Jeunes Citoyens / Young Citizens

Dylan Vancouver, British Columbia

Fair address: Vancouver Heritage Fair

Project: The Chinese Head Tax, My Family's Struggle in Gold Mountain

My project is a poster that tells you everything you need to know about the Chinese Head Tax and has a few images. I've also written stories of how my family got here to Canada and a section on what I've learned. I also have a video which is a small version of my poster presentation

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

The most interesting thing I have learned from this project was that my relatives Came to Canada with nothing but still worked hard. For example, my great grandfather came here with nothing but didn't give up and ends up owning a house in Shaughnessey. Also, my Grandfather on my mom's side of the family had lost everything but still managed to buy a house and raise a family of five.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

After researching this topic I have learned many things. I've learned to appreciate things more after hearing family stories and interviewing relatives. I've also learned from my ancestors that if you work hard enough you can achieve anything. That is what I want Canadians to know.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

My life is way better than my ancestors because now people are no longer racist. Also my Great Grandparents made many sacrifices for me to have a good life. I have many things that they didn't have like more variety of foods and being able to buy things without worrying that you will go bankrupt.

  • Mom

    Dylan I'm so proud of you. Great job.
    19-06-2014 12:34:07 PM

  • Jeff Takagi

    Well done Dylan, This is a very powerful story about the history of your family. I think that it shows the value of hard work and perseverance, not only for personal gain, but for making their communities a better place. Well done.
    19-06-2014 12:30:29 PM

  • Heather

    Very well done and very informative! I learned a lot and I am impressed with the quality of this presentation.
    19-06-2014 12:20:13 PM

  • Deborah

    Good job Dylan!
    19-06-2014 11:41:45 AM

  • Brad Lee

    Hi Dylan. Great job on this project! I especially liked you relating your family's story to Vancouver spaces and that your family's story is part of Canada's history. I've worked on several projects around our community's history and would like to share them with you: www.roadtojsutice.ca, www.mhso.ca/tiesthatbind and operation oblivion.com (you can watch Operation Oblivion by streaming it at www.omnitv.ca). It's really nice to see younger people interested in telling our story. In Vancouver, you should also visit the Wallace Chung Collection at UBC's Irving K Barber Learning Centre and the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, in the Chinese Cultural Centre in Chinatown.
    19-06-2014 9:16:11 AM

  • Lynn Moore

    I really enjoyed watching Dylan's informative video
    18-06-2014 10:50:18 PM

  • kieran

    GREAT JOB DYLAN !!!!!!
    18-06-2014 10:43:22 PM

  • Maria Crossan

    Very well done.
    18-06-2014 12:10:30 PM

  • Hugh Finnamore

    Excellent presentation and well researched, Dylan. You're a special young man.
    18-06-2014 11:54:02 AM

  • Shirley Malakoff

    Dylan has done a fantastic project. As a former teacher, I'm VERY impressed. Well done, Dylan!
    18-06-2014 1:36:30 AM

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Project partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
  • Canadian Heritage / Patrimoine Canadien
  • Government of Canada
  • HBC: Hudson's Bay Company
  • ecentricarts inc.