Suffering, friendships recounted

The Chinese Canadian Museum is in the historic Wing Sang Building at 51 East Pender Street in Vancouver Chinatown, where it has stood since 1889.

If the building could talk, one can only imagine the stories it could tell about the changes to the neighborhood. These would include the changing vibrancy of Chinatown over the years, the determination of Chinese families, and the hard work of Chinese merchants growing their businesses.

It would also tell people about Chinese struggles for integration and acceptance while facing discrimination.

The building is also located on traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the indigenous community.

Canada's first indigenous governor general, Mary Simon, recently noticed that many people may not realize a historically strong and long-standing relationship between indigenous peoples and those of Chinese descent.

"Chinese laborers built the railways and mines. Piece by piece, they helped build the infrastructure of this country. And indigenous peoples supported them during this time, providing medicine and food," Simon said at a national remembrance ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act in June in Ottawa.

"They helped each other," she continued. "When the law prevented Chinese businesses or restaurants from serving white Canadians, indigenous peoples frequented these places. And it was Chinese people who gave indigenous peoples jobs when no one else would."

Simon also said Chinese Canadians face renewed discrimination and racism. People should learn from history and reject sentiments and acts of racism and discrimination today.