By Terry Watada I thought I’d start 2016 with some surprising facts, at least surprising to me. Did you know Nobu McCarthy was Canadian? I know, who’s Nobu McCarthy? Perhaps you remember films like the egregious Geisha Boy, the Karate Kid, Part II, and Walk like a Dragon. Or TV shows like Sea Hunt, the...Continue reading
By Terry Watada Matsujiro Watada, my father, died in 1987 at the age of 81. He was a rugged man; his body was sculpted by his years working as a highrigger in a BC logging camp before farming on the prairies. He then made his way to Toronto to work for a construction company. He...
The National Association of Japanese Canadians applauds the Liberal government’s clear commitment to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees in communities across Canada over the next few months. We also are encouraged by the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s more general pledge to pursue a principled, humane approach in Canada’s international engagements. The National Association of Japanese Canadians...Continue reading
The National Association of Japanese Canadians and the Landscapes of Injustice Partnership Project are proud to jointly announce the: “HIDE HYODO-SHIMIZU RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP” Valued at $10,000, this research scholarship will be awarded to a student who was enrolled full time at a Canadian University in the 2016-2017 academic year. The successful applicant will join the...Continue reading
The National Association of Japanese Canadians’ Heritage Committee would like to announce the heritage committee survey 2015. The objective is to gain a better understanding of the national heritage situation and establish heritage-related contacts. The survey will be available online from November to December 2015. We encourage all member organizations, supporting member organizations, and other...
Did we catch your attention? Perhaps disappointing to some, the NAJC is not launching into the dating business. However, we do want to bring your attention to a matter of importance to the Japanese Canadian community. Individuals of Asian descent may find it difficult to locate a potentially life-saving stem cell donor should health issues...Continue reading
by Terry Watada We all observe customs and traditions no matter our background. They define us, they link us together, they identify us. Pity is the individual who rejects them because they are ashamed of their upbringing, their culture, their identity. “I’m just a Canadian” is a telltale sign of a lack of insight. Oddly...Continue reading
November 2015 by Lillian Nakamura Maguire, Chair, Constitution & Resolutions Committee The National Council of the National Association of Japanese Canadians met in Victoria and approved over 100 changes to the Bylaws of the NAJC. The majority of the changes included clarification of the language and editing, but there were some changes that were recommended...
by Lillian Nakamura Maguire As a 13 year old school girl – A-bomb struck Children cried for their mothers and begged for mercy Rags hung from skeletons zombie-like figures drifted past her thirsty, wandering souls, lost forever A peace activist for life. Messengers of Peace We never hear much about making peace. Seems to always...Continue reading