VCMA’s history is rooted in community activism in the late 70s, and this aspiration for advocacy continues to be in our DNA.
溫哥華華埠商會的歷史,建基於70年代末的社區行動主義,這種對維權運動的啟發到現在仍然存在於我們的基因之中。
History
When food regulators shut down Vancouver Chinatown’s barbeque meat stores in 1975 – affecting livelihoods and cultural practices – a group of Chinatown merchants organized the community in protest, garnering support in the thousands and taking the fight all the way to Ottawa. Years later, merchants came together again to fight another regulation that forced business closures on Sundays and public holidays. They succeeded on both fronts, and the resulting sense of unity led to the official founding of Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association (VCMA) in 1981.
歷史
當食品監管人員在1975年關閉了溫哥華華埠的燒臘店時,業內人士的生計和傳統文化受到沖擊,一群華埠的商人於是組織了社區抗議行動,在獲得成千上萬人的支持下,把抗爭一直推展至渥太華。多年後,商人們再次凝聚一起,對抗另一項迫使商戶在星期日和公眾假期休業的規定。他們在這兩次運動都取得了成功,而由此產生的團結感促成了溫哥華華埠商會(VCMA)於1981年正式成立。
Achievements
Through the active contributions of our members, VCMA has helped to realize a number of projects over the years. These range from public realm improvements such as the creation of Chinatown Plaza & Parkade and the iconic dragon street lights, to programming initiatives like the original Night Market, security patrols, annual festivals and cleaning campaigns. At the core of our work is advocacy for the collective voice of Chinatown businesses – speaking to governments and other institutions about policies, bylaws and needs that impact the community.
成就
通過會員的積極貢獻,溫哥華華埠商會多年來幫助實現了一系列的項目,包括改善公共空間,例如華埠廣場和停車場和具標誌性的龍形街燈,以及初期的夜市、保安巡邏、年度節慶和清潔運動等方案。我們的工作核心是為華埠商戶的集體聲音作出倡議,以及與政府和其他機構就影響社區的政策、附例和需求進行對話。
You have succeeded to assure Sunday Shopping in Chinatown to serve the historic and cultural needs of the Chinese Community.
您們成功確保了華埠星期日購物得以繼續進行,並滿足了華裔社區對歷史和文化的需求。
Michael Harcourt, Mayor of Vancouver (1983) 溫哥華市長 哈葛(1983年)
Today and Tomorrow
There continues to be a need for a strong voice from Chinatown’s business community, to meet the challenges of today, and also to celebrate the wins – both great and small – together. Our work builds on the credibility and representation of our membership, and on our foundation of advocacy for legacy businesses and small shops, to support the cultural and economic vitality of Chinatown.
現在和將來
華埠商戶仍然需要有一個強有力的聲音,以應對現今的挑戰並共同慶祝無論大小規模的各種成就 。我們的工作建基在各位會員的信譽和代表性,以及我們為傳統及特色商店和小商舖作出維權倡議的基礎之上,以支持華埠的文化和經濟活力。
What We Stand For
我們的信念
Created by Dunefield | Wilco van Bemmel, Susan Ma, Albert Lam | Photo and videography: Brenda Xiong | Additional images: Jim Wong-Chu, Wilco van Bemmel, Susan Ma, Rob Kruyt, Ben Geisberg, Haeccity, Kayla Isomura and René Pierre | This work was made possible by funding contributions of the City of Vancouver through the Special Enterprise Program, and of Heritage BC through the Heritage Legacy Fund.
由 Dunefield 創作 | Wilco van Bemmel、Susan Ma、Albert Lam | 攝影和錄像:Brenda Xiong | 額外圖片:朱藹信、Wilco van Bemmel、Susan Ma、Rob Kruyt、Ben Geisberg、Haeccity、Kayla Isomura 和 René Pierre | 這個項目是由溫哥華市政府通過特殊企業計劃,和卑詩文化遺產協會轄下的文化遺產基金提供資助而得以完成。