Rooted: Chinese Canadian Stories in Burnaby

From the late 1800s to the present day, Chinese Canadians have made Burnaby into a more vibrant and livable city. The Museum’s new book Rooted: Chinese Canadian Stories in Burnaby brings together a collection of diverse stories and photographs from the community, celebrating the legacy and contributions of Burnaby’s Chinese Canadian community spanning over a century. This coffee-table book features oral histories and interviews with descendants of multigenerational family farms, green grocers, corner stores, restaurants, and places of worship. Also included are archival research and community perspectives on anti-Asian racism, community activism, courage, and resilience.

The publication has been timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Chinese Exclusion Act by the Government of Canada in 1923. This federal legislation followed decades of discriminatory legislation by Canada’s federal, provincial and municipal governments that targeted Chinese Canadians by limiting opportunities to live, work and raise families in Canada. The Chinese Exclusion Act banned almost all migration from China and remained in place until 1947. Publishing this book in 2023 is an effort by the City of Burnaby to recognize the impact of discriminatory legislation on Chinese Canadians in our community, including discriminatory bylaws and practices implemented by Burnaby’s early municipal government. This book is part of an ongoing commitment by the City of Burnaby to recognize the diverse roots of our community and to share stories of Burnaby’s unique history.

There are two versions of the book: English and Simplified Chinese and the other in English and Traditional Chinese. The book is $39.95 plus tax. Copies will be available starting October 6, 2023 at the Burnaby Village Museum gift shop during open hours (check website for hours), stopping by the Museum’s administration building or by calling 604-297-4565.