Vancouver Storyscapes: 
Where and when the Chinese met the First Nations peoples

On Friday, I had the pleasure to be part of the first Chinatown storyscapes event bringing Chinese and First Nations peoples together and sharing stories.  Storyscapes began as a project to discover and tell the First Nations stories of Vancouver, growing out of the Aboriginal Art program with Kamala Todd, Aboriginal Social Planner for the City of Vancouver. I had been contacted by researcher Diana Leung, one of the "story gatherers," who was looking for stories of interactions between Vancouver's Chinese and First Nations.

It has been said that to know who we are, we need to know the stories to which we belong. When you are an Aboriginal person living in the city, it can sometimes be difficult to connect to your stories.

Vancouver. This land is layered with ancient history, important happenings, valuable teachings, and sacredness. But it’s not always easy to see amongst the streets and buildings, signs and commerce of the city. Much was erased with the colonial building of Vancouver. The stories and cultural landscapes that have greatest visibility tend to be those of the dominant Anglo culture. Consequently, many residents and visitors have limited knowledge of the incredible depth of stories here on this land. The roots we all share go much deeper than 200 years.

The land and waters can tell you a great deal—stories about generations of seasonal movements, animal paths, stream meanderings, abundant riches. Likewise there is much to be learned about the knowledge, contributions, struggles, and everyday lives of Aboriginal people here—both the indigenous Coast Salish people and the diversity of urban Aboriginal people who have made this place their home.
                                                                            -   from the Storyscapes description

The Storyscapes team introduced themselves:  Kamala Todd and George Hui are the project leaders, with
Tania Willard, Project manager;  Helen Ma, Planning Assistant;  Storygatherer/researchers are Terry Point, Mandy Nahanee, Michelle Mah (Fred Mah's daughter), Diana Leung with Karen Henry, Public Art Consultant.

We were at the SUCCESS Hall, on Pender St., right beside the Millenium Gate,  How fitting that one of the special guest panelists was Vancouver architect Joe Wai (my cousin), who is considered one of Chinatowns heritage guardians according to Vancouver Magazine October 2005 story, "Chinatown Calculations."  Wai said our grandfather had come to Canada in the 1800's, and that he came as an young immigrant.  Wai said he had more questions than stories, and acknowledged the early history of Chinese pioneers such as the voyages of Chinese admiral Zheng He in 1421, and the first recorded landing of Chinese artisans at Nootka Sound with Captain John Meares.

Just before we got started, I asked Larry Grant if he'd ever been mistaken for being Chinese.  He told me he was half-Chinese and had grown up on both the Musqueam Reserve and in Strathcona neighborhood.  His former sister-in-law is former Musqueam Chief, Wendy Grant.  Larry gives a welcome in his language, and speaks very thoughfully and gentlely.  He acknowledges the ancestral Musqueam land, and Qayqayt lands, nodding to Qayqayt Chief, Rhonda Larrabee sitting beside him. Larry shares some of his stories and experiences growing up.

Rhonda Larrabee grew up in Vancouver Chinatown/Strathcona, thinking she was Chinese, a descendant of Rev. Chan Yu Tan.  But she learned later that her mother was Qayqayt First Nations, and in 2005 a film called Tribe of One, told her story to reclaim her First Nations status and heritage.  Rhonda acknowledged our Uncle Dan (her father's and my grandmother's younger brother), who was sitting in the audience.

Howe Lee is a retired lieutenant colonel, and a founding member of both the Chinese Canadian Military Museum and the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC.  Howe talked about how some of the Chinese railway builders found refuge in First Nations villages, after the railway was finished and the promise to send Chinese back to China was reneged.  He grew up in in Shuswap, in the North Okanagan and told some stories from that area.

Fred Mah is one Chinatown's historians putting in lots of work on the Chinatown Revitalization Committee, and many others.

Bing C. Wong, more known for being Chinatown's first Chartered Accountant, is also a WW2 Veteran, and has been working to develop a First Nations project called "Totem Town", that could be a tourist attraction next door to Gastown and Chinatown.  "Uncle Bing" is an old family friend, whom I have known ever since I was a child.  He grew up at Alert Bay, where his father ran a store amongst the large aboriginal population there.

Louis Smith is an aboriginal veteran, whom I have met when attending events for the Chinese Canadian vetertans.  Louis talked about his roots in the aboriginal and mixed race Canadian background. 

It was a very interesting afternoon, hearing the intersections of Chinese and First Nations peoples and it served to help develop a bonding between the groups.  People in the small audience could relate to the stories told by the many special speakers. 

I shared a creation story, about why First Nations and Chinese peoples are born with blue spots on the bottoms.  It is called a Mongolian spot, or Mongolian Birthmark. My story relates to how the two cultures believe that their real home is the spirit world, and the physical world is full of lessons, and hardships.... so the soul has to be "kicked out."  Everybody can relate to the story, and some of them laugh in recognition.  I think it serves to show that despite our stories about Chinese seeking refuge in First Nations villages, and aboriginals seeking refuge in Chinatown - all from racist elements from the dominant Anglo culture, that we really do have more in common than just discrimination for not being White.  Perhaps we really all ONE people, spiritually at least.