Jack Yee makes regular visits to the Chinese Cemetery located in Calgary’s Erlton neighborhood to honor his parents, who are interred there alongside some of the earliest Chinese immigrants to the city, who arrived during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Established in 1908, this cemetery is recognized as one of Calgary’s oldest cultural burial sites. Over time, numerous original headstones have deteriorated and tilted due to their positioning or ground shifts.
Yee emphasized the significance of the cemetery to the Chinese community, as it holds the remains of ancestors and loved ones. He expressed gratitude for the past efforts and aims to enhance the site for future generations. Serving as the president and CEO of the Calgary Chinatown Development Foundation, Yee collaborated with the City of Calgary to initiate the restoration and rejuvenation of this historic burial ground.
During the restoration process, a feng shui expert from Vancouver evaluated the cemetery grounds, leading to the decision to revitalize the site. Over the last two summers, the city, along with numerous volunteers from the local Chinese community, safeguarded 343 historical grave-sites and renovated 177 monuments, repositioning them on fortified soil foundations.
Gary Daudlin, the cemeteries management lead at the City of Calgary, underscored that refurbishing the cemetery aims to honor those buried there and allow future generations to appreciate and understand the contributions of these individuals to the community. The restoration efforts included meticulous removal and epoxying of monuments to mend cracks, with assistance from community translators to ensure accurate placement of stones.
The involvement of volunteers from Calgary’s Chinese community was pivotal in the cemetery’s rejuvenation, involving tasks such as monument cleaning and turf restoration through the application of loam, seeding, fertilizing, and watering. A commemorative monument from China was also erected to celebrate the completion of the restoration project.
The Erlton Chinese Cemetery holds historical significance as a place of remembrance and community, especially during a time when Chinese residents were excluded from other burial grounds. The city highlighted the early arrival of Chinese immigrants in the 1880s, establishing three Chinatown districts in subsequent years. Despite facing discriminatory policies like the head tax imposed by the federal government, the Chinese community in Calgary thrived and contributed significantly to the city’s growth.
Councilor Terry Wong of Ward 7 expressed that the revitalization of the Erlton Chinese Cemetery symbolizes remembrance and respect for Calgary’s early Chinese pioneers. By acknowledging their struggles and accomplishments, the restoration project preserves a crucial part of the city’s heritage and fosters stronger connections with the Chinese community for future generations to cherish.
