I first heard the hauntingly iconic song, Watari Dori, in Jesse Nishihata’s documentary film (1973) of the same name. His family’s life history was the framework for the film’s exploration of Japanese Canadian internment and dispersal. Jesse’s film was an invaluable resource in my grade 10 Canadian History classes ever since I began my teaching...Continue reading
Category: President’s Message
President’s Message
Bathed in the afterglow of the Redress Settlement, the Toronto Chapter executive held a meeting to discuss future directions and programs. The Sansei on the executive suggested that we needed to be more supportive of First Nations land claims. A Nisei member questioned, “What does it have to do with us?” We were taken aback...Continue reading
President’s Message
Year of the Snake As we begin to bid adieu to the year of the Dragon, I would like to wish you and your family good health and happiness in the Year of the Snake. January is the time for new beginnings and is also a time for us to contemplate the life lessons and...Continue reading
December 2012
A museum is a repository of our past and holds precious artifacts that must be preserved, stored and displayed under the highest of standards. A museum is a major financial undertaking and requires a guaranteed annual budget and a host of qualified full time staff led by an inspired curator. Continue reading
November 2012
It is my belief that many of us involved in the struggle for Redress never expected success. The War Measures Act gave the government of the day, sweeping legal powers to seize, sell private property and to intern Japanese Canadians. The Liberal and Conservative governments were content to keep Japanese Canadian Redress an ‘ethnic’ issue and not until the NAJC changed strategy to make the internment of Japanese Canadians an inclusive issue around justice and human rights did they expand the base of support from the larger Canadian community. Continue reading
October 2012
Although Regina is our newest member, the Club has been active in the area since the early 1920s when it began life as a Japanese Men’s Club. The challenges facing all Nikkei communities scattered across Canada are identical to those facing the RJCC. Continue reading
September 2012
Kamloops AGM On the weekend of September 15th, delegates to the NAJC annual general meeting will gather in Kamloops, British Columbia. On behalf of the NAJC, I wish to thank and recognize the hard work of the Kamloops NAJC and the Kamloops Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre – co-chairs Betty Inouye and George Uyeda – in...
August 2012
Ronald, Roger and Redress Anniversaries are for remembrances and there will be many as 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the historic Redress Settlement. The event is a sacred benchmark in the history of our people and I look forward to hearing of events organized by our members across Canada. We will do what we...Continue reading
July 2012
“We’re Going To Do It Monday Afternoon” These were the words of Naomi Yamamoto, British Columbia’s Minister of Advanced Education, speaking on the phone to Tosh Suzuki on May 4th 2012. The event was recalled by Tosh in an article which appeared in the June 2012 issue of The Bulletin. By ‘It’ the Minister was...Continue reading