My friend Bill Chu is doing lots of work to build reconciliation and recognition of shared history between Chinese-Canadian and First Nations groups, as well as to recognize the importance of the BC pioneer history both groups have contributed to.

In a letter to me about the topic of Chinese-Canadian Heritage Week and the recent "150 Years in Golden Mountain" Awards Gala, Beill wrote to me stating "The measure of success of any such major events is whether the participants treat it as entertainment or can carry it to the next level (or whether they can even walk away seeing a next level)."

He also reminded me that "However we need to steer away from relying on a colonial interpretation of Chinese history and treating that as the real stuff. "

His continued activism has resulted in two articles. 

Vancouver Sun: Half-completed tunnels tell of Chinese hardship, by Mary Frances Hill
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=89514f34-5230-4141-9178-c46f6513c554

Globe & Mail: Chinese-Canadian group wants gravesites preserved, by Jeremy Hainsworth
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080809.wgraves0809/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080809.wgraves0809

HOPE - For many years, the elders of the Sto:lo Nation have whispered about the ghosts that linger around the half-completed mountain railway tunnels west of Hope.

The legend says unmarked graves nearby contain the remains of Chinese men, Canadian Pacific Railway labourers forced in the 1880s to enter the makeshift tunnels to light the dynamite that would blast through the rock.

"When a tragic death happens, the elders talk about the spirit staying behind," said Sonny McHalsie, cultural adviser at the Sto:lo Nation office. "They would say the ghosts of Chinese workers were still there."

McHalsie and Chinese-Canadian activist Bill Chu led a tour of the half-completed tunnels on Thursday, hoping to raise public awareness of Chinese history during Chinese Heritage Week.

"It's incumbent on the Chinese community to do something," said Chu, an organizer with Canadians for Reconciliation, a group devoted to fostering peaceful relationships with B.C.'s first nations people.

Chu has been organizing events and tours to help educate B.C.'s Chinese-Canadian people about aboriginal people and their communities.

The tunnels, half-completed but abandoned after too many workers were killed during blasting, stand six km west of Hope, on the north side of the Fraser River.

In the 1880s, when more than 10,000 Chinese workers came to B.C. to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Chinese were used for their work ethic, but were often perceived by Caucasian labourers as less than worthy colleagues.

If the thousands of Chinese labourers who died didn't perish in the tunnels, they fell victim to malnutrition, scurvy, and from lack of access to medical treatment when they were injured or sick, Chu said.

"We're not talking about avoidable accidents," he said. "We're talking about discrimination, and the attitude that the Chinese were not human beings."

Chinese CPR labourers were not only ill-prepared for Fraser Valley winters, their wages were far below those of Caucasian workers -- a point that placed them in direct conflict with their colleagues and exacerbated the discrimination against them.

A month's salary of $25 would have to cover a Chinese worker's debt to the steamboat company, clothes, a room rental, tools and fares.

It was in that era that the racist phrase, a "Chinaman's chance" was coined. It referred to the possibility that a Chinese member of a railway crew blasting tunnels for the CPR line would come out of it alive.

" 'A Chinaman's chance' was a derogatory phrase meaning 'no luck,' " said Chu.

The area surrounding the tunnels is a physical testament to the rugged environment the Sto:lo Nation shared with the labourers, said McHalsie, who has worked with researchers on local first nations history from the University of B.C., Simon Fraser University, and the University of California at Los Angeles.

Just last week, a UCLA researcher found an antique Chinese coin sitting on the edge of a Sto:lo subterranean dwelling.

No dig was needed: the piece was found in plain sight.

Much like first nations history, the history of Chinese labourers in B.C. must be re-appropriated and rewritten, Chu said.

mfhill@vancouversun.com

See video about this story at vancouversun.com/video

© The Vancouver Sun 2008

Every year, the Royal BC Museum has an interactive display that visiting tourists can have their picture taken with.  Last year it was for their Titanic display.  This is a great place for tourists.  It sits kitty corner to Victoria's Inner Harbour, and is on south side of The Empress Hotel, and the East side of the BC Legislature buildings.

