By Karun Yee
Historical Chair
After extensive preparation over a year in the making, our intrepid group of Adventurers were on their way to Yosemite National Park on May 15 through May 18 2023.

Prior to this event, the weather produced massive snow and increased flooding in Yosemite Valley as well as road closures due to sink holes. Our trip was on the verge of canceling. However, Mother Nature smiled on us and gave us a small window of perfect weather in which to visit Wawona and the Valley.

Thanks to Ranger Yenyen Chan and the amazing people of the surrounding Yosemite area, we were able to plan and overcome all challenges prior to the trip.

Lux Bus picked us on time and we were traveling HWY 99 towards our first stop – Merced for lunch at Black Bear Diner. From there we headed to the Mariposa Museum/History Center to examine the area’s history. (Remember Gorden Morgan) Our arrival at the Wawona Hotel gave us a chance to relax and explore the grounds.

Early next morning our bus drove us to Yosemite Valley Lodge to meet Rangers Sharon Miyako (supervisor) and Yenyen (who gave us an interesting lecture and walk to the Chinese quarters). The afternoon, we took a 2 hours tram ride to view and photograph all the wonderful waterfalls as seen from the Valley.

Day three our bus took us to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad where we met John Riddiough, curator of the Thornberry Museum and a ride on the diesel train through the woods. A delicious box lunch picked up at the Fish Camp Deli (TJ) was distributed on the bus ride on the way back to Wawona.

Some people ate on the nice Wawona hotel veranda. We walked to the Chinese Laundry Museum where Rangers Yenyen, Connie Lau and Jill gave us a splendid tour of the restored building. This was the focal point of our trip where the many contributions of the early Chinese workers were disclosed. Large poster story board photos were displayed with laundry artifacts. All this re-enforced the facts the Chinese played an integral part in infrastructure of the park.

Our last day we checked out of our hotel and drove to the Mariposa Grove just inside the southern Yosemite gate. After dropping us off in front of the visitor’s center, our bus driver was told we couldn’t drive there with our large bus because the shuttle service was not operating. Therefore picking up the group at the center was not possible. The bus left. I walked to the ranger gate to find out a way to get us picked up. Fortunately the transportation ranger and Ranger Connie were there to help out (my phone – no cell service) A very rare exception was made for our group and the bus was able to get us in the bus parking lot after a short walk.

Ranger Connie met our group and as a farewell, she did her fun Chinese history song with us participating.

We stopped in Oakhurst for sandwich lunch (Deli Delicious – Jordon) on our way to the Fresno Underground Gardens. Mr. Ballassare dug 10 acres underground gardens and his home there. Bizarre and fascinating history. We were ready to head home after the tour.

On the way back, CACS gave all guests the book, “Mountain Chef”. The momento of the trip describing the story of Tie Sing, a famous chef that accompanied Steven Mather in 1915 on his expedition into Yosemite to establish it as a National Park.

Tie Sing is the only Chinese to have a peak named after him by the National Geological survey team in the Park. In the back of the book, it describes the conditions and people wrote praises of this chef. He had to feed 19 people on the trail; many of these important people were well connected wealthy men, who could influence the government.

Happily, we arrived back in Sacramento around 6:30pm due to the great driving ability of our bus driver Ericka. The memories of our trip with spectacular waterfalls, wonderful new friendships made, and gaining the knowledge that the Chinese played an important part in the building of beautiful Yosemite National Park.

CACS is proud to have made this field trip possible for cultural education and thank everyone who participated.  Additionaly as a token of our appreciation, every attendee received a free 1 year Membership to CACS.

Judge: Karun Yee

This year’s theme was “Frontiers in History.” This committee is using more online reporting and allowing the judges more time to view and assess the projects. This is a real learning experience for students to produce a project from research to actual presentation steps that will be an invaluable tool in their futures. This year’s projects were outstanding in their inspiration and focus to bring the information to fruition.

I am delighted to report on the three projects I selected for scholarships this year.

Senior documentary group

#31102 was titled; “The Moving Pictures of Us; Asian American Representation in Film.” This group’s documentary viewed many old movies depicting sterotypes of Asians that influenced the American audience. Also there was a glass ceiling that was hard to break into. Actors like Anna May Wong, Sessue Hayakawa and Bruce Lee were mentioned. Today things have changed and movies like “Everything, Everywhere – All at Once”, and “Crazy Rich Asians”, are slowly changing attitudes.

Senior papers

#33005 was titled;” Vincent Chin, How A Hate Crime Unified Asian American Activists Across the Nation”. Emily Phan gave a stunning account of the events leading up to, during and after the incident where Vincent Chin was brutally killed in Detroit. The after shock of the consequences and injustice led to the formulation of nation wide protests and the coming together of various Asian organizations to have a unified voice.

