Pacific Canada Story Fest Goes to Vancouver Island
Join our “Museum on Wheels”!
Our inaugural Pacific Canada Story Fest is continuing as a study tour covering historic sites in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. As this will be partially covered by a grant that helps to kick start the economic recovery from COVID in BC, we are able to hire a 32-seater and driver for 2 days, and only charge a minimal program fee to offset some of the cultural program expenses.
When you read this, we may just have 1-2 seats left on the chartered bus, but do contact Albert Chen at 778-855-2199 if you’re interested to join us for part or all of the tour.
An overview of the 2-day program on Vancouver Island
DAY 1 (SUNDAY, JULY 24) -- Nanaimo/Paldi/Duncan/Nanimo
10:30am Pick up from Nanaimo for Paldi – a thriving lumber town in the first half of the 20th century, with a school and gurdwara (Sikh temple) built in 1917. This visit is conceived as an educational journey to rediscover the connections between and among people of colour (Punjabi, Chinese, Japanese and First Nations) working and living cheek by jowl there. In collaboration with our academic partners at UBC & VIU, whose students are on a field study there, we have arranged for storytellers and keynote speakers to help participants understand the historical context of the first-hand stories of these marginalized communities as part of the Pacific Canada Story Fest.
Experience the hospitality at the gurdwara. Reimagine the vibrant work scene and home life of the diverse communities on the premises. (For more info about this site, watch this 2012 CTV news clip or the updated Global News clip on July 5, 2022).
The rest of the afternoon will include a visit to other historic sites close by, including the Hillcrest Chinese Cemetery, and what is left of the former vibrant Chinatown in Duncan. Visit to the Cowichan Museum is optional.
6pm Back at Nanaimo where participants can check into their hotels or take the ferry back to Vancouver.
Evening: Free time to explore the culinary delights and sights in Nanaimo individually or as a group.
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DAY 2 (MONDAY, JULY 25) – Nanaimo/Victoria
8am Leave Nanaimo for Victoria
10am Saunter in the garden for which the late Lt-Governor David Lam initiated a Volunteers Program in 1991. Enjoy a private guided tour inside Government House, and meet Her Honour Janet Austin, the current Lt-Governor, who will personally welcome participants.
11:30am* Visit the CCM exhibition at Fan Tan Alley, followed by lunch in Chinatown
2pm* Pacific Canada Story Fest -- Storytelling Circle at a community space in Victoria (free)
3:30pm* Guided tour with community historian(s) to explore the multicultural past of Victoria
4:30pm* Head up to Sydney (Swartz Bay) for those who want to catch the ferry back to Vancouver
*exact time may be different from this tentative schedule