TORONTO, April 2, 1997: Canada's first missionary to Taiwan, who continues to be revered in that country, is the focus of an upcoming conference to be co-hosted by the Joint Centre for Asia Pacific Studies (JCAPS) of York University and the University of Toronto.

The conference, titled "George Leslie Mackay and his Legacy in Taiwan and Canada" will be held April 4 to 6 at Alumni Hall in Victoria College, University of Toronto, 73 Queens Park Crescent East. The conference, the first anywhere to be devoted to studying Mackay, will draw about 50 participants from across Canada, as well as Taiwan and the United States. It is being held on the 125th anniversary of Mackay's arrival in Taiwan.

Mackay is considered to be an important figure in Taiwan's history, yet he is little known in Canada outside of the Taiwanese community and the Presbyterian Church. Sent to Tamsui, Taiwan by the Presbyterian Church in Canada, Mackay founded hospitals and schools, married a Taiwanese woman, and was buried in Tamsui. He began his mission there on April 6, 1872, lodging in a rented stable with a borrowed bed and oil lamp.

"Mackay is unique among all the missionaries of his era, and this conference will serve as a forum for examining his legacy," said conference organizer Michael Stainton, a research associate at JCAPS and a PhD student at York University. "There is still so much affection and honour attached to Mackay's name in Taiwan that he remains an important resource for Canada in terms of our relations with Taiwan. Every discussion of Canadian-Taiwanese relations seems to start with Mackay, so he is very significant from an international relations point of view."

The conference will bring together scholars of history, anthropology, missionary history and church history, and representatives of the Taiwanese-Canadian community. "People who have done research on Mackay will be coming together for the first time. Everyone is so excited about this conference," said Stainton. "In a situation where Canada can't hold formal diplomatic relations, it's crucial for both of our countries to build on these people-to-people relations."

Highlights of the conference include panel discussions, lectures, and a display in the Royal Ontario Museum of Taiwan Aboriginal and Chinese items brought from Taiwan to Canada in the 1890s by Mackay. A public lecture and reception on "George Leslie Mackay and His Legacy" will be given by York University history professor Dr.Alvyn Austin, an associate of JCAPS and the author of the book, Saving China: Canadian Missionaries in the Middle Kingdom, 1888-1959, on Saturday, April 5 at 2:30 p.m. in Victoria University Chapel, 2nd floor, Victoria College. For a complete conference schedule, call: (416) 736-5784 or (416) 736-2100 ext. 33562.

For more information, call:

Michael Stainton
Joint Centre for Asia Pacific Studies
York University/University of Toronto
(416) 736-5784 or (416) 736-2100 ext. 33562
email: michaels@yorku.ca

Mary Ann Horgan
Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 22086
YU/033/97