We Are Immigrants

Presented by artist Raeann Kit-Yee Cheung

May 24 - September 25, 2025

WE ARE IMMIGRANTS - The Hidden Hardships and Legacy of Early Chinese Canadian Immigrants explores the muted suffering of economic migrants that began in mid 1800s. This series also celebrates the legacy of Chinese migrants whose contributions to Canada helped solidify its confederacy.

China was facing a series of internal and external conflicts during the 18th and 19th centuries which left the state in tremendous turmoil. Famine was widespread, and civilians were poverty- stricken. Desperate to feed their families, many Chinese migrated to Canada to find work.

However, Canadian legislation eventually intensified in response to the migration. By 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act stopped almost all Chinese from entering Canada thereby separating families for decades. To circumvent discriminatory laws, migrants often assumed identities of relatives and friends. Doing so was one way for fellow citizens to help one another through difficult time.

This series of images celebrates the legacy of Chinese immigrants as important contributors to the unification of what we now know as Canada. The United States and Canada share a border that seems to stretch naturally across the continent. Politically speaking, however, securing the Canadian border by no means happened naturally. The government had to act fast, and great sacrifices were made. At a crucial juncture, when British Columbia could have been seized by its American neighbour, the Canadian government needed significant manpower to solidify its confederacy – and thousands of Chinese came to Canada to help make this happen. Homage is paid to early Chinese immigrants by offering a glimpse of their sacrifices and contributions, both of which have predominantly been excluded from Canada’s educational and community spaces.