March 10, 2010
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 had a story to tell and a voice to shape the content of the museum. Diverse opinions were expressed about a myriad of topics that define the field of human rights. One common thread wove through the discussions and that was that the exhibits would always be evolving. Participants added that the museum should not just be about the past, but about the present and the future. Participants liked the idea that the exhibits would be interactive and that student would benefit from this state of the art technology.
The CMHR is encouraging individuals, groups, organizations to submit written stories about their history regarding human rights. The NAJC will undertake such a proposal as it is crucial that our history be told accurately. As mentioned in last month’s article, an Ad Hoc committee of the NAJC, is currently examining the way our history is recorded and presented to the public. The NEB and the HRC are all part of this important work.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has recently opened its office in Winnipeg. The NAJC is committed to supporting the TRC in its mission to increase greater understanding between the Aboriginal peoples and the peoples of Canada, through the story-telling of survivors of the Residential School system. The first national hearing of the TRC will be held in mid June/2010, in Winnipeg. There will be 6 other national hearings across Canada, as well as numerous community gatherings that will provide the Canadian public to attend and to listen. The NAJC will be having an election this year, at the AGM, in October 16-17, 2010 in Ottawa, ON.
We thank the Ottawa Japanese Community Association for hosting the AGM. I would like to ask the membership to consider nominating community members to the Board, as well as the Endowment Committee. I would also welcome any members who would like to serve on any of the standing committees of the NAJC. Please contact us at: national@najc.ca Thanks to all the membership organizations that submitted applications to the Community Development Pilot Project. Just a reminder that the deadline for applications to the Endowment Fund is March 31, 2010.
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March 10, 2010
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 to the plight of the Haitian peoples. We are part of a global community and need to always be reminded of our moral obligation to assist those less fortunate not only at home but in other parts of the world.
The National Executive Board (NEB) met in Winnipeg on January 16-17, 2010, to establish priorities for this year, having reviewed the responses to questionnaires that were sent to the membership. An on-going concern for many member organizations is finding an effective and efficient method to record and preserve the history of Japanese Canadians in their community. The Heritage Task Force has been given the job of assisting communities with this important undertaking. One of the issues that was discussed during the NEB meeting was the Community Development Pilot Project Program, which invites membership organizations to submit a proposal that addresses a community need. The deadline for this funding is February 1, 2010. Please consider applying for this program.
The NAJC Human Rights Committee has been focused on this Government’s funding cuts to various groups and organizations, such as arts and culture groups, women’s rights groups, children’s welfare groups, immigrants and social justice groups, Canadian Arab Federation, etc. KAIROS is one such group whose funding has been significantly cut and that the HRC has recently researched. KAIROS is a “faith-based ecumenical organization… that effects social change through advocacy, education and research” and works in Canada as well as internationally. The NAJC has written to the Government requesting that their funding be restored.
An Ad Hoc Committee was struck at the NEB meeting that will examine how our history is presented to the public, in the way of publications, exhibits, museums, etc. Recently, concerns have been raised about information regarding the history of Japanese Canadians during WWII, in the Discover Canada booklet, which is a study guide for new immigrants, regarding the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The NAJC, in the past, has also submitted a number of concerns regarding the exhibit at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. The Canadian Museum of Human Rights is conducting round table discussions across Canada, inviting Canadians for their input regarding the content of the museum. Please consider attending and participating in these discussions. For more information, please visit their website: www.humanrightsmuseum.ca .
The NAJC welcomes comments, suggestions, questions from the readership. Contact us at www.najc.ca
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