The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act

An exhibition that commemorates 100 years since the passing of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, known also as the Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada.

The exhibition features hundreds of certificates of identity documents (C.I. certificates) used to track Chinese Canadians during the Chinese Immigration Act – the most ever publicly displayed in an exhibition. The papers also were a constant reminder of a second-class status in Canada.

In partnership with the Chinese Canadian Military Museum and curated by Catherine Clement, this community-sourced exhibition, with a national focus, probes the nature of paperwork and documentation over the contested terrain of history, with a diverse array of families of Chinese descent, from across Canada contributing to the exhibition.

Curator: Catherine Clement

Digital Archive: Paper Trail Collection at UBC Library, Rare Books and Special Collections

Research Room

Location: Ground floor beside Reception [please check-in at the front desk]
General hours: Visitors can use the Research Room during the museum’s general hours of operation from Wednesday - Friday, 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. If you need general assistance, you can ask one of our Museum Assistants at the front desk.

Note: The Research Room will be closing at the end of September 2024.

Office hours:

• Saturdays, 1:00-5:00 P.M.

• Sundays, 2:00-5:00 P.M.

Looking to find your family’s own paper trail? The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act’s curatorial assistant, Naomi Louie, and Museum Assistant, Andrew Sandfort-Marchese, will be providing research assistance through the Research Room. They will help:
- Interpret Chinese Immigration (C.I.) Certificates
- Explore digital archival materials
- Assist in researching Chinese Canadian history

To schedule an appointment or contact them outside of office hours, email naomi.louie@chinesecanadianmuseum.ca. (There is no fee associated with this support.)

Exhibition Supporters