Parade celebrates diversity

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Thousands of people took to the streets of Chinatown on Jan. 25 in celebration of Chinese New Year. For the third consecutive year, members of several Indian bands walked alongside Chinese-Canadians in the March for Reconciliation, organized by Canadians for Reconciliation (CFR).

Bill Chu, founder of the organization, explained that Chinese Christians in Action (CCIA) first invited the Aboriginal community to its Dances with Dragons celebration nine years ago, but their participation evolved to a greater level when CFR was born.

"Inviting the Aboriginal community is a way of affirming the respect and dignity that they all deserve, and the friendship their forefathers and our forefathers once shared in Chinatown," said Chu. "Members of CFR and CCIA just completed another year of journey with First Nation friends. This is the time to honour each other and celebrate one more step towards reconciliation."

People from Squamish Nation, Gitxsan, Nisga'a, Musqueam and other First Nations met with members of CFR and CCIA at the Chinese Mennonite Church before heading to the parade. Afterwards many of them gathered at a local restaurant.

Chu said the walk through the streets of Chinatown is symbolic of the many times throughout history that the two groups have supported one another.

"Not that long ago Chinatown used to be a place of refuge for both Chinese and Aboriginals to escape the mainstream," said Chu. "Eighty or 90 years ago we both shared it."

Chu delved further into the history of Aboriginal and Chinese people helping each other: "In Nanaimo where the Chinese worked in the coal mine, the Caucasian community would bully the Chinese mine workers ... when they needed help they were rushed to the reserve in Nanaimo where their Aboriginal friends would help them."

Chu was encouraged by the number of bands that participated in the parade, which offered spectators a variety of entertainment including dancers and drummers. There were even a handful of politicians present, including Premier Gordon Campbell, who led the procession.

While he noted that the event was certainly something to see, he said, "It's not so much about a performance. It's about the celebration of a new movement, of relating to each other and showing the mainstream of Canada that we should start a new journey together."

Chu said he is looking forward to an even bigger turnout of Aboriginal participants for next year's celebration. He said that this was the first year that students from the Mount Currie reserve were unable to attend the event, since first participating eight years ago.

While the parade is one of the major undertakings of the CCIA and CFR, both organizations work throughout the year to foster understanding and respect within Aboriginal communities -attending the Elders' conference, visiting the Gitxsan villages and raising funds for the flood victims at Mount Currie.

"We're trying to promote other ways of reconciliation between the mainstream and Aboriginal people through cultural activities and by supporting the struggle that First Nations people endure," said Chu.

The CCIA will conduct its annual bus tour to the Mount Currie reserve on March 6.

Said Chu, "It's an opportunity for non-Aboriginals to listen and understand the history and the existing situation of the First Nations."