On June 28th, 2017, the Nishga Girl gill net boat, owned by Hereditary Chief Harry Nyce and built by the late Japanese Canadian boat builder, Judo “Jack” Tasaka, was formally re-installed in the Nishga Girl Salon at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. In attendance were 90 guests that included 46 dancers, singers and elders from the Nisga’a Nation. The songs and dances honoured the four pdeek (family) of the Nisga’a: Ganada (Raven/Frog), Laxgibuu (Wolf/Bear), Gisk’aast (Killer Whale/Owl) and Laxsgiik (Eagle/Beaver). Judo Tasaka’s family was well represented and was joined by representatives of the NAJC. A special viewing of Nishga Girl will be held for the NAJC AGM on the evening of September 23rd.
We encourage the community to add a visit to the Museum to honour a symbol of the friendship and co-operation between Eli Gosnell and Judo Tasaka as well as the First Nations and the Japanese Canadian fishermen of the West Coast. It is a permanent reminder of the Japanese Canadian incarceration and Eli Gosnell’s stand against the War Measures Act.
Thanks to the staff and the Board of Directors of MCH for their organization of the evening’s events and for their support of the Nyce and Tasaka families over the past three years.