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Lunar New Year 2020

Year of the Rat celebrations
Lunar New Year arrived at Shawnigan this week, beginning with an informative chapel address, followed by a splendid Chinese-themed lunch in Marion Hall.

The New Year celebration (2020: Year of the Rat) is an important holiday for some of our international students.
Cindy W. (Kaye’s) spoke at chapel, Saturday, “as a representative for my fellow Chinese students,” starting out with a brief history lesson about Chinese immigrants, here, in the Cowichan Valley.

“In the early 20th century, Cowichan Chinatown was a vibrant community with nearly 30 merchants catering to hundreds of Chinese workers. Like Chinatowns in other places, it provided relief from the racism that was often experienced by Chinese immigrants.”

But, as she explained, a $50 head tax aimed at stopping Chinese immigration (later raised to $500), followed by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923, resulted in virtually no Chinese immigration, which led to the decline of Chinatowns like the one in Cowichan.

Cindy then turned to the subject of Lunar New Year.

“This time of year may be difficult for many of our Shawnigan students, as they are far from home, and are missing out on celebrations with their families,” noted Cindy.

“There are three things that make me love Chinese New Year: food, money and family,” she continued.

“Each dish we eat on Chinese New Year represents something to wish for in the New Year.” Money, Cindy explained, is about culture and traditions, including red envelopes, and lanterns, with exchanges of money helping bring luck and good fortune in the new year.

As for family: “On Chinese New Year, everyone gathers together and we watch TV, we eat dinner, we talk about how exciting our new year is going to be.”

Later, a special Chinese New Year lunch –
Vegetable Spring Rolls, Chicken Dumplings, Longevity Noodles, and Nian Gao (Sweet Rice Cake/Chinese New Year’s Cake) – was on offer in Marion Hall, where international students also distributed lucky red envelopes.

Decorations in Marion Hall and the library, a Chinese food dinner at Strathcona House (thanks to some local parents), and a Victoria Chinatown Sunday brunch with Ms. Sun, our Mandarin language teacher, all helped share cultural traditions and alleviate any homesickness.

Thanks to Cindy W. for sharing her thoughts, and to Mr. Setso, our executive chef, and his staff, for making such a special meal for all to enjoy!
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We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.