Kelowna, BC – October 26, 2025
History came alive at the Laurel Packinghouse on Sunday, as over 100 guests joined the OCCA Communities Association and Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC (CCHSBC) to celebrate the official launch of the Okanagan Chinese Canadian History Project, a defining moment for the region and its shared heritage.
Supported by Library and Archives Canada, the project is one of only twelve initiatives selected across British Columbia, and one of just two focused on Chinese Canadian heritage — the other being the Wongs’ Benevolent Association in Vancouver. The launch marked a milestone not only for the Chinese Canadian community but for the Okanagan as a whole, underscoring a shared responsibility to preserve the stories of resilience, migration, and belonging that have shaped this region.
“Our partnership with CCHSBC is built on the belief that history belongs to everyone,” said Adrian Marr, Chair of the Chinese Heritage Committee of the OCCA Communities Association. “This project amplifies the voices of Chinese Canadians who helped shape the Okanagan, preserving their stories and strengthening pride in our community’s diversity.”
The event opened with a territory welcome by Qwispasket Weston Hall from the Sncəwips Heritage Museum, followed by opening remarks from CCHSBC President Rob Ho, OCCA Executive Director Fei Liu, and OCCA Chinese Heritage Committee Chair Adrian Marr.
Guests included Nicole Rustad (representing MP Stephen Fuhr), City Councillors Maxine DeHart and Mohini Singh, and video greetings from MLA Gavin Dew and former MLA Norm Letnick. The audience reflected the region’s rich diversity — bringing together Chinese Canadians whose families have called the Okanagan home for generations, as well as community members of Chinese heritage from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan; individuals of Filipino, Jamaican, Malaysian, Singaporean; and other diasporic backgrounds, together with leaders and representatives from Indigenous, Black, South Asian, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Iranian, Francophone, and European heritage organizations. Also in attendance were community partners from the Kelowna Museums Society (KMS), Lake Country Museum and Archives (LCMA), WeBC, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, UBCO, KCR Community Resources, the RCMP, Aberdeen Hall School, Folkfest, and Global Citizen Events.
Since its founding in 2009, the OCCA Communities Association (formerly the Okanagan Chinese Canadian Association) has been at the forefront of preserving Asian and Chinese heritage in the Okanagan—curating historical exhibits, collaborating with museums, and documenting family and community stories through its Okanagan Asian History digital archive. Over the past sixteen years, OCCA has produced research, oral histories, archival collections, and public education exhibits in collaboration with:
● Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia (CCHSBC) on the Okanagan Chinese Canadian History Project (since 2024)
● Chinese Freemasons on the Chinese Heritage & History Showcase and Asian Heritage (since 2009) OCCA Chinese Heritage & History Showcase at Kelowna City Hall | OCCA Communities Association
● Kelowna Museums Society (KMS) on the Asian history exhibition (2013-2019) and the Chinese Canadian Pioneers Commemorative Signage (2017)
● BC Government: Organized a Public Forum on the Apology for Historical Wrongs Against Chinese British Columbians in Kelowna and led the Okanagan Chinese community delegation to the BC Legislature to accept the official apology kelowna_summary.pdf
● Okanagan Historical Society (OHS) on the Commando Bay (Operation Oblivion) panel and online story (since 2016).
● Penticton Museum & Archives on the history exhibition in Asian Heritage Month (2021)
● Westbank Museum on the Asian Heritage Exhibition (2022)
● Lake Country Museum and Archives (LCMA) on the Asian history exhibition (2020), and the Beyond Chinatown Exhibit (2023)
● Museum & Archives of Vernon on the history exhibition in Asian Heritage Month (2023)
● Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) on the Movie Nights in Asian Heritage Month (2013-2016) and on the history exhibition in Asian Heritage Month Exhibition (2024-2025)
Apart from the above recognized institutional partners, OCCA is not affiliated with any other individuals or groups producing Chinese history materials in the Okanagan. All research, exhibits, and publications developed through OCCA over the past 16 years are the result of original work by our volunteers and professional partners. Copyright applies to all materials created by OCCA.
“The collaboration between communities across the Okanagan is inspiring,” said Rob Ho, President of CCHSBC. “By working with OCCA, we’re helping ensure that every voice is valued and that the past and future of the Okanagan truly reflect the diversity that makes it strong.”
The project is guided by the OCCA Chinese Heritage Committee, led by Adrian Marr (Chair) and Lloyd Chen (Co-Chair), with advisors David Jones (Mar Jok family), Shui Lee (Chinese Freemasons), John Lee (Ben Lee family), Chad Soon (Advocate for Larry Kwong), and Professor Duane Thomson (Professor Emeritus, History, UBCO). Interviews are being carried out by the CCHSBC project team — Dr. Henry Yu, Isa You, Amy Ng, Deborah Wong, and Jack Fu.
The new project builds on that legacy, expanding oral history work and encouraging cross-cultural dialogue about identity and inclusion.
OCCA and CCHSBC sincerely appreciate and acknowledge the invaluable contribution and partnership of the Kelowna Museums Society (KMS) in making the Okanagan Chinese Canadian History Project Launch a success.
OCCA-CCHSBC History Group with Job Connect for Future (JCF Skills Training for Immigrants and Newcomers) Cohort 5 Participants
Dr. Daniel HP Ng & Mrs. Connie Ng Joined the OCCA-CCHSBC interview and shared their stories as Chinese Canadians in Oliver
About OCCA Communities Association:
The OCCA Communities Association is a registered charity and non-profit umbrella organization serving multicultural communities across the Central Okanagan, including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country, with our region spanning nearly 100 kilometres from Peachland to Vernon. We offer services to everyone, and our virtual programs reach rural areas across the Okanagan, committing to fostering an inclusive, vibrant, and equitable society where immigrants, refugees, and equity-deserving groups can thrive and meaningfully contribute to building a sustainable community.
We respectfully acknowledge that the OCCA is operating on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
Please note that we will have a photographer on site during the events. If you prefer not to be featured in any photographs, kindly contact OCCA at info@occabc.ca.
