Special screening of Cedar and Bamboo at Cowichan campus Oct. 6

A special screening of Cedar and Bamboo, a thought-provoking documentary about the unique relationships shared by early Chinese immigrants and Aboriginal peoples on Canada’s west coast, takes place at VIU's Cowichan campus today (Oct. 6).

The documentary recounts the life experiences of four descendants of mixed heritage. Set in BC, their stories reveal the difficult circumstances of Aboriginal peoples and early Chinese immigrants.

At the age of five, Lil’wat elder Judy Joe was taken from Vancouver to her father’s village in China, where she was raised by her stepfamily. In China, she was treated as an outsider and fought to reclaim her Canadian identity. When she finally returned to Canadian soil, she felt like an immigrant in her place of birth. Musqueam elder Howard Grant, whose Chinese father worked in the market gardens near his Musqueam mother’s family, reflects on his experiences with both cultures. Siblings Jordie and Hannah Yow, now in their 20s, describe growing up in Kamloops amidst an absence of information about their Chinese Grandfather or their Secwempec Grandmother.

The screening is hosted by VIU’s Human Rights, Office of Aboriginal Education and the Faculty of Social Sciences. The DVD is written and directed by Diana E. Leung and Kamala Todd, and produced on behalf of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC by Jennifer Lau & Karin Lee, Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC.

“We think it is an opportunity to create awareness and discussion,” said Sylvia Scow, Associate Director of VIU’s Aboriginal Education office.

“Many of us are unaware of the connection between First Nations people and Chinese immigrants. It is also an opportunity to look at identity issues when so many Canadians have mixed heritage.”

Cedar and Bamboo will be shown in Duncan, Wednesday, October 6, 10:30-11:45 am at the Clemclemaluts Theatre, Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre. A panel discussion follows the screening.