EMC: Abstract: Chinese Cafes in Rural Saskatchewan*

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Chinese Cafes in Rural Saskatchewan*

• 1985 ----- color ----- 26 min ----- vhs
• Explores the relationship of rural communities and cafes owned and operated by Chinese immigrants. Three cafes in Outlook, Saskatchewan, and their owners are highlighted. The first Chinese workers arrived in Canada following the 1850's Frasier River Valley gold rush. Prejudices among western European Canadians forced Chinese workers into traditional "women's jobs" such as laundries and restaurants. The Immigration Exclusion Act prohibited Chinese women from immigrating to Canada and further isolated Chinese men from assimilation into normal society. After the repeal of the Exclusion Act in 1947, Chinese women were allowed to immigrate to Canada. However, without English language skills, they found themselves isolated from other Cnadian women and excluded from many professions. Restaurants and cafes became an avenue for success and employment. Chinese cafes have added stable employment to rural areas, given communities gathering places and community identities and helped to assimilate second generation Chinese into the community. (Donated by the Department of Canadian Studies) (Restricted to use by institutions of learning within the State of Washington only)
• Topics: (American Ethnic Studies: Asian-American, Canadian Studies, Cities and Towns, History: Canadian)

		Educational Media Collection risimiki@u.washington.edu Modified: January 11, 2007