Bulletin/Geppo December 2021

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Bulletin the

December.2021

a journal of Japanese Canadian community, history + culture

PETER WALLACE: BUILDING SOLIDARITY THROUGH METAL PAPER CRANES

Shion Skye Carter: Dancing at the Intersection of Ethnographic and Queer Identities 電子レンジで簡単 北海道いももち Powell Street Festival Paueru Dialogues #9 “Monumental Reckoming” Japanese Canadian Focus Groups


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The Bulletin

A Journal of Japanese Canadian Community, History & Culture www.jccabulletin-geppo.ca SSN 1182-0225 v.63 No.012 December 2021 Circulation: 4,100 Canada Post Agreement Number 400-50782 G V J C CA

The Bulletin/Geppo is published monthly by the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association (GVJCCA).

Interview: Peter Wallace, Metal Paper Cranes 2

Managing Editor John Endo Greenaway john@bigwavedesign.net

Interview: Shion Skye Carter 6 Landscapes of Injustice 10 Paueru Gai Dialogues Reflections 11 Anti-racism Meeting Report 16

Japanese Editors Kazuho Yamamoto Kaori Kasai editor.geppo@gmail.com Advertising Manager Anne Jew annejew@telus.net

Remembrance Day 2021. Japanese Canadian War Memorial. Photo by John Endo Greenaway.

BC Redress Report 18 Powell Street Festival Update 19 JCCA Donations / Editorial 20 JCCA President’s Message 21 NAJC President’s Message 23 Toronto NAJC Update 24 ©

Distribution Manager Michael Tora Speier Administrative Assistant Mitsuyo Okamoto JCCA Board Of Directors Cary Sakiyama President Peter Wallace Vice President Wendy Matsubuchi Secretary Ron Nishimura Treasurer April Shimizu Director May Hamanishi Director Nikki Asano Director Human Rights Committee Tatsuo Kage, Judy Hanazawa, Ron Nishimura, Kathy Shimizu

NAJC Human Rights Committee 25 Community Calendar 26 Remembrance Day 2021 28 Watada 30 Steveston Japanese Language School 31 Tonari Gumi Corner 32 Our Edible Roots 33 Community Kitchen 34 Milestones 36 Japanese Canadians for Social Justice 38 Nikkei Place Update 40 Geppo 43

Read online: jccabulletin-geppo.ca Cover Story

January 2022 issue: December 22, 2021

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Peter Wallace

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Metal Paper Cranes is the brainchild of new GVJCCA board member Peter Wallace. A response to the uncovering of unmarked graves across the country over the past year, the project was born out of a Japanese legend that says if one folds 1,000 origami paper cranes they will be granted one wish. Metal Paper Cranes was conceived to show solidarity with communities struggling with the effects of racism and intolerance. As Peter says, “Our shared wish in this project is to create a more tolerant society for all.” To this end the project is endeavoring to create sets of 1,000 paper cranes for fourteen communities across Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada. To make this project truly special each set of paper cranes will be accompanied by two everlasting origami cranes made in silver and copper. From the Metal Paper Cranes website: The struggle for a fair society is well known today as we live within the movements of Black Lives Matter, Every Child Matters, and Stop Asian Hate. It can be overwhelming but you are not alone with these feelings. Metal Paper Cranes asks you to join members of the community and lend your time towards a shared goal. For your help in folding cranes we ask you to also suggest where you would like a set of 1000 cranes to be sent. Of the fourteen gifting locations nine have been pre-selected by the project with the other five open for voting.

PETER WALLACE: BUILDING SOLIDARITY THROUGH METAL PAPER CRANES

Gifting Locations 1. Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, BC 2. Museum of Human Rights, MB 3. Government of Yukon, YT 4. Government of Northwest Territories, NWT 5. Government of Nunavut, NU 6. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops) First Nation, BC 7. Lower Kootenay Band, BC 8. Cowessess First Nation, SK For more information, to vote on the other locations, and to take part, visit https://ptw11235.wixsite.com/metalpapercranes

by John Endo Greenaway

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BULLETIN INTERVIEW

Peter Wallace

First of all, welcome to the board of the JCCA, it’s wonderful to have a new face and new energy. No pressure though! Thank you for your kind words and for your hard work for the community editing The Bulletin each month. I’m happy to be part of the JCCA here in Vancouver and contribute in my own capacity to the community of Japanese Canadians. Maybe you can share your family background with us. That’s always one of the first questions I get asked when I meet another Japanese Canadian! I am a half-Japanese yonsei (4th generation) and my family came to British Columbia in around 1910 from Fukuoka and Kochi. During the war they were deported to Popoff internment camp in the Slocan Valley and after the War Measures Act restrictions were lifted in 1949 they returned to Vancouver. My family has been in the Lower Mainland ever since.

I grew up in Port Moody and I attended Japanese language school every Saturday at Van Tech. That was so long ago and now I can’t remember if the school was affiliated with the JCCA or VJLS in any way. But I bring this up because my mom wanted to encourage in my siblings and I a connection to Japanese culture that she didn’t get growing up as a child of former internees. My Japanese language abilities are so-so at best but I am encouraged when Japanese speakers can understand my meaning, despite probably not using correct grammar! (Here is my current level of Japanese...) 日本語を少しだけ話せますか。 で も、 日本へときに私は日本語を覚えてります。I’ll always be grateful to my mother for sending me to Japanese school and planting the seed of Japanese culture. Have you always identified as Japanese Canadian or was this something you came to as you grew older? Always. My grandparents were very candid with my siblings and I when we were young about their lives and I remember asking them about the camps when we were having breakfast at their house after a sleepover on the weekend. It must have been a Sunday, and it was a bright day already as we ate pancakes and poached eggs. My grandmother was telling us about her school in Popoff and she said that her younger brother and younger sister were in the

class with her because there was only one school for all the children. Her brother was rocking back in his chair, not paying attention, and he fell backwards onto the floor and the whole class laughed! Even by the age of 8 or 9 when I was told this story I had the idea that the internment was not good but this story made my grandmother laugh as she told it. I made a comment that my grandma had fun while at Popoff and I’ll always remember her smile went away and she said, “it was terrible.” But let’s move away from internment for now. My identity has always been a collaborative mix of Japanese Canadian and Northern European. At home we had Japanese food and Western food. We had lacquerware and porcelain, tea cups and plastic cups. For a decade I attended a heavily caucasian-majority school during the week and Japanese School on the weekends that were followed by a visit to Fujiya. It was very normal for my family to have both cultures around us. Over the years the “Japaneseness” part of my identity has taken on a more defined role within my greater sense of “Canadianness” as the identifiable subset or minority identity within Canadian society. I have recently begun to think that being a Japanese Canadian is not what it once was. The experiences of the issei and nisei are hardly comparable to the later generations and now I am likely to consider myself to have Japanese Canadian heritage, a connection to that wartime population that was forced to abandon large parts of their culture, rather than be a “Japanese Canadian” like my grandparents and great-grandparents. This distinction only really applies when speaking to nisei.

How have you dealt with COVID 19 and the associated lockdowns and restrictions over the past two years? Has it already been two years... where has the time gone? When the restrictions began I was put on remote work and then I lost my job altogether as business fell nearly 100% in the Indigenous art gallery I was working at. I was on CERB and had nothing to do, and so I drove the car-free #1 highway up to West Vancouver and went on hikes among the giant cedars and firs. The first year of the pandemic I don’t know how much time I spent on the mountain trails but some days I would be up there walking in the forest between the British Properties and Cypress, exploring the abandoned loggers’ cabins, walking along the ski-tracks at Hollyburn, etc until it started to get dark. Each hike I would go farther than the time before and eventually I made it up Hollyburn Mountain, and then to Cypress. I found the hikes very therapeutic and a good escape from the depressing state the pandemic put Vancouver into, but I eventually hiked all of the hikes and was again looking for something to do. As I was collecting CERB, government money, I thought I would spend my time giving back and volunteering at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre. I helped in the kitchen cooking hot lunches for the urban Indigenous elders and delivering those lunches. The VAFCS liked me, hired me on, and gave me an emergency relief budget to oversee. I was busy again, which was good. With some of my extra time I focused on JC projects, such as the NAJC Anglican Healing Fund Committee’s work with the Anglican Church of Canada, and helping seniors sign up for the BC Redress Health and Wellness

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grant that closed on October 31st of this year. I forgot to mention that the pandemic was what allowed me to ponder folding a giant origami crane out of sheet copper! Are there any positives that have come out of it for you? The pandemic has given me a lot of time to reflect on what is important to me. My time with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre and the Japanese Canadian community during the BC Redress grant sign-up showed me that I’m very happy supporting seniors and communities. I am proud of the work the JCCA is doing right now with the BC Attorney General’s office and with the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner. What prompted you to join the JCCA? This is a short answer. I was asked to join and I did! My work with the NAJC Anglican Healing Fund Committee (formerly the Japanese Canadian Working Group), and with BC Redress back in 2018/9 had introduced me to the JCCA and the work being done by them.

support it by folding origami cranes, 1,000 of these will be accompanied with a copper crane and a silver crane in a set. Your silver and copper cranes are pretty amazing. Do you have a background in metalwork? How long does it take to create each crane? I took high-school metalworking for a number of years and after graduating I purchased some tools to continue silversmithing as a hobby. The best purchase I made was a rolling mill, a tool that allows you to flatten metal into bars and sheets. One day I flattened a piece of sterling silver as thin as possible out of curiosity. It was surprisingly flexible and I, being a fan of origami, tried to fold it. The silver folded with some effort and then it cracked into two pieces! The fold had put too much stress into the metal and I remembered that alloyed metals, like sterling silver (92.5% silver), are harder than pure metals (99.9% silver). I purchased some bullion silver and flattened it in the rolling mill and with some effort and error I folded it into my first metal origami crane!

I can fold a metal crane in about two hours, but you might expect the silver cranes to be quicker to fold, and they are! Why the apparent discrepancy then in the two hours it takes to fold a silver OR copper crane? Jewelry suppliers in Vancouver are not able to roll their silver to the How did you come up with the concept for Metal thinness I require for the cranes and I have to produce the silver sheets myself, which takes up a lot of time for the small silver cranes. The copPaper Cranes? The news stories about the discovery (or more like per cranes are larger and need more time to complete each fold, but I confirmation as it was long known that bodies were am able to purchase sheet copper that is ready-to-fold. buried somewhere) at former residential schools of How did you come up with the number 14 in terms of the number of unmarked and mass graves of children had me think- communities you will gift the cranes to? ing about racism and what a person like me could do. Fourteen sets is what the project is able to produce within budget. I had As a Japanese Canadian I immediately thought about intended the project to have more sets initially but having a reduced sending sets of 1,000 cranes to communities afflict- amount of funding may be a blessing in disguise. 14,000 paper cranes ed by these discoveries as origami cranes are global are currently needed, a huge undertaking in and of itself, and adding symbols of peace and hope. I had previously created an extra 50% is a daunting thought! To date we have 2,000 folded and a silver origami crane but I wondered if it would be strung cranes and 3,000 distributed sheets of paper so we are on track possible to create larger metal cranes? Perhaps in to reaching our 14,000 goal. The project period is from November 2021 copper, as copper metal has historical significance to to February 2022. many Indigenous people. Copper can be found natu- If anyone is interested in donating to the project to expand the amount rally occurring as nuggets in Canada and has a long of communities beyond fourteen please get in touch with me. history of use in tools and adornment objects. After contact sheet copper from ships became widespread For those who would like to help fold the cranes but have never done and the custom of crafting “Coppers” began, which it and may feel intimidated, how difficult it is to fold them for beginners? Do you supply the paper or do the volunteers source it themfurther reinforced copper’s cultural symbolism. selves? A secondary consideration for making a metal crane Be at ease, origami is enjoyable and accessible! If this is your first time was that paper cranes will eventually tatter and tear, folding origami the first crane may be confusing, the second crane might but a metal crane can serve as a permanent symbol be too, but by the third crane you’ll be great at it. I felt comfortable with for peace and hope. My decision was to launch this origami cranes as a public art project because it has very few barriers for idea as an art project for Japanese Canadians to participation and there are many good resources online (or on the back show solidarity with communities facing the effects of of a back of origami paper). Folding can be accomplished by a person of racism today, much like communities showed the Jap- nearly any age or ability and the methodical process involved in folding anese Canadians support during Redress. The project creates a meditative atmosphere to temper the difficult topics of racism has since grown to include anyone who would like to and equity.

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Please reach out to me if you would like to take part in the project and I can arrange to deliver origami paper to you. On the project website there is a section for paper requests within the contact form at the bottom of the page.

What do you hope to achieve through this project? We are engaged with big topics in our daily discourse surrounding privilege, rights and power. These topics come fraught with distractions, often from points of view that are rooted in ignorance and fear and wrapped in a divisive cloak. Politics is one such conflating distraction. The wealth gap is another distraction. And individual responsibility is a third distraction. What I hope to do with this project is what I imagine most origami crane projects seek to achieve, and that is to demonstrate a shared desire to acknowledge shared suffering and to wish for a peaceful future. This goal is achieved in the act of gifting and it represents the shared wishes of the hundreds of individuals who will help for the cranes.

ada. I hope that this process will allow you to make new discoveries of yourself and to encourage you to show support for other communities facing racism today. For your help in folding cranes we ask you to also suggest where you would like a set of 1,000 cranes to be sent. Of the fourteen gifting locations nine have been pre-selected by the project with the other five open for voting.

A secondary goal of this project is to have participants debate with themselves the difficult topics of racism, equity and human rights. I want you, the reader, to consider who you would like your cranes to go to and to consider their situation facing racism today. The struggle for a fair society is well known today as we live within the movements of Black Lives Matter, Every Child Matters, and Stop Asian Hate. Take the time while you are folding cranes to contemplate racism in your region, and in Can-

Anything you’d like to add? I would like to thank my granting agencies for their support of Metal Paper Cranes. This project is supported by the Young Leaders Fund of the National Association of Japanese Canadians and by Neighbourhood Small Grants. The funding from these agencies has allowed me to realize this project.

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Shion Skye Carter

Dancing at the Intersection of Ethnographic and Queer Identities Originally from Tajimi, Japan, dance artist Shion Skye Carter in now based in Vancouver, where she pursues her burgeoning career both as an independent artist and as co-founder of olive theory, an interdisciplinary duo with musician Stefan Nazarevich, with whom she collaborates to experiment at the intersection between embodied performance, installation art, and live sound. Through choreography hybridized with calligraphy, video, and sculptural objects, her work celebrates the intersection of her ethnographic and queer identities, in connection with her hybrid heritage. Shion holds a BFA in Dance and Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University, and is the 2021 recipient of the Iris Garland Emerging Choreographer Award. Over the last number of years she has performed across Canada, and worked as artist-in-residence at What Lab and Left of Main in Vancouver, as well as LEÑA Artist Residency on Galiano Island, BC. Her recently produced short films have been screened at festivals globally, including Dancing on the Edge Festival Canada, and Festival of Recorded Movement (Canada), Dance Days Chania (Greece), and Moving Images Dance Festival (Cyprus). As a performer, she has interpreted the works of artists such as Anya Saugstad, Vanessa Goodman (Action at a Distance), Ziyian Kwan (Dumb Instrument Dance), and Wen Wei Dance. On December 15 at 4pm PT, Shion is one of five emerging Canadian choreographers presenting her work as part of NEXT: New Dance in Development, a co-presentation of DanceHouse and 149 Arts Society with the support of the National Arts Centre. The online presentation is the culmination of a two-week residency in t h e Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. For the live stream, the artists will present a 75-minute sharing of their works in progress. Everyone is invited to join the live stream to witness new works beginning to unfold, catching a glimpse into the next generation of contemporary dance in Canada. More information and free registration: dancehouse.ca/event/next-new-dance-in-development

by John Endo Greenaway

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6 月報 The Bulletin


BULLETIN INTERVIEW

SHION SKYE CARTER

You were born in Japan – how did you wind up in Vancouver? What was your childhood like? I was born in Tajimi city in Gifu prefecture, Japan, and lived near the larger city of Nagoya in Aichi prefecture until I was six years old. I’m sure there were several reasons why my parents decided to move our family to Canada, including work opportunities for my dad who runs his own graphic design company, but I’d like to think that my parents wanted a fresh start in a new place. When we moved here I understood English but didn’t speak it very well, which made me a bit self-conscious going into elementary school in a new environment. Soon after, my parents enrolled me into Gladstone Japanese Language School, where I found a sense of community amongst a whole school of kids with similar connections to Japanese culture like myself. I attended this school once a week for 10 years, which I’m incredibly grateful for as it helped me keep developing my skills in Japanese reading, writing, and speaking. I sometimes wonder how different of a person I would be if my family didn’t move here, and what I would speak and act like! I took calligraphy lessons at Gladstone as well, which has carried over into my life now as an adult and artist. Aside from Japanese lessons, I spent my childhood working hard in school, dancing through my high school’s arts program, and visiting either my Dad’s side of the family in Edmonton or my Mom’s side of the family in Japan during the holidays.

The pandemic has affected artists in different ways, have there been any positives that came out of it for you? I’ve been so inspired by the way artists shifted their live performance projects into digital formats during the COVID-19 pandemic, and seeing all of the amazing work that has come out of it. It has led to me exploring my own interests in directing and editing dance films, the first of which I created in Spring 2020 during the first period of lockdown. I’ve made three more dance and interdisciplinary films since then, and it’s been a great learning experience moving my ideas into the realm of short films, teaching myself new skills like how to use video editing software and submitting my projects to film festivals. I plan on continuing to develop these skills, and exploring digital forms of dance for upcoming projects. The pandemic has also led to more online conferences, artist panels, and other events, which I’ve found to be a great way to build relationships with artists outside of my own city. I first connected with dance artist Mayumi Lashbrook and Hitoko Okada online in this way, and we are now developing a cross-country collaboration that I’m extremely excited about. You like to blur the lines between art forms, both in your work with olive theory and in your other projects – is hybridity part of your nature, do you think? And do you think it’s connected to your reality as someone moving between cultures and homelands? I do think that hybridity and migrating between artistic disciplines is in some way linked to my roots in multiple cultures, as a mixed-race Japanese Canadian with living memories in both countries. Learning new skills by collaborating with artists in music, film, visual art, technology, and cultural heritage craft has inspired new perspectives and approaches to my dance practice, which keeps things feeling fresh when diving into creative research. My curiosity is consistently renewed when oscillating between dance and other art forms, so I’d love to keep exploring how I can interweave multiple disciplines in my work while exploring the connection between movement, my identity, and heritage.

