Mapping Memory
Don Kwan
Ottawa, Ontario
Mapping Memory is a community art and storytelling initiative that documents and celebrates the layered histories of Ottawa’s Chinatown through visual memory mapping. The lack of archival documentation in local municipal archives prompted the project. This project aims to highlight past business iterations, original building owners, and the personal narratives that have shaped the streetscape of Ottawa’s Chinatown over the decades. Don started this work to counter cultural erasure and rapid gentrification, and to ensure that the lived histories of Chinatown’s early members, often immigrants, small business owners, and cultural stewards, are not forgotten.
A Year of Mapping Memory and Belonging
Don is an artist, community storyteller, and memory-keeper whose work is rooted in place and belonging. Mapping Memory grew from a simple but urgent realization: so much of Ottawa’s Chinatown—its early businesses, its cultural stewards, its immigrant histories—had never been documented in the archives. This project was created to reclaim those stories, to chart the Chinatown that lives in people’s memories, and to resist the cultural erasure accelerated by rapid gentrification.
Ottawa’s Chinatown holds many historically untold and undocumented stories
The project brought renewed awareness, pride, and emotional connection to many long-time residents, business owners, and younger generations in Chinatown. Collecting and publicly displaying images and stories helped reactivate public memory, thereby sparking meaningful intergenerational dialogue.
One of the main challenges was accessing historical photographs and records of past business owners. Language barriers, fading memories, the research process and the lack of formal archives made this work difficult. Don, however, was fortunate to partner with local senior groups, the Chinatown Remixed Collective, and small businesses along Somerset Street. These collaborations helped him expand the project’s scope and visibility.
Looking ahead, Don plans to continue expanding the Mapping Memory archive with additional stories, interviews, and photographs. His goal is to continue developing a map of Ottawa’s Chinatown. A living archive of memory and meaning. This opportunity and support from the OCC Fellowship strengthened his capacity as a cultural leader, helping him connect with like-minded changemakers across Ontario and develop a project rooted in memory and social justice.
About Don Kwan
Don Kwan is an Ottawa Chinatown–based artist and cultural memory-keeper whose work centers on community, heritage, and belonging. As the creator of Mapping Memory, Don began documenting the neighbourhood’s layered histories after discovering how little of Chinatown’s past existed in formal archives. His project gathers stories, photographs, and personal memories to counter cultural erasure, honour early immigrant business owners, and preserve the lived experiences that shaped the community. Don Kwan is an Ottawa Chinatown–based artist and cultural memory-keeper whose work centers on community, heritage, and belonging. As the creator of Mapping Memory, Don began documenting the neighbourhood’s layered histories after discovering how little of Chinatown’s past existed in formal archives. His project gathers stories, photographs, and personal memories to counter cultural erasure, honour early immigrant business owners, and preserve the lived experiences that shaped the community.
Instagram: donkwanart
YouTube: https://youtu.be/f9Bdw9RjyRw?si=YC4BpZsF_yHVlZJ2
Website/URL: https://www.donkwanart.com/
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