Some biographical information about the participant and some details of his role in the Chinese community: 

 

Lauren: Could you give a basic introduction of yourself?

 

Mr. A. Mark: Well, I am now close to 90…I’ve been here in Saskatoon [for] over 75 years. I’m the first… I think I am the earliest one to come here after the Second World War, when Canada was exclusionary. They [didn’t] allow Chinese to come. When they open[ed], I [was amongst] the first batch to come. I was 12 years old, now I’m 89. So, um, 77 years, I’ve been around here… Thank God I’m still kicking. 

 

Mr. A. Mark: See… then I [had] a business… You are familiar with The Golden Dragon?... I purchased a store south of Golden Dragon, right in the corner, 19th street and avenue C… [We sold] grocery, gift items, and so I’m the first one to have a store there. But that’s over 50 years ago, and I forgot about it now. I also purchased a store in Sutherland... a family restaurant to support 4 siblings finishing their Bachelors'.

 

Mr. A. Mark: I was here…I established [the first] Chinese school in Saskatoon. And I [established the] initial Dragonboat races in Saskatoon here. That [was] over 20 years ago. We call[ed] it “Victoria Park Summer Festival”... I started that with a lot of help. To raise the money, my wife and I were cleaning ash trays in the bingo hall. Around the early 2000s, [we raised] over $60,000 to buy four dragon boats, all the equipment… That was over 20 years ago, when I [was] younger. I’m retired [now], but that’s a true story. I’d like you to maybe promote that. 

 

Some preliminary discussion about what the city was like when he arrived in Saskatoon: 

 

Mr. A. Mark: Yeah, the Chinatown was in 1st avenue, 3rd avenue, 19th street, 20th street, 21st street, and so on… downtown… But Chinatown, eventually, the city [kept] moving us to the west…

 

Mr. A. Mark: So, [Chinatown went] from 2nd avenue [going through to] 1st avenue, and then [to avenues] A, B, C…

 

Further discussion of Chinatown and how it has been lost to time:

 

Mr. A. Mark: Well, I’m glad you’re interested in Chinese history a little bit. Because, another generation, they may be lost. Because, Chinatown in Saskatoon in the 60s, 70s, [it was] real humming, right in Avenue C, Avenue B, 20th Street, and 19th Street. Right across, right now, Chinatown is dying. All the old people end up in a cemetery, and the young people don’t want to do restaurants anymore. They have other professions.

 

Mr. A. Mark: I love young people [that have an] interest in the Chinese history of Canada.

 

Lauren: Could you speak a little bit more to Riversdale and how it has changed over time? How Chinatown was pushed west and why? Was it because of Circle Drive being built and developed, and Midtown Plaza?

 

Mr. A. Mark (in response): Yeah, and there, after Midtown Plaza was built, there was a wooden bridge across the rail track from 1st avenue over to Avenue A… When I came, I walked from 1st avenue across a wooden bridge overhead and [came] down 20th street on this, the west side… Lucky for the Chinese, so because of the restaurant business, they have to ear, they come over, they’re so damn poor, they can’t eat. They’ve got to wash their own clothes, so the people…you cook Chinese food, and then, Canadians [say] ‘hey, give me some!’, and then [Chinese people] start a chop suey house. That’s what keeps the Chinese alive in North America: Chop Suey House. Now, no more chop suey house than the restaurant. Chop suey was just a mixture of vegetables and meat.  Now they’re [chop suey houses] almost forgotten. 

 

Mr. A. Mark(continues): But yeah, they have chop suey house and laundry…you have to wash the laundry, so you can wash someone else’s and make money. So why not? 

 

…My grandfather, my dad was here. My grandfather worked on a railroad. They ended up in Saskatoon poor as a church mouse. So my great uncle did have a restaurant, BC Cafe…At Christmas time, they give a free dinner. And everybody…there used to be a lot of people in Saskatchewan, more than now eh, because the…farming community, they’re usually…when the harvest [happens], a lot of people [harvest] by hand…so the restaurant was busy. Right now, the restaurant is not that busy, because…less people in Saskatchewan now…

 

On how to preserve the cultural memory of Saskatoon’s Chinatown and Chinese community: 

 

Lauren: You know, now that these restaurants and businesses are not as common and Chinatown, as you said, is sort of dying in this city, what are some ways that you think this cultural community and history can be preserved in Saskatoon for future generations?

 

Mr. A. Mark: Well I think to keep that going, I thought we should have some kind of…a museum, have a place to keep the history together…

 

I am glad we have a building here now, today as I’m talking to you, this building…[Juniper House]

 

Further discussion of what Chinatown was like back in the day: 

 

Lauren: Could you sort of walk me down 20th street the way it was when you first knew it? Where did people gather? Were there places that were more common than others?

 

Mr. A. Mark: Yes, 20th street right now, used to be 20th street [that was] almost like China, part of Chinatown at the A, B, C, D. But you go to each, each down in the middle there, to try a few restaurants. There was a Royal Cafe on Avenue C, each on 20th street…

 

There used to be three restaurants together…right now…someone took over, became the park cafe….

 

A lot of 20th street, the buildings, the bank, where Mandarin restaurant, of course, was the Montreal Bank, kitty corner was still Nova Scotia bank, but now they all move[d]. Even 20th street is dying. 

 

…

Yeah, you’ve been here, you saw the river landing. That was really the heart of Chinatown. Hundreds of restaurants, the houses belong[ed] to the Chinese.

 

On how many of his friends/family moved away but he still loves Saskatoon the most: 

 

Mr. A. Mark: I think I’m one of the oldest still around…in Saskatoon, because all my friends, they ma[de] money, they move to Calgary, move to Vancouver… But I spent my money here, and then I thought Saskatoon is still the best place. The center of Canada. 

 

On how to move forward 

 

Mr. A. Mark: Let’s work together, encourage each other. Rather, preserve and culture each other…

 

Among the people here, among the country, we should work together. Peaceful, safety. Get the family and the children educated.