KOKORO KARA HEART MOUNTAIN WYOMING FOUNDATION Spring 2017

•Day of Remembrance 2017 In •2017 Pilgrimage Preview This •Numbers by Dean Uyeno Issue •Go for Broke!

www.HeartMountain.org 75 Years Later: Why We Are Relevant—Chair Shirley Ann Higuchi

ith the 75th anniversary of Washington, D.C. As you may know, (see opposite page). I am proud to work WExecutive Order 9066 and the Heart Mountain Interpretive alongside them as the HMWF tells this today’s political climate, how can Center hosted the Consortium’s important story on the national and we best honor more than 120,000 annual conference in June 2014 international stage. Japanese Americans and their families with more than 200 judges, court Speaking of the international stage, who were incarcerated during World personnel, and lawyers in attendance. amidst the on-going discussion of War II in ways that help assure it does This past November we connected building a larger and fortified wall not happen again? again to share current initiatives and between Mexico and the United States, I Recently I published two com- encourage those in our legal system to will have the opportunity to travel across mentaries in USA TODAY and be the voices for protecting the rights of the border with Emmy Award-win- the History News Network on the marginalized groups. We also ning producers David Ono and Jeff relevance of the unjust imprisonment partnered with Densho for a Town MacIntyre (as well as my 80-year-old of my American born parents and Hall at the Japanese American National aunt and Heart Mountain incarcer- 120,000 other innocent persons of Museum in Los Angeles to share ee Emily Higuchi Filling) to share Japanese ancestry to the challenges developments at the Interpretive the lessons of the Japanese American facing America today. In USA Center and how all Americans can tell experience through the screening of TODAY’s “Trump needs to visit a our story. the film,The Legacy of Heart Mountain, Japanese American internment camp” with visitors at the Rancho La Puerta in I addressed comments citing the Mexico. World War II incarceration of Japanese Ethnic, national origin, or reli- Americans as justification for creating gious tests for access to civil rights, a Muslim registry. In “Suddenly What citizenship, or admission to our Happened to Japanese Americans country should have no place in 75 Years Ago Is Newly Relevant” for America’s future. It’s the kind of racism History News Network, I described that ripped families apart 75 years ago. how my uncle, James Higuchi, a U.S. We must resist the temptation to let Army medical doctor stationed in fear and prejudice once again lead us Arkansas, was forced to sell, at pennies to unjust and baseless violations of civil on the dollar, his family’s San Jose farm and human rights. in the months following the signing of These diverse stories of incarceration that order. are memorialized through legislation, Racism, under whatever justification museum exhibits, oral histories, litera- its supporters can find, is still racism. It Shirley Ann Higuchi ture, journalism, and other media, but goes against what makes us all Amer- visiting the original site at Heart Moun- icans. And it is dangerous. We need The sacrifices my family and tain during our July 27-30 Pilgrim- to be alert to that same fear-fueled thousands of others made during their age will hold special significance this rhetoric and hysteria that stereotyped wartime incarceration was not for year. We are pleased to have renowned and then imprisoned thousands of nothing. Their experiences serve as a artist Roger Shimomura, National innocent families in 1942. The time is permanent reminder of what not to do Poetry Slam Champion G Yamaza- now for all of us to come together to when unchecked fear runs rampant. wa, David Ono, and Jeff McIntyre ensure that the unlawful injustice, trau- On this year’s Day of Remembrance join us for this year’s program, which ma, and irrecoverable losses endured —Sunday, February 19, 2017—our includes the premiere of Jeff and David’s by innocent Americans “who looked to Nisei board members Takashi new documentary with Roger and G, some like the enemy” never happens to Hoshizaki, Sam Mihara, and Shig Yabu and a Spoken Word/Video Workshop any group ever again. discussed their unique experiences (pages 7–8). We recently reached out to our with the National Japanese Amer- We hope to see you at our 2017 supporters at the National Consor- ican Memorial Foundation Digital Pilgrimage! tium of Racial and Ethnic Fairness Storytelling students during the in the Courts during a reception in Smithsonian’s program in Washington

1 Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | Spring 2017 2017 Smithsonian Day of Remembrance Events Highlight Relevance of World War II Japanese American Incarceration