Have you always danced? Did you have a clear vision for yourself as a child? I took my very first ballet class when I was eight-years-old at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, in Burnaby. But before this, I do remember seeing home videos of myself as a toddler that my parents captured where I’d dance and perform around the house. It’s hard to admit, but I think I used performing and making up dances as a way to grab my parents’ attention after my younger sister was born! After that first ballet class when I was 8, I told my parents I wanted to do sports instead, and didn’t take up dancing again until I was 13 years old. I took classes in contemporary and modern through Byrne Creek Secondary School’s arts program, where I discovered a passion for movement and a curiosity to explore the connections between self-expression and embodiment. It wasn’t until I was in my final year in secondary school that I realized that pursuing dance as post-secondary education was a possibility for me; I didn’t really consider a career in the arts as a reality, and was considering going into a degree in nutrition or other health sciences. I’m grateful to my teachers, Shannon Tirling and Allison Murphy, who encouraged me to audition for the Dance program at Simon Fraser University, where I trained until graduating in 2018. If I were to travel back in time and tell my child self You’ll be working with a fibre artist, Hitoko Okada, that I’d be working as a freelance artist, I think I’d be incredibly surprised! and with dance artist Mayumi Lashbrook. How did But I’m ecstatic to be doing what I love, and creating movement projects this project come about? to share with audiences. I first met Mayumi through an online artist panel hosted by the National Association of Japanese Canadi-

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ans in February 2021, along with some other incredible young Japanese Canadian artists who shared insights into their creative practices. I instantly felt gravitated towards Mayumi’s passion and energy as a fellow mixed-race Japanese Canadian artist expressing herself through dance, and reached out to chat via video call about ideas for a future collaboration. We share a mutual interest in deepening ancestral connection through embodied performance, and in this video call, talked about how we both find washi paper and traditional Japanese textiles fascinating. Mayumi mentioned that she recently saw Hitoko’s textile works online and was interested in looping her into the project; fast forward to October 2021, and the three of us are meeting in-person for the first time in Hitoko’s studio hearing her stories about the history of washi paper and shifu, from a diasporic lens. We all felt an instant kinship with one another, and through our conversations in Hitoko’s studio that day, the initial ideas for our collaborative performance Threading Echos (working title) were born.

the choreography. Mayumi and I will evoke the Japanese mythology “The Red Thread of Fate” through movement. Legend says that people connected by this thread are destined to interact, regardless of time, place or circumstance; even if tangled or stretched, this thread will never break. We like to think that this thread of fate brought the three of us together to create this piece.

Hitoko Okada works with washi paper – many of us are familiar with that – but also with shifu, and that’s maybe not so familiar. What is shifu, and how will you weave it onto your work (pardon the pun)? Shifu is a type of fabric woven with kami-ito, which is thread made from washi paper. The process of making shifu is an old weaving technique rooted in 6th-century Japan; Hitoko feels a strong calling to carry on the practice of making kami-ito and shifu, which could disappear with the last traditional artisans in Japan. The slow process of twisting and spinning strips of washi paper into kami-ito imbues the thread with a strong tension, capturing the energy of the person who committed hours using that twisting gesture with their hands. The collaboration that we are currently in the first research phase of, Threading Echos (working title), shares the history of shifu through contemporary dance, expressing how we, as Japanese Canadians, connect to this time-honoured, hands-on practice in the present day. In the fast-paced, consumption-driven system that we’re in, taking agency to produce a quotidien material like fabric and creating a performance around it becomes a work of activism. I’m inspired to choreograph with soft gestures, repetition, and the dancers’ bodies interacting with thread and fabric in the performance, to create a work that releases and calms both the performers’ and audience’s nervous systems.

I read in an interview with you and your olive theory partner Stefan Nazarevich that you are looking to build community. Can you expand on that? It sounds ambitious and exciting. One of the driving impulses that pushed Stefan and I to found olive theory was to create work that doesn’t layer multiple art forms on top of one another, and instead merges them to create new artistic languages. We explored this through our debut project, reach-close, which features an interactive amplified piano wire installation. Stefan and I performed movement and music within the installation, and after the conclusion of the piece we let the audience interact with the installation themselves. In our research, we guided one another to learn bits of each other’s artistic practices in music and dance, and learned new skills together, in instrument-building and sound installation technology. Because the work we created didn’t fit the molds of dance or music, it attracted audience members from all walks of life, branching out the reach of our artistic platform. We hope to keep opening the doors of the arts community to more and more people through the work we create.

Tell me about NEXT: New Dance in Development – what does it mean for you as an emerging artist? I’m incredibly grateful to be a choreographer in NEXT: New Dance in Development, where I will be diving into initial research in movement, lighting, and set design for Threading Echos (working title). As an emerging artist, having the support of a residency in a state-of-the-art theatre space like the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre in Vancouver is a great boost for the ideas I yearn to explore for my project. Through the resources provided by the residency, I’ve been able to bring on visual artist Wakana Shimamura to develop the set design, lighting designer Hina Nishioka, and dancer Katie Cassady for movement research, while Mayumi and Hitoko engage virtually to help shape the project’s development. I’m very excited to see how the project takes form through this residency process!

Through 2020-2021 we adapted reach-close for film, and in the future we can see this piece taking shape as a large-scale installation in a public space. We’d love for people to happen upon our art, regardless of whether they’ve sought it out, or how often they go to art shows. In the future we can see olive theory organizing workshops for youth, teaching preliminary instrument-building and collaborative art-making. We hope to foster the curiosity of young minds, and eventually open an arts space that is a hub of community events, education, and culture.

Anything else you’d like to add? For anyone who’d like to follow along with what I’m up to in my creShifu will be a part of the performance as a set piece, ative practice, or to see my past works, you can check out my website at and the gesture of unraveling thread will be a part of shionskyecarter.com or my Instagram: @shionskye.

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www.landscapesofinjustice.com

CUSTODIAN CASE FILE: 1556: HEIJIRO HIRAOKA by Pat Jette I never knew my paternal Issei grandfather. Heijiro Hiraoka was born December 1, 1883 in Oshima-gun, Yamaguchi-ken, Japan. He passed away on December 5, 1953 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The only original document source I had was a 1914 Dominion of Canada “Certificate of Naturalization”. The year of his immigration to Canada appears to be 1899. He lived in New Westminster, Vancouver, San Mateo Bay, Cumberland (No. 1, Jap Town) and finally settling in Bamfield prior to evacuation. Pre-uprooting occupations included shingle mill (sawyer), fisherman, coal mining and whaling station. Eventually, father and son, Masao, became self-employed with a trawler named Tzaartoos. Heijiro and his wife Kise had four children from 1914 to 1924. With the release of the Landscapes of Injustice database we have uncovered over 400 pages of documentation related to our family…beginning with two unexpected rare photographs which were part of “The Bird Commission” (The Royal Commission on Japanese Claims) court proceeding transcripts. Winnipeg Lawyer the Honourable Saul Cherniak was their voice… Claim Case Number 898, RG33-69-VOLUME 45 After they were transitioned from the West Coast, we have a new timeline to research. Discovering that they moved seven times (Powell Street rooming house, Hastings Park, Sandon, Rosebery, Tashme, Tully’s sugar beet farm in Manitoba and finally Winnipeg). This did not include my father’s road camp assignment at the “Revelstoke-Sicamous Highway Project” and building gang in New Denver experiences. My mother’s term for evacuation was “Kicked-Out!” She was born and raised in Steveston and gave birth to two children in Sandon. The LOI paper trail continues with R.C.M.P. forms which revealed “first and maiden-names” of my Royal Navy, Office of the Custodian – Japanese Section, Japanese grandparent’s parents! Meaningful handwritten let- Fishing Vessels Disposal Committee and other various organizations. ters by concerned property custodians. Also, by searching other Japanese names in their fishing inlet com“Analysis of Personal Property Claim” – Interpreta- munity, I was able to find a map indexing who their neighbours were. tion of value??…Heijiro and his son disagreed with I’m Pat Harumi Jetté, born in Winnipeg and now live in Calgary. I have the appraisal of property and possessions of their been researching my JC and Japan heritage for a while. I have seen livelihood. They repeatedly inquired about “no trace the original “Fishing Ledger” at the Nikkei Museum in Burnaby. The of” items throughout the internment. Imagine corre- staff has assisted me with koseki (family tree) charts and Library & sponding with the Department of National Defense, Archives Canada collections ordering. I have followed the LOI journey Department of Labour, Secretary of State, Property since the beginning and never expected this overwhelming wealth of Claims Commission, Pacifi c Command Canadian information. Our gratitude to all involved!

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10 月報 The Bulletin


The Paueru Gai Dialogues reflections The Paueru Gai Dialogues – take nine The ninth and final session of the online Paueru Gai Dialogues was held on Saturday, November 20, 2021. Monumental Reckoning was facilitated by guest host Kelty Miyoshi McKinnon, with panelists Skundaal Bernie Williams – Gul Kiit Jaad, Joe Fry and Ken Lum. Kelty Miyoshi McKinnon is a Landscape Architect and Partner at PFS Studio. She is committed to the creation of meaningful public spaces that merge cultural, social, and environmental ecologies. Skundaal Bernie Williams (Gul Kiit Jaad; Golden Spruce Woman) is a long time Downtown Eastside resident, artist and activist. She is a passionate advocate and rallies against the discrimination, abuse and sexual assault, human trafficking, exploitation against Aboriginal and LGBTQ2S women and girls. Joe Fry is the founding principal of Hapa Collaborative and a contemporary voice for landscape architecture and urban design in Vancouver. Joe is a coach, a parent, a volunteer and a committed participant in our City’s discussion about design and the public realm. Ken Lum is an artist of long standing who has exhibited widely in numerous important global art exhibitions. He is co-founder of Monument Lab, a think tank focused on analysing monumental and memorial forms as well as an active writer.

Monumental Reckoning The ninth and final Paueru Gai Dialogue session, held November 20, invited us to examine and reimagine the idea of monuments and why memorialization might be important. The session was introduced by Nicole Yakashiro, who began by pointing out that land acknowledgments can seem empty and devoid of true meaning, but can hopefully serve as entry points to bigger conversations, like this one, around occupying stolen lands. As she said, by way of introducing the topic, “The ongoing debates over the relationship between history and monuments is in my mind vital – monuments are not history per say but they do make historical arguments about what and who matters, and what and who do not matter and in doing so they deserve our attention.” Guest host Kelty Mckinnon and the three panelists then spent the bulk of the session “dismantling” monuments as they have historically been manifested and examining how memorialization could be better served through deep engagement with community. The wide-ranging presentations took us from the streets of Philadelphia, where there is a statue of the fictional Rocky Balboa but not of the real life Joe Frazier, to Japan, where natural monuments are recognized; from the Downtown Eastside, where the Survivors Totem Pole stands as a symbol of survival and healing from social and racial injustice, to Steveston, where the Nikkei Memorial Public Art Project provides a place for reflection and even the harvesting of plums. Given that monuments can often appear as imposing, immovable objects devoid of nuance or emotion, the presentations were surprisingly emotional, often touching on the idea that the voiceless need to be given voice, that the powerless be given power. Just before splitting off into the breakout rooms, Joe Fry said, speaking of the Nikkei Memorial Public Art Project, “My kids are part Chinese, one quarter Japanese, one quarter Caucasian, I think it’s in the curriculum in Richmond, but it was a new story for them, and it’s a new story for their classmates, and so we wanted to make sure that we were acknowledging that kind of layering in it, and to not co-opt the space. I think that’s a really important idea, that we’re not trying to gentrify but to tread lightly and to allow for other voices to be heard.” And with that, I will turn the rest of this space over to Nicole, Kelty, Skundall, Ken and Joe. Thank you to the Powell Street Festival for these nine thought-provoking sessions and the critical questions they summoned forth.

by John Endo Greenaway

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Remembering and its twin forgetting, particularly in the public realm, are never innocent or benign acts. They’re political and they impact different communities in different ways. Memorialization too has its own history. Monuments are erected and places are named within specific times and places. The good thing about this is that our context is always changing, which means we have the ability to change what we want to memorialize and how we do so too. I’m especially concerned with how the history of Japanese Canadians is remembered and mobilized. How has the community commemorated its past, and at what cost. Who is included in these commemorations and who is excluded? How do these commemorations happen? What kind of behavior do they valorize, and what kind of actions are forgotten? Who might our commemorations obscure? How might we find new ways of commemorating the Japanese Canadian past that do better to acknowledge indigenous peoples on-going struggle against colonialism, for example, or that support other communities facing their own forms of violence such as the Downtown Eastside community or the trans community on this day of transgender remembrance? These are just some of the questions I’m asking myself as we enter today’s dialogue, and I encourage you to ask your own and to take seriously the impact of remembering and forgetting today. – Nicole Yakashiro

Kelty Miyoshi McKinnon When I lived in Japan I was interested in this idea of monuments as something a little bit different. The Japanese word for monument is kinenbutsu – a collective term used to designate cultural heritage or importance. A monument can be designated based on multiple criteria, so for the historic sites and special cultural sites it is things like settlement ruins, battlefields, or other historic ruins of historical significance. The second category is places of great beauty – viewpoints, mountains, valleys, and caves, but also springs, sand dunes, wetlands, places inhabited by a particular insect or bird, places of dense growth and even particular colours. And then it gets stranger and more interesting when we move into the idea of natural monuments and how they’re designated. One of the categories is peculiar and unpeculiar animals, plants, vegetation, historic trees, a deformed tree, a cluster of wasteland plants, rare waterplants, indeed algae, moss, and even microbes can be monuments, conformable and unconformable strata, folds and thrusts of geology, the sediment of onsen, ice and frost phenomena, and erosion . . . These lists made me think of the poetic lists of the Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon, the genre-bending writer from long ago whose unusual juxtapositions make us think of the elements of everyday life in new an inventive ways, so like the unconformable strata of Japan’s designated monuments, how might the everyday erased and/or historically denied push-up fold and thrust into our public narratives to represent and take up space once again. How can we rethink and reimagine what monument means and why memorialization might be important? do we need monuments and if so, why? what do they mean and for whom? who is making the monument? who participates in that making? How are monuments being rethought?

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12 月報 The Bulletin

Joe Fry My mom, who still lives in Marathon, has been working very hard with the province on an historic site. When we talk about commemoration there’s this kind of, whose story is being told? So Neys is the site of a prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers, and there’s a plaque there. In the last sentence it says how these German soldiers were treated so humanely as military prisoners that it prompted hundreds of them to immigrate to Canada after the war as if Canada’s treatment of these people was just so special. Not 20 kilometres from this site is the Angler prisoner-of-war camp and no acknowledgment of the way that the same government at the same time were treating a group of 800 people quite differently and that site has no recognition. There is no monument, there is no plaque. And we’re going to be working in the next several years to ensure that that story is told as well. There’s so many topics to touch but you know for me the act of commemoration is about truth, it’s about transformation, it’s about experience of body and mind, not just a storytelling or educational piece, but something that you physically have to experience. Its collaboration with all sorts of people and it’s really an acknowledgment of stories that probably wouldn’t be told in other eras.


Ken Lum I think one of the problems in terms of monuments is that the solution seems really simple – we just take down some egregious monuments or we put up monuments as counter monuments to the monuments, and so on, but I actually think that’s a very quick, short-handed response that I actually don’t think is significantly meaningful unless we ask ourselves the question of what do memorials or monuments actually do and to whom are they meant to help? Is it meant to repair social problems? Is it meant to promote social recovery from conflict of the past, or ongoing conflict? Or of ongoing or past traumas. Is that what it’s supposed to do? And and I think in my view the answer is clear, yes, it should do that, but it can’t do that on its own – it can only perform that effectively if there’s also a commensurate honest accounting of history in all its complexity and I think and that includes pedagogical programs in schools and extending the heeding out of the unheeded and what I mean by that is that there’s a lot of local knowledge, by seniors, by children, at a very local level by the impoverished, by the othered, within any kind of social environment, and generally they are not heeded. Michel Foucault called them subjugated knowledges, meaning that they were knowledges that had value, and even salient value, but they were not officially valued because they were never recorded, they were never part of official knowledge, they were never part of credential knowledge and such and so I think we really need to kind of expand in the very most democratic and genuine sense the inclusion of the voices of the marginalized, because there’s so much wisdom there. For example, First Nations knowledge, much of it is oral knowledge, orally transmitted knowledge, and because it’s orally transmitted is not seen as carying as much weight and authority as textual knowledge, and such, and yet a lot of that knowledge is incredibly pertinent and valuable, and in fact I can’t think of any more pertinent and valuable knowledge in this day and age of global warming and anthropocene earth than First Nations and indigenous peoples knowledge – is it’s really quite stark to me in terms of in terms of how glaring the wisdom is and how glaring is the neglect of that wisdom.

Skundaal Bernie Williams “Gentrification” – that was a huge, huge word. I remember, one day Mark Townsend from the Portland Hotel Society, he approached me and he said you know, Skundaal, I’m getting really, really worried about what’s gonna happen down at Pigeon Park. And I said, OK, one thing that we can do, well, let’s put a totem pole up there. Well, everybody thought we were crazy. I hate to say this, but you know these are very privileged people who want to build . . . I remember when the old Co-op Radio used to be there, and you know it was vibrant area for people to meet and that was everyday living, and then we find out about these corporate people that want to come down there and build and change the face of everything – and I thought, no, this is not going to happen. And it took us five years to get a yes. But hereditary chief Bill Williams from the Squamish Nation, he said to the parks board, “with or without you, this pole is going up.” And one said, well, it’s an eyesore. You know, something so beautiful that was created by nine women homeless women, this masterpiece – I was only their humble servant to assist these women – and to have somebody say that, well, that just cut like a knife. Because we are brown women, and to have the door shut in our faces . . . but you know how it shifted is when the elders came in, then they took notice and you know, we’re not messing around, we called it as it is, we are in the face of racism here. We’ve been silent for so long because you feel you know that nobody’s listening to you, and it was these elders that helped to shift this, because we all stood together to make that statement. When I looked at that word monumental reckoning, I thought, holy crap, that’s it right there, and that’s what it became about. The stories needed to be told, the truth telling. One of the things that we kept asking is, what are you afraid of, what is it about this totem pole, the Survivors Totem Pole, why does that instill that fear in you, what are you afraid of? Then we realized what it is – we already knew – it’s the truth telling about what is happened in our community that nobody wants to talk about. Nobody wanted to talk about Hogan’s Alley, nobody wanted to talk about the Komagata Maru, nobody wanted to talk about the Chinese head tax, or the history of the Japanese Canadian internment, and this is what this pole symbolizes for us. And that was the biggest fear, the racism around it that nobody wants to even talk about. We have to educate. This is what the Survivors Pole is all about. It’s about to teaching. We’ve come from an oral history, yes, but just because something is not written down does not mean that our oral history is not truth. It is very true. The Survivor’s Pole has taught me, on my little journey here, about who I am, but this is land based healing for all of us too, and this is why I create, I use my art to educate and to tell the truth of who we are.

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The following questions are excerpted from out of the breakout rooms that followed the presentations. These “what if” conversations between participants – and the questions that arise – form a crucial part of the Paueru Gai Dialogues. In engaging with the topic at hand in a deep and meaningful way, we can hopefully gain a more embodied understanding, as difficult as it can sometimes be.

Paueru Gai Dialogues – questions that arise What meanings and experiences do you embody when you think about an emplaced monument? What internal struggle is created when you think about a monument? What are the diverse roles that monuments play in shaping culture and history? Who are part of the conversations around monument creation? Who are we leaving out of these conversations? Who decides what gets memorialised? How do we create monuments that allow for marginalised voices to be heard and the flexibility to change over time? What are the risks and benefits of monuments that are fixed in time and place? How does the erasure of monument create safer spaces but also contribute to siloed voices? Why can monuments create spaces that are unsafe?

How can we cultivate a practice of critical remembrance? How do we learn to both remember and self-reflect on the possible harms of remembrance?

ど う か な

What forms can memorialization take? Can we work within the environment with the aim to not re-traumatize survivors? What might it take to get people to reflect on what they believe/ think to be “truth”? How do we engage contested truths to move towards a more holistic truth-telling? Are all truths worth telling? What are the stakes of telling all truths? What responsibility does those commemorating have to the ways the audience interprets that commemoration? How can we share the responsibility of multiple truths and multiple claims to space?

