The Chyssem Project

About the Project

The Chyssem Project is a grassroots community effort to create a permanent archival record about the first Tibetans who arrived in Canada in the early 1970s. To mark the 50th anniversary of Tibetan immigration to Canada in 2021, the Project will facilitate the inclusion of the Tibetan immigration story as part of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 collection. The Project will also include an e-book containing individual stories and photographs.

Why it Matters

The first wave of Tibetans who immigrated to Canada are part of the last generation born in Tibet prior to Chinese occupation. Their journey to Canada was preceded by years of hardship due to war, forced exile, and life as a refugee in India. Their stories are part of our collective history and shared sense of identity. Oral stories remain the only personal connection between new generations of Tibetans born in Canada and those who were born in a free Tibet. In order to preserve that connection to Tibet, a permanent and public record of those individual stories must be created for future generations to access.

There are several ways you can donate:

For all of the payment options listed below, you must provide your name, email and mailing address in order to recieve a tax receipt.

• PayPal/credit card: Click the dedicated Chyssem Project Donate button below and make sure to include your mailing address.
  
  
  

• e-transfer to oft@oft.ca: In the e-transfer comment/message field or in a separate email to oft@oft.ca, please mention the Chyssem Project along with your name, email and mailing address.

• By cheque with a note specifying The Chyssem Project, as well as your mailing address and email address.

  Cheque payable to The Ottawa Friends of Tibet
  400 Piccadilly Ave. North
  Ottawa, Ontario
  K1Y 0H4

Unless instructed otherwise, OFT will share the donor’s name and contact information with The Chyssem Project.

OFT issues tax receipts in January for the preceding year in the donor's name and mailing address provided. Receipts will be sent via the email address provided.