By Helen Yoshida s Americans today, we need Mihara, Mary Murakami, and Shig ital and inspire people to experience “A to keep telling these stories Yabu for a panel discussion with Dr. the original sites themselves. to make our country better,” said Karen Ishizuka, author and former NJAMF anticipates recruiting five Reed Leventis, one of the National senior staff of the Japanese American more high school students this year Japanese American Memorial Foun- National Museum. to tell the stories of the remaining dation (NJAMF) digital storytelling “The hardest part was trying to camps—Gila River, Jerome, Minido- students that spoke alongside Heart maintain the honesty and accuracy of ka, Rohwer, and Tule Lake—and up- Mountain and Topaz incarcerees to a the experience,” said Carolyn Hoover, load all 10 stories to a mobile appli- full house during the Day of Remem- on the challenges of the digital story- cation. Their efforts will help preserve brance program on Sunday, Febru- telling project. the stories of incarcerees like Hoshi- ary 19 at the Smithsonian National NJAMF, who partnered with the zaki, Mihara, Murakami, and Yabu Museum of American History. Heart Mountain Wyoming Founda- for future generations. On the 75th anniversary of tion (HMWF) on this project, spon- “I was at a movie theater three , which forci- sored five students to participate in blocks away from my house [in San bly removed nearly 120,000 people a Digital Storytelling Workshop led Francisco] and when I came out, of Japanese ancestry from the West by Emmy Award-winning producer the newspaper headlines said ‘Japa- Coast into 10 camps across sev- Jeff MacIntyre and teaching assis- nese Bombed Pearl Harbor,’” recalled en states, five NJAMF student films tants Hana Maruyama and Vanessa Mihara when asked how he found featuring Amache, Heart Moun- Saito Yuille at the 2016 Heart Moun- out about the December 7, 1941 tain, Manzanar, Poston, and Topaz tain Pilgrimage. Their stories, which attack. Murakami and Yabu gave their debuted at the museum to an were aired at the Pilgrimage banquet own perspectives on life at Topaz and audience of over 420 people. Four dinner, not only strengthen the con- Heart Mountain respectively. of the students—Carolyn Hoover, nection between visitors to the D.C. “I knew that whatever happened Leventis, Halle Sousa, and Connor Memorial and the camps but also to us, I wanted to further my ed- Yu—joined Takashi Hoshizaki, Sam connect the camps to the nation’s cap- ucation,” said Murakami, who felt it was challenging to attend high school in Topaz. In 1945, she was part of 50 Japanese Americans who attended UC Berkeley, paving the way for others to enroll in the UC system too. Yabu regaled everyone with humorous and positive memories of Heart Mountain, including how he and his friends found an abandoned baby bird outside of the barbed wire. He took it home and named it Mag- gie. Over time, the bird became a fix- ture in the community by mimicking Photo courtesy of Shirley Ann Higuchi sounds and words heard in camp. (L-R): Shig Yabu, Halle Sousa, Connor Yu, Takashi Hoshizaki, Shirley Ann Higuchi, Reed Leventis, Carolyn Hoover, and Beth Kelley.

www.HeartMountain.org 2 Save the Date!

July 28–29

Photo courtesy of Shirley Ann Higuchi

Heart Mountain incarceree and HMWF Board member Sam Mihara recalls the shock of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

“Her favorite was the wolf call,” he largest mass trial in Wyoming history. said. “You captured this story very well,” Hoshizaki brought an older Hoshizaki said to Yu, who featured perspective into the conversation. the resister in his digital story on At 17 years old, he was one of the Heart Mountain. 85 Heart Mountain resisters who The event was held in conjunction HEART MOUNTAIN refused to fight for the U.S. military with the opening of the new yearlong WYOMING FOUNDATION until his civil rights and liberties exhibit “Righting a Wrong: Japanese Honorary Advisors were restored. When he answered Americans and World War II” at Norman Y. Mineta “No. When my citizenship rights are the National Museum of American Former U.S. Secretary of restored and land-owning rights must History, which features Executive Commerce and Transportation be cleared” to Question 27 on the War Order 9066 along with various camp Alan K. Simpson U.S. Senator (ret.) Relocation Authority’s “Statement of artifacts. Given today’s political United States Citizen of Japanese An- climate, the exhibit, the students’ Board of Directors Shirley Ann Higuchi, Chair cestry” questionnaire—which asked digital stories and the first-hand Douglas W. Nelson, Vice-Chair if he was willing to fight in the U.S. experiences from the Nisei resonated Claudia Wade, Treasurer armed forces—and “Yes” to Ques- with everyone. Aura Newlin, Secretary tion 28—which asked if he swore “No one will remember history Damany Fisher Peter K. Simpson “unqualified allegiance” to the U.S. and if people don’t want to tell it,” said Kris M. Horiuchi Marc Sugiyama Takashi Hoshizaki Hanako Wakatsuki “forswear any form of allegiance or Sousa, whose grandparents were Darrell Kunitomi Shigeru Yabu obedience to the Japanese Emperor, or incarcerated at Amache. She is right. Sam Mihara Jack Ybarra any other foreign government, power, Seventy-five years later, the aftermath Allyson Nakamoto Kathleen Saito Yuille or organization”—he took a stand for of Executive Order 9066 still matters R. Dana Ono LaDonna Zall what he believed in. Though the resist- today. With initiatives like the digital Staff Danielle Constein, Operations Manager ers tried to right a grave wrong from storytelling project, which highlights Dakota Russell, Museum Manager within, they were all tried at the Chey- the relevancy of this important histo- Kate Wilson, Communications Design Specialist enne federal courthouse in June 1944 ry to current events, it is hoped that Helen Yoshida, Executive Assistant to the Chair and late 1945, and sentenced to three this never happens again. Sharyl McDowell, Guest Services Anna Clifton, Guest Services years in prison. It still remains the

3 Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | Spring 2017 A Poem about the Incarceration

Numbers by Dean Uyeno

Photo courtesy of Yosh Kuromiya Photo courtesy of Yosh 12-7-41 Heart Mountain Draft Resisters on the day of their release December 7, 1941. from prison at McNeil Island on July 14, 1946. Shigeru Uyeno is pictured kneeling in the front row on the far left. The attack on Pearl Harbor.

