Come explore our two new exhibitions!

Stories and Experiences

The Chinese Canadian story does not begin or end with the railroad and chop suey, rather it contains many diverse experiences and identities. Throughout history, Chinese Canadians have organized, built community, and lived powerful tales of resilience, strength, and sacrifice. At the same time, stories of family and daily life have been shared around the kitchen table, at dim sum, or in community newspapers. Each of these pieces are important components of the Chinese Canadian experience and help us understand the struggles and triumphs of today’s communities in Canada.

  • Chinese Canadian Newspaper Online Archive at Simon Fraser University
    Contains newspapers of immigrant communities from Vancouver to Toronto and Ottawa in both Chinese and English.

  • Chinese Canadian Stories at UBC Open Collections Online
    A one-of-a-kind resource containing hundreds of photos, documents, videos, oral histories, and artifacts from UBC Library, SFU Library, City of Vancouver Archives, Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP) community partners, and other community contributors.

  • Publications by the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC
    A list of publications by the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC (CCHSBC), featuring community historians, researchers, and writers from BC. Many of these books are also available for purchase through their website.

    • A Woman in Between: Searching for Dr. Victoria Chung

    • Blood and Sweat over the Railway Tracks

    • Chinatown Through a Wide Lens: The Hidden Photographs of Yucho Chow

    • Dim Sum Stories: A Chinatown Childhood 

    • Eating Stories: A Chinese Canadian & Aboriginal Potluck

  • Pender Guy Radio – 1976-1981 (podcast) (by Pender Guy Radio Collective, at City of Vancouver Archives)
    A volunteer-ran radio show airing on Vancouver Co-operative Radio (Co-op Radio) from 1976 – 1981. The show explored issues related to Chinese Canadian identity, history, politics, and art through interviews, reportage, humour, drama, and music.

  • Telus Storyhive Video Series “In Chinatown” 
    This series explores the many issues and stories in Vancouver Chinatown facing youth, seniors, and beyond.

    • Ep1 - Fook - Luck, Health & Happiness:
       

    • Ep2 - Luk - Success & Stability:
       

    • Ep3 - Sau – Longevity:
       

  • Chilliwack’s Chinatowns: A Story of Diversity, Racism, and Arson. – Community Stories
    Produced by the Chilliwack Museum and Archives and Virtual Museum of Canada, this project examines the lives and contributions of Chinese migrants living in Chilliwack’s two Chinatowns from the 1880s to 1930s.

  • Views from Chinatown - Telus Storyhive Podcast Series on Calgary Chinatown 

  • National Film Board Playlist - The Chinese Canadian Experience (Ages 15-17)
    Curated by the National Film Board, this video playlist is suitable for an audience of individuals aged 15 to 17 (or Grades 10 to 12). The videos document the experience of Chinese diaspora, highlighting the resilience of the Chinese Canadian community. Available in both English and French. 

  • National Film Board Playlist - The Chinese Canadian Experience (Ages 9-11)
    Also curated by the National Film Board, this video playlist is intended for children ages 9 to 11 (or Grade 4 to 6) and highlights the resilience of the Chinese Canadian community and examines the topic of Chinese diaspora. Available in both English and French.

  • British Columbia: An Untold History, a documentary by Knowledge Network (2020)
    This docuseries by Kevin Eastwood investigates the complicated history of BC through the interconnected stories of the Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, Punjabi, Black, and European communities in BC.

  • All Our Father’s Relations (2016) directed by Alejandro Yoshizawa, produced by Sarah Ling and Alejandro Yoshizawa
    A documentary featuring the Grant family of Musqueam who travelled from Vancouver to China to rediscover their father’s roots. This story reveals the shared struggles of migrants and Indigenous peoples in past and present Canada.

  • Cedar and Bamboo (2008) directed by Diana Leung and Kamala Todd, produced by Jennifer Lau and Karin Lee
    A documentary produced for CCHSBC about the unique relationships shared by early Chinese immigrants and Aboriginal peoples on Canada’s west coast. The documentary recounts the life experiences of four descendants of mixed heritage. Set in BC, their stories reveal the difficult circumstances of Aboriginal peoples and early Chinese immigrants.

  • Casey Mecija on Richard Fung | Super Queeroes (2019) and Richard Fung And The Gay Asians Of Toronto
    A CBC short film and an explainer from the Museum of Toronto on Richard Fung. Fung founded The Gay Asians of Toronto (GAT), one of Toronto’s earliest organizations advocating for queer Asians. 

  • Paper Sons and Daughters
    A short documentary on 'Paper Sons and Daughters' - individuals who immigrated to Canada as children by adopting the false identities of others at a time when Canada limited Chinese immigration, tell their very personal stories of family reunification.

  • A Seat At the Table Short Film Series 
    Short films produced for the A Seat At the Table exhibition featured at the Chinese Canadian Museum and the Museum of Vancouver from 2020-2023. These films share the diverse experiences and stories of Chinese Canadian communities.