WHAT

IF

Can monuments create spaces that are safe for everyone? Do monuments exist to describe the past or prescribe the future?

Is unsettling or disruption the only way to reach folks? Can we create messages/communicate across different communities? How do we do that? How do you engage multiple audiences in the act of memorialization? Who is not counted in monuments and who is specifically exclud-

ed? What emotions and experiences do these monuments engender in viewers?

How can the erasure of monuments create safer spaces, but also contribute to silenced voices?

What do the monuments (named sights, schools, etc.) enshrine? What are the legacies that these monuments hold up? of exploitation? how can we do more than just renaming these sites in a way that smoothes over these events?

What contextual stories are we losing in the act of removal? What are we losing? Are we missing an opportunity to understand?

What is added to these existing monuments by the continued experiences of people independent of their first purpose? And following, who is allowed to be involved in these decisions years after the first creations?

How might the framework of transitional justice play into commemoration and monument-making?

Final topical question: How do we create and maintain sites of nourishing for the community, and how do we memorialize these sites of previous exploitation in ways that are not just in renaming but also reclaiming in story, in practices, and in shared heritage?

How do we move forward after taking down monuments? Removing is one thing, but where do we go from there?

What internal struggle is created when you think about a monument?

What do we gain in the act of removal?

Can humour serve in our remembering of tragic events?

Who chooses the timing and what to remove as monuments?

Why create space for marginalized voices when creating a monument?

Can we move from memorializing to uncovering?

We do we invite folks into the conversation when considering a new monument?

How can we demonstrate truth-telling on landscapes/ in monuments?

What happens if there’s conflict between the varying voices? Who are the ‘WE’? Who is asking whether people appear or not?

Paueru Gai Dialogues #9, Monumental Reckoning, can we watched on demand here: https://bit.ly/PGDno9w

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14 月報 The Bulletin


Can the format of the monument be carried over into festivals or events? How can we create monuments that are accessible and engaged with by all? How do we connect monuments to the land around them? How can we think about inclusivity with regards to who and what monuments commemorate? What does inclusivity mean? What moments do monuments recognize? How can monuments be re-imagined – can it be in the shape of a play? A festival? Have we done enough? Who are we leaving out of these conversations? Who are we threatening with the stories we are telling and how can their acts of violence be incorporated into these memorials? The need to have commemoration often comes from violence and in the act of commemorating, how can violence also be addressed and once we address that violence, how can we reach across to communities through historical hurt and connect inter-culturally and forge a new way forward? How can we come together through connection to the land and physicality, and work to heal? How can commemorations or these sites use materials and materiality to convey a sense of transformation? How can monuments and commemoration help us think differently about time and temporality? How can monuments and commemoration help us think differently about our relationship to nature? How can we re-think how monuments can create more dialogue and find common ground rather than create conflict? How can these moments of memorialization further relationship-making and heal those past traumas and create moments of transformation? How can commemorative acts be a form of memorial?

KEIKO NORISUE

New Century Real Estate

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400-535 Howe Street • Vancouver, BC • V6C 2Z4

OPEN CALL: BC MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COUNCIL by Cary Sakiyama, President Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association The BC Government is doing an open-call to the Japanese Canadian community to see if an active community member would be interested in sitting on the Province’s Multicultural Advisory Council. This is a 12-member, volunteer citizens’ council that meets quarterly with the Minister and/or Parliamentary Secretary responsible for multiculturalism and anti-racism in BC to advise them on multiculturalism and anti-racism issues. In recent years, Council members have been instrumental in advocating for the introduction of a new Anti-Racism Act and race-based data legislation. Members are directly involved in the Province’s annual anti-racism awards ceremony, speak at key events such as the Province’s 2020 Anti-Racism Town Hall and support ministry staff in preparing the Province’s annual Report on Multiculturalism. Recently, some of the members also presented on the Council’s behalf to the Police Act Review Committee. Council members are asked to attend a minimum of four two-hour meetings per year to provide their advice and recommendations on key government initiatives and are given the option to take on additional duties if they have time. Meetings typically take place during business hours, often on Monday or Friday mornings. During the pandemic, meetings have been taking place via Zoom although they normally take place in person at the downtown Vancouver Cabinet Office (Canada Place). Members are required to be BC residents – travel to meetings from anywhere in BC is reimbursed by the Province. Given that anti-racism is one of the NAJC’s key pillars in the redress initiative, having an NAJC member participate in the Multicultural Advisory Council would be a valuable way to ensure they are able to give direct input into provincial anti-racism initiatives. Any interested person responding to this call out must be a paid up GVJCCA member in good standing. Please contact Cary Sakiyama, President, Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association by email at gvjcca@gmail.com for a candidate profile and declaration form. Submission deadline, January 31, 2022

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Report on the December 4, 2021 Vernon Anti-Racism Data Project Meeting by Judy Hanazawa, GVJCCA Human Rights Committee On Saturday, December 4, 2021, GVJCCA president Cary Sakiyama, GVJCCA Secretary Wendy Matsubuchi, Student Videographer Io (pronounced ee-o) Sugiyama, and I flew to Kelowna, then drove 45 kilometres in light snow to Vernon to facilitate a three-hour community meeting about anti-racism and race-based data gathering.

G V J C CA

As background information, the GVJCCA received a $25,000 provincial government grant to outreach to Japanese Canadian communities in BC and seek feedback on our experience with systemic racism and whether gathering race based data can work to eliminate systemic racism and injustice. Our first community visit was to Vernon. Other meetings will take place in Vancouver (December 11), Victoria (January 8) and Nanaimo (January 22). We will also be organizing a zoom meeting so we can connect with Japanese Canadians in other areas. The Vernon meeting took place in the beautiful and historical Vernon Japanese Cultural Centre and was attended by 16 community members from Vernon, Kelowna, Armstrong and Chase. Our work was to encourage community members to share their stories and give feedback on systemic racism. We shared Honouring Our People and The Bulletin as resources. We informed community members their input is valuable, as the BC government is working on a new provincial law by spring 2022 about gathering race-based data. During and after sharing a wonderful bento lunch, we were privileged to hear stories from senior and other community members as they introduced themselves, spoke on what they did in their work life, about their families, and what they felt about racism. Many spoke about the uprooting and incarceration and what their Issei parents and grandparents endured. With consent from all, our videographer recorded participants as they spoke. There were moments of laughter and silence as we each listened intently. One speaker said, “About racism – Japanese Canadians say what happened to us should never happen to any other people, but I think, unless things truly change, that it could happen again. When 9/11 happened there were American news reports that someone was recommending rounding up Muslim people and putting them in prison camps, just like what was done to Japanese Americans.” Others noted that due to COVID, hate and racism is now directed at people thought to be of Chinese ancestry. Participants openly stated that government systemic racism needs to be eliminated but that this will be a lot of work: to achieve this will take a long time and good faith, as well as clear guidelines on how data is collected and distributed. During our GVJCCA information sharing with the participants, we referred to a report from the BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner which was called “Disaggregated Demographic Data Collection in British Columbia: The Grandmother Perspective”. Disaggregated data is data gathering which results in making subcategories of information. The report refers to the “Grandmother perspective” which was offered by Gwen Phillips of the Ktunaxa Nation and

First Nations Data Governance Initiative Champion, who said, “…it’s more like we want to come from the grandmother perspective. We need to know because we care.” The executive summary of the report stated, “Without a well-defined and articulated process and purpose, there is more risk of disaggregated data doing harm”. It then presented the following about gathering race-based data: • Its PURPOSE is the elimination of systemic racism and oppression and to cultivate and maintain equity • Its PROCESS must be respectful and grounded in community governance • Using the TOOL – disaggregated data, depends on the context and aim, but it must be applied as a support to reducing systemic racism, oppression and achieving equity. After a nutrition break, the Vernon meeting broke into three smaller discussion groups and responded to questions from the provincial government about gathering race-based data. This topic was a challenge since many did not have much experience with data gathering except when they filled out the census for the federal government. Some participants indicated while it was questionable why information about Japanese Canadians was needed, it was also annoying to see sometimes that we were not included when categories on communities were listed. Also, as there were mixed ancestry community members, a category for those identifying as mixed heritage was not often indicated. Some participants concluded it was essential to make sure any purpose of gathering data about communities like ours required must be made known to and approved by the community beforehand. Some participants felt as well, that the community should have control over any information shared and that communities should be included in developing the way information about them is gathered. The general sense was that communities who provide data need to own and control how that data is used. It must be intended for a good purpose which will benefit the community. There must be ways to control information sharing to ensure there will be no harm. It seemed some participants at the Vernon community meeting were also voicing the “Grandmother perspective”. continued on page 22

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CA

Japanese Canadian Focus Group: Eliminating Systemic Racism What We Are Doing

Japanese Canadians in BC Tell Our Stories about

In December 2021 & January 2022, focus groups will take

Inequality

place in Vernon, Vancouver, Victoria & Nanaimo. We seek your input about systemic racism and whether collecting race-based data can help rid

Injustice

the BC Government of systemic racism. We are looking for Japanese Canadian participants of all generations. With your consent, your valuable

Government-ordered Disposession, Incarceration, Disenfranchisement,

feedback will be documented and forwarded to the BC Government.

Exile From BC

Model Minority Myths

2021 & Beyond...

Need Assistance? We value your participation as your thoughts are important | No experience or training needed If needed, we can help you with your transportation | Please volunteer

Interested? GREATER VANCOUVER

VICTORIA

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Saturday, 11 December, 2021

Saturday, January 8, 2022

Saturday, January 22, 2022

12 – 4pm with lunch included.

12 – 4pm with lunch included.

12 – 4pm with lunch included.

6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby

For more info, including location, For more info, including location,

gvjcca@gmail.com wendy 778.836.8250

and/or to participate:

and/or to participate, contact Tami

tsugkurushima@gmail.com

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GVJCCA.ORG | GVJCCA@GMAIL.COM I

December 12月 2021 17


BC Redress

Japanese Canadian Legacy Initiatives

JC Survivors Health and Wellness Fund Year End Wrap-up by Susanne Tabata As we wind down the year, and look back on 2021, we are heartened by the work of volunteers and community leaders who worked with us to contact our survivors from coast to coast. We thank all of you for your dedication to our seniors, for spending hours and hours searching for survivors, and for developing proposals for projects which are meant to benefit the health and wellbeing of survivors. The Fund was always intended to make a difference in the lives of our survivors who need it most. We acknowledge this is difficult work. We had an unexpectedly high demand for underserved grants and were able to issue cheques for up to $650.00 per individual applicant. We are reporting that the cheques have now been processed for the individual grants, and have been mailed. We hope this grant arrives in households by the end of the December.

Marlene Mori JCAM Horizons Club - Winnipeg MB

George Uyeda Kamloops, BC

Don Watanabe Montreal, PQ

Patti Simpson Hamilton, ON

Ron Shimizu Toronto, ON

Ruth Matsuda Orangeville, ON

Irene Terada Greenwood, BC

Debbie Ibaraki Victoria, BC

During the past six months we have listened to our community and we have learned there is a great demand for services AND direct financial assistance for survivors whose lives were directly impacted by the actions of the BC Government 19421949. We realize this limited fund has come at a time when our issei and so many of our nisei are not here to receive this acknowledgment. We do this work in their memory and for those who are still with us, and because we believe that we can create a network of supports to make a positive difference in the lives of so many of our seniors. We are saddened by the departure of more of our elders, whom this fund is meant to serve. We pass on our sincerest condolences to all families who are mourning the loss of a family member at this time. We also send our support to all families who are caring for elder family members. There is no quick fix to heal the injustices of the past, and hopefully this grant is the beginning of an expanded Survivors Fund. Our office is still open so please contact us if you need to reach out. From all of us at the JC Survivors Health and Wellness Fund, we wish you a peaceful holiday season. See you in the New Year. Eiko Eby | Cathy Makihara | Ruth Coles | Linda Reid | Mari Mikuni | Lindsay Fong | Susanne Tabata

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NEW NISSAN AND MAZDA CAR SALES AND LEASING

Robbie Fukushima

Japanese and English 604.618.3245 Sales Manager Nissan and Mazda

Midway Mazda

King George Nissan

604.536.3644 604.538.5388 sales@kinggeorgenissan.com sales@midwaymazda.com #6-3050 King George Blvd Surrey 14948 32 Ave Diversion Surrey www.kinggeorgenissan.com www.midwaymazda.com

update Update from Powell Street Festival Society It’s been a busy few weeks for us at Powell Street Festival Society! On November 28, we held our traditional Minori Harvest event in Oppenheimer Park, our annual commemoration of the harvest season and Japanese Canadian farmers, during which we distributed over 160 servings of warm and delicious squash miso soup. Thanks to Yakashiro Farm & Gardens, WePress, Vancouver Japanese Language School, and our Advocacy and Outreach 8. Fold topc orner down( no 9. Fold topc orneru ps ot hat reference point) Committee for their work and it peekso vert he top contributions to this event. Visit us at https://bit.ly/3GdYJhm for a special pumpkin origami prompt! Plus, we have two very special in-person events to announce! Mark your calendar for The Unbroadcast Life of Mildred Bailey to be presented as a live performance and podcast by the Powell Street Festival in partnership with the Firehall Arts Centre on the evenings of Thursday, December 30 and Friday, December 31. This new musical focuses on the life and music of Salish Jazz singer Mildred Bailey. Written by Russel Wallace with music arranged by Tony Wilson. More information coming soon. Then, on January 15, 2022 ring in the new year and participate in the last phase of our Daruma Community WellWishing campaign at Daruma Kuyō. In person or in spirit, join us as we place the 4000+ paper daruma in the sacred fire to complete the wishes of healing and wellness folded into each daruma by community members in the Downtown Eastside and across Canada. Experience durational taiko drumming, and enjoy food provided by WePress Community Kitchen. Join us at CRAB Park Beach 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM. From everyone at Powell Street Festival Society, we wish you the best over the holiday season and into the new year.

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G V J C CA

GVJ C C A

JCCA Donations The Greater Vancouver JCCA and The Bulletin gratefully acknowledge generous donations received during November, 2021. If we have missed your name, please contact us and we will correct it in the next issue. Alice Bradley, Vancouver BC Kelly & Mitsue Hamaura, Richmond BC Naoto & Mimi Horita, Richmond BC Larry & Adele Koyanagi, Sechelt BC Lillian Lee, Ottawa ON Ken & Marianne Minato, Chilliwack BC Patricia Miyagawa, Vancouver BC Mizue Mori, New Westminster BC Lila Murao, Surrey BC Wendy S. Nagasaka, Aldergrove BC Dan & Rury Nakagawa, Whistler BC Frances Nakagawa, Surrey BC Terry Nakano, Burnaby BC Hiroko Nasu, Vancouver BC Don & Lorraine Nishio, North Vancouver BC David Nishioka, Lantzville BC Yaeko Oye, Nanaimo BC Gerry & Keiko Raham, Calgary AB Setsuko & James Toliver, Blaine WA Ryoko Ward, Richmond BC In Memory of Kanako and Takeo Kariya. From Gail Mayer. Ladysmith BC In Memory of Bhagwan and Baxter Mayer. From Gail Mayer. Ladysmith BC In Memory of our mother, Tomie Shiozaki. From Victor & Laurie Shimizu, Richmond BC In memory of Pat Tsuji. From Barbara Shishido, Richmond BC

Holiday wishes

JOHN ENDO GREENAWAY

john@bigwavedesign.net Editorial

As we prepare to bid farewell to a strange an unsettling year, I’d like to thank everyone in the Bulletin community for the goodwill and support that we receive throughout the year. It is always noticed and always appreciated. From our fellow community organizations, to individual supporters, to advertisers, we are a strong family, something that is especially important in these times. 2022 will mark 64 years since we began publishing out of a basement on Dunbar Street. The community in unrecognisable from the one that was slowly reforming in the aftermath of the wartime restrictions that drove us off the coast for seven long years. What hasn’t changed is the spirit of resilience and the ability to roll with the punches. Whatever and however you celebrate, here’s wishing all the very best for the holiday season to you and yours. Here’s hoping the New Year brings good news – something that’s been in too short supply lately. It’s not too late to take advantage of our special Bulletin gift campaign – a membership drive to raise funds through a special offer: purchase a one-year gift membership/Bulletin subscription and receive 20% off. This applies to new memberships only, but you are welcome to purchase as many gift memberships as you like. There are options to gift a hard copy or digital (PDF) version. See page 9 for details. While you’re at it, why not check your own membership/subscription status. Look at the mailing label on the back cover to see if your membership has expired. If so, please send in your payment. We depend on your memberships and donations to keep printing The Bulletin and keeping community connected!

In memory of brother, Tatsuo Tsuji. From Akio Tsuji, Vancouver BC

CONTACT

US

Managing Editor john@bigwavedesign.net Japanese Editors editor.geppo@gmail.com Advertising Manager annejew@telus.net JCCA CONTACT: Tel: 604.777.5222 (message only) E-mail: gvjcca@gmail.com gvjcca.org

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20 月報 The Bulletin


CA

JAPANESE JCC C A N AGDV I A NA CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

President’s Message by Cary Sakiyama

Happy Winter Solstice GVJCCA members. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, or if you like, the longest night of the year! I personally like to celebrate this day as The Return of the Sun! It’s amazing to me that we’re already here in the last month of 2021. As this year comes to a close, a new year is greeted with hope, optimism and a yearning for change. First off, I invite you to take advantage of a 20% discount on a GVJCCA gift membership! Any existing paid up member can purchase a NEW membership at a 20% discount. A great way to introduce a loved one to the GVJCCA and this amazing Bulletin. A great gift for nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, kids, grandkids, in-laws, etc, …..it is all about connections. 2021 was another busy year for us with a strong concerted effort alongside VCH to rename one of

their Centres, implementing online payments for GVJCCA, supporting the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health and Wellness Fund with special efforts toward assisting the underserved in their applications. We are continuing our work with UBC to acknowledge the Vancouver Japanese Gardeners Association, continuing our work with the NAJC on the Healing Fund for Japanese Canadians and have a new initiative with BC’s Multiculturalism and AntiRacism Division. We will be engaging with our Japanese Canadian communities in Vernon and Vancouver this month and in Victoria and Nanaimo in January 2022. Participants are invited to discuss systemic racism’s effect on Japanese Canadians, a chance to share/ document any stories pertaining to racist behaviour and examine perspectives on government race-based data collection. Please join us and share your voice. If you are unable or don’t want to attend an in person meeting, an online survey is open until January 31, 2021. https://bit.ly/race-based-data One more worthy project to mention is Metal Paper Cranes, an initiative to show solidarity with communities struggling with the effects of racism and intolerance. Please get involved and share this unique opportunity https://ptw11235.wixsite.com/metalpapercranes continued on page 22

membership up to date? check mailing label on back cover for expiry date! eTransfers now accepted for payment! Visit /jccabulletin-geppo.ca/membership. Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association

G V J C CA

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December 12月 2021 21


Sadly, we will not be able to host Shinnenkai in 2022 but on the good news front, we will once again host the annual Keroikai after a year’s hiatus. Keroikai, honouring our seniors seventy years and older, will take place as usual at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby. Spouses under seventy are welcome to attend. The event will be held on Sunday, February 27, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The cost is $10 for 70 and over and $15 for those under 70. Please register with Nikki at 778.927.7587 before February 6. Please note that in order to keep our precious seniors safe, current COVID restrictions will apply and masks must be worn when not eating. Proof of vaccination will be required for all guests. We are also hopeful that we will be participating in an in-person Powell Street Festival in the Summer. Please contact us about volunteering, it will be one of the highlights of your year. Special shout out to John and Kazuho and Kao for yet another year of wonderful work in delivering such a high quality Bulletin to us. It is community building at it’s finest!

