About the book

Found: Tales of Chinese Canadian Settlers is a vibrant, student-friendly illustrated storybook that brings to life the untold stories of Chinese-Canadian immigrants in Alberta. Through the journey of four Chinese settlers, this book explores themes of resilience, community, and belonging, set against the backdrop of historical challenges like the Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923.
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Based on real stories uncovered through interviews with local seniors and archival research, this book celebrates the contributions of Chinese settlers to Alberta’s development, including their role in building the Canadian Pacific Railway and establishing thriving community enterprises.

Why this book matters

  • Preserves History: Documents under-represented stories of Chinese-Canadian immigrants.
  • Educational Resource: A free, accessible tool for schools, libraries, and public institutions.
  • Celebrates Resilience: Highlights the strength and contributions of Chinese settlers in Alberta.
  • Supports the Chinatown Cultural Plan: Contributes to the creation of lasting legacy archives.

Synopsis

“Four people, one community, one legacy.”

​In 1905, Lee Duck arrives in Canada with big dreams and a jade pendant, only to face unexpected challenges. Through his journey, he finds a community among fellow Chinese settlers, forging bonds of resilience and hope. Found: Tales of Chinese Canadian Settlers is an extraordinary tale of finding belonging in a foreign land, based on real stories of early Chinese-Canadian immigrants.

Read the book

Get your copy of the book

Physical copies of Found: Tales of Chinese Canadian Settlers are available for schools, libraries, and public institutions. To request a copy, contact us at projects@mpcfdn.ca.

Read along with the authors

Bring the stories of Found: Tales of Chinese Canadian Settlers to your classroom with our pre-recorded Read Along featuring authors Jane Xu and Junyi Bu.

This engaging video resource is designed to help educators introduce students to the book’s themes of resilience, community, and history. The authors read the book, share insights about their research process, and provide historical context to enrich the learning experience.

What’s Included:
  • A video of the authors reading key passages from the book.
  • Discussion prompts and historical background to help students connect with the stories.
  • Tips for educators on how to use the book in lessons about Canadian history, immigration, and cultural diversity.

Educational resource

Enhance your classroom experience with our free educational resources designed to accompany Found: Tales of Chinese Canadian Settlers! These materials, created in collaboration with educators and historians, include lesson plans, discussion guides, and activity sheets that align with Alberta’s curriculum standards. Perfect for grades 5 - 9, these resources help students explore themes such as immigration, resilience, and the contributions of Chinese settlers to Alberta’s history.
The educational resources are included at the end of the book, or you can download them directly here to bring these important stories to life in your classroom.

About MPC Foundation

MPC Foundation is an award-winning registered charity dedicated to reducing social isolation among seniors. We empower older adults by removing barriers to social inclusion, enhancing coping skills, and fostering opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute. Through our programs, we help seniors build meaningful connections and actively engage in their communities.

About the authors

Jane and Junyi are Calgary-based teachers and long-time collaborators who share a love for storytelling and art. Over the past decade, they have worked together to bring stories to life. When they’re not in the classroom or the studio, you can find them walking their dogs, shredding the slopes, or strategizing their next farming simulator victory.
This project would not have been possible without the support of:
  • The City of Calgary and the Government of Alberta for funding.
  • Heritage Park Calgary, the Museum of the Highwood, and the Bar U Ranch for sharing their archives.
  • The families of Ronald Lee, Barry Kwong, and Ging Wei Wong for sharing their stories.
  • Our editor, Betty Good, and historical advisor, Fung Ling Feimo, for their guidance.
  • Mae Chun for her unwavering support.