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"The Paper Trail": Regional Programming - Talk Series

Throughout May 2024
"The Paper Trail": Regional Programming - Talk Series

Toronto in the Time of Exclusion | Toronto | Mon. May 6, 6:30 P.M. EDT

For almost a quarter century, the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act profoundly affected and, in some cases, devastated the lives of Chinese across Canada, including those living in Toronto. Now, 100 years later, let’s rediscover this tragic yet largely forgotten chapter of Canadian history, and hear how the early Toronto Chinese community, even those born in Canada, were impacted by this unprecedented piece of legislation.

Join us for a free public talk and discussion with:

  • Catherine Clement — Creator and Curator of the national exhibition and archive “The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act”; and

  • Jean Yee — daughter of a Chinese head tax payer who operated a hand laundry in Toronto during the exclusion years.

No registration is required. For enquiry, please contact trlspc@tpl.ca.

This program is hosted by the Chinese Canadian Archive of TPL Special Collections in partnership with the Chinese Canadian Museum funded by the Government of Canada.

Event Details:

  • Date: Monday, May 6, 2024

  • Location: Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8), Beeton Hall

  • Time: 6:30-8:00 P.M. EDT

  • Cost: Free

  • More Details: https://events.tplcs.ca/10142

The Paper Trail: Victoria in the Time of Exclusion | Victoria | Fri. May 17, 6:30 P.M. PST

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923 is a tragic yet largely forgotten chapter of Canadian history, profoundly impacting the lives of Chinese across Canada for nearly a quarter century. The only law in Canadian history to deny entry to Canada on the basis of race, this Act separated families and resulted in lasting generational trauma in the Chinese Canadian community, including those in Victoria. Join us for a free screening and B.C. premiere of The Paper Trail: The Highlights Tour, which documents the feature exhibition at the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver, and public talk with curator Catherine Clement, moderated by Sarah Ling, CCM Exhibition and Program Manager and co-director of the film.

This program marks a series of upcoming initiatives to explore Victoria in the Time of Exclusion.

Event Details:

  • Date: Friday, May 17, 2024

  • Location: Canadian College of Performing Arts (1701 Elgin Rd, Victoria, B.C. V8R 5L7), Performance Hall

  • Time: 6:30-7:30 P.M. PDT

  • Cost: Free

  • Register: Registration link here

The Paper Trail: A History of the Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada | Gatineau (Ottawa) | Thurs. May 23, 5 P.M. EDT

In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, you are invited to take part in a video viewing of the Chinese Canadian Museum’s exhibition The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, followed by a discussion with curator Catherine Clement and CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum, Melissa Lee.

Join us afterwards for refreshments and a mural unveiling by local Chinese Canadian Artist EEPMON.

Event Details:

The Paper Trail: To the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act |
St. John's | Wed. May 29, 7 P.M. NDT

This talk will introduce the Chinese Canadian Museum (Vancouver), the first cultural institution in Canada devoted to Chinese Canadian culture and lived histories, and The Paper Trail, a feature exhibition on the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.

Exhibition Curator, Catherine Clement will be in conversation with Chinese Canadian Museum CEO, Dr. Melissa Lee in introducing the feature museum exhibition on the Chinese Exclusion Act, and the generational trauma that resulted in the separation of Chinese Canadian families in the 20th century.

Event Details:

Telling Cultural Histories: In Our Own Voices |
Halifax | Fri. May 31, 2 P.M. ADT

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is proud to present Canada's Storytellers: Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee in partnership with the Chinese Canadian Museum.

Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chinese Canadian Museum will join the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 on-site to present Telling Cultural Histories: In Our Own Voices. This dynamic presentation will introduce the Chinese Canadian Museum, the first cultural institution in Canada devoted to Chinese Canadian culture and lived histories, based in Vancouver, Canada. Lee will discuss and introduce the different exhibitions within the museum including The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, an inaugural exhibition on the Chinese Exclusion Act 1923-1947 in Canada and the generational trauma that resulted in the separation of Chinese Canadian families in the 20th century.

Supported by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment Initiative.

Event Details:

Government of Canada logo EngFra

Guest Speakers

Catherine Clement

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee

Chief Executive Officer