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5520 No. 6 Road Richmond BC CANADA V6V 1Z1 (604)303-9977 f(604)303-9973

The Directors of the GVJCCA thank you, our members, for your support and your commitment in giving us the opportunity to serve. Happy New Year 2022!

Vernon continued As we concluded the meeting, GVJCCA project presenters expressed to community members how truly privileged we were to listen to and document their feedback. We are certain their words are a valuable contribution toward guiding the provincial government and we are sincerely thankful to have shared the time with them and to make some new connections within the Japanese Canadian community. Those unable to attend are still invited to attend any of the upcoming in-person meetings in Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo, or the Zoom discussions online. They can also complete an online survey, [Cary included the link in his president’s report as well] or contact the GVJCCA at gvjcca@gmail.com , or Judy at 604.808.6379.

Registered 入歯専門技巧士

REOPENING SOON

778.885.3886 Vancouver Buddhist Temple 220 Jackson Avenue, Vancouver, BC Telephone: 604-253-7033 www.vancouverbuddhisttemple.com Rev. Tatsuya Aoki, minister

Sun, December 31, New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing CANCELLED Saturday Dharma Service on Zoom starts at 10am (Approximately 30 minutes: Meditation, Sutra Chanting, Dharma Talk) *You can find signup form at temple website to receive Zoom link

Temple updates are found on our website

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22 月報 The Bulletin


NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JAPANESE CANADIANS

NAJC.CA

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

by Lorene Oikawa Lights and decorations for Christmas and Chanukah are going up. It’s starting to look more festive. Everyone is looking for some light and hope. We have been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and we must continue to take precautions with news of the latest Omicron variant. In BC, we are still dealing with the aftermath of flooding, and this is coming after a record heat wave and wildfires. Extreme weather is getting worse and more frequent, a nasty reminder that we need to move quickly on climate change and significantly reduce GHG emissions. We need to be kind with each other as we face these challenges and help strengthen our community. What better way then to take some time with family and friends and learn more about traditions or make new ones during the holidays. One of my family’s traditions is to eat noodles in broth before midnight on New Year’s Eve. Eating the long noodles is said to ensure you have a long life. Soba noodles represent strength and resilience because they are made from buckwheat, a hardy plant. It is also said that because the noodles are easily cut, it’s also a way of letting go Some of NAJC’s upcoming messages and activities are connected to the of the hardship of the year. This tradition is perhaps following United Nations commemorative dates in December. These are good reminders of opportunities to speak up, but not the only time we even more meaningful this year. should use our voice. Next year will bring more hope and more NAJC events. By the time you read this, it may be past December 10, but it is worth The NAJC Arts Culture Education Committee is remembering Human Rights Day. See the NAJC Statement posted at doing tremendous work on GEI, an art symposium of https://bit.ly/3ool1H1. We also completed 16 Days of Activism Against Japanese Canadian artists and Japanese artists living Gender Violence which started from November 25 (International Day for in Canada which will take place in Greater Victoria the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10. We renewed September 16-18, 2022. The call for submissions of our commitment to end gender-based violence. interest is open until December 19, 2021. For more information and to submit please go to https://bit.ly/ December 18 – International Migrants Day We recognize migration as a way for individuals to overcome adversity and seek a better life for najcGEI themselves and their families. All descendants of settlers should see the Latest news! The NAJC Endowment Fund is returning parallels with their ancestors. We want to see better economic and social to its original schedule with applications due on March conditions here and in the countries of origin. 31, 2022 @ 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. The new application forms will be posted soon on the NAJC website. The December 20 – International Human Solidarity Day This is a day to NAJC Endowment Fund promotes Japanese Canadian come together to honour our diversity and our unity on common goals culture, and grants are available to organization, such as poverty eradication and the elimination of racism. We urge the groups, and individuals. Funding is available under important conversations, global cooperation, and collective action to two programs, Cultural Development – CD (max. tackle world poverty and inequities. $5,000) and Sports, Education, and Arts Development NAJC is sharing a call out by the Museum of Surrey for stories of Japanese – SEAD (max $2,500). Past CD projects include theatre Canadians in Surrey, British Columbia before 1942. They want to connect performances, graphic novels, commemoration with JCs in December and by January 1, 2022. As a life-long resident of pieces for Japanese Canadian internment. Previous Surrey, I would encourage you to share the stories of your families. For SEAD grantees include athletes at the national and too long, Japanese Canadians have been made invisible by the omission international level, accomplished writers, performers, of our stories and many buildings and representations of our presence and actors. in cities and towns across Canada have disappeared. We need to hear continued on page 37

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TorontoNAJC www.torontonajc.ca

What I learned was that Canada’s history of supporting the United Nations Founding Charter Dear friends, and the subsequent Universal In addition to my role as President of the Toronto Declaration of Human Rights NAJC, I have been Vice-President of the NAJC since is not a proud one. In fact, this September 2020. By design, the Vice-President is universal document was shaped automatically the Chair of the NAJC Human Rights in a way that enabled Canada to Committee. This is because the NAJC, originally named continue its discriminatory policies the NJCCA, was founded to champion human rights for against Japanese Canadians and our community. An important part of the committee’s Indigenous Peoples. work is to write statements on human rights issues Canada did not use the Declaration especially those that resonate with our community and as a guide to reflect on its policies the inhumanity experienced by Canada’s Indigenous but conceded to pressure from peoples. those like BC Senator James Gray Please take the time to read the NAJC Statement on Turgeon, formerly MP Vancouver the occasion of UN Human Rights Day on page 25 East. who argued, “There was in this issue. Creating this statement was particularly no human rights violation in the meaningful to me. While part of the NAJC team that treatment of the Japanese, who authored the initial report for BC Redress, I researched had been interned, not because of the history of the UN and the Charter of Human Rights. by Lynn Deutscher Kobayashi President, Greater Toronto Chapter NAJC

“race” but because of “loyalty or subversive attitudes”. As per the NAJC Statement, “Let this be a lesson in how state sanctioned racism can be perpetrated domestically whilst a country maintains an international appearance of equal rights for all.” 2022 marks the 75th Anniversary of the NAJC, which was founded in Toronto. In 1947, Japanese Canadians could not move freely and vote. The goal of the organization then was equal rights and redress (Bird Commission) for Japanese Canadians. We honour this history with pride and a responsibility to carry this legacy forward to reflect issues of injustice today.

Toronto NAJC MEMBERSHIP | JOIN ONLINE www.torontonajc.ca/membership

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24 月報 The Bulletin


NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JAPANESE CANADIANS

HUMAN RIGHTS NAJC.CA

COMMITTEE

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY | DECEMBER 10, 2021 As Japanese Canadians we are reminded that on November 9th, 1945, Canada ratified the Charter of the United Nations adopted earlier that year in San Francisco. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King was a signatory to the charter whilst his government exiled its own citizens, most born in Canada, to Japan. The injustices endured by Japanese Canadians continued until April 1, 1949

BACKGROUND www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

The subsequent Universal Declaration of Human Rights contained a clause about the right to move freely. It was signed by Canada, despite the fact that Japanese Canadians did not have that right. When this issue was raised by government officials, a Member of Parliament from British Columbia wrongly argued that "there was no human rights violation in the treatment of the Japanese, who had been interned, not because of THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 "race" but because of "loyalty or subversive attitudes." Pacific 5:30 PM | Mountain 6:30 PM | Central 7:30 PM | Eastern 8:30 PM The Declaration was adopted on December 10, 1948. REGISTRATION https://bit.ly/3dwa1RX Let this be a lesson in how state sanctioned racism can Dear friends, be perpetrated domestically whilst a country maintains To mark the eve of United Nations Human Rights Day, we look back over an international appearance of equal rights for all. 20 years to this documentary of David Suzuki, award-winning geneticist, In 2021 it has become clear that to ensure that best-selling author, celebrated lecturer, environmentalist and controversial Canada’s international reputation aligns with the reality iconoclast. Host of The Nature of Things, TV’s longest-running science of its history, it is important to remain committed to series at 61 seasons, Suzuki has been bringing science to millions of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation people around the world since 1960. Commission. We take to heart these words of Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of This documentary is a personal journey through Suzuki’s life. It explores his childhood in a World War II internment camp and examines the price First Nations: of his current fame. The portrait that emerges reveals a man who is an "The attempt to transform us failed. The true legacy of honest and insightful critic of his own character – who is not afraid to the survivor, then, will be the transformation of Canada." challenge his own assumptions and conditioning. Our work today, tomorrow, and thereafter is to be part Meet members of the Human Rights Committee, who will offer their of that transformation. In so doing, we must remain reflections on the impact of this preeminent member of the Japanese vigilant to ensure that the actions, not just the words, of Canadian community. We hope you will join us. our elected officials are truly in keeping with the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, its 2021 statement Lynn Deutscher Kobayashi, Chair, NAJC Human Rights Committee and The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Judy Hanazawa, Vancouver | Connor Hasegawa, Montreal Kevin Higa, Edmonton | Mariko Kage, Lillooet Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Pauline Kajiura, Hamilton | Jennifer Matsunaga, Ottawa As Japanese Canadians we will continue to present Maryka Omatsu, Toronto/Vancouver | April Sora, Saskatoon our historic experience of systemic racism and Fumi Torigai, Whitehorse injustice with intent to ensure such injustice will not be perpetrated upon any other people, and we stand in solidarity with the Indigenous, Black, LGBTQ2+, The Nature of David Suzuki 1998 (45 minutes) Muslim and Jewish communities, other communities of colour, and all those who have experienced hate, Director: Peter Davis | Harvey McKinnon Productions racism, inequality, and injustice. Program length 1 hour 15 minutes

LEGACIES - THE NATURE OF DAVID SUZUKI

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Exhibit TAIKEN: Japanese Canadians Since 1877 Nikkei Centre Visitors to the upper level of Nikkei Centre have the chance to engage in the fascinating history of Japanese Canadians. Learn about the first arrivals in 1877, the hardships of the early pioneers, the struggles of the war years, and the need to rebuild homes and businesses in the 1950s. Listen to the voices of many generations tell their story!

Nikkei national museum & cultural centre

All Nikkei Centre Events at 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC phone: 604.777.7000 info@nikkeiplace.org I www.nikkeiplace.org

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 1:00 – 2:30pm Pacific Standard Time | 6:00 – 7:30pm Brazil Time Global Perspectives on the Nikkei during the 1940s. The Japanese Brazilian Experience. When Brazil declared war on the Axis powers in 1942, it was home tonational the largest Japanese ethnic community in the Americas, comprismuseum ing some 190,000 people. What happened to them in the years that followed? How does their story relate to histories of internment and dispossession? What legacies did the era leave behind? Please join us as three scholars of Japanese Brazil with the Past Wrongs, Future Choices network to discuss the history and legacies of the 1940s.

Nikkei Nikkei

Monica Okamoto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Modern Foreign Languages at the Federal University of Parana. Guscultural centre tavo Takeshy Taniguti is a sociologist currently working with applied social research related to the Japanese immigration in Brazil. Leiko Matsubara Morales has served as an advisor in the Graduate Program in Japanese Language, Literature and Culture at the University of São Paulo (USP) since 2010. Currently, she is the president of the Center for Japanese-Brazilian Studies (Jin'monken). First Friday of each month Presented by Centre for Global Studies, Centre for Asia-Pacific Initia7:30pm – 10pm tives, University of Victoria History Department First Friday Forum Tonari Gumi, 42 West 8th Avenue Register in advance for this meeting: https://bit.ly/japan_brazil_1940s Music, diverse genres and cultures. Standards, jazz, pop, classical, Loyally serving the Strathcona folk, world music. Poetry and other and Downtown Eastside readings. Enjoy an evening of music, discussion, friendship. Admission by community for over 50 years. donation, net proceeds go towards the Aoki Legacy Endowment Fund, UBC. The First Friday Forum will be on hiatus until Tonari Gumi re-opens. We look forward to seeing you all again! Tonari Gumi Facility Limited Re-opening The facility is open for Library use and to provide Community Services by appointment. Please call Tonari Gumi, 604.687.2172 to make an appointment. Open from Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm For VCH guidelines and opening details, please go to our website www.tonarigumi.ca

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26 月報 The Bulletin

Today, Sunrise Market also enjoys a strong following of customers and chefs from outside communities who visit regularly for its fresh and extensive selection of Asian and North American produce and products at great prices. You will find at every visit, and every day, selection and daily deals! Don’t miss out, visit now!

300 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC 604.685.8019 Hours: 8am-6pm 7 days/week


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national museum & cultural centre

Nikkei

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Year-End Book Sale extended until December 18 2nd Floor Tatami Room Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11am – 3pm centre.nikkeiplace.org/japanese-book-store

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JCCA Keirokai 2022 For seniors 70 & over (spouse may be under)

Sunday, February 27 12:30pm - 3:30pm Nikkei Centre 6688 Southoaks Crescent • Burnaby BC

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Current Covid restrictions apply Proof of vaccination + id Masks are mandatory Please register no later than February 6 with Nikki at 778-927-7587 $10 registration fee (70+) $15 (spouses or other under 70) Note: The New Year’s eve bell ringing at both UBC and at Vancouver Buddhist Temple is cancelled this year.

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December 12月 2021 27


REMEMBRANCE DAY 2021 by Linda Kawamoto Reid | photos by John Endo Greenaway In the midst of atmospheric river threats, our Remembrance Day ceremony 2021 was blessed with clear and dry weather! We were very fortunate! And of course we were very sorry to see the devastation to our province in the days following. This year we remembered that 105 years ago, the Issei who trained under Sgt Colquhoun in Vancouver at the expense of the Canadian Japanese Association, were disbanded and decided to enlist one by one in Alberta battalions. Sadly, 54 of them sacrificed their lives for the battle for freedom in the First World War. Their names are engraved on the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park which was dedicated in 1920 to honor of those who served Canada bravely. We also acknowledged that 80 years ago, when Canada declared war on Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, that those same Issei became subject to the dispossession of their livelihood, such as boats, farms, cars, trucks and property and forcibly removed from their homes and jobs. David Mitsui, grandson of Sgt. Masumi Mitsui, MM, gave a moving speech about the 90th Anniversary of the all Japanese Canadian Branch of the Empire Service League (BESL) acquiring the vote for the Veterans of the First World War on April 1, 1931. Sgt Mitsui was the president of the BESL Legion #9 at the time, and it is this flag that we fly beside the Canadian flag each Remembrance Day.

Roy Hideaki Kawamoto was born on November 9, 1930, in Vancouver, BC and passed away peacefully on December 24, 2020 in Kelowna, BC. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nicki Yoneko Kawamoto. He served in the Canadian Forces from 1951 to1986. During the 1980s, he travelled from Ottawa to Vancouver where he created a military display at the Seaforth Armoury during Veterans’ Week. Roy was instrumental in contacting Japanese Canadians to form the Japanese Canadian War Memorial Committee. Their first task was to raise money to refurbish the cenotaph. This was successful, as well as efforts to affix a new plaque displaying the names of 52 additional First World War Veterans. Attendance at the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies increased from approximately 70 attendees to 300 under his watch. Along with Bev Inouye, he was Co-Chair and Master of Ceremonies at the Stanley Park Remembrance Day ceremony for 18 years.

The traditional portions of our ceremony were maintained with piper Edward McIlwaine performing the Lament, Bugler Bombardier (retired) Ross Bligh performing the Last Post and Reveille, Eileen Kitamura David Iwaasa, our moderator, managed the program well and kept reciting Flanders Fields, and David Mitsui reciting the everyone to their allotted times, starting with a powerful rendition of O Act of Remembrance. This year we were honoured by Canada by Kevin Takahide Lee, who has opera training, and was the the attendance of six Vancouver City Police constables sole character of the Zennosuke Inouye Re-enactments that the Surrey on horseback forming an honour guard. We were Museum had produced some years ago. Two large video screens allowed pleased that, considering there were many events everyone in attendance to view Coming Home, the very nostalgic and across the province that were vandalized or interrupted moving video produced by Susanne Tabata. It was dedicated to the Nisei by aggressive and angry protesters, our ceremony veterans outside of BC who volunteered to serve in the Canadian armed went off without a hitch. forces prior to and after Pearl Harbor and to those BC Japanese Canadians Formal addresses from local politicians included who, in spite of being treated like enemy aliens and forcibly dispersed the Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, MP Vancouver Center, across Canada, were recruited during the latter part of the Second World who shared very appropriate thoughts about the War to serve as much needed interpreters and interrogators in the Pacific contributions of Japanese Canadians in the face of theatre of the war. The S-20 was a Japanese Language training centre systemic racism over the 144 years of settlement in established to prepare armed forces personnel for surveillance, code this country. She was followed by Spencer Chandra breaking, and interpretation/interrogation. Herbert, MLA for Vancouver West End, who recognized David also acknowledged his own son in attendance, MD Kenneth Kojun the dedication of the Japanese Canadian community Iwaasa, veteran of the Afghanistan War and currently a reserve Canadian to remembrance and acknowledged the challenges armed forces officer, and his relatives Mr & Mrs T. Kinoshita, parents of Japanese Canadians have faced in their quest for full Corporal Darren Kinoshita who received a Special Commendation from citizenship in Canada. Then Deputy Mayor Adriane Carr recounted how her grandfather, who fished alongside the Canadian Special Forces for bravery in the Afghanistan War. the Nikkei Fishing fleet, and her father, who noted how Reverend Roderick Hashimoto of the Vancouver Konko Faith reflected hard Nikkei worked on the farms, spoke in tribute to on the meaning of “Remembrance” and paid tribute to Roy Kawamoto the character of Japanese Canadians. who passed away in December and was a longtime moderator of these ceremonies.

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28 月報 The Bulletin


With an abundance of caution, only invitees and press were allowed inside the plaza which also made it easier for live streaming the event. However, as she has done for many years, Cathy Yamamoto brought a wreath on which all attendees who wish could pin their poppies in their own personal tribute in remembrance, and at the end of the ceremony, we invited the over 200 in attendance to pin their poppies to the wreath as long as they did not bunch up.

