Sunday, June 26th, we were at the unveiling of the Chinese Head Tax Monument in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
The development of the monument is documented in the following websites.
http://www.westmanchinese.com/monument/
http://www.ccnc.ca/redress/history.html
The original idea for the monument was the idea of Kenny, Rebecca, and daughter Cindy who is an architect and Bill and Sue-On Hillman.
Velda's Uncle Soo Choy had to pay the tax and was separated from his family until 1947.
The ceremony was attended by an estimated 250 people.
Including Merv Tweed, Canadian federal government and Drew Caldwell, provincial government.
Drew Caldwell, Kenny, and Merv Teed
local leaders, and the sculptor and his family.
Mayor Shari Decter-Hirst, Velda, Parks Commissioner,
and sculptor Peter Sawatzky
It was paid by the Choy and Hillman families, donations and a grant from government. They still welcome donations to pay for the monument. Tom and Mary Vaughan (Velda's sister and husband) and Velda and I donated so we can honor the significance of the monument idea and also get Mom and Dad's name on the plaque. Last line on the bottom.
The MC for the ceremony was Sue-On.
There was traditional Chinese music.
There was food and tea...
The event was documented by a local Chinese painter.
And the weather cooperated... it turned out to be a beautiful ceremony.
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