by May Q. Wong
Opium, 3, 5, 10, 26, 31, 55, 92
Revolution (1949), 95, 122, 123, 133, 169, 183
Second World War, 77, 96, 97
Sun Yat-sen, Dr., 15, 36, 51, 114, 201
Tiananmen, 35, 118, 167, 182, 184, 185, 200, 205
Zedong Mao, 70, 71, 77, 78, 115, 118, 167, 168, 179, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 197, 205
Zhou Enlai, 36, 77, 78, 91, 118, 183, 186, 205
Acknowledgments
Oo Deah Ah Ma, Ba, Sieng Aie, “Thank you Mother, Father, God.” The first prayer of thanks, taught to me by Mommy, is still relevant now. My life has been truly blessed.
My grateful thanks to family members and friends who generously shared their memories, both bitter and sweet, to enrich this memoir. Much of this book would not have been possible without crucial input from my sister, Wong Lai Quen; my cousin, Choi Yee, and her husband, Chuck Min Wong; our family’s friend and neighbour James Wing (particularly his experiences upon his arrival in Canada); and King Fong Wong, known to me as Ah Aie Goo (especially her stories about my mother as a young woman). My thanks also to May-Ling Dong, Guan Haw One, Bing Fuy Guan, Bing Doon Guan, Samoy Guan, Ed Lee, Bill Seto, Alban Ung, Simon Wing and Mary Diovisalvi, Li Sheung Huo Wong, Ngan Jean Wong, and Truman Wong. Although I did not know Len Jung Hong, his story about sailing to Canada, as recorded by Teresa Low, stored in the BC Archives, helped me piece together my father’s first voyage to his chosen country.
I am indebted to the Mazatlan Writers Group, especially Rick Azulay, Sue Carnes, Larry Collins, Marie Hermanson, Barbara Horton, Angela Jackson, Kat Karpenko, Spencer Kluegel, Mike Latta, Dilly MacFarlane, P.J. Reece, and Len Sipe, for the members’ honest critiques and unwavering support for my writing over the years. The following individuals, some of whom were complete strangers, kindly shared their expertise and patiently read through, or listened to, early drafts: Jinx Barber, Dr. Hung-Min Chiang, Marilyn Harris, Dr. David C. Lai, Jean Miller, Nola Money, Jan Wong, Susan Wood (and the ladies of the Women’s Art Association of Mazatlan), Donna Wuest, and Jaycie Zhang. Among my long-suffering cheerleaders have been Andrew Glen, Gitte Churlish, Mary and Harry Shaw, Terry Taylor, and Sarah Trevor—my humble thanks to you all. I ask forgiveness from anyone whom I have inadvertently missed.
Special thanks to my editor Joan Dixon, whose pithy insights clarified my thinking on my first draft; and to Eury Chang and Jim Wong Chu of Ricepaper Magazine; Wei Djao and Anthony B. Chan of Ginger Post Magazine; Ellen Rooney at the Royal British Columbia Museum; and Wendy Nordvik-Carr at The Vancouver Sun newspaper, who all gave me opportunities to share parts of my parents’ story early on.
My most grateful thanks go to my publisher, Ruth Linka, of Brindle & Glass, who has placed her trust in this fledgling writer. She and her team have been welcoming and accommodating. To Marlyn Horsdal, my editor, who coaxed my best work onto paper, Oo Deah.
MAY Q. WONG was born of Chinese immigrants impacted by Canada’s Head Tax laws and raised in the diversity of Montreal’s “Main.” She was educated at McGill University and the University of Victoria, and spent her career in the British Columbia Public Service working toward improving the lives of those in need. Since retiring in 2004, May has devoted her time to travelling with her husband and writing about the people they have met and the places they have been. A Cowherd in Paradise: From Canada to China is May’s first book. She is currently working on her second.
Copyright © 2012 May Q. Wong
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written consent of the publisher or a licence from The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (ACCESS Copyright). For a copyright licence, visit accesscopyright.ca.
LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION
Wong, May Q., 1955–
A cowherd in paradise [electronic resource] : from China to Canada
/ May Q. Wong.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Originally published by Brindle & Glass in 2012 in paperback with ISBN 978-1-926972-40-4
ISBN 978-1-926972-41-1 (HTML).—ISBN 978-1-926972-42-8 (PDF)
1. Wong, Guey Dang, 1902–1983. 2. Jiang, Tew Thloo, 1911–2002.
3. Chinese Canadians—Biography. 4. Restaurateurs—Québec (Province)—
Montréal—Biography. 5. Cattle herders—China—Biography. 6. Chinese—
Canada—Social conditions. I. Title.
FC2950.C5W65 2012 971.4'280049510922 C2011-907166-5
Editor: Marlyn Horsdal
Proofreader: Heather Sangster, Strong Finish
Design: Pete Kohut
Author photo: Michael Cockerell
The photos in this book come from the author’s personal collection. Although she has endeavoured to identify all of the sources, in some cases it is unclear who the photographer was, or where the photo was taken. Please notify the publisher if you find an error.
Brindle & Glass is pleased to acknowledge the financial support for its publishing program from the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.
The information in this book is true and complete to the best of the author’s knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.
Brindle & Glass Publishing Ltd.
brindleandglass.com