After Kevin Takahide Lee sang God Save the Queen, 21 wreaths were laid in honour of the Nikkei who served. The wreath layers were: BESL Legion #9 David Mitsui S-20 & Nisei Veterans Association Mike Yamauchi In honour of Roy Kawamoto Eileen Kitamura Government of Canada Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, MP Vancouver Centre Consul General of Japan Consul General Takashi Hatori & Consul Noriaki Ikeda RCMP Superintendent Andrew Blackadar VPD and the Mounted Unit Inspector Brent Derksen & Inspector James Flewelling NAJC President Lorene Oikawa NNMCC Executive Director Karah Goshinmon Foster City of Vancouver Deputy Mayor Adriane Carr Vancouver Parks Board Commissioner Stuart Mackinnon GVJCCA President Cary Sakiyama JCVA (Tonari Gumi) Executive Director Keiko Funahashi & Vice Chair Patrick Li VJLS & Japanese Hall Executive Director Darius Maze BC Jodo Shinshu Temples Reverend Tatsuya Aoki & Reverend Yoshimichi Ouchi Vancouver Konko Faith Ryan Hashimoto Vancouver Japanese United Church Reverend Daebin Im Vancouver Holy Cross Church Reverend Alecia Greenfield Seicho-No-Ie Church Cleusa Yamamoto & Yoko Akitaya NSDAR Nancy McLean MLA Vancouver West End Spencer Chandra Herbert

The event was live streamed by Adam PW Smith and his crew, Marc L’Esperance, and Brandon Fletcher, and live viewed by over 500 people across Canada. If you included those who viewed the recording of the ceremonies, the number grew to over 900 within a few days. The recording will remain posted for the year, and is available on the NNMCC website: centre.nikkeiplace.org/2021/11/17/remembrance-day2021-recording/ We gratefully acknowledge Adam & his team, sponsored by Veteran’s Affairs Canada, for the opportunity for our remaining veterans and the families of veterans to view the ceremony across Canada. continued on page 39

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JAPANESE CANADIANS

NAJC.CA

TERRY WATADA

CHRISTMAS: A LOVE SONG TO FATHERHOOD by Terry Watada

photo: Tane Akamatsu

Christmas, a time of anticipation and joy for children, a time of nostalgia for people my age. My father always seemed to be on the sidelines, watching and enjoying my glee. Before the holy day, my mother and I decorated the tree and organized the presents to be given. On the day, she kept a record of gifts so she didn’t “regift” the following year or could reciprocate with a gift of equal value. My dad just happily watched. They then prepared the lunch/dinner.

Every Christmas holiday started with a trip to the local Christian church where the boy scout troupe held a Christmas tree sale outside in the side lot of the place. There were all shapes and sizes. My dad always picked a six-footer. “Can’t have a tree that doesn’t fill the room,” he used to say. Looking at old photographs from before and during WWII, I saw that that was his rule of thumb. Always a tall tree spread wide and dripping with tinsel and decorations. Must’ve added to the joy of the season, though my much older brother never mentioned it. Dad sawed the bottom of the trunk and attached the metal stand. I helped him bring it into the house and found an appropriate spot. It was always in the front sitting room. As he and I sat below the tree, we enjoyed the intoxicating evergreen aroma. When Mom brought in the boxes of decorations, I opened them, and Mom and I started hanging the baubles and lights. I especially liked the bubble lights that literally bubbled inside the glass once the element heated up sufficiently. My favourite ornaments were the fragile opaque glass bulbs, refugees from the 1930s. They were brightly coloured and reflected the light with their shiny surfaces. Dad was a good father. He loved his family, especially around the Christmas holidays. He could relax and be home, taking a welldeserved break from his construction job. He seemed to enjoy every aspect of the holiday. He even tolerated the clunky gift I gave him. Once he opened the box to find a small set of pickle skewers shaped as medieval swords and held in a stand. It was what I could afford. He laughed, smiled and said in Japanese, “You sure know how to buy a gift!” At least, that’s what I thought he said. Looking back at that now, I realized he was humouring me, but I loved him for that at the time. When I became a father, I remembered the lessons my own father taught me. Every Christmas, I insisted my son and I walk to the local Dairy Queen to pick out a tree and carry it back home. I don’t know if he enjoyed the experience, but I sure did. He never complained. I cut the bottom of the trunk and attached the metal stand. Then he and I squeezed it into the house (my parents’ old place and then our new

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30 月報 The Bulletin

home) and found an appropriate place – the front sitting room, naturally. The three of us then brought out the decorations, a combination of new glass/ plastic bulbs and strings of lights. An assortment of my parents’ old decorations from the prewar and 1950s days came out as well. Some of the bubble lights were still intact. I limited their use since they got too hot for safety’s sake. Some years we skipped the tree because we traveled to see the relatives for the holidays. My father-in-law always insisted on a natural, fresh tree. Where he found them was a well-guarded secret. He claimed he only spent $14 for a six-footer! Never knew that I believed him, but the tree was grand. It seemed odd to me that we celebrated with a tree, gifts, and a turkey dinner in the 80 F Hawaiian heat. But who was I to complain? One year, my son asked for a big Lego set. Some Star Wars model, I believe. I made sure I saved up and bought it for him, but I left it in Toronto. Taking it to Honolulu would’ve been cost-prohibitive and jaman naru. So, as we left for the airport, I left it, appropriately gift-wrapped, on the coffee table in the living room without my son seeing it. At Grandpa’s, he began to worry that Santa would not be able to find him. He was far from home, after all. He was six at the time so understandable. I assured him Santa would never forget him. Though he was surrounded by loving and generous relatives, he continued to worry about Santa. I also told the relatives not to buy him the Lego set. When we returned home, he zoomed into the house after we opened it up. All I heard him say in a loud voice, “He didn’t forget! Dad, Mom! Santa didn’t forget!” He had found the Christmas present on the coffee table. I really felt like a dad. My son is now too old for me to buy him toys, but I do get him something every year. What, you may ask? As my colleague once opined, “Money is always in good taste.” So maybe my father was right, I do know how to buy a gift. Dad, you taught me well, and know this, I love you. Merry Christmas and Akemashite omedetō to all.


STEVESTON JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL CORRECTION ON RICHMOND CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL The Board of Directors of the Steveston Japanese Language School lauds the efforts of all staff and volunteers throughout its history who have contributed countless hours to provide the best opportunities for its students to study Japanese and to enrich the lives of Canadian families for the past 60 years. The school celebrated its 60th anniversary with articles in five previous issues of The Bulletin, concluding with an article in the August issue that recounted how the school maintains its connection with Japan through various activities, including participating in the annual Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival with its popular kimono dressing tent and children’s craft table. In their efforts to be succinct, the authors erred in some of the statements relating to the Cherry Blossom Festival, and now take this opportunity to correct and elaborate on the statements for readers of The Bulletin with a more detailed look at the achievements of the BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai leading up to of the inception of the yearly event. All quotes and facts are kindly provided by Jim Tanaka, a former president and director of the BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai.

with the support of the City of Richmond. “Over the next 10 years the Kenjin Kai planted 205 Akebono trees which are dedicated to the pioneering immigrants from Wakayama prefecture in Japan and the generations that followed for their accomplishments and contributions to the communities especially in Steveston. “The grove of Akebono cherry trees in the park was designated as the Cherry Tree Garden. On March 26, 2010, on the occasion of the Kenjin Kai’s 45th anniversary, the unveiling ceremony of a stone monument was held and those Akebono cherry trees were donated to the City for providing the citizens and visitors to the park an amazing opportunity to enjoy the outdoor splendor of transient beauty of 205 Akebono trees in bloom. In 2012 with unexpected donations the Kenji Kai received, an additional 50 more Akebono cherry trees were planted near the Scotch Pond making a total of 255 Akebono cherry trees in the park. “This project was made possible with the generous donations from the members of BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai, individuals and organizations from the township of Mihama in Wakayama prefecture in Japan, friends in local Japanese community, and Dr. Helen Emmons, retired physician in Richmond, and the generous support of the City of Richmond and its Parks Department staff.

“This project was and is about the journey from a vision in 2000 to a reality in 2010 to witness the fruition of our project which resulted in a mutually benefitting conclusion. Furthermore, like many other public projects, this “Cherry Tree Planting Project” was the result of In the August article, the authors mistakenly the efforts, cooperation, dedication, and commitment of many people attributed the launch of the festival in 2017 to the whose contributions are too easily and often taken for granted.” efforts of the City of Richmond, when in fact the inaugural Cherry Blossom Festival was hosted The Steveston Japanese Language School is pleased to support the and launched by the BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai, an BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai in its vision for the Richmond Cherry Blossom association which supports the legacy and heritage Festival, and recognizes its efforts to preserve the history and legacy of Japanese families that immigrated to Steveston of pioneering Japanese Canadians in Richmond and their following from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan. The 2017 generations. festival showcased the beauty of the 255 Akebono trees planted at Garry Point Park, and “introduced a touch of authentic cherry blossom festival as celebrated in Japan in conjunction with celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary with a grant from the City of Richmond.” When the City of Richmond agreed to host subsequent festivals organized by three selfless volunteer festival organizers of the BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai, the annual festival was renamed the Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival. The sight of the flowering Akebono cherry trees is enjoyed by the many festival goers and visitors to Garry Point Park in the early spring. Not simply were the first 15 Akebono cherry trees planted at the park by the BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai as stated in the August article, but the planting on November 2, 2000, was the beginning of a 10-year annual Cherry Tree Planting Project. The first planting of the 15 mature trees commemorated the BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai’s 35th anniversary and the new millennium

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TONARI GUMI CORNER

Japanese Community Volunteers Association

#101-42 West 8th Avenue | Vancouver BC | V5Y 1M7 | 604.687.2172 | www.tonarigumi.ca

Happy holidays from Tonari Gumi! Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to many members of the community who supported us this past year. Numerous monetary and in-kind donations as well as dedicated volunteers help us continue providing much-needed services and activities that bring joy of connecting with old and new friends – whether inperson or virtually. We wish you all a holiday season full of happiness and good health. Support Tonari Gumi To support Tonari Gumi’s efforts in providing anshin (peace of mind) to seniors in our community and a gathering place for all generations, please donate at www.tonarigumi.ca/support/. Tonari Gumi Holiday Closures Tonari Gumi will be closed on the following days – December 27 in lieu of Christmas day, December 28 in lieu of Boxing Day, and January 3 in lieu of New Year’s day. We will open on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 in the new year, and all programs will restart on January 10th. Support Services at Tonari Gumi Support services are for adults 55+. Some services require an assessment interview with the individual or a family member to enroll. Contact Tonari Gumi Community Services for more information. Tonari Gumi Community Services 604.687.2172 ext. 102 email: services@tonarigumi.ca (Masako) Government-related paperwork & housing navigation Information on housing options for older adults, assistance with applications for BC Housing and financial assistance, etc. Remote (telephone) medical interpretation (fee-based) Medical interpretation by phone for appointments with the doctor, as well as medical exams and trips to the pharmacy. Medical transport (fee-based) Transportation service for medical appointments. Meals-on-Wheels lunch (fee-based) Weekly delivery of boxed lunches (bento) with Japanese menu for those who have difficulties in shopping or cooking on their own.

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32 月報 The Bulletin

The Japanese Community Volunteers Association, “Tonari Gumi” gratefully acknowledges and thanks the following people for their generous donations received from October 26 to November 29, 2021. Although we try our best, we may miss your name. Please contact us and we will make a correction in the next issue. Monetary Donations Judy Hamanishi, Judy Inouye, Michiyo Katayama, Nancy Tsuyuki, Aki Foster, Tamako Copithorne, Mike Vlasman, Harumi Yamagishi, Gary Matson, Meg Ida, Ron Stewart, Masayoshi Mineta, Dennis Nakano, Taka Iida, Sakukichi Nakamura, Etsuyo Fujiwara, Kikuko Ibaraki, Kazuhiro Shibata, Tomiko & Grace Noda, Patricia Miyagawa, Taeko Adachi, Misako Miyagi, Miki & Miyako Hirai, Tamotsu Watanabe, Haruko Sakai, Thomas Hara, Mutsumi Hamakawa, Junko Kobuchi, Hiroko Stuart, Yasuko Masuhara, Michiko Inaoka, Atsuko Aota, Naomi Hughes, Toyoko Mallet, Itsuko Takemoto, Hayato Ueda, Katumi Kubo, Joyce Takeshita, Norman Shuto, W.B. Lee, Midori Seo, Harry & Akemi Mizuta, Stan & Jane Yip, Masako Hasegawa, Shuko Kuno, Naoko Ezaki, June Yamamoto, Machiko Nakahori, Michiko Sakata, Paul Briere, Noriko Miki, Wayne Deangelis - DEANGELIS Architecture, OAK WEST Realty Ltd. , FUJITECH CANADA INC, The Benevity Community Fund – employee matching TELUS communications Inc. & Royal Bank of Canada, Anonymous (16) Monetary Donations (Canada Helps) Akiko Ikeuchi, Hallie Peterson, Henry Wakabayashi, Heather Doi, Linda Cormano, Shirley Nakata, Cecilia Leung, Randy Iwata, Fumie Tsuruta, Miwako Tateishi, Henry Tanaka, Karen Nishi & Michael Bruce Family-Crux Strategic Clarity Inc., Yoshio Arai, Anonymous (3) In honour of Tsuneo Miki’s 88th birthday Mikiyo Maeda In honour of Sam Yamamoto’s 100th birthday Sam Yamamoto, Norie Yamamoto (Canada Helps), David Iwaasa (Canada Helps) In memory of Timmy Ono James & Sally Nasu In memory of Jean Kamimura Karen Mizushima In memory of my parents, Tomi & Nobuo Nishimura Shawn Nishimura In memory of Jitsuko Katayama Anonymous In memory of Sister, Margaret Fujisawa Anonymous In memory of Sue Miyata Mitsuho (Mits) Miyata In memory of Tad Kawase Tama Kawase, Tommi Kawase, Hama Bistrisky In memory of Jean Shizuko Kamimura Joyce & Ray Shimokura In memory of Japanese Canadian War Veterans Charles H. Tasaka In memory of Brother, Art Norris (Canada Helps) Clara Norris In memory of Shigeru Kobayashi (Canada Helps) Yvonne Wakabayashi In Kind Donations Nobuo Kitsuda, Norris Clara, Ken Shinozaki, Hisako Masaki, Michiko Sakata, Takako Namba, Noboru Matsumoto, Sanae Nunotani, Larry Okada, Fumiko Woloshyn, Chris Nakahori – Seaborn, Maria Filipczak -Tradex Foods, Anonymous (2) MONTHLY GIVING Monetary Donations Sakiko Yoshida (Floral) Monetary Donations (Canada Helps) Takashi Sato, Tsutae Suzuki, Mitsuko Mizuguchi, Yumi Nakase, Tamotsu Nagata, Satomi Yamashita, Emiko Morita, Anonymous (3)


OUR EDIBLE ROOTS

The Japanese Canadian Kitchen Garden

Season’s greetings from Tonari Gumi Garden Club!

by Makiko Suzuki The joy of discovering and growing ‘new’ Japanese vegetables this year again offset COVID challenges at TGGC test gardens. One vegetable that deserves special mention, in addition to Japanese squash varieties described last month, is goya, a “bitter melon”. When a few seeds were kindly donated to TGGC by Chilliwack gardener Lucy Matsuba, garden club member Mamiko Van Horn was enthusiastic to put them ‘to the test’. Mamiko’s visit to Okinawa in 2011 resulted in her love for chanpurū, a stir-fried dish featuring goya, egg, pork and tofu. Mamiko writes: Okinawa fascinated me. When I was living in San Diego, people often asked if my husband was in the military. There were many Okinawan war brides in San Diego. This constant questioning sparked my interest. On our last trip to Japan, in 2011, we visited Okinawa; … Hello Goya! … The server at a local restaurant watched me eat chanpuru - it had lots of goya - a cucumber like vegetable that is … NIGAI !! (bitter). After my initial surprise, to the delight of the server, I liked goya! Now I cook my own chanpuru version. Chanpuru is very nutritious. Perhaps Tonari Gumi could consider occasionally adding chanpuru to obento prepared for seniors. Incidentally, I also fell in love with ‘shima uta’ (island songs) and Ryukyu ongaku (Okinawan music), especially when played on sanshin, a unique 3 string banjo with a snake skin soundboard”. This summer I encouraged Eddie Hayashi to grow goya using plants started from Lucy’s seeds. The cucumberlike vegetable was covered in spikes, looking more like some green, fat, prickly insect, versus the smooth skinned goya melon found in Asian grocery stores. Eddie’s goya was crunchy and bitter ..... but delicious! I hope Eddie grows them next year. Nicknamed “Green heart of Okinawa”, goya has been consumed by Okinawans over centuries, often being attributed to their longer life expectancy. A quick Internet search will yield numerous studies on goya’s antimicrobial and antioxidant properties as well as other health benefits.

Goya

Eddie Hayashi & Sharon Hara

soon numerous melons were hanging down. By the end of August almost a dozen melons had ripened. A few dropped off the vine, splitting open on contact with the ground to display the melon’s vivid yellow interior and strikingly red seeds. If you are familiar with and enjoy goya, try growing these melons. The process is easy, fun, and economical. (Organic goya sells for $2.50 each at Nikkei Garden Market). West Coast Seeds offers a variety of goya – Jade Dragon (SQ765) – under the ‘Other squash’ section of their catalogue. Gardening season ends with a Tonari Gumi Garden Club potluck and meeting Eighteen club members and partners celebrated the end of the growing season. A delicious potluck featured numerous Japanese dishes, many highlighting vegetables grown by TGGC. A PowerPoint slideshow reviewed TGGC gardeners in action and enjoying the rewards of their work. The highlight of the afternoon was a special presentation, the ‘TG GC Tiny Shovel Award’. The well-deserved recipients: Sharon Hara, for obtaining the TGGC large farm plot in Aldergrove and as ‘head weeder and water wizard’, and Eddie Hayashi for his ‘handyman skills’ (read, ‘hard work’) in setting up the TG tent at Nikkei Garden Markets and for use of his backyard as a test plot. continued on page 35

Goya is a member of the Cucurbitaceous family that includes squash, melons and cucumbers. The donated seeds were started inside and transplanted in Eddie’s garden once soil temperature warmed. Under his care, goya grew like cucumbers – delicate vines and tendrils scrambled over the trellis Eddie built. Tiny yellow flowers later appeared followed by small, wrinkly cucumber-like fruit. The vines produced prolifically;

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Alice Bradley CommunityKitchen with and Lea Ault

lea@hapaizakaya.com

I was lucky enough to start the month of December with a Gulf Island get-together this weekend with a bunch of women who are absolutely amazing! We cooked and ate and walked and it was such a balm to the soul. One of the effects of Covid is that we hunker down, limit interactions and refrain from partying so it was a social blossoming event that will stay with me for a long time. I made new friends, got deeper with old friends, ate a lot of delicious food and asked for the recipes so I could share with you! Every one of these recipes was so good my eyeballs rolled up into my head with pleasure when I ate them.

Mom is in Mexico, prudently avoiding the hotel lagoon which is apparently full of crocodiles. It’s 28 degrees down there but I have a feeling Mom is wearing a scarf anyway. She is tiny and gets cold easily. Mom had prepared some holiday cookie recipes for us but the attachments didn’t work and by the time we figured it out it was too late. So good thing I picked up some new recipes, huh? Surely by now we all have our favourite sugar cookie and gingerbread cookie recipes, no? Let’s try something different this time. These are all easy recipes that look much fancier than they really are = my gift to you.Happy Holidays, everyone!

White Bean Salad with Tuna

Nugget Potatoes with Italian Salsa Verde

1 T. olive oil ¼ c. finely minced onion 2 T. butter 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme ¾ c. panko bread crumbs ½ tsp salt 3 T. olive oil 2 T. grainy mustard Zest of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon (at least two Tablespoons) 1 T. capers, finely chopped Salt and black pepper to taste 4 stalks celery, chopped 2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed well 1 can tuna, drained and flaked

This is a recipe from Jamie Oliver, via a local school cookbook. It’s been made more precise by the person who shared it which is helpful as Jamie Oliver likes to just toss things in without measuring. We found this dish tasty whether served hot, cold, or warm, so you can make it ahead of time. It’s a big win. Dinner, lunch, brunch…great side potato dish.

