November 27, 2009
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 of great significance are witnessed by an individual who is esteemed and held in high regard. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada accepted the role of “witness”. The guests of honour to this event were the survivors of the residential school experience and their grand children. The stories they told were very powerful in their content and spoke to the lasting scars and harm that many survivors have endured in the past and continue to haunt them today. As the Chairperson of the TRC, The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair stated: ” We, and you, are not out of that past yet. Our families were broken and must be rebuilt”.
The TRC hearings over the next five years in various centres across Canada are intended to have the truth told by the survivors and so by telling their stories, healing and reconciliation will take place. It is the hope of the TRC that greater understanding and respect will evolve between Aboriginal peoples and the peoples of Canada through the hearings. The NAJC has made a commitment to the aboriginal communities that we support the TRC process. Our initial plan includes hosting educational workshops in our communities.
On October 16/09, the NAJC HRC met in Vancouver for a meeting to review current activities and to establish priorities. Some highlights to consider for the coming year will involve follow-up activities from the Honouring our People conference, human rights information on the website, governance issues, guidelines to structure the committee, and other matters related to international concerns.
The NAJC AGM was held on October 17-18, in Vancouver with delegates/alternates/observers attending from across Canada. Major challenges facing the NAJC, regarding our financial investments was discussed and a decision made to change our investment management. This was a difficult issue to decide, but one that was done with respect and responsibility. A Heritage Task Force was created at the AGM, to a)encourage and assist Japanese-Canadian communities in the preservation, maintenance and dissemination of Japanese-Canadian heritage and history b) monitor representation of Japanese-Canadian history in Canadian society c) propose recommendations at the 2010 AGM regarding a) and b) above to the membership.
Thanks to all who attended the AGM and a special thanks to the GVJCCA, for hosting the event.
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November 27, 2009
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 the volunteers who worked, with commitment, to this project’s success.
For me, there were positive vibes in the air from the moment the door opened on the first day at the Vancouver Japanese Language School and Gloria Wilson, Squamish National Elder, gave us her welcoming blessing. The Dinner Program on Saturday was especially charged with magical excitement (I don’t think I was the only one who felt this). Opening in the lobby with the Nishihara Kage Duo performance, and with few drinks at the bar, and moving to the dining hall, we were welcomed by Mayor Derek R. Corrigan of the City of Burnaby. A special message was offered to us by His Excellency, Ambassador Tsuneo Nishida, a rare occasion for us in the West Coast. It seems in retrospect that everyone came prepared to celebrate, as the atmosphere continued to warm with goodwill and anticipation.
The Takeo Yamashiro/Teresa Kobayashi Tabo Duo on shakuhachi and koto respectively during a dinner of Japanese food (Fujiya) was absolutely stunning, and the toast in recognition of the redress committee members given by Dr. Mona Oikawa (York University), followed by Dr. Roy Miki’s delivery of his remembrances of the Redress Movement electrified the room. If that were not enough, Chief Robert Joseph’s keynote address, containing a plea to JCs to participate in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, received a standing ovation. The evening closed with a spirited, soul-awakening beat of Katari Taiko, moving us from our present into the future
I thank the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens Association, and its President, Ron Nishimura for co-hosting this event. I acknowledge Cindy Mochizuki, the NAJC Event Coordinator, who did an incredible job particularly in pulling young people to this Event. I thank the national member organization delegates and guests for their attendance, and give special thanks to Calgary Japanese Community Association’s President Kevin Okabe for arranging the bus transportation for Calgary Kotobuki Society members to join with us.
I thank the Canadian Race Relations Foundation for their support, and also collaboration in the opening plenary, Redress: Never Too Late, bringing together communities which recently achieved formal redress settlements, and inviting discussion on outstanding issues as we move into the future.
Each session was filled to capacity, totaling close to a thousand for the weekend, with a large participation from youths and students. Of great import are the messages underlying and spoken by various participants, in particular the Aboriginal speakers. Youth and ijusha groups expressed their need for more of such discussions.
Performances and video screenings were highlighted, and I wish to give special acknowledgement to two: One, compiled and narrated by Dr. Norihiko Kuwayama, (Yamagata Prefecture), titled Chi Kyuu no Stage/Frontline for Peace; the other, Ghosts, by Jay Hirabayashi and Kokoro Dance, a special dance produced to commemorate this event, performed on the rooftop of Sunrise Market, adjacent to the site where Japanese Canadians registered prior to their internment in 1942.
In the next issue I expect to enumerate in more detail for acknowledgement all donors and sponsors while I attempt to send personal letters of thanks. In the meantime, THANK YOU ALL.
Note: A reminder of the NAJC Annual General Meeting to be held in Winnipeg this year on the weekend of October 25th. Hope to see some of you there!
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