Spirit of the Dragon: The Story of Jean Lumb, a Proud Chinese-Canadian

Arlene Chan

• Publisher: Dundurn Press
• Year: 1997
• ISBN:
  9781459715561
• Topic: Scienze sociali
• Subtopic: Biografie nell'ambito delle scienze sociali

The Order of Canada, the country's highest honour, is awarded to those who have made a distinct contribution to Canadian life. The late Jean Lumb received the Order of Canada, among other awards, for her role in changing Canada's immigration laws that separated Chinese families, and for her contribution in saving Chinatowns across Canada. Through her dedication to helping others, Jean Lumb truly made a difference to life in Canada. Spirit of the Dragon is well-illustrated with photographs of Jean Lumb in the company of her family and important people in her life, including John Diefenbaker, Queen Elizabeth, Governors General Roland Michener and Jules Leger, plus Lieutenant Governors of Ontario, Pauline McGibbon and Hal Jackman. A concluding section, as well as listing Jean's extensive accomplishments and awards, cites sources of more information about her and other Chinese-Canadians.

Continuing Recognition

Jean has received many awards and honours since she was awarded the Order of Canada. One year later, she returned to Ottawa again to be honoured for her community work. She received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Award, presented by the Queen, on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 25 years of rule. The Right Honourable Jules Léger presented her with the Governor General’s Award on the same day.

Hal Jackman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, honouring Jean at the “Jean Lumb Awards of Excellence,” 1996.

In 1982, Jean was the first woman to receive the Fran Deck Award, given to the person who makes an important contribution to Toronto’s restaurant industry. “This was a really special award,” remembers Jean. “All the years of hard work at the Kwong Chow restaurant were recognized. It was the first time a Chinese restaurant had won the award too!”

In 1983, Jean was honoured at the 125th anniversary celebration of the Chinese community in Canada for being an outstanding Chinese Canadian.

“I love Jean. She’s a kind, generous and beautiful lady, a very special person with unbelievable strength of character. Goodness shines from her face.”

Ann Mirvish, actress and artist

In 1984, Jean won the Award of Merit, Toronto’s top honour. “What a year to win,” recalls Jean, “It was the same year as Toronto’s 150th birthday.”

Jean now serves as a Citizenship Judge representing Canada when immigrants are sworn in as Canadian citizens. She continues her community work with the Mount Sinai Hospital, Yee Hong Nursing Home for Greater Toronto and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.

In honour of her great accomplishments, the Jean Lumb Awards of Excellence are awarded every year to outstanding students of Chinese-Canadian descent from schools in the city of Toronto.

Throughout her life, Jean has lived by the values her parents taught – values held dear by generations of Chinese – and many other people around the world. These include the importance of family life, obedience, respect for elders, and education.

Jean as Citizenship Judge with Metro Toronto Police Chief David Boothby.

As she said so well herself at the Dragon Ball in 1990, honouring her accomplishments – speaking to an audience of over 1,200 people – “Through the hard work and sacrifices of our forefathers, they have passed on a legacy of loyalty, honour, obedience, and respect. Through education, through the strength of family unity, and through respect for one another, we, the Chinese Canadians, have inherited a broad and firm foundation as good responsible citizens. I am proud, I am very happy, to be a Canadian.”

Sitting in her home, the walls covered with family pictures, Jean recalls, “The most important thing that my father left with me was his love for people, especially family. He used to say to me, ‘Jean, no matter what happens, always go to your family first. Your family is the most important thing. You may have friends, you may have people with other interests, but you’ll find that it is your family that counts.’”

Even though the importance of family is a strong Chinese tradition, Jean believes that it does not matter about one’s background. To her, “a family is a family”. During all her years of community work, she remembers, “If I didn’t have the family behind me, I really couldn’t have done it. Because if your family isn’t with you, beside you always, you really can’t do anything. And if your family is strong, this will make our country strong too!”

Jean lives in Toronto where her children and nine grandchildren are “my life and my joy”. Her mother was right: Jean feels blessed with her good fortune.

Jean’s Accomplishments

President, Women’s Association of Ontario

Founder, Chinese Restaurant Association of Ontario

Founder, Chinese Business A...