Junior History paper

#23002 was titled; “God Worshipping Communists – Frontier Against the Last Dynasty.” Noah Tsai wrote about the Taiping Rebellion that forever changed China’s history. The founder of the rebels first based his leadership on civil rights and religious concepts, drawing a massive following, during a time when the government was in chaos and trying to deal with foreign intervention. Millions of people lost their lives fighting for either side. The rebellion had it’s own internal corruption and the ineffective dynasty fell.

Honorable mention:

#35004 Xenophobia and it’s history in the US
#33001 Madame Chien-Shiung Wu – 1st Lady of Physis
#31006 Korean Student Protests
#31005 Hawaii – American Frontier

The Chinese American Council of Sacramento Foundation has always supported the Sacramento Country History Day at Indercum  High School in Natomas. Focused on awarding scholarships to talented students who make a real effort to improve their skills in research and development. This learning experience will serve them well into the future.

Donate to Make the Sacramento ‘Right On!’ Social Justice Art Walk Happen in March 2023

‘Right On!’ is a social justice art event with activist volunteers walking and standing as human billboards.

They will be wearing t-shirts with dates from Supreme court cases for the last 150 years targeting Asians living in America. Each shirt will have QR codes sending observers to information regarding the cases.

Drummers from different AAPI traditional cultures will set the tone for each of the groups participating in the procession.

As the moving billboard walks, history flows and shows how racism written into our system can also be written out.

‘Right On!’ Sacramento is a grassroots project and has, thus far, relied on individual donations and a matching grant from the City of Sacramento of Office of Arts and Culture until the end of this year. For every dollar donated, they will double the amount you give. To show your support for solidarity and to promote more creative educational actions to stop systemic discrimination, please consider making a donation. Any size counts, $10, $20, $50, $100, makes a big impact and shows you care.

Donate Now

In addition to the CACS, sponsors of the art walk include JACL, Asian/Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento, Asian Resources Inc., Council of Asian Pacific Islanders Together for Advocacy & Leadership, Sacramento Asian Pacific Cultural Village, Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture, Stop the Hate California, and IOBY.

Learn More About The Art Walk

Volunteer To Help

FAQ About Right On! Sacramento

May O. Lee Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree from California State University — APIs RISE Fund

Honorary doctorate follows continuing leadership and support for generations of underserved people | Sacramento State

By Karun Yee
CACS Historical Chair

June 11, 2022 marked the opening day for the Fiddletown Chew Kee Museum and 2 other Chinese buildings. The Chinese American Council Of Sacramento Foundation and the Fiddletown Preservation Society partnered to put on the afternoon event in the park adjacent to the Museum. This was the first time our organization was able to do an in person event in a nice shaded park setting.

Our team of Franc Martinez, June Fong, Brenda Fong and Karun Yee chose to lecture on the ancient Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony describing the traditions and symbolism leading up to the marriage of a Chinese couple. This ceremony conveys the respect and appreciation between the bride, groom and the parents. Tea and cookies, lei see were served to our guests. Our Chinese lanterns, props and costumes lent an Asian atmosphere to the festivities. Cathy and Steve, Doug and Corliss came to support us.

The Fiddletown Preservation Society set up the electronics and a peaceful Tai Chi demonstration by Janet Migliore, teacher and friend with beautiful music. Visitors came as far as Red Bluff and San Francisco to visit the Chew Kee Museum and see our new brick wall of donors. We were pleasantly surprised to the good turnout although the day was extremely hot. The shade of the park trees and breeze made the day pleasant.

Our hope is this is the beginning of networking among many different groups of people with cultural education serving as inspiration.

By Karun Yee
CACS Foundation Historical chair

Every year on National History Day, there is a competition among students from elementary school through high school to win a place on the local, state and national level. This year’s theme is “Debate and Diplomacy in History” chosen for it’s board application to world, national or state history and it’s relevance to the present. Students focus on a specific aspect of a historical period or event. By research, they develop perspective and a greater understanding of the presentation process. The project categories are posters, exhibits, documentaries, websites, performance and papers as individuals or groups. The Chinese American Council of Sacramento Foundation has sponsored scholarships to these students relating to Asian topics for more than 18 years; being a part of our mission statement of cultural education and enrichment. This year, Alex Eng, Franc Martinez and Karun Yee donated funds to the scholarship.

On Saturday, March 12, 2022 Inderkum High School in Natomas was the location for this competition. Karun Yee, a special category judge, arrived at 8:30am to view and select project winners. Some exhibits were previously viewed on line making the judging to review easier. 60% is based on the students success on conducting historical research, interpreting this research and drawing conclusions. The high caliber and dedication of these students always amazes me I chose “The Fall of the Qing Dynasty; a new Era for China”, a senior documentary,by Udhayvir Mann, Kaitlyn Muring, Valerie Ha, Aleeze Ali and Queensheba Tesfay. They clearly stated all the treaties between foreign powers and the Qing government in a time frame and reflected upon the weak and unprepared monarchy to it’s detriment. I asked the students if I could share the documentary with CACS if you would like to view it. Very cohesive team work exhibited.

