By Lorene Oikawa, Past President In the blink of an eye, it is already time for the winter holiday season. The NAJC National Executive Board met in November for a weekend strategic planning session, where we developed a plan to carry out our Capacity Building Initiative, continue strengthening Japanese Canadian heritage and identity, advance human...Continue reading
By Lorene Oikawa, Past President In the blink of an eye, it is already time for the winter holiday season. The NAJC National Executive Board met in November for a weekend strategic planning session, where we developed a plan to carry out our Capacity Building Initiative, continue strengthening Japanese Canadian heritage and identity, advance human...Continue reading
By Lorene Oikawa, Past President We have wrapped up a number of events including the fall Japan tour. We are already planning the spring and fall tours to Japan in 2026. Register for more information at najc.ca/programs/japan-tour/ NAJC is following up on our Capacity Building Initiative conference we held in Lethbridge Alberta. The feedback will...Continue reading
By Lorene Oikawa, Past President Fall officially started on September 22, 2025. NAJC’s 2nd GEI Symposium wrapped up and then NAJC delegates gathered in Lethbridge for Tsunagari “Building Together” conference. Some were able to take part in a sugar beet, potato farm tour, a visit to see the new exhibit at the Raymond Museum and...Continue reading
By Lorene Oikawa, Past President It’s been a sweet summer of festivals and heritage events. We are now preparing a return to the fall routines, back to school and work meetings. Labour Day provides us a great opportunity to remember what our ancestors endured, how they survived, and thrived in farming, fishing, logging, sawmills, business,...Continue reading
By Lorene Oikawa, Past President We are mid-way through the summer festival season. NAJC has been at summer festivals including Omatsuri in Calgary and Surrey Fusion Festival. About 10,000 people participated in Omatsuri, learning about Japanese culture including wearing yukata and kimono and JPop dance culture. Over 75,000 people visited the over 50 country pavilions...
By Lorene Oikawa, Past President We are now into summer festival season. Hopefully, you are able to enjoy a bit of time, even if it’s just a day to spend with loved ones and enjoy the outdoors and the bounty of locally grown vegetables and fruit. With climate change and our neighbour to the south...Continue reading
By Lorene Oikawa, Past President Our inaugural NAJC Japan Tour successfully wrapped last month. We had 33 participants and for many of them, it was their first trip to Japan. The group enjoyed delicious food and many heritage sites, and also felt it deepened their connection to their roots in Japan. Optional day trips included...Continue reading
By Lorene Oikawa, Past President NAJC has exciting news. Starting in the fall, the new school year will include the history of the incarceration/internment of Japanese Canadians as mandatory core curriculum for grade 10 students in British Columbia. We know this has been a priority for the community for a long time. We identified this...Continue reading