Asian Heritage Month 2023

In the early 20th century, the reputation of Japanese landscape designers such as Isaburo and Yoshida Kishida as well as Kensuke and Hayato Takata reached beyond the borders of Japan.

Seduced by their work and by the principles of simplicity and harmony that underlie Japanese gardens, some wealthy families on the Canadian West Coast called upon them to create Japanese gardens on their properties.

This was the case for the Butchart family in 1906 and the Dunsmuir family in 1910. Today, visitors can still see the legacy of these landscape sculptors at the Butchart Gardens National Historic Site.

Victoria’s Chinatown was designated a national historic site in 1995.

The oldest and most intact Chinatown in Canada, this district represents an important chapter in the complex history and heritage of Chinese Canadians.

The Vancouver Japanese Language School, located at 487 Alexander Street, was the first and largest Japanese language school in Canada and one of 50 such schools in use before 1941.

In the early 1880's contractor Andrew Onderdonk brought thousands of labourers from China to help build the Pacific Railway through the mountains of British Columbia. About three-quarters of the men who worked on the section between the Pacific and Craigellachie were Chinese.

Although considered excellent workers, they received only a dollar a day, half the pay of a white worker. Hundreds of Chinese died from accidents or illness, for the work was dangerous and living conditions poor. Those who remained in Canada when the railway was completed securely established the basis of British Columbia's Chinese community.

Since 1998, Parks Canada has been publishing short history articles every week on its website. This Week in History seeks to interest readers in Canadian history and help them learn more about federal heritage designations. To celebrate Asian Heritage Month, the team publishes new history articles related to the experiences and achievements of Canadians of Asian descent by exploring our online archives.

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) recommends the designation of subjects of national historic significance to the Government of Canada.

Are you aware of a subject related to Asian heritage in Canada, or a person, place or event that may have national historical significance?