canadian days
DESCRIPTION
Reminiscences Of A Chinese Immigrant Presented By Her Daughter CairineTRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
canadian days
MRS FONG
![Page 2: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
2
![Page 3: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
3
![Page 4: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
4
![Page 5: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
MRS FONG
CANADIAN DAYS
Reminiscences Of A Chinese ImmigrantPresented By Her Daughter Cairine
Carnets ofRhinoceros jrApril 2008
![Page 6: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
6
My father, John Fong, came to Canada from China with his adoptiveparents in the late 1940’s for a better life. Much later he tried to lookfor information about his natural parents in Southern China but didnot find any.
When my father was in his mid-twenties he went to Hong Kong tofind a wife. Within a short timehe met my mother, married her andbrought her back to Canada.
My father as a teenager, Canada, circa 1949. Passport picture.My mother had pictures taken at a professional studio for her own personalenjoyment, Hong Kong, 1955.
![Page 7: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
7
![Page 8: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8
Wedding, Hong Kong, 1958.
Departure from Hong Kong, 1958.
![Page 9: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9
![Page 10: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
10
Most immigrants at that time had very little formal education. Mygrandfather opened a restaurant that served both Chinese and westerncuisine in the city of Hull in the province of Quebec. My mother recallsthat only two professions were allowed to Chinese immigrants :laundry and restaurants.
My father and cousinin front of myGrandfather's res-taurant in Hull,Quebec, 1950's(The cousin camealone; my father washis only relative)
My Grandfather and his daughter behind his restaurant.
![Page 11: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
11 11
![Page 12: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12
My parents and my young aunt, 1958
My parents lived with my grandparents and their younger daughter inthe apartment above the restaurant.
My mother discovers Canada, 1958
![Page 13: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
13
![Page 14: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
My mother and cousin touring Ottawa, 1958
![Page 15: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
15 15
![Page 16: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16
My mother in Ottowa, 1958
![Page 17: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
17 17
![Page 18: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
18
My mother and brother, 1960
Between 1959 and 1963 my mother gave birth to 5 children.
My parents and brother at the beach, 1960
![Page 19: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
19 19
![Page 20: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20
Our small family moved when my father opened his own restaurant inthe east end of Ottawa in 1960. Many of the Chinese immigrantslived in the downtown area close to each other, however, my fatherpreferred to reside in the suburbs of Ottawa.
Mother and brother, with aunt, cousin and relative, Ottawa, 1959
![Page 21: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
21 21
![Page 22: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22
We moved often and for my brothers and I it was always difficultattending new schools especially in the early years as we were visibleminorities. For many school children we were the first “foreigners” theyhave met although my brothers and I were born in Canada. I did notlearn to speak English until attending kindergarten at the age of 5 asthe spoken language at home was Cantonese.
In front of our house, 1964
![Page 23: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
23 23
![Page 24: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
24
My brother, aunt and the babysitter, Hull, Quebec, 1959
My first best friend and me at a sleepover at my house, 1965
![Page 25: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
25
![Page 26: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
26
With my brothers and our snowman, 1966
![Page 27: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
27 27
![Page 28: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
28
Family road trip, 1969
![Page 29: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
29 29
![Page 30: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
30
With my mother at the Parliament Hills, Ottawa, 1969
Posing with a dinosaur on a road trip to the east coast of Canada, 1971
![Page 31: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
31 31
![Page 32: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
32
Swimming with my swan, 1971
![Page 33: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
33 33
![Page 34: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
34
My brothers and myself, Ottawa, 1964
![Page 35: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
35 35
![Page 36: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
36
My parents and brother in front of the restaurant sign, 1960
![Page 37: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
37
![Page 38: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
38
My father cooking in his first restaurant, Ottawa, 1959
My mother among the booths, 1960
![Page 39: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
39 39
![Page 40: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
40
Our new chinese take out restaurant, Ottawa, 1964
![Page 41: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
41 41
![Page 42: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
42
My mother becameacquainted with the ChineseCentre in Ottawa, aninformal organizationoperated by Catholic nuns.The nuns kindly assisted theimmigrants to acclimatize tothe Canadian culture.Many Chinese immigrantsand university Visa studentsgathered at the ChineseCentre for social functions.It was a place to meet peoplefrom similar backgroundsand to feel less homesick.
My brother and I outside the Chinese Centre, 1965
Mother and brother with Sister Nina at the Chinese Centre, 1965
![Page 43: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
43
![Page 44: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
44
My mother and my brother's godmother at the Chinese Centre, 1959
Chinese immigrants gathering at the Chinese Centre, 1965
![Page 45: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
45
![Page 46: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
46
My cousin joined the Canadian Armed Forces, becoming one of very firstChinese Canadians in the military, 1965
Over the years as multiculturalism took hold it was easier toassimilate into the Canadian community. By the 1970’s most urbancities in Canada have a Chinese population. The bigger, cosmopolitancities have a Chinatown where authentic Chinese cuisine and importedgoods can be obtained.
![Page 47: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
47 47
![Page 48: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
48
My brother as ringbearer, me as flowergirl at my piano teacher’s wedding,Ottawa, 1968
It was my mother’sdesire that I learnto play the piano,1967
![Page 49: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
49 49
![Page 50: CANADIAN DAYS](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022020320/568bd9721a28ab2034a71657/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
50
This notebook was printed on April 1st, 2009the 7th anniversary of the foundation ofthe Academia dei Venti in Ventotene
AVAILABLE AT THE VISUAL INDEPENDENCE BOOK SHOP
http://www.visualindependence.com/canadian-days.php