Honouring One of our First Donors: Edward Pon

The Chinese Canadian Museum’s story is inseparable from the people who believed in it from the very beginning — those who knew the stories of Chinese Canadians must be told, preserved, and celebrated. One of those remarkable champions is Edward Pon of Calgary.

In 2020, Edward came across a CBC article announcing plans for the Chinese Canadian Museum. Inspired by Board Chair Grace Wong’s vision, he felt an immediate connection to our mission. Even before the museum doors opened, Edward began donating — a profound gesture of trust and commitment, made in honour of his parents and the values they passed on to him.

Over the next two years, whenever Edward visited Vancouver, he made time for the museum. Each visit brought new discoveries — exploring our galleries, experiencing the exhibitions and seeing first hand the stories his early support had helped bring to life. These experiences deepened his bond with CCM and ultimately inspired an extraordinary gift: the Edward Pon Curatorial Assistantship — the first named position in the museum’s history, ensuring that the work of sharing Chinese Canadian stories will continue for generations to come.

The Edward Pon Curatorial Assistantship supports an emerging Chinese Canadian museum professional, offering mentorship, training, and the opportunity to grow into a cultural leader. Today, that role is held by Bofei Zhang, a UBC Visual Arts graduate whose very first museum role was as a Museum Assistant at CCM.

With Edward’s backing, Bofei has expanded  his curatorial skills, embraced ambitious projects, and received guidance from seasoned colleagues. Among his achievements, he played an integral curatorial team role on the critically acclaimed Dream Factory: Cantopop Mandopop 1980s–2000s exhibition alongside Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee and Yilin Chen.

Reflecting on Edward’s impact, Dr. Lee shared:

“It’s incredibly inspiring to have someone believe in you from the very start. Edward’s support since day one has meant the world to us. Choosing to fund an entry-level position speaks volumes. It’s an investment in opening doors for young Chinese Canadian professionals to enter and grow in the museum field. That kind of vision and generosity creates lasting change, both for the individuals it supports and for the future of our sector.”

For Edward, the motivation is deeply personal:

“The contributions I’ve made to the Chinese Canadian Museum are small compared to the huge sacrifices our ancestors made so we could have better lives. When I first heard about the museum I knew I had to be involved. I am beyond proud to be a supporter.”

We are deeply thankful to Edward for his vision, generosity, and trust — and for paying tribute to his parents through a legacy that will inspire and empower  generations to come.