Regretfully, we must postpone our April 2nd meeting at the now-closed Annette Library
Arlene Chan: Building a Nation One Spike at a Time: Chinese Labourers and the Construction of the CPR
Between 1881 and 1885, Canada was forged into a nation from sea to sea with the construction of the CPR. Some 15,000 Chinese labourers contributed to building a ribbon of steel, one of the longest, most expensive, and most challenging engineering feats ever. The national dream of a country, connected with its first transcontinental railway, quickly formed the backbone of Canada’s growth.
Arlene Chan, author, Chinatown historian, and retired librarian, has written seven books and contributed to numerous publications about the history, culture, and traditions of the Chinese in Canada, some shortlisted for the Ontario Speaker’s Book Award, Heritage Toronto Book Award, Silver Birch Award, and Red Cedar Award. Her work has been recognized with the Heritage Toronto Special Achievement Award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award, and Woman of Distinction Award.
Arlene, who has happy memories of growing up in the Junction, is the president of the Jean Lumb Foundation that awards high school students of Chinese heritage from across Canada. She serves on the board of Little Pear Garden Dance Company and as an advisor for Myseum of Toronto, Heritage Interpretation Working Group for Ontario Infrastructure, and the Toronto Public Library’s Chinese Canadian Archive.
The WTJHS Archives will open at 6 pm,
meeting room doors open at 6:30 pm.
Presentation at 7:00 pm, Refreshments and Business Meeting to follow.
Annette Public Library, Lower Level, 145 Annette Street, Toronto.
West Toronto Junction Historical Society 