Digital Stories Collection
PCHC-MoM is curating a collection of migration-related stories and reflections for the future Museum of Migration. Submissions remain confidential, with optional permission-based sharing on our website and social media.
Featured Stories
Stories
A Conversation on Kurdistan: With Harem Tahir and Diary Marif
Visual artist Harem Tahir and journalist Diary Marif sit down to discuss their shared Iraqi Kurdish roots and the lifelong struggle for self-determination in a territory divided across four nations. Through a collaborative lens, they reflect on surviving the Halabja massacre and systemic corruption, explaining how these traumas fueled their respective journeys into advocacy and the arts. Now based in Canada, both creators use their platforms to transcend simple narratives of conflict, showcasing the rich cultural humanity of the Kurdish people while amplifying the voices of marginalized groups worldwide.
Planting The Railway to Canada - An Interview with Soo Bing Jang and James Wong
The migration stories of Soo Bing Jang and James Wong converge in Vancouver, weaving together a narrative of survival that spans from the labor-intensive construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway to the hardships of the Cultural Revolution in China. While James’s family history is marked by the dangerous "three deaths per mile" reality of railway work and the resilience of a burgeoning grocery business, Soo reflects on her transition from a rural farming village to finding "heaven" in the simple amenities of Canadian life. Today, the couple honors their heritage through community gardening and education, viewing their family’s past sacrifices as the essential foundation for the opportunities now available to the next generation.
The Foundation of Bodwell High School - An Interview with Paul Yuen
Bodwell High School, founded by Paul Yuen in 1991, is a global boarding school where students from 50+ countries learn through multiculturalism, community, and service. Rooted in empathy and open-mindedness, the school fosters global citizens through language diversity, cultural exchange, and connections with Indigenous communities, shaping not just minds, but character.
Landscape of a Dreamer: An Interview with Luciano Rigobelo
Brazilian musician Luciano Rigobelo's journey from São Paulo to Vancouver is a masterclass in adapting to a new environment while staying true to your roots. Through teaching, busking, and collaborating, he's found a way to not only share his musical gifts but also to build a new life, proving that even without words, music can tell the most profound stories.
A Voice, A Vision, A Voyage
Discover the journey of Javier Tarazona, a Venezuelan‑born Canadian whose passion for music and accounting intertwines with a deep commitment to cultural preservation. From childhood road trips across Venezuela to mastering Spanish, English, and Portuguese, Javier navigates life in Vancouver while curating migration stories at PCHC‑MoM and crafting an album that celebrates his dual identity. Read how he turns loneliness into longing, leverages storytelling for social justice, and balances ambition with creativity in pursuit of a brighter future.
A Journey Where Music Finds Community: An Interview with Afgan Rasul
Discover the inspiring journey of Afgan Rasul, an internationally acclaimed jazz pianist from Azerbaijan, who found a vibrant community in British Columbia, Canada. Through his extraordinary musical talent and dedicated volunteer work, Afgan's story is a testament to how passion can bridge cultures and create a profound sense of belonging in a new land.
Interested in sharing your story?
We are working on curating a collection of migration-related stories, articles, and writings! If you would like to submit an original story, article or short essay belonging to you, please email info@pchc-mom.ca
Any information submitted will be confidential and for PCHC-MoM use only until the Museum of Migration has opened. We provide the option to publish your story on our website and social media, but we will only publish if we are given your explicit permission.

