Edmonton Chinatown Stories

The Mah Society's Jessica Mah talks about the surprising early days of the organization, and how it's changed over the years.

Interview and editing by Chris Chang-Yen Phillips. This documentary was produced as part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

President of the Edmonton Chinese Computer Society Patrick Tso discusses his first experience with the society: a Chinese character typing competition. Patrick was intrigued by a tablet, which allowed contestants to handwrite Chinese characters and transmit them to a computer.

Interview and editing by Brandi Kueber. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

Retired architect Ching Tse is responsible for designing many buildings in Edmonton's Chinatown. He discusses his intention to inject traditional Chinese architecture into his designs. One of the ways Ching achieved this aesthetic was through the use of Chinese roof tiles. He talks about the significance of the roof and its colour, and recalls the struggles he encountered along the way.

Interview and editing by Brandi Kueber. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

Photo of the Edmonton Chinese Seniors Lodge by Ching Tse.

When local playwright Marty Chan married his wife Michelle, they decided to pay tribute to their heritage. Marty’s parents choose their favourite Chinatown restaurant to host the Chinese wedding banquet. He talks about one dish in particular that he remembers.

Interview and editing by Brandi Kueber. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

Maria Wong has lived in Edmonton since 1977. She remembers visiting a burger restaurant owned by a Korean couple. Maria was drawn to the friendliness of the owners, their son, and the delicious seasoning salt.

Interview and editing by Brandi Kueber. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

Tin Yip speaks about his integration into Canadian society. Tin explains how both learning and playing Canadian sports when he first arrived were essential in his smooth integration into society. He also talks about the importance of cultural exchange and how racial discrimination is a two-way street, requiring both sides to meet in the middle with understanding.

Interview and editing by Rachel Meldrum. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

Tin Yip talks about the history and importance of the Harbin Gate in Edmonton's Chinatown, and about how it has been temporarily removed for construction of an LRT.

Interview and editing by Rachel Meldrum. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

In this piece, playwright Marty Chan shares a couple of childhood memories of Edmonton's Chinatown along Jasper avenue. He talks about the trip to Chinatown that his family frequently made for groceries and Dim Sum. Marty also shares memories of a nearby store where he found his favorite Chinese treat, Haw-flakes and the Chinese comic "Old Master Q."

Interview and editing by Rachel Meldrum. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

In this piece, Raymond Ng talks about the Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural Centre. The centre offers weekly table-tennis and language lessons that provide another fun and welcoming place in Edmonton for all sorts of cultures and ethnicities to interact.

Interview and editing by Rachel Meldrum. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.

Rachel Meldrum speaks here with Raymond Ng. Raymond talks about the free, weekly Chinese newspaper named the Edmonton Chinese News (or 爱华报) that he published for the Chinese community in Edmonton to facilitate convenient communication between Edmontonians and Chinese culture. The Chinese movie house in Edmonton put in a weekly ad to promote their films, as well as many other businesses. This news was convenient and essential in promoting cultural events in Edmonton and remaining aware of important events and happenings in China.

Interview and editing by Rachel Meldrum. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一，二，三，六，八.