I uncover the story of my unknown uncle Yim, through a variety of sources from original documents to the BC archives
Tag: British Columbia
A trip to the archives #1 – the BC edition
If you are planning a trip to the BC Archives, here are my top need-to-knows.
The Chinese Detention Shed, Vancouver
What if you were Chinese and coming home to Canada in 1921? You got a free stay in the Chinese Detention Shed, no exceptions.
We’ll tell you where you can live – BC’s Land Titles Act
Ah Vancouver! Fighting over real estate is nothing new.
Putting the “British” in British Columbia, or I get the funny feeling you’re trying to tell me something
BC looks at its racist past and decides to say sorry. Vancouver does too.
An uncertain homecoming, Part I: WWII, the Chinese, and the fight for civil rights 1939-1967
Introduction Like all (Chinese) Canadians, I have been given a gift of priceless value: the gift of civil rights. I have not worked for this gift. I doubt I’ve earned it. Worst of all, I haven’t known who to thank for it, nor how much it cost. I’ve just taken it all for granted – […]
The right to be a Canadian: Irving Himel, K. Dock Yip, and The Committee for the Repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act
Voting. It's complicated. Canada has been reluctant to share her treasures, at least to its non-male, non-white peoples. Nearly 70 years ago, Canada's Chinese, Japanese, and South Asian people won the right to vote in Canada. It had been a long time coming. You may know the story of the Famous Five*, who fought for and won women's voting… Continue reading The right to be a Canadian: Irving Himel, K. Dock Yip, and The Committee for the Repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act