Government of Canada Commemorates the National Historic Significance of Vancouver’s Chinatown, Nellie Yip Quong, and Wong Foon Sien
News Release
May 13, 2017 Vancouver, British Columbia Parks Canada Agency
Today, a special ceremony was held to commemorate the importance of Vancouver’s Chinatown as a place of national historic significance as well as Nellie Yip Quong and Wong Foon Sien as persons of national historic significance. Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver on behalf of the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, made the announcement in the company of Gregor Robertson, the Mayor of the City of Vancouver, members of Vancouver’s Chinatown community and members of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant people, places, and events that contributed to our country’s rich diverse heritage. Established in the 1880s, Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in Canada, and reflects the many contributions and struggles of Chinese Canadians throughout most of their history in this country. Its enduring culture is expressed today through a concentration of Chinese Canadian businesses, services, cultural facilities, and residential structures, and is reinforced by the community associations still headquartered there.
Settling permanently in Vancouver’s Chinatown in the early 1900’s, Nellie Yip Quong was a Caucasian woman who married into the Chinese-Canadian community. She learned to speak several Chinese dialects and became a trusted midwife, health and social services advisor and advocate for the Chinese community in Vancouver. She served the community during a difficult period for Chinese-Canadians, when both racial intolerance and immigration restrictions severely constrained family life.
Wong Foon Sein, known as the “the unofficial Mayor of Vancouver’s Chinatown”, was a journalist, labour activist, and leader within Vancouver’s Chinese-Canadian community in the mid-20th century. He was a leading figure in the campaign for less restrictive immigration policies toward the Chinese in the decade following the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act in 1947, which contributed to the reunification of hundreds of Chinese families in Canada.
Canada’s national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas enable Canadians to experience their rich and varied history in a special way and will play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150. As part of the centennial of national historic sites, Parks Canada invites Canadians to be inspired and captivated by the stories of the people and events that shaped the Canada of today.
Quotes
“I am honoured to welcome to Canada’s family of places, persons and events of national historic significance Vancouver’s Chinatown - an incredibly important and thriving community both past and present – and two of its greatest leaders - Nellie Yip Quong and Wong Foon Sien. These inspiring people devoted themselves to improving the rights and quality of life for Chinese-Canadians and whose influence is still felt today. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, it is important for all of us to learn more about the people, places, and events that have shaped our diverse cultural heritage and made Canada the great country it is.”
Jonathan Wilkinson,
Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver
“Chinatown is one of our most culturally vibrant neighborhoods with a strong history and living legacy. Celebrating the achievements of Nellie Yip Quong and Wong Foon Sien highlights their work to make Vancouver a diverse and welcoming city for all.”
Gregor Robertson,
Mayor of City of Vancouver
Quick Facts
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Many community and cultural buildings in Vancouver’s Chinatown are characterized by a distinctive hybrid style that blends aspects of the architecture of Guangdong Province of China with Western styles.
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Known as “Granny Yip”, Nellie Yip Quong served as an intermediary between the Euro-Canadian and Chinese Canadian societies, achieving an almost legendary status in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
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Wong Foon Sien was also known as the “Champion of Chinese Rights” as he participated in a number of significant battles for the Chinese community, notably for voting and immigration rights.
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Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people, and events that have marked Canada’s history.
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Contacts
Laura Judson
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Parks Canada
250-654-4086
Laura.judson@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca