Reconciliation Dinner 2008
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Continuous Journey Act-a shameful part of Canada's history which lead to the infamous Komagata Maru incident in Vancouver's port in 1914.
The Vancouver riot of 1907 signaled the beginning of federal intervention to prohibit Asian immigration to Canada. It saw the rise of racism enforced by hidden "White Canada" policies. Following the riot in 1907, Canada imposed the Continuous Journey Act in 1908 as a provision to block South-Asian immigration to Canada. Canadian immigration authorities devised a plan-which on the outside remained free from prejudice-that would indirectly end South-Asian immigration into the country. The Continuous Journey Act ruled that to be admitted into Canada, immigrants had to come to Canada directly from their country of birth, and with $200 on their person. The regulation did not mention race, or nationality, but when the government forced the Canadian Pacific company to stop its service between Vancouver and Calcutta, it became obvious that the legislation was determined to make it impossible for a continuous journey from India.
The unjust continuous journey law of 1908 combined with the $200 per person requirement virtually eliminated immigration to Canada from India. This year, we celebrate the change that has occurred in the past century, and remember those who were affected by this act. The Anniversaries of Change Network invites you to celebrate 100 years in passing in July. A series of academic and community events will be hosted by the Anniversaries Committee and the Komagata Maru Heritage Society. Please go to Conference and Riot Walk for more information. The Anniversaries will host an academic conference on Saturday July 19, followed by a historical walk around Vancouver's Stanley Park on Sunday July 20. On July 23, the same day as the arrival of the Komagata Maru in Vancouver, a reconciliation dinner will be held at the Surrey Convention Centre. We invite you to join us on another anniversary year, with proceeds going towards the creation and implementation of social-studies curriculum materials focused on inclusiveness and active citizenship.
To reserve tickets, please email admin@anniversaries07.ca with subject heading Dinner Tickets
This year’s dinner menu will feature Indian food and desserts. A panel with a mix of members from academia, labour, and the community will be speaking; including Henry Yu of UBC, and Harbhajan Gill of the Komagata Maru Heritage Foundation
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Time: 6:00 reception, 7:00 dinner and program
Location: Surrey Convention Centre - 7475 – 135 Street, Surrey
Cost: $35.00 per ticket or $500.00 per table of 8 (Sponsoring organizations only)
Reconciliation Dinner 2007
On the 100th year anniversary of the Vancouver anti-Asian riots, the Anniversaries of Change hosted a Reconciliation Dinner at Floata Restaurant in Chinatown. Over 700 people attended the dinner including political representatives from major political parties from all levels of government. There was also strong representation from the labour movement, and community groups and organizations from the South Asian, Chinese, Japanese, and Musqueam communities.
CBC's Margaret Gallagher emceed the evening. Steering committee members-Rika Uto, Bill Saunders, Henry Yu, Harley Wylie, and Harbhajan Gill-spoke on a panel discussion about the anniversary years and the future of BC and Canada
- A special exhibit about Asian-American workers on temporary loan from Seattle
- Community leaders speaking about what the Riot of 1907 means for us today in Vancouver
- Student film Why Indians Like Chinese Food
- A performance by Assaulted Fish, Theatre Company