HEADTAX HEROES
STORYBOARD

SUN YAT-SEN
FATHER OF MODERN CHINA

The above DPF file is in Chinese

FREEMASONS
The first organization formed by the Chinese date back as early as 1862 in barkerville. It was a clandestine brotherhood association called the Zhi Gong Tang, which was made up of merchants and gold miners tht had its origin in the secret societies of China.

The Zhi Gong Tang, also known as the Hongmen, or better known as the Chinese Freemasons, were a branch of the anti-Qing dynasty secret society. Otherwise known as Triads. They traced their roots back to five monks inside China.

The main goal of the brotherhood was to overthrow the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and restore the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), because the Manchu rulers of the Qing Dynasty were Mongolians and were regarded by the Han majority as outsiders, Between 1787 and 1911 chapters of the triad Society participated in a number of insurgencies against the Qing government.

However, in Canada, the Freemasons were more concerned with providing social welfare assistance to the bachelor workers who laboured in the mines on the west coast and Cariboo area. At the same time, these social aid programs became important tools for gathering overseas recruits, spreading anti-qing propaganda and raising money for the struggle inside China.

Interestingly, after 1911, the Zhi Gong Tang operated as a branch of the Kuomintang or Nationalist Party in China.

In 1915, the Chinese Empire Reform Association Chinese Freemasons opened its doors at 192 York Street in Toronto. Later on, the Toronto chapter was more of a fraternal association for old and single men.

KAMLOOPS CHINESE FREEMASONS

The first Chinese came into this district in 1858, and 300 or more soon started work on Tranquille Creek. Many later turned their attention to a search for gold elsewhere, notably the Big Ben in 1865, but some continued there for many years, patiently finding gold overlooked by white men in their hectic rush from one supposed Eldorado to the next.

There was a second large influx in 1884, when CPR construction reached the Kamloops area; contractor Onderdonk had imported several thousand as cheap labour. Many returned home when the railway was completed or settled at the coast, but Kamloops retained some as labourers, cooks, and laundry men. There were also a few successful merchants who became the focus of local Chinese society; unlike the workers, these had their families with them.

An interesting note appeared in June1887; this perhaps marked the beginnings of the Chinese cemetery in Power's Addition: “On rambling over the heights overlooking Kamloops one of the reporters of the Sentinel staff came upon a solitary grave. On nearer inspection there porter discovered a head board bearing a Chinese inscription which indicated a body of a celestial was buried beneath. We have often wondered where the Chinamen of Kamloops buried their dead; but this solitary grave up on the heights, over which cattle tread seems to unravel much of the mystery.'

During construction there had been a great deal of racial discrimination, but this seems to have eased gradually although there was no real integration and several attempts to suppress opium smoking.

On August 3l, 1894 - "the last few days of last week saw the inauguration of a secret order among Chinamen, which they call fire masonry. Kamloops Chinese Freemasons - 2nd Chapter after Barkerville. They take care to explain that it is much different from the Highbinder, as the Masons are all good men. The ceremonies opened with the usual volley of fire crackers, after which among other things, there was sumptuous feasting conspicuous on the table on which was a pig roasted whole. A number of the brethren from Victoria, Westminster and Vancouver were present".

All later references are to Free Masons, perhaps the Sentinel man felt Fire Mason was appropriate when fireworks were an integral part of celebrations. The organization flourished, and was a delight to whites too when the Chinese New Year was honoured each February with magnificent fireworks displays. br />
In 1912, however, the new Chinese Republic under Sun Yat Sen decreed many changes, including the adoption of the western calendar … the first Sentinel references stated they would use the Julian calendar; the next tried Georgian; final Gregorian was managed.

Unfortunately the news reached the Kamloops Chinese too late to be implemented to on January 1; they did their best they could, and began their two week festival on January15 with a telegram of congratulations to Sun Yat Sen. On January 21 there was a grand banquet in his honour, with 150 present. Next day they signified their liberation with an order that all Chinamen must cut off the queue within a week an order apparently very gladly obeyed.
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The festivities ended with glorious parade and fireworks display, and a great deal of music from the clang of gongs, clash of cymbals, beating of small drums, and whistling of shrill flutes, all run by the Masons.

Funerals were spectacular. When Yuen Lee died in 1908 the ceremonies were most impressive, but no details were given. Inlg3Z, however the Sentinel described the funeral of Sam Jack Rung who died aged only 24. He had been born in Revelstoke, but for several years had served in Kamloops as court interpreter and as English secretary to the Masons. They therefore took care of the funeral at their Temple on West Victoria under lodge Master Wey Suey.

Hundreds of Chinese attended from the whole area and heard a moving funeral oration by Charlie Lim. The coffin lay open to the sky; at its foot were tables of flowers and another laden with Oriental delicacies for the mourners, and for Sam's afterlife. Gold and silver paper, imported from china were burned to sign off wealth to be taken be hi- on his journey.

A huge procession wound its way along Victoria, up 3'dAvenue, and west along St. Paul to the cemetery, calling his name so that the spirit would follow. A Chinese Orchestra brought up the rear. At the grave side rice, chicken, cigarettes and favourite sweet meats were ceremonially lowered" and more gilt paper burned. And so the Masons said farewell to their beloved member and secretary.

History Kamloops Chinese Freemasons Timeline

1884 Dozens of Chinese Freemason members resided in Kamloops.

1894 August31. First Chinese Freemasons New Branch started the location on West Victoria Street.

1910 Chinese Freemasons had the first conference in Kamloops.

1911 Chinese Freemasons built the first new lodge in Kamloops located on West Victoria Street.

1928-December 28. Chinese Freemasons had the fifth conference in Kamloops. Guests came from all over Canada and the United States. A parade was held. It was seen by about 500 people. Lion and Dragon dances, drums and symbols were played. There was a big banquet in the evening.

1945 October 24. An anniversary dinner was held in the lodge. It served I l0 people. Don Tong was the master, Lai Sang, Chairman. Reverend Chow attended. Interpreter, Kee Lee.

1953 Chinese Freemasons rebuilt the lodge on West Victoria Street. The lodge built in 1911 was burned down by fire.

1979 The lodge was taken down to the widened West Victoria Street. The Chinese Freemasons office, at the time, was located at 576 Tranquille Road.

1986 Chinese Freemasons bought a duplex at 815-817 Battle St. for the club, unfortunately it did not meet the city by-law, so it was rented out as an investment.

1993 Kamloops Centennial Parade Chinese Freemasons won second place.

1994 The Chinese Freemasons were recognized for 100 years of service with the Centennial award from the City of Kamloops.

1995 Chinese Freemasons sold the duplex and bought a building at 474 and 476 Tranquille Rd.

1996 Grand opening of the Chinese Freemasons building.

1998 March: Athletic Club formed with the lion dance group, head master Pak Chan from Vancouver. .