Yi Fao: Speaking Through Memory: A History of New Westminster's Chinese Community, 1858–1980.

Janet Collins is a freelance writer in Sechelt, British Columbia.

Doubtless most readers have heard about the Chinatowns of Victoria, B.C. (the first Chinese settlement in Canada) and Vancouver, B.C. (at one time the second largest Chinese community in North America, after San Francisco). Many residents of Greater Vancouver will, however, be surprised to learn that New Westminster boasts a rich Chinese history.

The history of Yi Fao (the Chinese name for New Westminster means “second port,” in reference to the city’s place as the second point of entry to the province after Victoria) is revealed through a wonderful collection of photographs and personal recollections. A key component of the book is the focus placed on four families of Asian settlers—Law, Lee, Quan, and Shiu.

Personal memories of the descendants of those early families provide an intimate glimpse into daily life in a community that is largely forgotten by the city’s wider population. Accounts from different generations paint a unique picture of the former provincial capital as it grew over a 100-year history. More importantly, the book’s tales of struggle, adventure, and achievement highlights the legacy of Chinese-Canadian contributions that continue to enrich New Westminster and the Canada as a whole.