Jack Yee makes regular visits to the Chinese Cemetery located in Calgary’s Erlton neighborhood to pay homage to his deceased parents and some of the earliest Chinese immigrants in the city who arrived between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Established in 1908, the cemetery is recognized as one of Calgary’s oldest cultural burial sites.
Over time, many original headstones at the cemetery have deteriorated, either tilting due to their placement or shifting ground. Yee emphasized the significance of the cemetery to the Chinese community, as it serves as a place of reverence for ancestors and loved ones, inspiring efforts to enhance it for future generations.
Engaged in the revitalization project as the President and CEO of the Calgary Chinatown Development Foundation, Yee collaborated with the City of Calgary to restore the historic cemetery. A feng shui expert from Vancouver was consulted to evaluate the cemetery grounds, leading to the decision to rejuvenate the site.
In the past two summers, the city, along with numerous volunteers from the local Chinese community, safeguarded 343 historic graves and refurbished 177 monuments by resetting them on fortified soil foundations. Gary Daudlin, the City of Calgary’s cemeteries management lead, highlighted the restoration’s aim to honor those buried there and enable future generations to appreciate their contributions to the community.
The restoration process involved meticulous removal and reinforcement of cracks in the monuments using epoxy. Community translators assisted in identifying inscriptions and ensuring proper placement of the stones. Volunteers from Calgary’s Chinese community actively participated in cleaning monuments and rejuvenating the turf through various landscaping techniques.
A commemorative monument from China was erected in acknowledgment of the completed work at the cemetery. The Erlton Chinese Cemetery has evolved into a dedicated site for remembrance and community gathering, especially during a time when Chinese residents were excluded from other burial grounds.
The history of Chinese immigrants in Calgary dates back to the 1880s, leading to the establishment of three Chinatown locations in subsequent years. Despite discriminatory policies such as the head tax imposed on Chinese immigrants by the federal government, Calgary’s Chinese community persevered and significantly contributed to the city’s growth and development.
Councilor Terry Wong from Ward 7 expressed that the revitalization of the Erlton Chinese Cemetery serves as a tribute to the early Chinese pioneers, acknowledging their hardships and achievements while preserving an essential part of Calgary’s heritage and fostering enduring connections with the Chinese community for future generations.