1 ½ lb new potatoes 1 clove garlic 3 T. capers ¼ c. gherkins (sweet ones) 6 anchovy fillets ⅔ c. flatleaf parsley, leaves picked off stems and lightly packed ½ c. fresh mint, leaves picked off stems and lightly Heat the olive oil in a largish saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion packed and saute briefly just until softened a bit. Transfer to a large bowl. 1 T. dijon mustard Heat the butter in the same pan; let sizzle until it browns. Add the herbs 3 T. red wine vinegar and let them sizzle a bit. Add the panko and salt and stir constantly until 4-6 T. extra virgin olive oil crumbs are a deep golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside to cool. Salt and pepper to taste To the onion in the large bowl, add the olive oil, mustard, lemon juice and zest and capers. Whisk well. Then add the celery, beans and tuna and toss together. Taste for salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the bread crumbs.

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34 月報 The Bulletin

Finely chop the garlic, capers, gherkins, anchovies and herbs and put them in a bowl. Add the mustard and vinegar, whisk in the olive oil so it emulsifies. Season to taste with fresh black pepper, salt and more vinegar if you like. If you’re making the dressing ahead


of time, place plastic wrap directly on the surface so the herbs don’t brown. another layer of bread and arrange the buttered side down on top. Boil new potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a 3 eggs large bowl. Toss with the salsa verde and you’re done! 2 1/2 c. hot milk 1/4 c. sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla This is a South African dessert that reminds me of sticky toffee pudding Beat the eggs, then add sugar, then slowly mix in the but MUCH easier to make and you generally have the ingredients on hot milk, add vanilla. Pour this mixture over the bread. hand. Perfect for a last minute dessert! Serve with vanilla ice cream or, Press lightly to make sure the bread is saturated. my favourite, thick creamy plain yogurt. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes or until a knife Heat oven to 350F, spray an 8”x8” pan with nonstick coating. inserted comes out clean. Dust lightly with icing sugar, cut in squares to serve. Maple syrup! (You can omit the 1 c. sugar raisins and substitute blueberries for the apples.) 1 egg

Malva Cake

1 Tbsp apricot jam 2 tsp vinegar 1 c. milk 1 c. flour 1 tsp baking soda Pinch salt 1 Tbsp melted butter Mix all together (I gave it a whizz in the food processor), pour into your prepared pan, and bake for 45 minutes. Sauce: ½ c. butter, melted 1 c. whipping cream ½ - ¾ c. sugar ½ c. boiling water 1 tsp vanilla

Edible Roots continued Holiday gifts for gardeners and foodies = Tonari Gumi books “Our Edible Roots – The Japanese Canadian Kitchen Garden,” “From Sea and Shore: Steveston’s Favourite Japanese Canadian Recipes,” and, Tonari Gumi cookbook – “Home Away from Home”

“If you would enjoy a little insight into JapaneseCanadian food culture, a locally produced book has been put together to capture the historical foods of Japanese Canadians. ‘Our Edible Roots — The Japanese Canadian Kitchen Garden’ showcases Mix these together well. When the timer goes off, remove the cake, pour historical and current foods enjoyed by this great community. You’ll also discover a few secrets about all the sauce mixture on top, then put it back into the oven for another foraging food in our forests.” – Master Gardener, Brian 5 minutes. When it comes out, let it continue to soak in the mixture for Minter another 10-15 minutes before serving, if you can. Serve very warm with ice cream or just plain yogurt.

Mom insists that we need a holiday recipe and while I think that these recipes are all good for the holidays, a nice brunch recipe is also handy.

Baked Apple French Toast 4-8 slices white bread (challah or brioche always extra nice)

TONARI GUMI CHRISTMAS BOOK SPECIAL Our Edible Roots – The Japanese Canadian Kitchen Garden

Butter (at least ¼ c. to be safe)

From Sea and Shore: Steveston’s Favourite Japanese Canadian Recipes

3 Tbsp brown sugar

The Tonari Gumi cookbook – Home Away from Home

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Purchase all 3 books for $50, including GST

2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced thinly

Available only at Tonari Gumi 42 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver

1/4 -1/3 c. raisins Grease an 8 x 8 inch casserole or baking pan. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter the bread, cut and arrange to fit in the bottom of the pan. Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle on the buttered bread. Sprinkle with raisins, then arrange the sliced apples on top. Butter

Books ($20 each) can be ordered individually online at tonarigumi.ca/shop. Net proceeds help finance services and programs at Tonari Gumi. Your support is truly appreciated

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Milestones SUZUKI, Tomoko (Toni) November 1922 to November 2021 On the evening of her 99th birthday, Tomoko (Toni) Suzuki, passed away peacefully at her home in Calgary with family by her side.

Tommy had a full life and was loved by all who knew him. He will be remembered for his generous heart, warm smile, quick wit, sympathetic ear, and positive outlook on life. Tommy dedicated his life to his family Toni was born in November, 1922 in and was adored by all! He also enjoyed golf, karaoke, Vancouver, the 2nd of 10 children to her gardening his famous tomatoes, long walks and a parents, Heizo and Hide Ito. During WW2, good old happy hour with family and friends. He was Toni was one of many Japanese Canadians our family’s moral compass, and he will be deeply relocated to the BC Interior where she lived missed by all. in Sandon and later, New Denver. While The family would like to thank Dr. Christopher Ryan volunteering at the TB hospital , Toni met her for the wonderful care he provided to Tommy for the roommate Kay’s older brother Joe Oikawa. past 35 years. A private family gathering was held After the war, Toni, now living in Montreal, November 6. received a letter with a marriage proposal KOYANAGI, Shirley (Toshiko) April 8, 1932 and ticket money from Joe. Although her family thought her crazy, Toni November 10, 2021 hopped on train to Kamloops where she and Joe married, and they had Shirley passed away peacefully on November 10, 2021. the first of 3 children. She will be deeply missed by her loving husband of Widowed in 1963, Toni displayed her usual tenacity, staying positive while working long hours as a self-employed seamstress and raising her family. Toni was known for her blunt, matter-of-fact ways but loved family and friends, as well as her yearly highlights of watching Ice Capades and Stanley Park’s Theatre Under the Stars. In 1982, Toni married Jim, and was instantly welcomed into the Suzuki family. Together they enjoyed many fun filled golf trips and bridge evenings. After Jim’s passing in 2002, Toni continued to stay active in the community and with family. However in 2009, Toni decided to move to Alberta to be closer to her children and grandchildren - her seniors residence by the Bow River also allowed for many enjoyable walks and outings at Prince’s Island Park. In addition to her 3 children, John (Julia), Ron (April), & Phyllis (Jim), Toni leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Diane (Doug), Patricia (Chris), Kim (Atam), Evan, Alison, and Scott , 2 great-grandchildren, Toshi & Emi, 5 siblings, and numerous extended family members and friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a local charity of your choice. Toni’s Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2022. The family wishes to thank mom’s doctor, and the wonderful nurses and care staff at Chartwell Eau Claire Seniors Residence for their loving care of Toni. ONO, Tommy July 13, 1934 - November 1, 2021 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Tommy on November 1, 2021. Husband to Mary, Dad to Bonnie (Russell), Jay (Lisa); Umpa to Bradley, Jeffrey, Carley, Julian; brother to Nancy; brother-in-law to Harumi, Sumi, May; Uncle to many nieces and nephews; and dear friend and relative to all who knew him. Predeceased by his parents Kazuo and Mona, brother George, brothersin-law Joe, George, Bill, Tommy (Cathy), and sister-in-law Yosh (Tosh).

63 years, Sho; sons Alan (Patti) and Brian (Diana); grandchildren Alison (Trish), Kathryn (Bryn) and Matthew (Julia). She is survived by her brothers Roy Sokugawa (Tsuyako) and Mike Sokugawa (Fumi). Mom and Dad enjoyed their vacations which included several trips to Vegas where she had a knack for winning jackpots playing the Blazing 7’s slot machines. She also enjoyed many cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, as well as a tour of Japan. We will fondly recall her feisty spirit, generous nature, delicious family meals, and the love she had for all of us. The family would like to thank the staff at Willingdon Care Centre who cared for Mom these past two years. A special thank you to Mikie who always managed to get a smile from “Toshiko-san”. A private family gathering was held on November 21, 2021. In lieu of koden or flowers, donations can be made to Burnaby General Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Society of BC in Shirley’s memory.

MATSUBA, Edith Ayako October 2, 1930 - November 19, 2021 Edith Matsuba of Vancouver passed away on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 at 91 years. Edith was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Donald of Vancouver; three sons, Kevin of Corvallis, OR, Carey (Marlene) of Vancouver, and Kyle of Vancouver; her brother Dick (Delores) Tatebe of Grand Rapids, MI; and her grandchildren, Nicholas, Sara, Emily and Jacob. She was predeceased by her parents Yae and Kazutaro Tatebe; sisters Harriet Muranaka and Joyce Tatebe; and her brother Kaz Tommy was born in Vancouver in 1934 to Kazuo and Mona Ono. In 1942, Tatebe. A celebration of life will be at a later date. In the Ono’s relocated to Lemon Creek, B.C., then moved to Beaton, B.C., lieu of flowers, consider contributing to the Heart & and then lived in Taber, Alberta for many years before returning back to Stroke Fndn. Vancouver.

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MORIZAKI, Terry Masaru 1930-2021 With sad hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved father at the age of 91 on October 1, 2021 at Langley Memorial Hospital. Born in Ruskin, BC, dad is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Margaret Miyoko; two sisters Setsuko and Yoshiko; and four children Wayne, Sandra (Tom), Sharon (Neil) and Brenda and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by family and friends. This beautiful world won’t be the same without you. No service by request.

NAJC continued

the stories of daily lives, what work did they do, how did the family spend time at home, what took place in the schools and after school, and where did they go to get supplies or for visits. Also, if you have any artifacts to share for this exhibit it would add so much to the stories. I know asking for artifacts is hard since so much SUZUKI, Ruth Reiko December 22, 1936 - October 29, 2021 was taken from Japanese Canadians and families like Ruth Reiko Suzuki (né Huang), passed away peacefully on October 29, my own only had a few suitcases. The sharing of stories 2021. Predeceased by her husband Mike Suzuki, she is survived by her is so important. Thank you for the consideration. More three children, Roy, Eric and Joan; and five grandchildren, Tysia, Zainen, information at https://bit.ly/MSryJC Ghendun, Maiya, and Tyan. In 2022, NAJC is also looking to share stories of JC Ruth was born Huang Li-Chuan on December 22, 1936 in Taipei, Taiwan. families, reflections on internment, and stories about From a young age, she greatly enjoyed singing in her local church choir, NAJC volunteers and member organizations. Next which ultimately ignited her passion for performance, culminating in a year, we will be marking the 75th anniversary of the successful Opera career and life-long love affair with music. She was a founding of the NAJC and the 80th anniversary of trained Lyric Soprano, represented Taiwan at the International Madame Internment. Please share your stories and ideas for Butterfly competition in Japan in 1967, and appearing as a performer on stories. Put “Stories for NAJC” in the subject line and Taiwanese television. email national@najc.ca Later in 1967, Ruth and her family immigrated to Canada, landing in Make sure we have your current email so that you Vancouver, the city in which she would grow deep roots within its multi- receive updates and news by signing up at http://najc. cultural communities. Upon arriving in Vancouver, she immediately ca/subscribe/ for NAJC e-news. Also, please continue auditioned for the Vancouver Opera Chorus and was accepted, leading to support your local NAJC member organizations to her garnering the role of “Liu” in the 1972 production of Turandot. and their events. Memberships would make a great This role would change her life. Over the next ten years, she performed gift. Check out the list of member organizations on the in lead roles at all of the major opera houses in western Canada. She NAJC website http://najc.ca/member-organizations/ also performed and taught at the Banff School of Music, Courtney Music Support JC publications like The Bulletin (subscribers School, and Douglas College. save 20% on a gift membership) and Nikkei Voice. With her personal time, she and her husband created the Japanese Chorus Sakura Singers, which just reached their 50th anniversary last year. For her lifelong dedication and achievement in promoting traditional Japanese music, the Japanese Foreign Minister Commendations were presented to her, in 2000 and 2011. In addition to this, she was involved with two Taiwanese Choruses, Egret, and Vancouver Formosa Singers.

Consider subscriptions for seniors to stay in touch and students to learn about JC history and community. The NAJC National Executive Board wishes you and your loved ones a peaceful, safe, warm holiday season and all the best for a happy, healthy, prosperous 2022 – Year of the Tiger!

She will be remembered as a loving, generous, and kind mother, grandmother, conductor, teacher, and most of all, singer. Funeral service was held on Saturday December 4, 2021 at Christ Church Cathedral.

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December 12月 2021 37


November 22 National Housing Day “Japanese Canadians of my generation know what it's like to be despised and to lose our homes. Never again must this happen – to us or to anyone” Joy Kogawa, writer, long time social justice activist and member of JCSJ During World War II Japanese Canadians were displaced from there homes by racist government policy serving white capital on the west coast of Canada. ““After WW2, when over 20,000 Japanese Canadians were dispersed to eastern Canada, many of them chose to settle in Toronto, however, they encountered further discrimination. A nisei used to tell me when he visited a house, looking at their sign ‘room vacancy,’ he was told ‘Someone has just taken it.’” explains Yusuke Tanaka, writer and member of Japanese Canadians for Social Justice. As a community we must support the struggle for the basic human right of housing for all.

served as rooming houses, have now sat empty for over a decade. Having pushed the tenants out and demolished all but one building on the lots, the owners are holding onto the land in hopes of making obscene speculative profits, even as hundreds of homeless people suffer immediately outside its fenced off perimeter. The properties are November 22 is National Housing Day. It is the also the site where Drina Joubert froze to death in the back of a pickday that marks the declaration of homelessness up truck in 1985. as a national disaster in Canada. In 1998, the Big Communities across this country have been calling out for aid for years. City Mayor’s Caucus of the Federation of Canadian The federal government must reply for once with real assistance. The Municipalities (FCM) passed a motion recognizing commodification of housing must end along with the reliance and the disaster. It is a day that communities across subsidy of the private market which has obviously failed miserably the country mourn for those we have lost to in dealing with the crisis of homelessness. A few hundred units of homelessness and call out for urgent action to build 'affordable' housing through a national housing program will not come social, rent geared to income housing required to anywhere close to dealing with the crisis and cannot be considered end the homelessness disaster. real assistance. It does not help someone sleeping in a tent or on the The housing crisis is being felt across the country subway if the government does not build social, rent-geared-to-income by an increasing number of people. The impact of housing. this is felt most severely by those forced into states "Here In the downtown east end, the vacant property at 214-230 of homelessness. In the City of Toronto, there are Sherbourne must be turned into social housing. It cannot be allowed to well over 8,700 people who are homeless, with sit vacant while homeless people die and it cannot be allowed to turn emergency shelters full and over 1,000 people into yet another condo poor people can't afford. We call on all three sleeping outside each night and many more forced levels of government to act with urgency to invest in social housing to sleep in unsafe situations or couch surf. across the country”, says Lindsay Windhager, Coordinator at Regent In Toronto, on Monday November 22, 2021, Park Community Health Centre and co-organizer of the event. Japanese Canadians for Social Justice (JCSJ) joined Get involved in your communities fight for decent, safe, rent geared many community organizations and agencies in to income housing. Contact your local MP and demand that the the downtown east end to call on this government federal government urgently and massively invest in the construction to build social housing now. The event took place of social housing across the country. Please sign the petition for 214outside of 214-230 Sherbourne St. This area of the 230 Sherbourne at: https://www.change.org/p/toronto-city-councildowntown east end has been the epicenter of the expropriate-214-230-sherbourne-housing-now-5cc35ff6-07de-4e2dhousing and homelessness crisis in this city for 8c23-6be4ed8ec348. decades. “In a capitalist society, even housing is treated as “capital” to make a profit. However housing is a right for everyone” states Iwatejinmizuko Fushu, former urban planner and member of JCSJ. The properties at 214-230 Sherbourne, which once

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38 月報 The Bulletin

For more information or to get involved in the Japanese Canadians for Social Justice email : jcforsocialjustice@gmail.com or join https://www. facebook.com/JCSJToronto/ Danielle Koyama – Japanese Canadians for Social Justice


☑ Personal care ☑ Household chores

Run by Japanese staff who value

Compassion 思いやり & Conscientiousness 気配り

tin g f i l p u A n e t a k i n g or c ar ie n c e f r e x pe u r l o v e d yo ne o SMILE BRAIN

We also wish to acknowledge the passing of Don Mamoru Yamane (April 25, 1934 – April 9, 2021). Don was an outstanding veteran of the RCAS and the UN Peace Corps since 1951. Don was one of the 19 volunteers who enlisted in Canada for the Korean War, and went on to serve in the armed forces for more than 2 decades. Don was also a member of the JC War Memorial Committee in its early years. Don’s wife, Stella, attended this year’s ceremony to let everyone know of his passing, and received condolences from those who had known Don. We thank staff from NNMCC, Nichola Ogiwara & Coco Zhou for their admin assistance, Patrick Fujisawa for his AV and logistics assistance, and our young volunteers Makoto Iwaasa, Hannah Iwaasa, and Cameron Reid for their assistance. Thanks to Tonari Gumi who provided folding chairs to seat everyone, the Burnaby Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the loan of two large Video screens, and John Kamitakahara for the loan of the generator.

Add-on

脳の運動教室

Remembrance continued

feature bout a d r ie Wor mentia? Try our brain De

Sponsored by the JCWMC and the NNMCC, Chair Linda Kawamoto Reid, Moderator David Iwaasa, Veteran Tak Irizawa, Chic Tanaka, David Mitsui, and Frank Kamiya.

activation program for mental alertness

(778) 960-4735 info@nikoniko.ca http://nikoniko.ca/

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December 12月 2021 39


Nikkei Place Monthly Update Nikkei National Museum Donations & Cultural Centre Nikkei Place

Honouring, Preserving, and Sharing Japanese Culture and Japanese Canadian History and Heritage for a Better Canada centre.nikkeiplace.org | 604.777.7000 | info@nikkeiplace.org | Support NNMCC: Donate by phone, mail or online NIKKEI IMAGES 日系イメージ The 25th Anniversary and War Memorial issue of Nikkei Images is now available to read on our website: https://centre.nikkeiplace.org/research/nikkei-images/

WHAT’S ONSITE 館内にて開催 Reception | Gallery | Museum Shop: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00am - 5:00pm Sunday & Monday Closed Nikkei Bookstore 日系ブックストア: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am - 3pm

Included here is an excerpt from the latest issue, Volume 26, Issue No.2, Nikkei Images. “Seiichi Kinoshita: Resolute Soldier and Patriot” by David B. Iwaasa “In British Columbia, Japanese Canadians had been denied the right to vote in provincial elections since 1895, and, as the same voters’ lists were used, they were also denied the right to vote in federal elections. This continued until 1931 when Japanese Canadian veterans of the First World War were extended the right to vote by legislation which squeezed through the BC Provincial legislature by just one vote. However, only the veterans themselves were given the franchise and it was not extended to family members or the rest of the community.” MUSEUM PROGRAMS WRITING WRONGS | www.writingwrongs-parolesperdues.ca Writing Wrongs is our online exhibit featuring letters written in the 1940s by Japanese Canadians protesting their dispossession. Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 1-3pm, we will be hosting on Zoom, “Protest Letters: Then and Now” – a panel discussion with the descendants of those protestors. The discussion will be followed by a free optional workshop, led by Carmel Tanaka, a descendant, where participants are invited to write their own protest letters. Follow us on social media or stay tuned on our website for further updates. SUPPORT 日系文化センター・博物館をサポートする方法 INSPIRATION FUNDRAISER Learn more: centre.nikkeiplace.org/inspiration Support the care and repair of Nikkei Centre — home of Japanese Canadian history, heritage, and culture. During the past 20 years, we have served the community through exhibits, research, education, cultural programs and events. Please consider a gift this holiday season in support of our Friends of Nikkei Centre Maintenance Fund, on now until the end of the year! Gifts can be made by phone, mail or online.

MUSEUM SHOP ミュージアムショップ *Steveston Special* Online and in-store, for a limited time, get 50% off Changing Tides when you purchase it with the From the Sea and Shore cookbook. Collected from senior members of the Steveston Japanese Canadian community, the recipes in From the Sea https://shop.nikkeiplace.org/ and Shore reflect their frugality and ingenuity in preserving Japanese tastes and culture using ingredients local to the West Coast. Changing Tides is a collection of personal stories of Japanese-Canadian fishermen and their families on the B.C. coast from before the Second World War to the present day. CURRENT EXHIBITS 展示 SAFE | HOME Hours: Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm $5 admission, members and students free PERMANENT EXHIBITS

On until April 30th, 2022 Through the lens of the historic Vancouver Asahi baseball team, contemporary Canadian artist Kellen Hatanaka explores issues of race, xenophobia, representation, and implicit bias that are relevant in both sport and society today. 2F Kadota Landing – Treasures from the Collection – Taiken: Japanese Canadians Since 1877

MEMBERSHIPS 会員 The Nikkei Centre is always welcoming new members. Membership Benefits Include: • Free admission to the museum • Discounts at the museum shop and for certain events and programs • Attendance to the NNMCC Annual General Meeting Visit: https://centre.nikkeiplace.org/support-us/membership/

NIKKEI CENTRE is located at 6688 Southoaks Crescent • Burnaby, BC | centre.nikkeiplace.org | Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

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Nikkei Place Monthly Update Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society

END OF THE YEAR MESSAGE The past year, 2021, was notable in Canada for an election called out An update on the NSHC&HS “You Inspire Us!” fundof schedule. The world finally got its Summer Olympics, delayed a year raising campaign but carried off successfully in Tokyo. The Lower Mainland experienced The Arjo Parker Series tub has been delayed due to “heat domes” in the summer, something way out of the ordinary from our parts and manufacturing and it is now set to arrive in traditionally temperate summers. Climate change is real! February 2022. As a result, the room renovation is on hold until the arrival of the tub. The eight Echo devices And the pandemic continues. are still being tested. And finally, the “Iki Iki” (Lively, LiveWe have been living with the pandemic, something that no one asked for, ly) and “Kui Do Raku” (Eat, Chat, Relax) programs are in since early 2020. If I have learned anything from it, it is to be grateful for the rebooted and testing phase for an immediate start, what I have. And to take fewer things for granted. pending approval from the Fraser Health Authority. I am grateful that vaccines were developed early on and made available As of this writing, the funds raised amount to $200,891, to us. well beyond the goal of $100,000; many thanks to all I am grateful that our daily lives in BC have seen less disruption than some those who donated (please note that some wished to remain anonymous). other parts of the country and the world. I am grateful that having “gaman” was part of my upbringing. I am grateful for all our front line workers: the people who work in retail and services (that covers a lot of ground!). I am grateful for everyone who works in health care, all those who care for us and who have not had a chance to catch their breath in well over a year and a half. In putting together this monthly contribution, I am grateful to the Bulletin/ Geppo staff and especially to our volunteers who write the articles and those who translate into Japanese and proofread. So with those expressions of gratitude, I wish you and yours a good holiday season: a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you all in 2022! – Randy Kondo

Robert Abe, Harjinder Bharaj, Mary Burke, Ruth Coles, Combined Painting (1985) Ltd., Fujiko Egami, Exe Contracting Ltd., Gastaldo Concrete Ltd., Giant Octopus Restaurant Ltd., Bill Gruenthal, Thomas Hara, Hara and Company General Account Barristers & Solicitors, Jay Haraga, Cydney Harling, Kelvin Higo, Shig Hirai, Elaine Homma, Cathey Hoogerbrug, Akira Horii, Naoto Horita, Toshie Hosonuma, ILF Investments Co. Ltd., Gloria Joe, Paul Kariya, Soya Kayo, Sumi Kinoshita, Asako Kitamura-Redman, George Koyanagi, Yuki Kurozumi, Ellen Kurz, Julie Lee, Rupert Lee, Wanda Lee, Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation, Imogene Lim, Nora MacArthur, Cathy Makihara, Patrick Miki, Sue Miyanishi, Masashi Moizumi, Edward Nakamoto, John Nakamoto, James Nasu, Roberta Nasu, Jane Nimi, Don Nishio, Michiyo Noma, Colby Payne, PIMCO Canada Corp., Gemma Shimizu, Ken Shinozaki, Margaret Shinozaki, Leigh A. Shoji-Lee, Sandra Song, Philip Storey, Kumi Sutcliffe, Mike Takahashi, Jenny Uechi, Ruichi Wakita, Ryoko Ward, Keith Westover, Fred Yada, Keiko Yakumo, Sam Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Yamamoto, Kenichiro Yamanaka, Layne Yoshimaru, Robert Yoshimaru.

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December 12月 2021 41


Nikkei Place Monthly Update Nikkei Place Foundation Donations

N ikkei Place Do n at io n s

NIKKEI PLACE is comprised of three organizations: Nikkei Place Foundation, Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, and Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society. Please visit www.nikkeiplace.org — our organizations are making updates on our websites and social media channels in reponse to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. We are still accepting donations, but encourage you to give online at www.nikkeiplacefoundation.org to avoid any delays with receiving your tax receipt. For inquiries, please contact gifts@nikkeiplacefoundation.org.

Thank You for Supporting Nikkei Place! Gifts from November 1 - 30, 2021 inclusive DONATIONS

In Honour of My 100th Birthday Party Sam Yamamoto

Craig Natsuhara Takeshi & Mizuho Ogasawara June Hubert & Family In Memory of Sandy Chris Oikawa Kikuye Inouye Wakabayashi Hanako Oye In Honour of Japanese Randy Iwata Goro Nishimura Linda Kawamoto Reid Canadian War Veterans Cassandra Kobayashi In Memory of Reen Jim & Norma Sawada Charles Tasaka Kiyoko Nakai NNMCC INSPIRATION (Irene), Tad & Aki Howard Shimokura Ken Schultz FUNDRAISER In Honour of Tomiko Spain Wakabayashi Audrey Shimozawa Norman & May McFarland Thelma & Malcolm Webb LEAFS Anonymous Barbara Shishido Jim Pike Ltd. Charlotte Takasaki In Memory of Trooper In Memory of Masako Ambassador Michael & Frances F. Johnson Michael Hayakaze Sharlene A. Tabata Linda Yada Sam Yamamoto Bill & Toshiko Kajiwara Joyce C. Takeshita Ted Hayakaze Osamu & Virginia Tanaka & Patron FortisBC Energy Inc. - Art Darlene Tanaka & Trevor Jones Family In Memory of Jean Henry & Yvonne Wakabayashi Kanzaki Grace Tanaka Shizuko Kamimura In Memory of Mas Debbie Miki Ginzo & Harue Udagawa Builder Naoko Kadota Yamamoto Joseph & Suanne Miki Hisako Wada Fred & Linda Yada Maryka Omatsu Anonymous Izumi Miki McGruer Fred & Linda Yada Copper Dr. Akira & Mrs. Hamako Horii Chris, Jan Yamamoto & Family Patrick T. Miki In Memory of George & Elaine Homma Tatsu & Karen Mizushima Alan & Wakako Morris Norine K. Yamamoto George Kamitakahara Dr. Akira & Mrs. Hamako Horii Fred Parsche Dorothy Yamamoto Sam Yamamoto Anonymous Sam Yamamoto Charles Tasaka Tatsuo & Mariko Yamamoto Burgundy Larry & Jeanne Ryan Anibal & Tracey Valente Gwendolyn Yip & Santa Ono Anonymous In Memory of Chieko Yano In Memory of Henry & Yvonne Wakabayashi Alice Asako Bradley Gerry & Louis Horii Shirley Koyanagi HERITAGE ESTATE Kami Insurance Agencies Ltd. Jack Yeh Fumiko Horii & Mike GIVING CIRCLE MONTHLY GIVING Charito Yuen FortisBC Energy Inc. Sokugawa Yoshiharu Hashimoto Yuki Kurozumi Anonymous (3) NNMCC WAR MEMORIAL Joyce M. Nakamoto George & Elaine Homma Carina Abe Red Janet Nasu Chiyo D. Inouye Betty Issenman Ian & Debbie Burgess Anonymous Roberta H. Nasu Sato Kobayashi HONOURS & TRIBUTES Brian & Marcia Carr Bill & Noemi Gruenthal Dorothy Yamamoto Cathy Makihara Patricia H. Chan Takashi Iwata Yaeko Yoneda In Honour of Tsuneo Robert & Jane Nimi Michael & Ruth Coles Alan & Wakako Morris Miki’s 88th Birthday In Memory of Tommy Ono Grant Dustin Carrie Okano Maryka Omatsu Keiko Funahashi Arlene K. Mayede Linda Kawamoto Reid Masami Hanashiro The Benevity Community Debbie Miki Allan & Keiko Mayede Richard & Gail Shinde Junichi & Atsumi Hashimoto Impact Fund Jason Miki Joyce M. Nakamoto Norman Shuto Tad & Mitsuko Hosoi Anibal & Tracey Valente Joseph & Suanne Miki John & Marion Nakamoto Haruko Takamori Shaun Inouye Izumi Miki McGruer Orange Roberta H. Nasu Sian Tasaka Kenneth & Bernadine Isomura Patrick T. Miki Jim Pike Ltd. Dorothy Yamamoto Fred & Linda Yada Mary F. Kawamoto Fred Parsche Art Kanzaki Sam Yamamoto Satoko Kobayashi In Memory of Ruth Suzuki Takiko & Takehisa Kawasaki Charito Yuen Greciana Langamon Lily Kamachi We thank and honour the Ronald & Shirley Lee In Honour of Sam Tommy Li legacy gifts made by our In Memory of Faye Margaret Sakon Yamamoto’s 100th Stewart Kawaguchi supporters following their Taeko Takahashi Birthday Ted Kawamoto Green passing: Michael Takahashi Bill & Toshiko Kajiwara Catherine Makihara Elaine Englar Estate of Tamiko Corbett Ben & Martha Ohashi In Memory of Tatsuo Tsuji Masako & Ken Moriyama Toshie Hosonuma Estate of Mitsuo Hayashi Bruce Yamamoto Anne Motozono Gail Hirsch Mihoko Kanashiro Estate of Nancy Machiko Cameron Roberta H. Nasu Akio Tsuji

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42 月報 The Bulletin

Takiko Kawasaki Karen Kobayashi Sue Miyanishi Sachiko Jean Okamura Rumi Sasaki

Roy & Yaeko Uyesugi


Nikkei Place Monthly Update 日系シニアズ・ヘルスケア住宅協会 2021 年 感謝の言葉 執筆者:ランディー 近藤 日本語訳:智帆 ルーヴ 今年2021年は、 カナダでは選挙が任期満了前に実施され、記憶に残る 年となりました。世界中が待ちわびた夏季オリンピックは、一年遅れで はありますが、東京にて無事に開催されました。 またローワーメインラ ンドは「ヒートドーム現象」に襲われ、平年の気温とは比べものになら ない、 とてつもなく暑い夏を経験しました。気候変動は間違いなく起こっ ています! コロナ禍は今もなお続いています。 望むべくもなく訪れたコロナ禍を、私たちはすでに2020年の初めから生 きてきたことになります。 この経験から何かを学んだとしたら、 それは、 今あるものに感謝すべきだということ、 そして物ごとがあって当然だとい う考え方をあらためるべきだということです。 新型コロナウイルスのワクチンが早期に開発され、私たちに提供された ことに感謝しています。 ブリティッシュコロンビア州では、国内の他の地域や他国と比べて、そこ までの支障はなく日常生活を送れてきたことに感謝しています。 日頃から 「我慢」することを覚える環境で育ったことに感謝しています。 小売業やサービス業界(というと非常に幅広い分野に当てはまります) で働く全てのフロントライン・ワーカーに感謝しています。

今月号の執筆時点で、寄付金の総額は目標の10万ドルを遥かに超える 20万891ドルにも上っています。寄付してくださった方々に、心より感謝 申し上げます。 また、匿名を希望する方もいらっしゃいました。 (以下、敬 称略・順不同) Robert Abe, Harjinder Bharaj, Mary Burke, Ruth Coles, Combined Painting (1985) Ltd., Fujiko Egami, Exe Contracting Ltd., Gastaldo Concrete Ltd., Giant Octopus Restaurant Ltd., Bill Gruenthal, Thomas Hara, Hara and Company General Account Barristers & Solicitors, Jay Haraga, Cydney Harling, Kelvin Higo, Shig Hirai, Elaine Homma, Cathey Hoogerbrug, Akira Horii, Naoto Horita, Toshie Hosonuma, ILF Investments Co. Ltd., Gloria Joe, Paul Kariya, Soya Kayo, Sumi Kinoshita, Asako Kitamura-Redman, George Koyanagi, Yuki Kurozumi, Ellen Kurz, Julie Lee, Rupert Lee, Wanda Lee, Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation, Imogene Lim, Nora MacArthur, Cathy Makihara, Patrick Miki, Sue Miyanishi, Masashi Moizumi, Edward Nakamoto, John Nakamoto, James Nasu, Roberta Nasu, Jane Nimi, Don Nishio, Michiyo Noma, Colby Payne, PIMCO Canada Corp., Gemma Shimizu, Ken Shinozaki, Margaret Shinozaki, Leigh A. Shoji-Lee, Sandra Song, Philip Storey, Kumi Sutcliffe, Mike Takahashi, Jenny Uechi, Ruichi Wakita, Ryoko Ward, Keith Westover, Fred Yada, Keiko Yakumo, Sam Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Yamamoto, Kenichiro Yamanaka, Layne Yoshimaru, Robert Yoshimaru

医療現場で働く全ての人々に感謝しています。一年半以上もの間、息を 整える暇もなく私たちのケアをしてくれています。 今月号の投稿を執筆するにあたって、The Bulletin/げっぽうのスタッフ の皆さま、特に執筆ボランティア、翻訳及び校正ボランティアの皆さまに 感謝しています。 以上の感謝の気持ちを込めまして、皆さまとご家族が素敵な休暇をお過 ごしになられますよう、願っております。 メリークリスマス&ハッピーニュ ーイヤー。2022年にまたお会いしましょう!

NSHC & HS“You Inspire Us !”ファンドレイ ジング・キャンペーン最新情報 Ario Parkerシリーズのバスタブは、部品調達と製造の事情により遅れ ていましたが、2022年2月には届くことが決定しました。 このためスパ ルームのリノベーションもまた、バスタブが届くまで延期となっていま す。Echoデバイス8台は、ただいま試行段階にあります。最後に、 「イキイ キ・プログラム」 と 「食い道楽プログラム」は、直ちに再始動し、試行段階 に入れるよう、 フレイザー保健局からの認可を待っているところです。

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December12月 12月2021 2021 43 December 43


隣組

隣組へのご寄付ありがとうございました。 (2021年10月26日∼2021年11月29日順不同、敬称略) お名前の誤り等があった場合は来月号の紙面にて訂正 させて頂きますので、 ご連絡ください。 寄付金

隣組よりハッピーホリデー! コミュニティの皆さんに支えられ、隣組は今年も各種サポー トサービス、対面および電話やインターネットで趣味や繋が りの場を提供し続けることができました。 これもたくさんの 方々からのご寄付、物品や食材のご支援、そしてボランティ アの方々のおかげです。 このホリデーシーズンにあたり、隣 組一同より皆さんのご健康とご多幸をお祈りいたします。

ご支援よろしくお願いします 隣組は寄付や助成金で運営を行っている非営利団体です。 シニアの皆さんが安心して暮らせるためのサポートや、様 々な世代が集い交流できる場を提供し続けるには、 コミュ ニティの皆さんのご支援が不可欠です。隣組ではご寄付を 次のウェブページよりありがたく承っています。www.tonarigumi.ca/ja/support/

年末年始の休館のご案内 年末年始の振替休日と隣組の休館日に ついてお知らせします。 クリスマスおよ びボクシングデーの振替休日により12 月27日(月)と28日 (火)はお休みです。 ま た、1月3日(月)は元日の振替休日でお 休み、新年は1月4日 (火) より開館して います。 プログラムの開始は1月10日か らです。

隣組サポートサービス サポートサービスの対象は55歳以上 です。事前にご本人またはご家族との面 談による査定が必要なサービスもあり ます。詳細は隣組コミュニティ・サービスまでお問い合わせください。 隣組コミュニティ・サービス 電話604-687-2172 内線102、 メール:services@tonarigumi.ca(正子)

政府関連の提出書類作成や高齢者の住宅相談 シニア向け住宅に関する相談、BC ハウジングへの登録や年金・補助金申請などのサポート を行います。

電話による医療通訳(有料 ) 電話での医療通訳サービスです。医師の診察時のほか、検査や薬局に行く際にも利用でき ます。

医療送迎(有料) 医療関連の予約時に医療施設へ送迎するサービスです。

お弁当の配達「ミー ルズ・オン・ウィー ルズ」(有料) 料理や買い物が困難なシニアの 方のお宅へ日本の味が詰まった お弁当を毎週お届けします。

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44 月報 The Bulletin

ハマニシ・ジュディ、イノウエ・ジュディ、 カタヤマ・ミチ ヨ、露木ナンシー、 フォスター亜樹、 コピソン珠子、 ブラ スマン・マイク、山岸晴美、マトソン・ゲリー、井田メグ、 ストゥワート・ロン、峯田正義、 ナカノ・デニス、飯田貴 信、中村作吉、 フジワラ・エツヨ、荊木喜久子、柴田一 弘、野田登美子&グレース、宮川パトリシア、安達妙子、 宮城美佐子、ヒライ・ミキ&ミヤコ、 ワタナベ・タモツ、 サカイ・ハルコ、ハラ・トーマス、ハマカワ・ムツミ、小 渕純子、、 ストゥワート・ヒロコ、マスハラ・ヤスコ、稲岡 美智子、青田厚子、ヒュー・ナオミ、マレット・トヨコ、 タ ケモト・イツコ、上田隼人、久保克己、 タケシタ・ジョイ ス、 シュトウ・ノーマン、 リー・W.B、妹尾翠、水田浩司& 明美、イップ・スタン&ジェーン、ハセガワ・マサコ、工 野修子、エザキ・ナオコ、山本ジュン、中堀待子、坂田道 子、 ブリエ・ポール、三木紀子、デアンジェリス・ウエイ ン-DEANGELIS Architecture、OAK WEST Realty Ltd. 、FUJITECH CANADA INC、The Benevity Community Fund ‒ employee matching TELUS communications Inc. & Royal Bank of Canada、匿名希望 (16) 寄付金 (Canada Helps) 池内明子、ピーターソン・ヘリエ、若林ヘンリー、 ドイ・ ヘザー、 コーマノ・リンダ、 ナカタ・シャーリー、 レング・ シシリア、イワタ・ランディ、ツルタ・フミエ、立石美和 子、 タナカ・ヘンリー、ニシ・カレン&ブルース・マイケ ル一家-Crux Strategic Clarity Inc.、 アライ・ヨシオ、匿 名希望 (3) 三木ツネオさんの88歳の誕生日を記念して マエダ・ミキヨ 山本サムさんの100歳の誕生日を記念して 山本サム、山本ノリエ(Canada Helps)、岩浅デービッド (Canada Helps) オノ・トミー 追悼記念 ナス・ジェームス&サリー カミムラ・ジェーン 追悼記念 ミズシマ・カレン わが両親、ニシムラ・トミ&ノブオ 追悼記念 ニシムラ・ショーン カタヤマ・ジツ子 追悼記念 匿名希望 フジサワ・マーガレット 追悼記念 匿名希望 ミヤタ・スエ 追悼記念 ミヤタ・ミツホ カワセ・タッド 追悼記念 カワセ・タマ、 カワセ・トミー、ビストリスキー・ハナ カミムラ・ジーン 追悼記念 シモクラ・ジョイス&レイ 日系カナダ人戦没者 追悼記念 田坂チャールズ エノモト・デニス 追悼記念 (Canada Helps) ムカイ・ダイアン わが兄、小川アート追悼記念 (Canada Helps) ノリス・クララ 小林シゲル 追悼記念 (Canada Helps) 若林イボンヌ 物品 キツダ・ノボル、 ノリス・クララ、篠崎ケン、真崎久子、 坂田道子、 ナンバ・タカコ、松本登、布谷早苗、岡田ラリ ー、 ウォロシン文子、中堀忠一- Seaborn, Maria Filipczak -Tradex Foods、匿名希望 (3) ** MONTHLY GIVING ** 寄付金 吉田咲子 寄付金 (Canada Helps) サトウ・タカシ、鈴木傳、水口光子、 タカセ・ユミ、 ナガ タ・タモツ、山下里美、モリタ・エミコ、岩浅デービッド、 匿名希望 (2)


