By Carlos Haag, FSWC Educator

What do a railway spike, a football field and a courtroom have in common? Each tells a story of resilience, discrimination and triumph involving the Chinese Canadian community — stories that come alive every February during Chinese Heritage Month.

This February also marks the Chinese Lunar New Year, a time for renewal and celebration. In 2025, we will welcome the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes wisdom, intuition and transformation—qualities that deeply resonate with Chinese Canadians' history. As we celebrate, we reflect on the past while looking to the future of our vibrant Chinese community.

Chinese Canadians have made significant contributions to our country, beginning with the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Despite enduring harsh conditions, their efforts were met with the Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923, which restricted immigration to Canada for more than two decades.

However, history doesn’t end with oppression — it continues with resistance and redemption. Stories like those of the Chinese Canadian veterans who fought for Canada in World War II despite being denied full citizenship inspire us to reflect on what it means to overcome injustice. After the war, their advocacy helped repeal the Exclusion Act and gradually restore rights for Chinese Canadians.

Moreover, figures like Norman Kwong show us that we can break down barriers. His remarkable achievements, both on and off the football field, beautifully illustrate the spirit of inclusion and resilience we can all foster in our classrooms.

In February, as we celebrate Chinese Heritage Month, let’s encourage our students to view history as events of the past and as something they can actively shape. The Year of the Snake — a year symbolizing transformation — offers a fantastic opportunity to spark conversations about change and its possibilities.

For additional information on Norman Kwong, including a Heritage Minute video, visit The Canadian Encyclopedia: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/norman-kwong