written by Martin Halek
A documentary screening this week in Minden tells the story of Canada’s early Chinese immigrants.
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre will host a free screening of 1997’s Under The Willow Tree this Thursday at five P-M, to celebrate International Women’s Day.
M-H-C-C Manager Robert Wong says it details the lives of the first Chinese-Canadian women living in Canada, starting in the 1890s… and “piggybacks” onto 2023’s hundred-year anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
“You’ll learn about a piece of history that is not super well known to a lot of people” Said Wong, “And also learn about different cultures and traditions as well and how people are impacted by former legislation by the Canadian government”
The act imposed restrictions on Chinese immigration and forced Chinese-Canadians to register themselves with the government.
Admission is free, and light refreshments will be provided.