Jack Yee makes regular visits to the Chinese Cemetery located in Calgary’s Erlton neighborhood to honor his parents, who rest there alongside some of the city’s pioneer Chinese immigrants from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The cemetery, established in 1908, stands as one of Calgary’s oldest cultural burial sites. Over time, many of the original grave markers have deteriorated, tilting due to their placement or shifting ground.
Yee, serving as the president and CEO of the Calgary Chinatown Development Foundation, collaborated with the City of Calgary to initiate the restoration and revitalization of the historical cemetery. A feng shui expert from Vancouver evaluated the cemetery grounds, leading to a 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 rejuvenated 177 monuments, reinstalling them on fortified soil bases. Gary Daudlin, the cemeteries management lead for the City of Calgary, emphasized the importance of revitalizing the cemetery to pay homage to those interred there and educate future generations about their contributions to the community.
The restoration process involved meticulously repairing and reinforcing cracks in the monuments. Community translators assisted in identifying inscriptions and ensuring the correct placement of the stones. Members of Calgary’s Chinese community actively participated in the revitalization project by cleaning monuments and enhancing the grounds through soil preparation, seeding, fertilizing, and watering.
A commemorative monument imported from China was erected to commemorate the completed work in the cemetery. The Erlton Chinese Cemetery, originally established as a dedicated remembrance and community space during a period when Chinese individuals were excluded from other burial grounds, serves as a testament to Calgary’s Chinese history.
The discriminatory policies, including the imposition of head taxes on Chinese immigrants entering Canada, posed significant challenges to early Chinese settlers. Despite these obstacles, the Chinese community in Calgary flourished, contributing significantly to the city’s growth and development. The revitalization of the Erlton Chinese Cemetery signifies an act of remembrance and respect, acknowledging the struggles and contributions of Calgary’s early Chinese pioneers while preserving an essential part of the city’s heritage and strengthening ties with the Chinese community for future generations.