The Huskies are proud to celebrate Asian Heritage Month through profiling the diverse and inspiring backgrounds of some of our Asian student-athletes. Below we hear from Huskie Men's Track and Field athlete Joshua Tam on his Chinese heritage, culture, family, traditions and how it's shaped the person he is today.

What is your family heritage?

I am half Chinese and half Caucasian, with my Chinese half coming from my father. My Chinese family line originates from what is presently named the "Guangdong Province," whereas my Caucasian family line is a mix of central European countries. The Guangdong Province is most known for its economic dominance, where the term "MADE IN CHINA" was coined. 

When did your family come to Canada?

My "A-Yéyé" (Grandfather), also known here in Canada as Tom, immigrated to Canada in the mid-1950s. He began to work in restaurants in Montréal to earn money, eventually making his way to Saskatoon. For the next ~25 years since his arrival in Canada, he sponsored many family members to travel from overseas. Once my "A-Yīnyīn" (grandmother) arrived, they nurtured eight children who were all born in Canada. 
 
Why did they come to Canada?

As with most immigrants, and especially those from Asia at the time, my grandfather came to Canada with aspirations for greater opportunities and a better life. He came from a rural village in the Guangdong Province, which was poor, so the idea of the chance for a better life for him and his family was enticing, even if it meant leaving their known world behind. My grandfather also had the additional responsibility of being the man who would bring his family overseas and ensure their quality of life was good once they arrived. He and many others at the time had the vision of Canada as a "Gold Mountain," where people could prosper. With these ideals in mind, my grandfather set out to work hard to bring his loved ones to a place where they would be better off. 
 
How do you celebrate your heritage?

There are many traditions that I have had the privilege to be a part of, even as a third-generation immigrant. A very classic and well-known Chinese tradition is the giving of "Hong Bao" in times of celebration and as gifts. These are small, red and gold envelopes that contain money inside. The person giving the Hong Bao hands it to the recipient with both hands, originating at the chest. This symbolizes giving a gift from the heart. The recipient does the inverse motion, accepting it with both arms and bringing it to their chest, symbolizing accepting their gift with their whole heart. 

Another tradition performed in my family is "Hansan," also known as Tomb Sweeping Day or Day of Clear Brightness. This is a day where we honour where our ancestors lie. We clean and tidy the site, offer flowers, food, drink, and burn paper money to receive blessings in the afterlife and incense to demonstrate respect and gratitude to those who have passed. In addition to these rituals, family members bow three times when giving drink to the individual who has passed. The reason we bow three times is to pay our respects and to honour those who have passed, those still living in the present, and those who have yet to come. 
 
Food and gatherings are also a large part of my heritage. My family has some excellent chefs who excel in all forms of cooking, but who have always kept Chinese delicacies close to their hearts. One such item is "doong," sticky rice with a savoury filling, wrapped in bamboo leaves and boiled for hours. All gatherings with family are never lacking in delicious food. Gathering is also another wonderful way to spend more time together and exchange stories. Being able to visit family is valued, especially during the time my grandfather arrived in Canada. During my grandfather's time, many discriminatory laws existed against Chinese Canadians, preventing people like my grandfather from bringing family members from overseas. Sometimes people could go for long periods without seeing any family and knowing they were okay, so it became very important to see family as often as possible, as you may not know when the next time will be. 

How did your culture, heritage and upbringing shape you into who you are today?

My heritage and upbringing have shaped me into the person I am and instilled ideals I aspire to follow every day. These can be divided into two main categories: compassion and dedication.

My family is extremely welcoming. My grandfather, especially, was known as a friendly host who invited people to gather for special occasions. He set the example of greeting people with open arms, no matter their background, which was learned by his children and is being passed on to me. Another story I think of often is my great-grandmother choosing to adopt a boy no one wanted off the street into our family. She was shunned initially, as there was barely enough food to feed their family before this adoption. However, she took him in anyway and fed the boy her share of food instead of eating it herself. This story of my ancestors reminds me to always be compassionate, selfless, and welcoming, and to try to do good for those in need. Even when I do not have much, I must try to find some way I can help in honour of the actions of my ancestors. 
 
My family is also incredibly dedicated. From dawn until dusk, they worked hard. My grandfather was an entrepreneur who owned and operated many locations here in Saskatoon, such as his restaurant, store, and greenhouse. Due to his poor upbringing, my grandfather was unable to seek a higher education, but he quickly learned English and started all of these endeavors so that his children could pursue a higher education. My grandmother, on the other hand, became deaf from a young age, so communication, especially after moving to Canada, was difficult. Even through these odds, she still worked tirelessly to raise and take care of her children. These children, who are my aunts and uncles, also worked virtually full-time at my grandfather's businesses while also balancing schoolwork, going to Chinese school to remain in touch with the language, and teaching English to relatives to help them pass their Canadian Citizenship tests. The foundation my grandfather built for his children allowed them to pursue higher education, which he would have been overjoyed with. All my aunts and uncles were able to follow their interests, with all holding at least one university degree. They have taught me the importance of pursuing education and being disciplined. 

Although it takes a village to raise a child, the efforts and sacrifices my father made for my sister and me were always dear. My father had a history of being well-rounded, with skills of being a photographer, an athlete, a teacher, and a coach. He spent countless hours of his time to ensure my sister and I had even better opportunities than he had, like taking us to piano lessons and signing us up for all kinds of sports he never got to pursue. Most notably, my father has spent a lot of his time supporting my sister and me in our endeavors, as my grandfather did for him. He travelled across the country and beyond with my sister while she was playing high-level hockey, and he has coached me in track and field five days a week for at least the last ten years of my life. He continues to coach me to this day. Without his commitment to giving everything to our family, I would not have grown up as I have. I will never forget his dedication to supporting us. 
 
My grandfather was a prominent figure in developing Chinese culture in Saskatoon, and like him, my father has also been a pioneer in building the world of track and field in the city. I hope one day to add to that legacy, inspiring other Chinese Canadians to pursue athletics and to create opportunities for them. 

From what I have learned from the people in my family, is that hard work will carve a path forward, and compassion will lift people in their time of need and bring people together. I am inspired every day by their dedication, and I am grateful for the foundation my ancestors have built so that I may succeed today. I am thankful for the continual support I receive from my family on the track and through academics. Whenever I get into the blocks, onto the runway, or am studying at my desk, I know I am carrying their legacy.  

Their love and dedication have given me possibilities in life that they could only have dreamt of, which I will never be able to repay. I can only hope to follow our tradition of three bows: to honour where I came from, to be strong for my family in the present, and to work hard to build upon the groundwork already laid for me, so that future generations to come may prosper even more than I have.