ean Uyeno, like so many Japanese Amer- 9-0-6-6 Dicans, knew very little about his parents’ Executive Order 9066. experience until he visited Heart Mountain in The forced “evacuation” of people of Japanese ancestry 2016. Numbers is Dean Uyeno’s response to this from the West Coast. visit. Coincidentally, Dean’s parents were both at Heart Mountain along with their respective families 10 at the same time, but did not know each other un- Ten confinement camps. On American soil. til after the war, when they had returned to the San Barbed wire, guard towers, guns. Francisco bay area and started dating thanks to the matchmaking efforts of Dean’s Aunt Sue. Shigeru Uyeno, Dean’s father, (pictured above) was 120,000 one of the 85 draft resisters at Heart Mountain. As Nearly 120,000 incarcerees. with many former incarcerees, Shigeru was reluctant Families. to talk about his decision to resist the draft. It took Fathers. Mothers. Sons. Daughters. Grandparents. until the late 1990s for Dean to learn of his father’s American citizens. experience as a draft resister. “I remember that he was reluctant to even mention it to me and to mention 32113 and 91611 that he spent time in McNeil Federal Penitentiary… Family number 32113. He never said as much to me but I believe he was Family number 91611. ashamed that he had been in prison.” Shigeru grappled with shame and inner conflict 27 and 28 after the war. Dean attributes this struggle to his Questions 27 and 28 of the Loyalty Questionnaire. father’s silence. “I suspect that for much of his adult life after the end of the war, he felt he was looked down upon as a draft resister by a segment of the 8 -10 -1988 Japanese American population.” August 10, 1988. Uyeno also felt that his father’s reluctance to dis- The Civil Liberties Act of 1988, also known as cuss those events with him were due to the fact that the Japanese American Redress Bill, Dean was a career military man, retiring as a Colonel was signed to correct after 29 years on active duty. “I told him that I couldn’t a “grave injustice…deeply rooted in racial prejudice, wartime hysteria be prouder of him because he had the courage to and a failure of political leadership.” stand up for his rights and what he believed.” “I dedicate Numbers to the memory of my parents Numbers. and to all of the Issei and Nisei who passed through And lessons. the gates of Heart Mountain.”

www.HeartMountain.org 4 Go for Broke: Lane Nakano & the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

By Dakota Russell and Lyle Nakano were even featured in a Heart Mountain Sentinel listed him as a he story of the 442nd Regimental 1957 episode of “This is Your Life” about member-at-large for the newly formed Combat Team is certainly the stuff Gabaldon. In private, Nakano scoffed Herculites Club. The Herculites were Tmovies are made of. These Japanese at Gabaldon’s story. Gabaldon, he said, one among a score of different youth American soldiers had their loyalty never lived with the Nakanos and clubs in the camp. These clubs were to their country questioned and their certainly wasn’t fluent in Japanese. As encouraged by the administration as families put into concentration camps. for “This is Your Life,” Nakano and Lyle a way to keep teenagers occupied and Yet, they still believed enough in the had enjoyed the novelty of being asked curtail mischief and gang activity. The promise of American democracy that to appear on the show, and simply went Herculites may have originally been they were willing to lay down their lives along with the angle the producers chose a weightlifting club, but by the time for it. to take. Nakano was active, they were more It’s not surprising, then, that a movie In the spring of 1942, notices of a social club than anything. By the would be made about the 442nd. What announcing the removal of the Japa- end of the year, he would be appointed is surprising is how quickly it happened nese Americans from the West Coast corresponding secretary. following the war, how directly it han- began to be posted around LA. Lane In February of 1944, Nakano dled the unjust treatment of Japanese and Lyle Nakano were finishing up received an indefinite leave from Americans, and how many of its actors their junior year of high school. Soon, camp, and headed for Chicago. Lyle were themselves veterans of the 442nd. they would be sent to the Santa Anita followed him five days later. Nakano’s son What’s more, one of the film’s stars, Lane “assembly center,” a racetrack that had Desmond believes they had friends who Nakano, was an incarceree here at Heart been converted into a temporary holding had already settled in the city, but that Mountain. area for Japanese Americans, until the otherwise Chicago held no special Nakano was born in California in permanent camps were finished. attraction for Nakano. “It wasn’t so 1925, to Issei parents Makato and Sumi In the first days of September, much about where they were going,” says Nakano. Makato immigrated from Nakano and his family were put on a Desmond, “as it was about where they Japan to the US in 1919. Sumi and train to Heart Mountain, Wyoming. were getting away from.” their eldest daughter joined him the The camp had been open for less Arriving in Chicago, the brothers set following year. The Nakanos would go on than a month when they arrived and about looking for work. Lyle, when cash to have five more children, including twin was still, in many ways, in a state of was short, would sometimes turn to boys Lane (or Tatsuhiko) and Lyle (or disorganization. School was interrupted gambling. Desmond Nakano says the Masaya). Makato Nakano managed a for Nakano and his brother. Though he life of a Japanese American gambler grocery store in East Los Angeles’s Boyle should have graduated in the spring of in the 1940s was filled with risk: “You Heights neighborhood. After his death in 1943, Nakano didn’t complete his studies were welcome if you lost, but it got the 1930s, Sumi opened a florist shop to until January 1944. dicey if you won.” At the same time, provide for her children. Instead of finishing school, Nakano Lane Nakano took on an equally Boyle Heights was a true melting sought a leave from the camp in early dangerous occupation, joining the U.S. pot. During the 1920s and ’30s, the 1943 and headed to Bushnell, Nebras- Army. Though the 100th Battalion had established Jewish community there ka with four other men. He likely spent been formed of Hawaiian Japanese was joined by a number of Japanese this time away from Heart Mountain Americans in 1942, mainland Nisei Americans and Mexican Americans. working sugar beets. With much of their had been forbidden from serving in the The Nakano brothers grew up among a workforce gone to serve in the Army, diverse group of schoolmates. One of the beet farmers relied heavily on Japanese kids from the neighborhood, a Mexican American labor to keep their industry American named Guy Gabaldon, would going. A city boy at heart, Nakano took later say he lived with the Nakanos for a no pleasure in the cold and arduous time and learned to speak Japanese from work. Still, beet farmers were required them. to pay Japanese American workers pre- After World War II, Gabaldon vailing wages, much better than the became a minor celebrity. He claimed to paltry money Nakano could have made have used his knowledge of the Japanese back in camp. language to persuade enemy soldiers to Nakano had returned to Heart surrender while serving in Saipan. Lane Mountain by October. In that month, the Photo courtesy of National Archives

