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CANADA,
the chosen land, has been enriched by one of the most diverse
cultures in the world brought to Canada by Chinese immigrants.
Although the Chinese came to the shore of North America long
before 1858, this year is generally considered to mark the beginning
of Chinese community in Canada. In historical terms, the chronicles
of the Chinese in Canada is only a moment in time but one of
epic proportions reflecting the sacrifices and hardships that
led to the birth of vibrant communities. Collectively, the pioneers
of Gam San ("Gold Mountain") as they called this country,
are unforgettable and they have left us their legacy on which
newgenerations have benefited. They played a crucial role in
canada's development and growth. For more on this, please click
on the Archives link on the side.
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"But
Women Did Come" is an historical photo exhibit that was
originally titled "But Women Did Come": 150 Years
of Chinese Women in North America. The exhibit premiered at
the Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library in 1987, bringing
together two complimentary shows, one on Chinese American Women
and the other on the history of Chinese
women in Canada. Shown together, the photographs told compelling
and rich stories of the lives of Chinese women in North America
from the pioneer days (approximately 1830s) to the 1980s. The
exhibit was unique because the lives of Chinese women are scarcely
covered in history books. If referred to at all, women are cited
in footnotes or as passing statistics. In reality, women were
instrumental in the growth and development of the Chinese communities
across Canada.
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Canada
is a country of diversity. In addition to Aboriginal people
and the founding British and French groups, there are a wide
variety of ethnic groups represented in the Canadian population,
including large numbers of German, Italian, Dutch, Ukrainian,
Chinese, Black, and Indo-Pakistani people, among others (Kelly,
1995; Renaud & Badets, 1993). Close to 10% of the adult
population of Canada are visible minorities, with this figure
expected to double in the next twenty years (Kelly, 1995). The
psychological study of ethnic relations has much to contribute
toward understanding and promoting positive relations among
the varied ethnic groups now calling themselves Canadian. Click
Here to read see more.
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From
1882 to 1943 the United States Government severely curtailed immigration
from China to the United States. This Federal policy resulted
from concern over the large numbers of Chinese
who had come to the United States in response to the need
for inexpensive labor, especially for construction of the transcontinental
railroad. Competition with American workers and a growing nativism
brought pressure for restrictive action, which began with the
Act of May 6, 1882. Passed by the 47th Congress, this law suspended
immigration of Chinese laborers for ten years; permitted those
Chinese in the United States as of November 17, 1880, to stay,
travel abroad, and return; prohibited the naturalization of Chinese;
and created the Section 6 exempt status for teachers, students,
merchants, and travelers. |
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