The Chinese Canadian Museum (CCM) is thrilled to announce its upcoming nationwide tour across Canada this May, in celebration of Asian Heritage Month. The tour will feature highlights from its exhibition, “The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act,” with a unique video tour tailored for this East Coast journey, hosted at the museum’s historic Wing Sang Building.

As Canada’s first Chinese Canadian Museum, CCM aims to provide a profound and transformative experience for all visitors, connecting Canadians to the rich tapestry of stories and contributions from generations of Chinese Canadians. The museum’s mission is to foster respect, understanding, inclusivity, and collaboration, serving as a focal point for bridging cultures, communities, and generations.

Approaching its one-year anniversary since its official inauguration, the Chinese Canadian Museum is collaborating with prominent museums nationwide to introduce itself to new audiences, sharing significant narratives of Chinese Canadians and their pivotal role in shaping Canada today. This coast-to-coast journey is made possible through the generous support of the Government of Canada.

The tour itinerary includes stops at:

• Toronto, Ontario: Toronto Reference Library (Beeton Hall) — May 6, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Gatineau, Quebec: Canadian Museum of History — May 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• St. John’s, Newfoundland: The Rooms — May 29, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Halifax, Nova Scotia: Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 — May 31, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are honoured to be bringing highlights of our feature exhibition The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act to new Canadian audiences across the country,” explains Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum. “Curated by renowned researcher and historian Catherine Clement, the exhibition explores the period of the Chinese Exclusion Act (1923-1947) and its tragic consequences on an entire community, a history that not all Canadians are aware of, which is why it’s important for us to take this exhibition on the road and share it with the rest of the country.”

The Paper Trail exhibition offers a candid exploration of Canada’s exclusionary policies from 1923 to 1947, characterized by the head tax and immigration certificates that barred Chinese immigrants from entering the country. It delves into poignant tales of grief, hopelessness, and anxiety, alongside inspiring narratives of resilience and determination against formidable challenges. With an unprecedented display of over four hundred Chinese Immigration (C.I.) certificates, it sheds light on a crucial chapter of history. Partnering with communities nationwide, the exhibition encourages individuals to contribute to an expanding online archive by documenting their family’s C.I.s through scanning events. Catherine Clement, an acclaimed community curator, leads the exhibition, dedicated to uncovering and sharing the often-overlooked stories of the Chinese Canadian community. With a track record including exhibitions at the Chinese Canadian Military Museum and creative direction for the Chinatown History Windows project, she continues to bring history to life, weaving narratives that resonate with audiences across Vancouver and beyond.

“We are excited to be taking a ‘road trip’ version of the exhibition in the form of a video tour to showcase the immense gallery spaces the exhibition is housed in since not everyone can physically visit the museum in person in Vancouver Chinatown,” says Catherine Clement, guest curator of The Paper Trail exhibition. “What many don’t know is that this time period was the only time in Canadian history that one group was barred from entry based solely on their ethnicity and country of origin.”

Clement’s dedicated team invested countless hours in extensive research and outreach efforts, engaging families nationwide whose ancestors endured the hardships of the exclusionary era. Their investigative journey led them through a myriad of historical resources, from old Chinese and English newspapers to clan society archives, personal correspondences, coroners’ reports, and newly accessible government documents. They also tapped into the collective memories of numerous families spanning every corner of Canada.

In parallel, the Chinese Canadian Museum (CCM) forged collaborations with community partners in various cities, fostering research initiatives and hosting public displays and discussions. These grassroots efforts aim to explore the local impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act period, with programs underway in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Victoria.

The establishment of the Chinese Canadian Museum owes its existence to generous support from the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, the City of Vancouver, as well as numerous private donors from across the country.

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