Immigration

When someone comes to a country and wants to become a new citizen, he or she is called an immigrant. Over the years Newfoundland has had many different kinds of immigrants. Some still come today. In the past few years, Newfoundland has had a lot of immigrants from Bulgaria and other eastern European countries. Immigrants have also come from Cuba and Central and South America. These immigrants did not like the governments and living conditions in their home countries. Sometimes their lives were in danger because of their political or religious beliefs. They wanted to live in a country with more freedom. Immigrants hope that their new country will give them a better life. Canada is a country many immigrants wish to come to.

Newfoundland's first white immigrants came mainly from England, Ireland, Scotland and France. They first arrived in the 1600 to 1800s. We also know that about a thousand years ago, Eric the Red and the Vikings visited Newfoundland. They did not stay for long. But even the Vikings were not Newfoundland's first immigrants. The native peoples, the Micmac and Beothuck, were also immigrants to Newfoundland. They came long before any white people. Thousands of years before their arrival, other natives called the Paleo-Eskimo and the Maritime Archaic people also lived in Newfoundland.

In 1997 there will be celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of John Cabot's landing in Newfoundland. But he was not the first person to come to Newfoundland. Cabot's voyage was important, but Newfoundland had given a home to many people for thousands of years before his arrival.

The Chinese in Newfoundland

When the Chinese arrived in Newfoundland, many people from England, Ireland, Scotland and France were already settled there. They first arrived about 1895. In 1995 the Chinese community celebrated the 100th anniversary of their arrival in Newfoundland.

Since 1895 the Chinese have worked hard to build a place in Newfoundland business and culture. But Wang Lee's story shows that their struggle was long and difficult. Of all the peoples who made Newfoundland their home, perhaps only the native peoples have suffered more than the Chinese.