Humber Libraries and Archives present A Tribute to Wayson Choy

Choy was one the first faculty hired at Humber and a celebrated author

By John Yolkowski on
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A person sitting at a table speaks into a microphone while gesturing with their hands.

The Humber Libraries and Archives are highlighting an important and unique member of Humber College’s history this Pride Month.  

Teacher and author Wayson Choy was one the very first faculty hired at Humber when the College’s doors opened in 1967 and quickly gained a reputation as a caring, creative, and dedicated teacher. Wayson was also one of the first major racialized Canadian gay writers, penning two award-winning novels – “The Jade Peony” (1995) and “All that Matters” (2004). Choy also wrote two memoirs – “Paper Shadows” (1999), which was about growing up in Vancouver’s Chinatown, and “Not Yet: A Memoir of Living and Almost Dying” (2009).  

Shortly before his death in 2019, Choy donated 104 books to Humber Libraries, which now form the basis of the Libraries’ Chinese-Canadian History and Literature Collection. The collection can be explored in depth by visiting the Libraries' website.

Two people shake hands while one is presented with a book.

Throughout June, two displays in the Humber Libraries (one at North Campus and one at Lakeshore Campus) will bring together the books he donated and his own works along with archival items from his time as a teacher at Humber and at the Humber School for Writers. The displays feature archival photographs, articles, early poems written by Choy for Humber publications that haven’t been seen in decades, speeches, and QR codes to access audio-video material including talks by Choy about his career as a writer.  

The displays also feature free commemorative buttons, which visitors are encouraged to take. The displays can be viewed during regular library hours and are open to the public.  

For more information about this exhibit or Wayson Choy, please reach out to the Humber Archives at archives@humber.ca.

Pride Month celebrations continue at Humber throughout June with events and activities. More information can be found by visiting Humber’s LGBTQ events webpage.