《滄海一粟》 航海日誌

元日系ボイス編集者 田中 裕介

日系アクティビズムの過去と現在(2) 戦争と差別と遠い和解  歴史家・保阪正康が「昭和の時代から学ぶべき3つの教訓」 として、1) 政治が軍事にコントロールされたこと。2)軍事責任者が特攻作戦を採 用したこと。3)国際法に反する捕虜の扱い方をしたことを挙げている。  上記の2)の特攻作戦と3)の捕虜への虐待は、 「生きて虜囚の辱めを 受けず」 という 「戦陣訓」の裏表にも見える。国のために死ぬことを最高 の美徳とするならば、生き残った敵兵の命が虫ケラに見えても不思議で はない。その結果、3)のように、極東裁判で捕虜に対する残忍な扱い方 が批判を浴び、 日本史上「最大の恥」 となったと講演で語っている。国際 法では、投降した敵兵に対しては、祖国のために戦った兵士として敬意 を払うのが当然であった。  保坂は、 この倒錯した人間性が、元々日本文化に根ざすものなのか、 それとも近代化の歪みが生み出したものなのかを考え抜いたという。そ して、一方的な情報だけを流す閉鎖社会ではどこの国でも起こりうるこ とだと結論づけた。  現代日本は、戦中の情報閉鎖社会とは真逆の自由に情報を取捨選択 できる社会になった。だが、大衆の不安な心理は安定を求めて終始一貫 した情報源に向かって突き進み、 さらには、 自分にとって心地よく都合 のよいことにしか見向きもしなくなる。あなたがネット検索する度に、 グ ーグルは個々の興味傾向を把握し、特化した情報を絶えずスマホに送り 届けてくる。誰もが無意識のうちに煽られ洗脳されているのだ。

●真珠湾攻撃から80年  今年は1941年12月8日 (日本時間)の真珠湾攻撃から数えて80周年 だ。1942年2月、 カナダ政府は日系人の「総移動令」を閣議決定した。時 を同じくして、香港陥落時に捕虜となったカナダ兵(約2000名) と、 シン ガポール陥落で出た10万人の連合国兵が、終戦まで国際法を無視し虐 待を受け5人に1人が死亡した。  終戦後、ただちに戦争捕虜に対する虐待が問題化した。極東裁判で はB級戦犯として有罪判決を受け絞首刑となった憲兵隊付き通訳の 元日系カナダ人カナオ・イノウエがいた。BC州カムループスで育った この二世が、 カナダでの被差別体験を増幅させ、常に捕虜を虐待した という。イノウエは陳述で When I was in Canada I took all kinds of abuse… They called me a little yellow bastard . Now where is your so-called superiority, you dirty scum? と開き直った。  筆者は、大森捕虜収容所の監視兵だった飛田時雄にインタビューす る北米のTV番組の制作に関わったことがある。C級戦犯の飛田は捕虜 虐待の刑で10年間服役した。のちに、彼は東條英機などA級戦犯が収容 されていた巣鴨拘置所の日常を得意の絵筆で描き、それを「C級戦犯が 見た巣鴨プリズン」 (草思社・2011年) という本にしている。  2012年、インタビューの中で、飛田は「暴力をふるったことは申し訳 なく思っているが、捕虜に対する暴力が国際法で禁止されていることな ど、私たちは知らされていなかった。知っていたならしなかっただろうと 思う」 と語っている。 また、 「我々が召集されて初年兵となった時の訓練 はあんなものではなかった」 と弁解もしていた。

多くの日系関係の組織に送りつけられたという。  アート・ミキ(当時NAJC会長)によると、 日本政府の出先機関から電話 を受け、 リドレス運動をこれ以上続けると日加の外交関係を損ねる恐れ があるので止めてほしいと言われたという。彼は、 これはカナダの国内 問題であって、 日本には関係のないことだと応えたと1990年のNAJC教 育者会議で語っている。  こうして、退役軍人たちによる日系人に対する執拗な妨害は続いた。 彼らの言い分は「日本政府が香港ベテランに対してなんの謝罪もしてい ないのに、 カナダ政府が日系人の要求に対応する必要などない」 という ものだった。  読者諸賢はすでにお分かりだろう。彼らのこの言説の中に既に人種差 別意識が露呈しているのである。1942年当時、 日系カナダ人は「カナダ 市民」 であったにもかかわらず、 日本人の血筋であることをもって 「敵国 人」だと見なされた。それから40年後、 カナダ主流の白人の意識は全く 変わっていなかった。  マリカの著書によると、NAJCは退役軍人会と話し合い、最終的には、 「 リドレス運動への妨害はしない」 という約束を取り付けたという。 ちなみ に、 日系アメリカ人の運動はこれと全く様相を異にしていた。米国の退役 軍人会は諸手を挙げて日系米人リドレス運動を支持したのである。それ は、戦場での「第442二世部隊」の英雄的功績があったからだ。  さて、 リドレス解決後、今度は日系人が試される場面が現出し た。1989年9月、香港ベテランの運動の支援者が、 「リドレスが解決した 今、 日系人はカナダの香港ベテランが日本政府に要求する謝罪と補償 を支援する責務がある」 と日系ボイスに書いた時に起きた。同紙面には 異例の数の反対意見が寄せられた。論旨は、兵士と非戦闘員の日系人を 同列に扱うのは間違っている、 日系人の運動に反対し続けた退役軍人 たちを今さら支援する気になれない、あるいは、支援したい人だけすれ ばいい、 日系コミュニティ全体が取り組む必要はない等々という冷めた ものだった。  当時、僕は日系ボイス編集者として、割り切れないものを感じていた。 リドレス合意後、 日系社会は人権運動の牽引車となることを期待され た。 であるならば、 まず退役軍人会の誤解を解き、和解し、彼らの運動へ の支援を表明すべきではなかったのか。  もし、あの時、NAJCが人権運動のリーダーシップを発揮していれば、 カナダ退役軍人会との関係は改善されていたはずだ。残念なことに、以 後、退役軍人会の香港ベテランたちは他のアジア系カナダ人団体と組 んで、いわゆる 「反日」運動に同調する方向に向かっていった。 こうして 日系人とカナダ退役軍人会は、人権問題で接点を持つことはなかった のである。

●香港ベテランのリドレス運動  2011年12月、香港陥落の70年後、 カナダの香港ベテランたち数人は 日本の外務省に招かれ、政務官から謝罪を受け取った。長い戦いだっ た。 ウィニペグに本部を置くカナダ兵退役軍人会は、戦後継続して日本 政府からの謝罪と補償を求め続けてきた。  日本軍の捕虜だった元兵士による、いわばリドレス運動の根拠は 1907年のハーグでの俘虜取り扱いに関する条約だった。一方、 日本政府 は1951年のサンフランシスコ講和条約において全て処理済みであると いう姿勢に終始した。だが、 これは「慰安婦」や「徴用工」問題同様に、個 人の謝罪、補償要求まで規制するものではない。  1980年代、彼らの神経を逆なですることが起きた。それは、 日系人た ちが、強制収容に対する謝罪と補償をカナダ政府に求める運動を起こし たことだ。 リドレス活動家で当時は弁護士だったマリカ・オマツ著「ほろ 苦い勝利」 (1994年)によると、死をほのめかす差出人不明の脅迫状が

2011年12月、4人のカナダ香港ベテランたちは、東京で加藤敏幸外務大臣政務官(当時)から正 式謝罪を受け取った。後列左から2人目は、 カナダの退役軍人省スティーブン・ブラニー大臣(当 時) (photo: courtesy of VAC gallery) https://www.veterans.gc.ca/images/image-gallery/fullsized/20111208-japan-01.jpg *題字の「滄海一粟」 (そうかいのいちぞく) とは大海原に浮かぶ一粒の粟のこと。

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Eastsideから見える日本と世界 第40回 技能実習生に依存する日本の経済・産業 ■新規入国の再開と停止  日本では2021年11月上旬に外国人の新規入国制限が一部緩和され、 ビジネス目的の短期滞在者や留学生、技能実習生等について、受け入れ 側の企業や大学等が行動を管理することを条件に入国を認める方針を打 ち出しました。 しかし、11月下旬に南アフリカ政府が新たな変異種とされ るオミクロン株の確認を発表し、 これを受けて各国はアフリカ南部からの 入国を制限するなど対策を強化しました。 日本では、11月30日から世界の すべての国や地域を対象にビジネス目的などの外国人の新規入国が原 則停止となりました。行動規制が緩和され、海外との往来の可能性にも期 待が持てるようになった最中の再びの再制限となりました。

■問題が頻発している日本の技能実習制度 今回の新規入国制限の緩和、そして再びの制限に一喜一憂した人々の中 に、技能実習生の来日を心待ちにしていた日本の中小零細企業の経営者 たちがいます。 ご存知の方も多いかもしれませんが、現在の日本の経済・ 産業は技能実習生の労働力なしには成り立たない状態と言えます。 日本の外国人技能実習制度は、1981年に創設された外国人研修制度に ルーツを持ち、その後、1993年に在留資格「特定活動」の一類型として技 能実習制度が創設されました。 しかし、受入れ企業の現場では実際には 働き手、労働者として扱われる場合が大半であるにもかかわらず、制度上 は労働関係法令が適用されないため、賃金や時間外労働等に関するト ラブルが頻発しました。そのため、2010年に在留資格「技能実習」が設け られ、 これによってそれまでは「研修」 とされた期間について 「技能実習1 号」、 「特定活動」(技能実習)とされた期間について 「技能実習2号」 と分け

るとともに、技能習得期間のうち実務に従事する期間はすべて労働 者とみなされることになりました。 しかし、その後も技能実習生をめ ぐる問題、特に暴力などのハラスメント、セクシュアルハラスメント、 賃金支払いに関する問題、過重労働、不十分な生活環境などが続い ています。

■借金を抱えて来日する技能実習生 このように問題が頻発する背景の一つには、一般の労働者と異なり、 技能実習生は転職の自由がないこと、 そのために職場が劣悪であっ ても逃げ場がないことがあります。2019年の改正入管法施行により、 技能実習から条件付きで移行できる在留資格である特定技能が新 設され、在留資格を特定技能に変えれば転職ができるように制度を 改めましたが、実際にはそれだけで問題が解決できているわけでは ありません。 多くの技能実習生は、来日前に手数料などの名目で出身国現地の機 関に100万∼200万円程度の借金をしています。給料が予想より低か った場合、借金を返すためにはより高い収入を得なくてはいけない と実習先を「逃亡」する実習生もいます。 また、暴力などに耐えかねて 「逃亡」する実習生もいます。  日本で暮らす私たちが日常的に利用している衣類や食材の多くは 技能実習生の労働によって生産されています。 しかし、そのことは消 費者の多くは知りません。そうした歪な構造が日本の生産現場と消 費者の間には存在しているのです。

山本薫子(やまもと・かほるこ) 首都大学東京都市環境学部准教授 (2008年∼)。UBC社会学部客員准 教授(2018年5月∼12月)。専門は都 市社会学、地域社会学。 著書に、 『横浜・寿町と外国人−グロ ーバル化する大都市インナーエリ ア 』福村出版(2008年)、 『原発震災 と避難 − 原子力政策の転換は可能 か(シリーズ 被災地から未来を考え る(1))』有斐閣(2017年)など。 韓国・ソウルの靴マーケット(2015 年 8 月撮影)。韓国は、送り出し国と 韓国政府が協定を結び、期間を区切って外国人労働者を受け入れる雇用 許可制度を 2004 年に導入しています。


電子レンジで簡単 北海道いももち

材料 (2人分) じゃがいも 6個 ☆牛乳 100ml    ☆片栗粉 大さじ6 ☆塩 小さじ1 とろけるチーズ(モッツァレラなど) お好みで バター 大さじ1 お好み:青のり、粗挽きコショウ、はちみつ、きな粉  適量

1.じゃがいもを2cm程度のサイズに切り、水に浸す。 2.じゃがいもの水をしっかりきり、耐熱容器にいれ、3分加熱する。 3.ジャガイモを箸でさし、まだ固いようなら1分づつ追加して加熱 していく。

4.箸がスッと通るようになったら、電子レンジから出し、マッシャー でつぶす。

5.4に、☆の材料を混ぜ、なめらかになるまでさらに混ぜる。 6.一口大に丸め、チーズを中に包み込む。 7.バターを溶かしたフライパンで、両面に焦げ目を付けて完成!

Asahi Tanaka Love is the best spice in the whole world を モットーに、お手頃でヘルシーな美味しいレシ ピを皆さんにお届けしていきたいです。 Instagramでは、Vancouverならではの食材を 使った料理や、 日々のお弁当を紹介しています。 オススメ食材や、調味料、お得情報など興味の ある方は是非アクセスください。 Instagram: @lapetiteasahi Blog: http://lapetiteasahi.com

ポイント 今日本で話題の北海道名物いももちを、簡単に 作れるようにアレンジしました。お好みで、青の り、粗挽きコショウ、七味や、はちみつ、きな粉 などでアレンジすると大人好みの味に変身しま す。 こどものおやつ、お弁当のおかず、大人のお つまみなどアレンジ自由なレシピです!たくさん 作って冷凍しておくと、 とても便利な1品です。

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編集後記 Kazuho Yamamoto

『The Bulletin・げっぽう』読者・寄稿者のみな さま

12月の仏事・行事予定(Zoom) 12 月 5 日(日)午前 10 時

12 月に亡くなった方を偲ぶ 祥月法要

今年の UBC と仏教会での除夜の鐘と参拝はキャンセルとさせ ていただきます。

Kazuho Yamamoto

いよいよ年の背も迫り、お忙しい日々をお過ご しのことと存じます。 2021年も終わりに近づいて参りました。今年もGV JCCA及び『The Bulletin・げっぽう』をご支援頂き誠に ありがとうございました。

詳細・参加申し込みはウェブサイトから

来る年も皆様のご健康とご多幸を心よりお祈り申し上 げます。

法事はご自宅でも、お寺(仏教会)でも営む事が出来ま す。法事・葬儀・密葬(BC 州公式ライセンスによる)仏前

良いお年をお過ごしくださいませ。

KAO (a.k.a. SleeplessKao)

結婚式等仏事のお問い合わせは青木先生までお電話ください。 (604.253.7033) 220 Jackson Ave. Vancouver rev.aoki@gmail.com vancouverbuddhisttemple.com

KAO

「あっちとこっち」  さて様々な難関を経て日本からバンクーバーに戻っ て来ました。

コロナ禍の中での移動はストレスです。通常は地方から成田までリムジ ンバスで快適に行けるのですが、高速バスは今のところ運行の見通しがあ りません。数日前に空港にスーツケースを送るのですが飛行機に乗るためには搭乗の72時間前にPCR検査を受けなければいけません、その結 果が陰性であるかどうかの保証はないわけです。 それらのストレスはあったものの無事飛行機に搭乗。 飛行機の後方はほぼ人がいなく、真ん中の4つシートを悠々自適に使い快適な空の旅でした。  バンクーバーに着くと外は雨。 まだ昼間だというのに暗い。 (あぁ、 日本の青空が恋しい)体 もアジャストしていなくてどよ∼んとしましたが、ゆっくり休むまもなく、12月4日に行われ たJapan Marketのクリスマスセールに出店するため、準備と作品作り。当日はたくさんの 人が訪れました。入場をコントロールしていた為、会場はスペーシャスな空間でゆっくり とお客さんと接することができ知り合いも多かったので同窓会のようでもあり、出店して るこちら側も楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。

ハー バ マスツ ーセンタ リーに ーのク 見立て リス た電 飾

4時にはすっかり辺りが暗くなっているのにも (まぁ、 こんなものだよね) と体も頭 も慣れてきて、暗くて寒いからこそ街のクリスマスデコレーションや、人々がクリス マスショッピングしている様がカナダっぽくていいなと思えて来ます。

たカー 格好をし サンタの ーを見つめる ダ ネルサン 姪っ子

日本のケンタッキーフライドチキンとクリスマスケーキでクリスマスもいい けれど、やっぱりターキーとチキンを切り分けて、暖炉の前で家族や親しい人 と家でゆっくり過ごすのがカナダっぽくていいですね。 (家には暖炉はないで すが笑) あっちでもこっちでもどこでも、全ての人が平和で静かな休日が過ごせま すようにお祈りいたします。

The Bulletin 第63巻12号 2021年12月号 げっぽうは毎月1回、グレーター・バンクーバー日系カナダ市民協会(GV JCCA)によって発行されています。 げっぽう編集長:ジョン・遠藤・グリーナウェイ john@bigwavedesign.net 日本語編集:Kao & 山本一穂 editor.geppo@gmail.com 広告担当:アン・ジュー annejew@telus.net/604-609-0657 配布担当:マイケル・トラ・スパイアー アドミン・アシスタント:岡本光代 GV JCCA げっぽう事務所 249-6688 Southoaks Crescent Burnaby BC, V5E 4M7 Tel: 604-777-5222 Email: gvjcca@gmail.com Website: jccabulletin-geppo.ca

I

48 月報 The Bulletin

Board of Directors ケアリー・サキヤマ ピーター・ワラス ウェンディ・マツブチ ロン・西村 エープリル・清水 メイ・浜西 ニッキ・アサノ

げっぽう年間会員費 一般会員:$40 シニア会会員:$30 US在住の会員費:$50 海外会員費:$75

寄稿者募集! 『げっぽう』 では、皆様からの寄稿を常時募集し ております。 ご興味のある方は、editor.geppo@ gmail.comまで[寄稿希望」 という件名でメールを お願い致します。 皆様のご要望にお応えできるよう心がけますが、 必ずしも全ての投稿が掲載されるとは限りません ので予めご了承願います。


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