The Art Miki National Leadership Award is given every two years to an individual who has shown leadership and who has made outstanding contributions to strengthen the Japanese Canadian community at both the local and the national levels. It is a lasting acknowledgement to the pivotal role played by Dr. Miki in the Redress Settlement of 1988 with the Government of Canada as well as his continued advocacy for human rights for all Canadians. The Award – formerly known as the NAJC National Award – is the highest award given by this organization. There is no process application and the recipient is determined by the National Executive Board.
For leadership at local and national level
Art Miki National Leadership Award
(formerly the NAJC National Award) For leadership at local and national level
2023 Art Miki National Leadership Award – Susanne Tabata
The NAJC is very proud to announce that the recipient of the 2023 Art Miki National Leadership Award is Susanne Tabata. Susanne was a long-time Director and member of the NAJC’s National Executive Board. During her tenure, she helped establish the Arts, Culture and Education Committee, which helped to create the online Japanese Canadian Artists Directory and organized the GEI : Art Symposium in 2022. However, Susanne’s most significant contribution to the community was her leadership, devotion and drive to help secure the Acknowledgment of Internment and Japanese Canadian Legacies from the Government of British Columbia in 2022. She currently is the Chief Executive Officer of the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society, an organization that has been set up to provide oversight of the implementation of the BC Redress initiatives.
2017: Bryce Kanbara
2015: Maryka Omatsu
2013: Mary & Tosh Kitagawa
2010: Ann Sunahara (exception made)
2009: Keiko Miki
2007: Tony Tamayose
2005: Jesse Nishihata
2003: Gordon Hirabayashi
2001: Joy Kogawa
1999: Henry Shimizu
1997: Roy Inouye
1995: Audrey Kobayashi
1993: Harold Hirose
1991: Roger Obata
1989: Art Miki