by Lorene Oikawa We had a flurry of media interest in the BC Redress process. For the most up-to-date information about the community consultation process please check our website najc.ca/bcredress We are still collecting input from our community until the end of August so please talk to your family and other Japanese Canadians to encourage...Continue reading
by Lorene Oikawa I am writing this message in Winnipeg where many events are taking place to mark the centenary of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. It’s noted as a pivotal event for Canadian labour history, but it’s significant for all workers. About 35,000 workers went out on strike in May 1919 to support the...Continue reading
By Lorene Oikawa I was at the March 21st International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event in Vancouver. It was very appropriate that it was on this day, on behalf of the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC), I signed the agreement with the BC government for the funding of the BC Redress...Continue reading
by Lorene Oikawa If you didn’t see last month’s launch of the Heritage Minute about the Vancouver Asahi baseball team, you can still see it on the NAJC Facebook page and also on the Historica Canada website. The Asahi story is an important piece of Canadian history. The story is about the racism faced by...Continue reading
by Lorene Oikawa By the time you read this, we will know if Wiarton Willie (Wiarton, Ontario), Shubenacadie Sam (Nova Scotia) or Fred la marmotte (Quebec) have seen their shadow on February 2, Groundhog Day. If they do then we are told we will have six more weeks of winter and if they don’t then...Continue reading
by Lorene Oikawa Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy New Year! 明けましておめでとうございます We hope you had some relaxing times, ate good food, and enjoyed the company of family, friends, and yourself for a little self-care. We wish you happiness, good health, and prosperity in 2019. As a yonsei – fourth generation Japanese Canadian – I grew up...
by Lorene Oikawa It’s been a whirlwind of activity going into December. We remembered the Japanese Canadians who served Canada on Remembrance Day at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park. We were also reminded that the cenotaph was unveiled on April 2, 1920 so 2020 will be the 100th anniversary. Discussions are happening...
by Lorene Oikawa Last month, I had the opportunity to meet with members of the Kamloops community at the Kamloops Japanese Canadian Association (KJCA) 30thAnniversary of the Redress Agreement. Thank you to the KJCA, George Uyeda, and all the volunteers, for organizing the event which included a delicious dinner, entertainment, and a wonderful display on...Continue reading
by Lorene Oikawa The 2018 NAJC AGM and Conference wrapped up the last weekend of September in Winnipeg. Participants from across the country left with a renewed commitment to continue our work on human rights, sharing the stories of Japanese Canadians, and strengthening our intergenerational and community collaborations. The conference theme, “Moving Forward After Injustice”...Continue reading