5 Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | Spring 2017 military. That changed in early 1943, when took the 442nd the better part of April. the Army organized a segregated unit On the 23rd, Company E was for Japanese Americans, the 442nd ordered to take the well-defended village Regimental Combat Team. of San Terenzo. Nakano and the other By the time Lane Nakano joined soldiers faced wave after wave of the 442nd, they had already seen sig- machine gun, artillery, and sniper nificant action in Italy and France. fire. For five hours, the Nisei soldiers Their heaviest fighting had been in the assaulted the town relentlessly. Finally, Battle of Bruyeres, France. The Nisei the Germans surrendered. It was the last soldiers had been tasked not only with major battle Company E would partici- liberating that city from the Germans, pate in. but with rescuing the “Lost Battal- Nakano and Company E arrived ion” of Texans from the 36th Infantry in Milan on April 29, in time to see Division. These 275 soldiers had pushed the bodies of Mussolini and other deep into enemy territory in the Vosges prominent fascists hanging in the Mountains and been surrounded, cut Piazzale Loreto. Mobs of Italians beat off completely from their comrades. The and spit on the corpses until the Amer- Photo courtesy of National Archives 442nd launched a bloody offensive to icans had the bodies cut down. Just over reach the Texans. They succeeded, but at a week later, the war in Europe was over. greeted each other as old friends. a high cost. Over 100 Nisei soldiers were Nakano and the other performers in the Nakano also started trying to break killed in battle, and some 700 more were 442nd put together an impromptu show into acting in LA, something else that seriously wounded. in the famous, but bomb-damaged, La had been a passion of his as a teen- After taking such heavy losses, the Scala Opera House. ager at Heart Mountain. Lane’s initial 442nd was sent away from the front lines By the time Nakano returned home, roles in Hollywood were unfortunate- to recover and wait for replacements. Japanese Americans were free to return ly about what you’d expect for an Asian They spent the winter and part of the to the West Coast. His mother and sib- American actor in the early 1950s. His spring of 1944 patrolling the relative- lings were already beginning to rebuild first credits were as a Japanese soldier, ly peaceful French-Italian border. The their lives in Los Angeles, and Nakano a rickshaw driver, and a houseboy. All men dubbed the cushy assignment the joined them there. He also reunited with that changed in 1951, when director “Champagne Campaign.” It was likely at some old friends from the Heart Moun- Robert Pirosh and producer Dore this time that Lane Nakano, along with tain camp. Most notably, he met back up Schary decided to make a film about the other newly enlisted or drafted Nisei, with Tets Bessho. Tets, who played the 442nd, Go for Broke! Pirosh and Schary arrived in Europe. clarinet and saxophone, was part of were both known for being able to Nakano was assigned to the 2nd Lane and Lyle’s social circle back in balance exciting action sequences Battalion of Company E. He was camp. One article in the Sentinel men- with progressive political messages. made a technician fifth grade, or “tech tions a party where “boogie-woogie Authenticity was important to Pirosh corporal.” Technicians served in a music on the piano was featured by Tets and Schary. To fill out the main roles variety of capacities, from radio Bessho and Lyle Nakano.” Another tells in their film, they sought out veterans operators to mechanics, but Nakano’s of a winter carnival sponsored by the of the 442nd. Most of them came from particular skill remains unknown. He Herculites, where Lane served as Master Hawaii, but for the lead Japanese Ameri- spoke very little about his wartime of Ceremonies. can role, they selected Lane Nakano. experiences, leaving us to piece together Nakano would take over emcee du- After the success of Go for Broke!, his story from historical accounts and ties again for Tets Bessho’s new big Nakano became a frequent guest star on the remembrances of his fellow soldiers. band, the Nisei Serenaders, which television shows of the 1950s and ’60s. In March 1945, the 442nd headed back formed in 1950. He also served as the However, he only had one other star to Italy. This time they’d been assigned band’s lead singer. Though the Serenad- turn in the movies, playing an American to break through the “Gothic Line,” the ers primarily played for other Japanese soldier again in 1965’s Sea of Souls. heavily guarded pass through the Apen- Americans, their popularity wasn’t just Nakano may not have achieved lasting nine Mountains that stood between the limited to the Nisei community. celebrity, but his work in Go for Broke! Army and Germany. Nakano probably Nakano often reminisced about playing shined a spotlight on the heroism of participated in his first combat here, the Hollywood Bowl, either with the 442nd, and the injustice of Japanese Amer- attacking the machine gun nests and Serenaders or another band. His son ican incarceration. Nakano died in 2005, fortified bunkers along the Gothic Line. even remembers a time when he and his but his legacy, as both a soldier and an Forcing their way through the mountains father ran into Liberace, and the two men entertainer, lives on.