This year, you can stand next to some of BC's most interesting people.  All of these figures are featured in the exhibit "The Party."  In this picture above are some of my cultural heroes including Rick Hansen, Chief Dan George, Emily Carr and my friend Joy Kogawa.  My girlfrend Deb Martin is standing right behind Joy (in red).  We first learned about "The Party" exhibit last summer, when Joy needed a full length picture of her to give to the Royal BC Museum.  We took this picture for Joy, and were glad she was happy.

It's part of the "Free Spirit" exhibition to celebrate the 150th birthday of British Columbia, founded as a colony in 1858, and joined Canada in 1871 for the promise of a coast to coast railway. 

Joy Kogawa in "The Party" - photo by Todd Wong

Deb and I first visited the exhibit on April 23rd, earlier this year. It was with great excitement that we went to the Royal BC Museum, and up the escalator, searching for the picture of our friend Joy Kogawa.  We visited with writer friend Gary Geddes and David Kogawa, Joy's good friend and ex-husband.  Read our account of our visit here: Todd's adventure in Victoria: Traveling to "The Party" at BC Royal Museum
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2008/4/25/3659001.html

But this time we had a different reason to visit.  This time, there was a life-size picture of me, Todd Wong aka "Toddish McWong."

At the exhibit, they had also asked visitors for nominations to fill the remaining spots.  I was voted in to "The Party" along with Trevor Linden, Dal Richards, Red Robinson, Ida Chong and Jennie Butchart.

Deb and I arrived in Victoria after a late start on the 2pm ferry sailing from Tsawwassen.  We checked into The Empress Hotel, because we were also attending an evening event there to celebrate "150 Years in Golden Mountain", an awards and dinner gala to celebrate 150 years of Chinese Canadian history and achievement in Canada, BC and Victoria.  See my account of the evening here: Victoria celebrates 150 years of Chinese Canadian History with a grand dinner and awards.

We walked over to the Royal BC Museum, enjoying the lovely sea breeze and the sunshine.  The Empress Hotel, now known as the "Fairmont Empress" was designed 100 years ago by BC architect Frances Rattenbury, who also designed the BC Legislature buildings.


- photo Deb Martin

This is the video display of the "Todd Wong bio." The original photograph was taken by my friend Richard Montagna.  Richard specializes in fine art, commercial,  portrait, action, and landscape photography.

It reads: 

Voted in by the visiting public, this person is seen as an important figure in BC history!

Todd Wong (1980- )
Passionate about intercultural adventures, "Toddish McWong" founded Gung Haggis Fat Choy, a Robert Burns / Chinese New Year event that has been celebrating with an annual dinner since 1997.

Corrections:
No - Todd wasn't born in 1980.  That would have made him only 13 years old when he first invited the phrase "Gung Haggis Fat Choy" while wearing his first kilt for a Robbie Burns celebration at Simon Fraser University.  Sometimes museums make typo mistakes too.

My girlfriend's favorite character in the display (besides me) is the Vancouver Island Marmot - photo Deb Martin

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.

150 Ways to Love BC.  Happy Birthday British Columbia!

150 Years ago a colony was named British Columbia, in 1858.  It wasn't until 1871, that British Columbia joined Canada and became a province.

Ian Haysom writes 150 reasons to love British Columbia

One reason for each of its years to love BC
Times Colonist - Victoria,British Columbia,Canada
... Joy Kogawa

Special notes

13. Great writers: Carol Shields, Joy Kogawa, Susan Musgrave.

14. The Okanagan, our desert. Blisteringly hot.  (I am enjoying the weekend at Kalamalka Lake just south of Vernon)

34. Terry Fox. Would have been 50 this week.

48. Wineries: Okanagan and Island.  (I visited 3 wineries last week - now to visit Summerhill and Sumac Ridge tomorrow)

84. The Royal B.C. Museum. (especially because "The Party" exhibit includes "Toddish McWong")

117. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens. (first and only music video was shot of The Paperboys for CBC "Gung Haggis Fat Choy" TV performance special)

Trevor Linden, Red Robinson, Dal Richards, Ida Chong and Todd Wong are the newest invitees to the Royal BC Museum's exhibit "The Party" to celebrate BC's 150 year history.

If you could invite 150 of BC's most colourful citizens throughout it's 150 year history to "The Party" who would you invite?

