On April 9, 2026, a significant ceremony took place at the Old Hillcrest Chinese Cemetery in Sahtlam, marking its recent designation as a heritage site by the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). The event, attended by around 100 people, coincided with the Qingming Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday dedicated to honoring ancestors. Willie Wai Dai Chow, a local figure with deep ties to the lumber industry, led the ceremony, which paid tribute to the 127 Chinese-Canadians interred at the site.
Commemorating a Marginalized Community
The atmosphere at the cemetery was filled with the fragrant scent of incense, as participants gathered to remember those who played crucial roles in the forestry sector of the Cowichan Valley and British Columbia as a whole. Established in 1945, this cemetery serves as a final resting place for Chinese laborers who faced social exclusion and often died without family to care for them. Carlton Stone, founder of Hillcrest Lumber Co., donated 9.38 acres of land at the Old Hillcrest Sawmill for the burial of these workers, who were an essential yet overlooked part of the region’s history. Learn more about this topic on Wikipedia.
Chow, who has been a dedicated volunteer groundskeeper at the cemetery, reflected on the importance of maintaining the site. “Community members in Duncan come every year to clean up, cut the grass, and take care of the cemetery,” he stated. “You have to look after the cemetery. Going to the cemetery for Qingming is to worship and remember ancestors.” His words echo a sentiment shared by many who participated in the event, highlighting the deep cultural significance of this day.
The Shadow of Discriminatory Laws
The struggles faced by the Chinese-Canadian community are rooted in the historical context of the Chinese ImMigration Act, enacted in 1923 and repealed in 1947. This legislation barred immigration from China, leading to years of family separation, as those already in Canada couldn’t sponsor loved ones. Consequently, many Chinese immigrants lived and died alone, with their final arrangements often handled by friends and colleagues.
Melody Yun Ya Ma, a director of the Foundation for Chinese Dignity, played a pivotal role in advocating for the cemetery’s heritage designation. In her remarks, she emphasized the need to acknowledge the marginalized status of those buried there. “Even their graves were forgotten from institutional memory,” Ma remarked. Her first visit to the cemetery revealed a lack of signage and recognition, underscoring the invisibility that had long surrounded these individuals. The recent designation aims to rectify that oversight and ensure their contributions to Canadian history are honored.
Celebrating Heritage and Community
The ceremony on April 9 not only celebrated the cemetery’s new status but also fostered a sense of community among those present. Participants shared stories, memories, and a collective commitment to preserving the history of the Chinese-Canadian community in Duncan. The gathering served as a reminder of the resilience and contributions of a group that played an essential role in the local economy yet remained largely unrecognized.
Many attendees expressed hope that this heritage designation will inspire future generations to learn about and appreciate the sacrifices made by those who came before them. As Chow explained, the cemetery is more than just a burial ground; it is a place of reflection, respect, and remembrance. “The hope is that the efforts to have the cemetery recognized will lead to a greater understanding of our shared history,” he said, reinforcing the importance of acknowledging past injustices and celebrating cultural heritage.
A Forward-Looking Vision
The designation of the Old Hillcrest Chinese Cemetery as a heritage site represents a crucial step toward acknowledging the contributions of marginalized communities in Canada. As the local community continues to gather annually for Qingming, there’s a growing recognition of the need to preserve these historical sites for future generations. This heritage status not only honors the memories of those buried there but also serves as an important reminder of the ongoing fight against discrimination and the importance of inclusion.
As the community looks to the future, the hope is that the cemetery will become a focal point for education and remembrance, fostering a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the Chinese-Canadian experience in British Columbia. Through continued efforts to maintain and celebrate this heritage site, the legacy of those interred at the Old Hillcrest Chinese Cemetery will not be forgotten.
Originally reported by Chemainus Valley Courier. View original.
