After a brazen theft two years ago saw a pair of bronze plaques honouring the pioneers of Calgary’s Chinese community stolen, that wrong has was righted with new plaques being installed.

In a June 9 ceremony that saw members of the Calgary Chinese community along with dignitaries from all orders of government and China’s Consular General to Calgary, the new plaques—now made of granite—were unveiled to the public for the first time.

The restoration of the plaques was a significant moment for Chinatown and for the Chinese community, said Danny Ng, a director with the Sien Lok Society of Calgary,

“It is significant because we want to let people know ‘hey, why are we standing here?’ We’re standing here because of people like my grandfather. He came in 1914, 110 years ago, and that’s why I’m here in Canada today, in Chinatown,” Ng said.

“The significance is the story that’s written on those plaques, and the story is to pay homage to all of the pioneers of Chinatown.”

Ng said that the Sien Lok Society along with members of the Chinatown community fundraised for the past two years to have new plaques created.

The restoration was a bit of reconciliation given that the original bronze plaques were defaced with anti-Asian graffiti during the pandemic and last year also being the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada, he said.

“We’re a year after that, and I think people can start putting it away, and that’s why the monuments are here, to respect that,” Ng said.

John Dong, President of the Sien Lok Society of Calgary, said in his remarks that the restored plaques would honour the pioneers who were determined to make a life in Canada, despite hardships like the Exclusion Act.

“We are paying homage to the results and integrity and determination of those who built our community over 100 years ago. The monument is dedicated to the history of Chinese emigration focusing on Chinese settlers who made Canada their home,” Dong said.

Plaque loss was devastating to Chinatown

Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong, who represents Chinatown, said that two years ago, during the pandemic the loss of the plaques was devastating to the community.

He said it was personally important for him to attend the ceremony, given that his own story is also connected to the Chinese-Canadian pioneers.

“Both my grandparents came here as early settlers of Calgary and Vancouver. But to have this here, to bring my family, my grandkids here and show just the history of the heritage of your community, your culture, your language,” he said.

“Calgary is a city of 140-odd years and small compared to a whole bunch of other cities around the world. But I’m a firm believer that you need to preserve the history and heritage here if you really want to establish character, and this is just one of those markers to do that.”

Coun. Wong, during his speech at the unveiling of the new plaques, praised the Sien Lok Society for their work since 1968 to preserve and promote Chinatown.

The society was formed in the face of the then-City of Calgary’s plans to demolish Chinatown for a connector road through the district.

Had the plan been executed, it would have been the third time the City had bulldozed Calgary’s Chinatowns to make way for infrastructure projects.

“We’re here today not only to celebrate our history and heritage, we’re also here to celebrate the stories of what we’ve endured,” Coun. Wong said.

Photos from the plaque unveiling ceremony