www.HeartMountain.org 6 eventy-five years after Executive Nancy Ukai has been invited to speak age, who will present. The workshop is SOrder 9066 led to the creation of about the artwork of Estelle Ishigo as open to all ages and ability levels, with Heart Mountain “Relocation Center,” it relates to the Eaton items housed a limit of ten participants. Two schol- this year’s Pilgrimage will focus on the at JANM. Attendees also are invited arships of up to $1,000 each, which effects of the order and what it means to take part in a Multi-generational cover actual travel and hotel costs, are for the country today. Discussion about Japanese American available for high school or college “This is a landmark year, and it can- incarceration and their experiences students to attend. (See next page for not be overlooked,” said Claudia Wade, with this topic. more information.) longtime Treasurer for the Heart Moun- “I was truly moved by the stories tain Wyoming Foundation (HMWF) and emotions that came out of the and co-chair of the Pilgrimage Plan- multi-generational discussion groups ning Committee. “Where do we as a at the 2016 pilgrimage,” said Aura nation stand 75 years later?” Matsumura Newlin, HMWF board “When the Pilgrimage Commit- Secretary. “Those who participated tee began to plan for the 2017 event, emerged with a sense that something we dedicated ourselves to focusing on profound had taken place, and we felt three goals—education, community closer to each other as a result. We building, and entertainment,” said Sam look forward to facilitating a similarly Mihara, HMWF Board member and powerful experience this year.” former Heart Mountain incarceree. He Friday night’s banquet will feature © 2014 Rich Iwasaki © 2014 travels the country educating the pub- the results of a spoken word poetry David Ono & Jeff MacIntyre lic about the World War Two Japanese and video workshop held earlier in the American incarceration. week. Last year, the Pilgrimage featured Saturday’s events at the Heart Moun- To meet these goals, the HMWF a digital storytelling workshop with tain Interpretive Center will include has expanded its programming to in- students sponsored by the National admission not only to the day’s clude two full days of events on July Japanese American Memorial Foun- programs but also to three special 28–29 this year. Friday, July 28 pro- dation (NJAMF), which inspired us to exhibits featuring works by artists grams will include a series of presen- continue the effort in 2017. (The results Stanley Honda, Ansel Adams, Yoshio tations at the Park County Library/ of the projects from last year can be Okumoto, and Roger Shimomura. Northwest College Cody Center by viewed online at njamf.com). Kathleen Saito Yuille, longtime board former incarcerees. The first of these is This year’s workshop takes a dif- member for the HMWF and co-chair Memories of Five Nisei, a presentation ferent form, combining spoken word of the Pilgrimage Planning Commit- originally given at the Japanese Amer- poetry with video production around tee, explains the essence of Shimomu- ican National Museum (JANM) in the World War II Japanese American ra’s work: “From the first time I saw September 2016 to a sold-out crowd. incarceration experience. David Ono Roger Shimomura’s artwork, I felt a This session features Mihara as the and Jeff MacIntyre, best known for special connection to his visually-en- moderator. Supporting speakers will their Emmy award-winning filmThe gaging images. I’m thrilled that oth- include Willie Ito, Takashi Hoshi- Legacy of Heart Mountain, will lead ers will have an opportunity to share zaki, and Shig Yabu. Toshi Ito, the the workshop. They will be joined by G that experience when Roger attends wife of James O. Ito, has been invited Yamazawa, national poetry slam cham- the opening of his art exhibit at our to participate in the session as well. pion and performer at the 2015 Pilgrim- Pilgrimage in July.

7 Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | Spring 2017 At first his artwork will catch the “We, the staff, spend all year viewer off guard. He couples seeming- relating the stories of those who were ly irreconcilable images by using sub- incarcerated at Heart Mountain to jects from Japanese woodcut (ukiyo-e) visitors,” said Danielle Constein, prints with contemporary and pop art Operations Manager at the Interpretive figures, as in the Yellow No Same se- Center. “But the opportunity to meet ries, Mao, and Mickey. However what these families who lived through it you see is not the entire experience of and to hear about their struggles and appreciating his artwork. Roger is also triumphs in their own words is what making a statement on racial and class makes the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage issues, thus provoking thought on the the best time to visit.” very essence of cultural identity.” Registration for the 2017 Heart These exhibits explore the evolu- Mountain Pilgrimage is open online at tion of the role of Japanese Americans, shopheartmountain.org/pilgrimage. Japanese American Incarceration and Watch for registration mail- Heart Mountain in popular culture, art ers to be sent out in April. More and the local communities. In addi- information on the event, includ- tion, the HMWF will host the premiere ing pricing and travel information, Photo courtesy of G Yamazawa of a new documentary by Ono and will be posted on our website at G Yamazawa MacIntyre that features Yamazawa and heartmountain.org/pilgrimage. Shimomura. Spoken Word/ Video Workshop on the World War II Japanese American Incarceration Experience: July 26-29 Compose your own spoken word poem with National Poetry Slam Champion G Yamazawa and transform your work into a short video with Emmy Award-winning producers David Ono and Jeff MacIntyre. This unique Spoken Word and Video Workshop welcomes anyone interested in this history who enjoys writing, performing, or storytelling. This multi-day workshop will take place on July 26–28 in conjunction with the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage. Registrants will be given the option to participate in both the spoken word and video workshops or choose to focus on the spoken word workshop. They will also have the opportunity to perform their work during a cultural and entertainment session on Saturday, July 29, after which the videos will be broadcast across social media. Find out more and register at shopheartmountain.org/workshop. Student Scholarship Opportunity: High school and college students are encouraged to apply for two scholarships of up to $1,000 each to attend this workshop. Scholarships will help to cover travel and lodging (receipts will need to be submitted), as well as workshop and Pilgrimage registration fees. Interested applicants can email Executive Assistant to the Chair Helen Yoshida at [email protected] for an application.

