In the mid-century, Chinese Canadian women actively participated in cultural activities to explore their new identity in the post-WWII Canadian society. This is a photograph of the Chinese Drill Team under the sponsorship of the Chinese Benevolent Association. Donna Lee Chan was one of the founders and the first leader of this team. With the provincial government’s plan to rebuild Vancouver’s Chinatown and changing attitudes toward Chinese immigrants, Donna’s parents wanted her to get to know other Chinese girls through the drill team. The first costumes of the team were assembled from the girls’ day wear – white blouses, black pants with a red ribbon strip, and red sashes. The uniforms in this photograph were their first “real” uniform made of green satin with sequins by a Hong Kong company. Performing in a Chinese drill team allowed these young women to wear clothes and accessories inspired by Chinese opera costumes. It is an opportunity for them to reconnect with Chinese culture while participating in Canadian social life simultaneously.
