daughter Kate (my great-grandmother).  Standing beside them are sons Jack and Luke;  in front is daughter Rose, and between them is the young Millicent.

Read the Press Release from the Victoria Chinese Commerce Association.

CBC is helping to celebrate 150 years of BC history.  There is a website collecting family stories and pictures
Check it out: http://www.cbc.ca/bc/features/150/your-story.html

The 60th wedding anniversary of Rev. and Mrs. Chan Yu Tan (holding flower bouquet), August 15th 1934. On the far left, that is my grand mother Mabel Mar, holding up my mother, who is just one month shy of her 3rd birthday.

I have submitted a short story about my great-great-grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan:

Rev. Chan Yu Tan ministered to the Chinese pioneers who built the railroad, searched for gold, as well as became shop keepers and labourers in Vancouver Chinatown, Victoria Chinatown, and later Nanaimo and New Westminster, where he eventually retired.  The Chinese Methodist Church also helped teach English.  Rev. Chan Yu Tan emphasized learning Canadian ways, and it showed in his family.  His son Jack loved playing golf, and eventually  became the first Chinese Canadian to serve on jury duty.  His youngest son Luke became an actor in Hollywood.  The sons of daughters Rose and Kate -  Victor Wong, Daniel Lee, Howard Lee and Leonard Lee, enlisted in the Canadian armed forces during WW2,  eventually helped to gain Chinese-Canadians the vote in 1947, and later help organize the Chinese Canadian veterans associations.

Rev. Chan Yu Tan's great-grand daughter Rhonda Lee Larrabee became Chief of the Qayqayt First Nations Band, and subject of the NFB film "Tribe of One".  Another great-grand daughter Janice Wong, became an internationally known artist and author of the book CHOW from China to Canada. a memoir book of family history and recipes from her father's restaurant.

Our family history has been an integral part of Chinese-Canadian history, and I have recently addressed the cross-ethnic fusion of culture and marriage with my event Gung Haggis Fat Choy, a mixture of Robbie Burns and Chinese New Year.  There have been inter-ethnic marriages in every generation of our family - each of my maternal cousins have married non-Chinese.

I helped to tell the story of our family's 7 generational BC history, in the CBC documentary Generations: The Chan Legacy . http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/generations

This picture is at Rev. and Mrs. Chan Yu Tan's 60th wedding anniversary in New Westminster.  4 generations are included in this picture.

This is the CTV documentary about my cousin Rhonda Larrabee's struggle to resurrect Canada's smallest First Nations band the Qayqayt.......... Once upon a time the band flourished on the banks of the Fraser River. Then White settlers moved into their territories and renamed it New Westminster. The Qayqayt were put on a Reserve, but that was taken away from them too....... Rhonda's mother fled her homeland territories due to racism and shame. She came to Vancouver's Chinatown, where she met Rhonda's father. Rhonda grew up into her teenage years thinking she was Chinese. Then she discovered she was First Nations.    more »

This is a wonderful story about my mother's cousin, Rhonda Larrabee.  Rhonda is both Chinese and First Nations. Her father was my grandmother's elder brother.  Rhonda has been the subject of the NFB documentary "Tribe of One" and the recent CTV documentary


http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/14442982.html

We are the Qayqayt

Generations: The Chan Legacy
re-scheduled for August 19th on CBC Newsworld

***  Re-schedule for August 19th ***

On July 29th, 4pm PST / 7pm EST, CBC Newsworld showed Generations: The Crowfoot Dynasty instead of The Chan Legacy on July 29th - contrary to their http://www.cbc.ca/newsworld website.

so....  set your VHS recorders... or go buy a new DVD recorder!

True patriot Love: North Shore News article on Todd Wong, Betty Wong and Tracey Hinder re: The Chan Legacy

http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/live/story.html?id=281951b4-4181-4c68-a39b-5e5855445271

- Generations: The Chan Legacy is re-scheduled for August 19, on CBC Newsworld at 4 p.m. PST / 7pm EST

To say that Todd Wong, a 47-year-old North Vancouver resident, is proud of his roots would be an understatement.

Wong's family is one that has greatly impacted Canada's history and as a result its members continue to celebrate where they come from.

"We're just a Canadian family," says Wong, not downplaying his family's identity, but rather stating, realistically, who they are.

Not only has the Chan family survived, its members are continuing to thrive, exemplifying what it means to truly be "Canadian."

Wong's family's unique story is being brought to life in Generations: The Chan Legacy, a CBC documentary airing today on CBC Newsworld. It's part of a series of documentaries called Generations and was produced by Halya Kuchmij.

Filmmakers approached Wong, known in the Lower Mainland for his unique interest in multiculturalism, community work and activism. He's the founder of Gung Haggis Fat Choy, a website promoting inter-cultural activities.

Wong is also behind a 10-year-old Vancouver tradition, the Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner -- a mix of Chinese and Scottish traditions meant to play against racial stereotypes -- and he's a member of the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team that further promotes multiculturalism and community spirit.

Wong's website site also details his adventures, told at times through his alter ego, "Toddish McWong," further celebrating what it is to be Canadian, he says.

The documentary discusses Wong's great, great grandfather Reverend Chan Yu Tan and how he and his wife came to the West Coast in 1896 to "spread the gospel" throughout, he says. Methodist church missionaries, they were tasked with "Westernizing" and "Christianizing" the Chinese pioneers, the majority working in labour-based jobs like the railroad.

Filming and interviews with Wong and his relatives, encompassing a number of generations, happened last fall.

"Before the documentary, I didn't know a lot about my ancestry," says Wong's second generation cousin, West Vancouver resident Tracey Hinder, 15, who's featured in the film. Hinder attends West Vancouver secondary.

"I only knew that I was Chinese-Canadian, that my mother was Chinese and that my father was British-Canadian. With the making of the documentary, I found that my family history started to unfold and I never knew that part of myself. It was absolutely fascinating," Hinder says.

Hinder is a member of her school's multiculturalism club, which organizes activities for students to participate in. She's also learning Mandarin.

Wong says he's proud of her as he believes it's important to ensure the younger generations of his family come to know and recognize their ancestral roots.

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