Fighting for Justice on the Coast
150 Years and Counting
Fighting for Justice on the Coast is a powerful new exhibit that explores the shared histories of Indigenous Peoples and Asian Canadians on British Columbia’s coast—stories of resistance to racism, resilience in the face of displacement, and cross-cultural solidarity that reshaped the province.
Spanning over 150 years, the exhibit brings to light lesser-known struggles and landmark moments that have shaped British Columbia. From potlatch bans and land dispossession to internment, exclusion, and the fight for voting rights and professional recognition, the exhibit shows how communities came together to challenge injustice and build a better future.
This exhibit is part of the larger Asian Canadians on Vancouver Island: Race, Indigeneity, and the Transpacific Project and was developed through partnerships with the University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University, and the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives.
What You’ll Discover
The exhibit features:
Archival photos, personal stories, and legal milestones that trace the ongoing fight for justice in BC.
Panels on potlatch bans, internment of Japanese Canadians, exclusionary laws, and Indigenous land title battles.
Stories of allyship and resistance, including underground trading between Asian Canadian and Indigenous communities.
Local spotlights on communities like Paldi, BC, known for its intercultural harmony, and the raising of the James Hart totem pole at UBC.
Why It Matters
Understanding our province’s history means confronting uncomfortable truths—but also celebrating the resilience and strength of those who stood up and stood together. This exhibit invites reflection on the past and commitment to the work still ahead.
“Justice for future generations will depend on our capacities to repair relations among individuals, communities, and with the earth.”
– Fighting for Justice on the Coast
Exhibition Highlights
Here are just a few of the powerful panels on display:
Uprooting: The forced removal of Japanese Canadians from coastal BC during WWII.
Paldi, BC: A multicultural town where Sikh, Chinese, Japanese, and European residents built a community together.
Defending Identity: Stories of forced registration, name erasure, and the struggle for status and citizenship.
Take a Stand: Indigenous and Asian Canadian leaders fighting for land rights, voting access, and professional recognition.
Underground Trading: Stories of resistance through everyday acts of solidarity.