Sponsor a Student Opportunity: Individuals and organizations can sponsor a student to attend both the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage and the multi-day Spoken Word/Video Workshop. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity for participants to connect with this important part of our history, but it also provides a platform for these essential stories to be set free from behind barbed wire. Your sponsorship removes the burden of cost for students who might not otherwise be able to participate. Sponsor a student now at shopheartmountain.org/sponsor.

www.HeartMountain.org 8 Featured Artist in 2017: Roger Shimomura

pening at the Heart Mountain OInterpretive Center during the Pilgrimage is an exhibition of select works from artist Roger Shimomura’s long and distinguished career. Visi- tors not only will have the opportunity to see these works, but also to hear the artist speak about his work during a panel discussion with filmmakers David Ono and Jeff MacIntyre. Shimomura is featured in their film about the evolution of the American identity. This fits per- fectly with Shimomura’s , prints and theatre pieces which, according to Emily Stamey (The Prints of Shimomura has been a visiting artist and lectured on Roger Shimomura, 2007) explore “his Japanese American his work at more than 200 universities, art schools, and identity through a vibrant and provocative stylistic com- museums across the country. Among his numerous awards, bination of twentieth-century American Pop art and he was accorded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the traditional eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Japanese School of Arts & Sciences, , , woodblock prints." in 2006. Born in Seattle, Washington, in 1939, Shimomura spent During his teaching career at the University of Kan- two years of his early childhood incarcerated at the Mini- sas he was the first faculty member to ever receive the doka, , camp along with his family. This has had a Higuchi Research Prize (1998), the Chancellor’s Club Career profound influence on his art, which often provokes viewers Teaching Award (2002), and to be designated a University to think about ethnicity, identity, and perception. Distinguished Professor (1994). Shimomura received a B.A. degree from the Shimomura is in the permanent collections of over 100 University of Washington, Seattle, and an M.F.A. from museums nationwide. Including the Metropolitan Museum Syracuse University, New York. He has had over 130 solo of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, National Portrait exhibitions of paintings and prints, as well as presented his Gallery, American Art Museum, and others. His personal experimental theater pieces at such venues as the Franklin papers and letters are being collected by the Archives of Furnace, New York City, , Minneapolis, American Art, Smithsonian Institution. He is represented by and The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. galleries in New York City and Seattle.

Yellow No Same #1 by Roger Shimomura

9 Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | Spring 2017 Thank you to our 2016 MEMBERS & DONORS

$50,000 – $500,000

Marguerite A. Walk Private Foundation William I. Higuchi, PhD

$25,000 – $49,999

In Honor of William I. Higuchi, PhD Japanese American Confinement Site Program, (NPS) Sam & Helene Mihara

$10,000 – $24,999

LaDonna Zall Oyama Family Foundation Park County Travel Council

$2,500 – $9,999 Sharon Coors Dr. George & Ikuko Tlaloc Tokuda, In memory of SIF Fund Kawahara In Honor of Lili Tokuda Denis Kuwahara Shirley Ann Higuchi Donald & Barbara Layden Jack & Grace Ybarra AT&T Kris Horiuchi & Daniel Robert & Nancy Lipper Kathleen Saito Yuille Wyoming Humanities Solien Dana Ono Council

$1,000 – $2,499

Howard Ando Emily Higuchi Filling Jon Hoshizaki Frank Suto Pfizer Matching Dr. Kenji & Mrs. Mary James T. McIlwain Naoma Tate ^Howard Ando Higuchi Yuji Morita Charlie & Jennifer Wilson Carol Chapman John Higuchi Doug & Linda Nelson In Honor of Emily Higuchi Kathy & Denny Chin Norman & Mary Ho Marc Sugiyama Filling Ralph & Barbara Crane Takashi Hoshizaki

www.HeartMountain.org 10 $250 – $999 Tom & Rita Anderson Ford & Frances Kuramoto Dinesh & Kalpana Patel In Honor of Kosaku & Carol Bayer Richard & Frances Mahesh Patel Tsuyoko Kishiyama Bruce & Cora Brunette Kushino Lynne Zall Perry & In Honor of the Masao & Kehila Chadasha Stevan Leger & Zann Tony Perry Yuki Murata Family James T. Dalton Liljegren Larry Plum & Patsy In Honor of the Mohachi & Kathleen Feely Janice Lenhard Andow Plum Satsuki Murata Family John Flaningam Anne Lewis & John Cruz Marybeth Richardson In Memory of George Yoneichi Fukui Brian Liesinger & Emelee Jacqueline Saito Yahiro Toshi Hagamori Ito Volden George Shimizu In Memory of George Ted Hashimoto Jim & Carol Linton, Fred A. Shiraki, MD Yamaoka Amy Higuchi Linton’s Big R Bert & Ailene Tanaka In Memory of Michi Patricia Higuchi Yuriko K. Livingston Karen Tanz (Tanouye) & Tom Sako Irene Hirano Inouye Stephen Marzen & Alan & Janice Tsuma In Memory of Mitsuko Robert Hirose Louise Epstein Thomas Umemoto (Mitsie) Kinoshita Bambi & Kats Horiuchi Bruce Morimoto Margaretha Walk In Memory of Shuko Yoshio & Dorothy Inouye The Morimoto Family Glen Yamashita (Sue) Yoneyoma Joyce Ishimoto Vym Muir George & Marg Yasuda In Memory of Yukio & Patricia Ito Henry Murakami Lidia & Ted Yoshida Alice Kudow Carl Jacobson David Nakaki Naoko Yoshimura Ito Pfizer Foundation Asao Kamel Liz & Gary Nielsen Joyce Yuri Oyama Thermo Fisher Scientific Tom & Toskiyo Kawahara Tak Ogawa Anonymous Employee Engagement George Kometani James Oka In Honor of Judge Lance Fund Eiko Yokota Koto Magner Ron & Virginia Olson Ito & Chief Peggy York