Governor James Douglas or Pamela Anderson?  Architects George Rattenbury, Arthur Eriksen, or James Cheng?  Athletes Joe Sakic, Karen Magnusson, Steve Nash or Nancy Greene?  Artists Emily Carr, Toni Onley, Jack Shadbolt or Robert Davidson? Community Activists Nelly McClung, Rosemary Brown or the Raging Grannies? 

Inspirational icons Terry Fox or Rick Hansen?  Politicians Svend Robinson, Grace McCarthy, Dave Barrett, Kim Campbell or Amor de Cosmos?  Musicians Bryan Adams, Diana Krall, David Foster or Sarah McLachlan? Authors Jane Rule, Douglas Coupland, Dorothy Livesay  or Joy Kogawa? 

Actors Chief Dan George, Yvonne De Carlo, Kim Catrall or Bruno Gerussi?  Environmentalists David Suzuki or Roderick Haig Brown?  Business leaders Tong Louie, Jimmy Pattison or Nat Bailey? And what about "Hanging Judge" Begbie, Expo Ernie or Mr. Peanut?

The Royal BC Museum's website says"

All of the above are all invited as guests... and now... Gung Haggis Fat Choy founder Todd Wong has joined them along with new invitees Trevor Linden, Ida Chong, Dal Richards, Red Robinson, and Jennie Butchart - the inspiration behind the Butchart Gardens.

Todd Wong stands beside BC hockey player Sakic, beneath author & friend Joy Kogawa, activist Betty Krawcyk, and nearby Gov. James Douglas, when he visited the exhibit on April 23rd - photo Deb Martin.

To see the picture of me in the exhibit check out http://www.freespiritbc.ca/virtualexhibition/theparty.aspx and scroll to the far right.  The picture was taken by my friend Richard Montagna. So far only six of the most recent invitees are on website.  The official press release announcement will be on August 6th.

Read Todd's August 8th account of visiting his picture at the Royal BC Museum:
"Toddish McWong" installed at the "Free Spirit" exhibition at Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum website says:

It is indeed an honour to be included with so many illustrious and creative BCers.  It's amazing to think that Gung Haggis Fat Choy has created such an impact, inspiring dinners in Seattle, Whistler, Ottawa, Wells BC and Santa Barbara California (that I know about).  As well there has been the 2004 CBC television performance special "Gung Haggis Fat Choy", and the SFU Gung Haggis Fat Choy Festival.


I had visited the exhibit on April 23, when I traveled to accept my BC Community Achievement Award.  We were excited to see the picture of Joy Kogawa, which I had taken.  Joy was one of the original 132 persons chosen for the exhibit, but it was challenging to find a full length picture of her, so I volunteered myself and girlfriend as photographers for her. 

Check out my story about bout finding Joy's picture and visiting the exhibit "The Party":

Todd's adventure in Victoria: Traveling to "The Party" at BC Royal Museum

I guess it is time to write that  "Gung Haggis Fat Choy" book I have wanted to for awhile... or a theatrical play about the mythical Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner called "Gung Haggis Fat Choy."

I personally really think it is time for post-multiculturalism, when we can embrace a mix of cultures as well as creating our own new cultures and traditions out of that mix. 

150 years ago, James Douglas was BC's first governor.  But a lot of people don't realize that he was born of mixed Scottish and Creole bloodlines in Guyana. He married a Metis woman, Amelia Connolly, whose father was an Irish-French fur trader and whose mother was a Cree Chief’s daughter. Author and friend Terry Glavin told me that Douglas had envisioned a new land where people from all over the world could come and live harmoniously in peace.

Racial and cultural issues have always been part of our province's history, whether it was wars between the Haida and the Kwakiutal, Black American or Chinese miners coming to BC for the gold rush, the Potlatch Law, the Chinese Head Tax, the Komagata Maru incident, the internment of Canadian born Japanese-Canadians during WW2, or even the present day First Nations treaty negotiations, migrant farm workers from Central America, nurses and nannies from the Phillipines, rising immigration from Hong Kong and China.

Here are the write-ups for my fellow newest invitees to The Party.


http://www.freespiritbc.ca/virtualexhibition/theparty.aspx