‘Home. Place. Belonging’: Virtual exhibit explores history of Chinese immigration to York Region

‘Standing in the Doorway’ exhibition marks 100th anniversary of Chinese Exclusion Act

Yorkregion.com
June 5, 2023
Yoyo Yan

When Dr. Ken Ng, a community advocate and medical doctor in Markham, was born in Hong Kong in 1953, his father was living in Canada. Ng didn’t have the opportunity to meet his father until he first came to Canada in 1965.

“The Chinese Exclusion Act was still in place at that time,” said Ng. “It was difficult for Chinese to immigrate to Canada. A lot of people have to pay taxes to get to Canada.”

The story of the Ng family is knitted into a new virtual exhibition that marks the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act. The exhibition, titled “Standing in the Doorway: Lived Histories & Experiences of the Chinese Community,” is available on the York Region District School Board Museum and Archives website.

From the gold rush to the Canadian Pacific Railway, from the Chinese head tax to anti-Asian discrimination, from dragon boat racing to Lunar New Year, the exhibit highlights the history of Chinese immigration to York Region, details Chinese culture while featuring artifacts, photographs and stories from the community.

The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with community partners, students from the University of Toronto's museum studies program, and the Markham Museum. An in-person and travelling exhibition will open at the Markham Museum in September 2023.

“As a school board, we want to ensure our students and families see themselves, their identities and cultures, reflected in their classrooms,” said Rebekah Mitchell, curator at YRDSB Museum and Archives. “We hope that educators, families and community members can use this virtual exhibit to learn more about the rich Chinese culture and history here in York Region and to spark conversations about their own identities.”

“We want to tell the story of resilience and perseverance of an important community in Markham and York Region,” said Janet Reid, curator at Markham Museum. “This community-driven exhibit will celebrate our Chinese residents, and also engage and educate the wider community through a multi-part virtual and touring exhibition program.”

Students and staff at several different YRDSB schools are also involved in the project, producing a variety of artistic pieces that reflect the resilience and perseverance of the residents of Chinese descent.

YRDSB students and educators at Nokiidaa Public School, and Bur Oak, Unionville, Markham District, Markville and Pierre Elliott Trudeau high schools have provided important feedback, perspective, input and personal expression into the creation of this exhibition.

In addition to the community oral histories that will be featured in the exhibition, educational kits will be shared with educators in the fall. Students and staff at Nokiidaa helped test and frame the educational kits that will accompany the travelling exhibition.

“I like how we’re bringing awareness to the community about Chinese people,” said Serena, a Grade 7 student at Nokiidaa. “It was quite frustrating for me to learn about how there was a Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada, because you know how sometimes you think Canada is a wonderful place, none of this could happen, but the Chinese Exclusion Act happened and I’m still seeing some discrimination (against) Chinese people. I think this is a really good idea to appreciate Chinese culture.”

“I wish that people would learn more about our culture since we showed many things like arts, games, toys and tools, so with all of that information, since they’ll get to know more about our culture, it will break culture gaps,” said Edith, a Grade 7 student at Nokiidaa.

To learn more about the exhibition, and the significance of the Chinese Exclusion Act, listen to the Tune In YRDSB podcast episode featuring students and teachers, and Nancy Siew, community volunteer.

“My blood is still Chinese, but my heart is Canadian,” said Siew, founding president of Asian Heritage Month Society. “You make Canada your new home, and you really should not treat this as a second country, but your real country that you should serve, love, and give back to.”

"Markham is my home. York Region is my home," said Ng.