$100 – $249 Karling Abernathy Virginia Delgaldo Jason & Linda Hatakeyama Annette, Eric, Zoe & Evan Dorothy H. Akiyama Laura Downs & Donald Grace & Mike Hatchimonji James Gordon Amidon Kurosu Ike & Ruth Hatchimonji Conan Kagiwada Gregory Amidon Jennifer Evans Lee E. Haugen Judy Kallal Scott Andreae Weslyn & Thomas Fleming Michael Hida & Laura Ellen Kamel Frank Ascione Midori D. Fordaine Finlay Scott & Meg Kath Michael Barth Walter Fujikawa Robert Higuchi Eiichi & Iyoko Katsuyoshi Norm & Irma Bideau Mary & Julie Fujioka Dave & Lisa Hintermeister Gerald Kibe KW Bill Brown Dianne Fukami Diane Honda Arthur & Lynn Kishiyama William Broad Fumiko Fukudu Uehara Patricia M. Horikawa & Lloyd Kitazono George Burnette & Mary Bill & Yuri Fukui Lucy Minamishin Dorothy Kittaka Humstone Stanley Fukui David Ichikawa Seichi & Shu Konno Margaret Casper Larry Furukawa Paul Ikeda Sumiye Konoshima Patricia Chapman Sandra Garnett Tomoko Ikeda Wheaton Nathan Lee J. Thomas Chirurg Kenneth & Jo Ann Meiko Inaba Norman Lilley Tony Cipollone Hamamura May Inouye Wakabayashi Sue Lin Chong John D. Clarke Kathy Hammond Hazel & Tazuko Inui Armand Lohof Hon. & Mrs. Steven George Hanada Takuhei Iseri Rev. Mark M. Makagawa Cranfill Barbara Hangai James & Julie Iso Joice Mander Laurie & Bill Cranmer Kimi Hasegawa & Steven Sei Isomine Teresa Markowitz B. John Toshi N. Ito Howard & Amy Mass

11 Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | Spring 2017 $100 – $249 continued Kayoshi Masuoka Dianne & Richard Joan Slebos David & Mary Yamamoto Edward & Yoshiye Mayeda Odagawa Ardell & Shane Smith Janet Yamamoto Nancy McClure Gerald & Diana Ogren Randall Stehle Mary & Donald Yamamoto Judith & Richard Meltzer Bessie & Jon Ohnoki Patricia A. Stuart Elaine Yoshida Lynn Mikami Yukiko Okada Janet Sumida Vanessa Yuille Shirley Mikami Dr. Robbin & Arlene James & Fumi Suyeishi Anonymous Dr. Jeanette Misaka Okamoto Raymond Tabuchi In Honor of John Y. James Mitchell Nancy Okano Donald & Sandra Mishima Harry Miyakusu Ronald Onchi Takakura In Memory of Akemi Sarah Molokhia Ray & Julia Otani Edith Tanaka Yoshida Alan Momohara Shirley Oto Virginia Tokudomi In Memory of George Bryan Monteith Vernon & Charlotte John Toyama Kawasawa Janet Morgan Palmour Karen & Dean Umemoto In Memory of Lisa Kubota Betty Y. Mow Kongnara & Lillian Shri & Swerun Valvani In Memory of Tets & Alice Judith & George Papangkorn Mary Vaughan Fujikawa Murakami Gordhan Patel Laurel Vredenburg & Fred In Memory of Yasuhei Victor & Lois Muraoka Ara & Shirley Paul Watkins Nakanishi Ester Johansson & Sara Kiyoko Penso Edward & Momoyo Wada Cody Elks Lodge Murray Nikki Raschbacher Duane Wadsworth Ethix Merchant Services Sandi Nakayama James Riker & Janell Lee Walsh-Haines George Washington Aura Newlin Sumida-Riker AJ Watson Middle School Robert & Gail Nishinaka Edith Rothschild Joy Wilson Powell Drug Joyce Nishioka Elaine Sanada Dr. Jack & Mary Ann Schwab Charitable Carol S. Nordengren Carolyn & Ben Seo Wurzel Foundation Peggy Seo Oba & Kenji Michael Setsuda Shigeru Yabu Wyoming Financial Oba Alan & Ann Simpson David & Denise Insurance Yamamoto

$0 – $99

Susan Ahern Katherine Chang Emiko Domoto-Reilly Matt Fukushima & Tuoi Ada Jane Akin Les Chibana Joyce Doughtery Hoang Esther Akiyama Carol Chidsey Ingrid Eickstedt Ken & Julie Fulton Lynne Anderson Winston & Beryl Churchill Buddy Elliott Marlene & Bob Gallagher Tomi Andow Joyce Cicco Arthur & Hiroko Endo Wayne Gannaway Frances Audier Yumi Clark Kikumi Endo Chad Gibbs Steve & Sharon Bailey Helen B. Clarke Karen Ferguson Mary Ellen Goff John & Margie Barnhart H. Clifton Grandy Melina Flanagan Arthur & Carol Gutekunst Jane Beckwith Stuart Conner & Susan Ms. Florence Mikawa Eric & Marsha Hamamoto Michael Belomyzy McDaniel Greg Ford Carolyn Hanano Skinner Charles Bloom Christie Copeland Marilyn Fordney Noboru Hangai Stan & Claire Brooks Larry D. Wollam Sharon Foster Ann Hart Mary Jane Brown Goldy & Oliver Dawson Laura Fujikawa Keith Hattori Susan Brown Glenn & Sandra David Fujioka Anne M. Hay Kenny Cababa Demetriou Mary & Harry Fujioka Sachie Hayakawa Tina Carney Mr. & Mrs. Roy Doi Robert Fujioka Karen Hayhurst