The second project I chose was “Korematsu vs. US, Civil Liberties and National Security” , senior exhibit, by David Cruz and Yiqin Rong. The students explained civil rights activist, Fred Korematsu, during the Japanese internment, said there was never any proof interned Japanese citizens were involved in espionage and should never have been locked in camps during the war. This lead eventually to the 1988 Civil Liberties Act that protects human rights. They had a very extensive bibliography to back up their facts.

I would invite those interested to join me next year (March) in judging or helping this very worthwhile endeavor. The opportunity to meet some of these outstanding leaders of tomorrow is inspiring.

New State Park Trail to honor Chinese Immigrants

By Douglas Hsia
It was a beautiful day on the tenth day of Chinese New Year, a sizeable crowd of guests and California State Park colleagues congregated at Henningsen Lotus Park in Lotus. They were waiting for the dedication and cutting ceremony of the Gam Saan Trail. A trail that leads from Lotus to Coloma, the Marshall Gold Discovery Park. Gam Saan means Gold Mountain in Chinese. A Chinese name was adopted because there were Chinese burial sites found on the slope of the hill leading to the American River. That was the way the spirit of the dead flowing down, following the river and eventually crossed the ocean to reach its home.

Douglas Hsia of CACS saw its significance and banded CACS with Locke Foundation and the Chinese Benevolent Association of Stockton together to petition to the State Park, to give it a name that would commemorate the Chinese pioneer miners. The State Park totally resonated with the idea and the name Gam Saan was adopted. It was the first Chinese name adopted under the jurisdiction of State Park.

The Venerable Ru Hsian led a Zen Buddhist Ceremony. The smooth sound of chanting was to cleanse the ambient and calm the spirit. During the speech session, the director of the State Park, Armando Quintero, the superintendent Barry Smith and the supervisor Steve Hilton of the State Park reminded the audience that the planning of the trail took fifteen years because there were so many artifacts buried in the slope. They were so happy to see it all came together. It brought neglected narrative back to the public, a beautiful diverse fabric of our State is woven.

Representatives of the three Chinese organizations Douglas Hsia, Bennie Mar, Honey Lum and Brenda Fong took turn to share with the audience: the auspicious, historic value and their Chinese American experience in relation to this historic occasion. America is the only home many Chinese American know and home should bear our name plate. We thank State Park for giving us a name plate in our home.

When the ribbon was cut, drums rolled, gongs banged against a backdrop of flying banners, a group of colorful lions unleashed their dance, bringing the spirit of the occasion to a new level.

The event was then shifted to Coloma Marshall Gold Discovery Park for a lunch reception. In front of the Chinese Store, Wah Hak, stood the trio of Auburn Joss House Eric Chun. They sent out the sweetest Chinese melody with modern instruments. To complement the packed Chinese delicacies lunch, the renowned Chef David Soohoo volunteered to present a demonstration of jook, a historic staple meal of our pioneer gold miners. The guests got the taste of history in their palette.

CACS being one of the three proud petitioning Chinese organizations, we are thankful to those who made it out here for the historic occasion and those members who came out to help; Franc Martinez, Brenda Fong, Karun Yee, June Fong, and Honey Lum.

Recipes provided by David Soo Ho

Unhulled Long Grain Rice Congee

Chicken Congee

By Brenda Fong
One of CACS’ longtime commitments to our API community is helping school age children through our Care for Kids 2021 Program. We worked in partnership with Kevin Thai, Deputy Director, of the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center (SCCSC), donating funds to benefit the Centers’ afterschool programs at 4 designated schools in South Sacramento with much-needed school supplies, sporting and playground equipment.

On September 24th, Joyce Eng and I met with Kevin, Shannon Roth, Youth Development Director, David Constancio, Coordinator, and Victoria Todorvitch, Recruitment Manager, to present them with a check for $4,000! This would not have been possible without the generous donations from our community organizations, private donors, and the CACS Foundation.

A big thank you goes to the following donors: Asian Resources, Inc., CAPITAL, Bill Eng, Joyce & Alex Eng, Aubrie Fong, Brenda Fong, Spencer Fong, Roger & Florence Fong, Douglas Hsia, Dr. Dick Huang, General Produce Company, Jeanie Lee, Betty J. Louie, Franc Martinez, Sylvia Minnick, Charlie Moy, Aileen Nitta, County Board Supervisor, Don & Brenda Nottoli, Lonnie Wong, William Wong, Merlayna & Frank Chin, and Karun Yee.

On behalf of our donors and the CACS Foundation, we commend SCCSC (since 1974) for providing assistance to immigrants and refugees, and your continued efforts to assist the children and their families in times of need.