Jack Yee makes regular visits to the Chinese Cemetery located in the Erlton neighborhood of Calgary’s southwest to pay homage to his parents and other early Chinese immigrants interred there since the late 1800s and early 1900s. The cemetery, established in 1908, stands as one of Calgary’s oldest cultural burial sites, as per the City of Calgary.
Over time, numerous original headstones have deteriorated, leaning or toppling due to their positioning or ground movements. Yee emphasized the significance of the cemetery to the Chinese community, stressing the importance of honoring ancestors and predecessors while striving to enhance the site for future generations.
Acting as the president and CEO of the Calgary Chinatown Development Foundation, Yee engaged with the City of Calgary’s initiative to rejuvenate the historic cemetery. A feng shui expert from Vancouver assessed the cemetery grounds, leading to a decision to embark on a revitalization project.
In recent summers, the city, alongside numerous volunteers from the local Chinese community, safeguarded 343 historic grave-sites and refurbished 177 monuments, repositioning them on reinforced soil bases. Gary Daudlin, the cemeteries management lead for the City of Calgary, highlighted the restoration efforts as a means to pay homage to those buried at the site and ensure that future generations can appreciate the contributions of these individuals.
The restoration process involved meticulously repairing and securing the monuments with epoxy to address any cracks. Community translators aided in deciphering inscriptions and ensuring the accurate relocation of stones. Calgary’s Chinese community volunteers played a pivotal role in cleaning monuments and rejuvenating the grounds through loaming, seeding, fertilizing, and watering efforts.
A commemorative monument from China was also installed, celebrating the accomplishments achieved in the cemetery’s restoration. The Erlton Chinese Cemetery holds a special place as a dedicated remembrance and community site, especially during a time when Chinese residents faced exclusion from other cemeteries.
Chinese immigrants began arriving in Calgary as early as the 1880s, establishing three Chinatown locations over subsequent years. Despite facing discriminatory policies such as the imposition of a head tax, which reached $500 in 1903, Chinese settlers persevered, contributing significantly to the city’s growth and development.
The revitalization of the Erlton Chinese Cemetery symbolizes an act of remembrance and reverence, acknowledging the struggles and contributions of Calgary’s early Chinese pioneers. Councillor Terry Wong of Ward 7 expressed the importance of honoring this heritage, fostering stronger ties with the Chinese community for future generations.