The NAJC office has moved again, to a temporary office space in downtown Winnipeg. This move was prompted by a change of ownership of our previous location of 1 – 222 Osborne St., which resulted in a significant increase of the rent and a long term lease. The next step will be to establish a [...]
The National Executive Board (NEB) of the NAJC met in Toronto on March 27-28, for its regular quarterly meeting. We wish to thank the individual members as well as the Toronto NAJC chapter for their presentations at our meeting. It is through these exchanges that we learn more about the activities in the Japanese Canadian [...]
Spring has arrived, bringing new hope and renewed energy to our lives. As a Japanese Canadian community, we have much to celebrate, not the least of which is the number of volunteers whose dedication and hard work bring so much life and spirit to our communities. Many thanks to all the volunteers across Canada.
The [...]
In late January, 2010, I attended the round table discussion in Winnipeg, hosted by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights (CMHR), inviting the public, to “help write the story of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights”. There were many familiar faces in the crowd–human rights activists, faith-based organizations, ethnic groups, special interest groups, etc. Everyone [...]
The New Year has started with renewed hope and desire for a more peaceful world. It is mid January and all eyes are focused on the tragedy in Haiti. The devastation and violence that has erupted in that part of the world is unfathomable. Canadians, in their inimitable fashion have opened their hearts and wallets [...]
The holiday season is upon us and provides an opportunity for all of us to reflect upon the many gifts that we cherish now and every day of the year. At the Honouring our People conference in Vancouver in October, I am reminded of the gifts that the storytellers shared with the participants, of their [...]
As NAJC President, I was honoured to accept an invitation to “Witnessing the Future” ceremony of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) at Rideau Hall, on October 15, 2009. This was an occasion that focused on “listening to and learning from the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools”. In keeping with Aboriginal traditions, occasions [...]
After a year of preparation, the national celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Japanese Canadian Redress Settlement is now behind us. While I have not yet had time to digest what all happened, from accounts received so far, I think we can safely say it was a memorable event, and undoubtedly credit goes largely to [...]
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President's Message
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December 2011
Like the iconic Japanese song of immigrants, Watari Dori (Birds of Passage), we are all transients looking for a place to alight and to call home. Fortunately, I have returned to Japan numerous times, but the Japan of my youth has long disappeared . . . [...] Read more →
Community Features
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Belated Justice – the Dr. Gordon Hirabayashi Human Rights Award
At the National Association of Japanese Canadians AGM held in Edmonton Alberta on October 16, 2011, the NAJC unveiled the Dr. Gordon Hirabayashi Human Rights Award at the AGM Dinner. Gordon had been a Professor of Sociology at the University of Alberta during the sixties, seventies, and eighties. [...] Read more →
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MISSION STATEMENT:
To promote and develop a strong Japanese Canadian identity and thereby to strengthen local communities and the national organization; and To strive for equal rights and liberties for all persons-in particular, the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.
VISION:
A strong, unified community founded on diversity and committed to human rights for all for the enrichment of Canada
From The Bulletin
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Dr. Norikazu Nishio: Looking forward in life
I was brought up in Kitsilano so as youngsters all our friends were English-speaking, apart from a few other Japanese Canadian families. I went to Lord Tennyson Elementary and then Kitsilano Junior and High Schools. [...]
It is not enough just to have a birth certificate, certifying one’s birth in Canada. It is not enough to be a native Canadian and expect that mere birth alone is everything: privileges, responsibilities, pride, allegiance. One must grow into citizenship; one must shoulder the responsibilities before there is any real joy in the privileges; one must be vigilant for the honour of one’s country, its integrity, else how can one say with pride: "I am Canadian."
Muriel Kitagawa
full quote
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