www.HeartMountain.org 12 $0 – $99 continued Brett Helmer Bloom Mitsuye Nakao Tom & Ginger Sugimoto Lee & Jan Hermann Dale Kunitomi Lee Nelhs Kenneth N. Suzuki Morgan Herrell June S. Kuwada David Nomura Bonnie Swain Norman Hiroshige Virginia L. Finley Nancianna Nott Carolyn Sweet Mitch Homma Buzz Larsen Sue Oai Yang Sumi Takagi Brian & Deborah Hoover Sharon Leaf Joshua Ogawa Stephanie Takaragara Teruo Hosaka Carol Lee Bunny Ogimachi Bev Takeda Carol Hoshizaki Jason A. Lillegraven Robert T. Oka Yuriko Takenka Jodi Hottel Kathie Lloyd Nobuko Okada Carolyn Takeshita Aiko Makino Howo Ray Locker Dianne Oki June Taketa Maki Linda Hubbs Lora Loope Ronny Okimura Carol R. Thurmond Wills T. Steven Ichishta Linda MacDonald Nancy Osaki Mark & Aileen Ueunten Dennis Igawa Linda MacIntyre Elizabeth Oye Joy Utsunomiya Uyeki William Iko Theresa Mai Beatrice Ozaki Haj Uyehara George Imokawa Gregory Marutani Charlotte & Hunter Patrick Joy Uyeki Robert Ito John Mats & Lilyan Nitta Kimberly Peard Leah Vader Jane Itogawa Lisa Matsumura-Harris Eva Perich Joyce Waddell Larry Jensen Frank & Emiko Matsuno Ruby Quarterman Michele Waddell Rodney Jensen Laraine Matsuyama Jim & Nita Quinn Florence Wahizaki Carol Johnson Paul Mayeshiba Lois Anne Ramirez Richard Warren Dorothy Johnson & Sean Shirley McDonald Bayard D. Rea Priscilla Wegars McMurrey Michael & Shirley McNeill Gordon Reber Katherine Wegner Sumi Joyner Jennifer Melear Carol Richendifer Brenda Williams Gerald Kado Naoko & Jim Meyer Patricia B. Robbins Margaret Willingham James Kaplan Richard N. Mikami Marian Robinson Ken Witzelling Rosie Kato Christina Miller Jerry & Barbara Rogen Russell Yamaichi Joy Kattner Wilson Dale Minami, Ai Mori, Dakota Russell May Yamamoto Derek Kavan and Ellie & Lina Tom Sako Nobuko Yamamoto Kaneka Susan Kawakami Mori-Minami Eric & Susan Sandeen Linda Yamasaki Whiteside Julie Kenney Delissa Minnick & Kiyoko Tom & Kiyoko Sasaki Fusae Yoshida Perry Kesterson Hayano Erin Sauder Helen Yoshida Art Kidwell Steve Mishima Mr. Sawyer Pauline Yoshida Greg Kimura Fred & Pauline Miyauchi Brenda K. Schladweiler Mary Yoshinaga Hamasaki Lucy Kishaba Martha & Don Moewes Hiroshi Shima Anonymous Ruth Ann Kishi & Mike Kay Mori Hits Shimamura & Diane Anonymous Woodring Amy Morikawa Stauber In Honor of Miss Alberta Art Kishiyama Shizuka Morita Tachi Shimoyama Kassing Jeanne & Russ Knudsen David Morrissey Bill Shishima In Memory of Alice Carol Ann Kolf Bruce & Patrice Morse Leah Sieck Coleman Ellen Kometani & Jesse Susumu Mukushina Barbara Simpson In Memory of Eige Ernest Joven Don & Kay Muraoka Lori Slates Hioki Ron & Patti Kopriva Bernard Murphy Dan Smith In Memory of Haruo Tomo Kosobayashi GD Murray Anita & Glenn Spargur Ichikawa Aditya Kumar Rex Myers Kay & Stan Strike In Memory of William Janice Sueko Kunishi Alan Nakamoto Gary Sturmer Ujjiye

13 Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | Spring 2017 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS: Join Us or Renew Your Membership Today!

Member support is an ongoing commitment to the mission of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation and to the daily operations of the Interpretive Center. We love our members—not only because you give annually to the HMWF, but also because you allow us to form stronger relationships over time. “It is heartening to see the growing community, both locally and nationally,” says Danielle Constein, Operations Manager. “The members who support us are the backbone of our organization and the foundation of the HMWF, continually helping us to reach our goals.” You may have received a membership card reminder in the mail. As we continue to grow our membership, we will continue following up. If you are already a member, we cannot thank you enough for your support. If not, we would love if you would accept this invitation to take a more active role in the Heart Mountain family. Your membership helps us educate the public and tell the stories of those families who were confined at Heart Mountain during WWII and of those who have been affected by the Japanese American incarceration experience. It also helps you become more connected to the Foundation. To become a member or renew online, go to www.shopheartmountain.org or use the form below and mail it in—feel free to enclose a note! Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation Membership Benefits General Membership Benefits Contributing ($250) (Valid for one year and renewable annually) Family/Dual Membership Benefits plus: • Free Admission to the Interpretive Center • 5 one-time-use-guest passes • Subscription to the newsletter • Free admission to exhibit receptions and previews Sustaining ($500) • 10% discount on store purchases, on site or online Family/Dual Membership Benefits plus: • 10 one-time-use guest passes Senior/Student ($30) • Discount on use of multi-purpose room (by appt.) • General Membership Benefits for 1 Heart Mountain Circle ($1,000 - $4,999) Individual ($35) Family/Dual Membership Benefits plus: • General Membership Benefits for 1 • 20 one-time-use guest passes • Recognition on the Annual Giving Wall Family/Dual Membership ($60) • Discount on use of multi-purpose room (by appt.) • General Membership Benefits for 2 adults at the same • Behind the scenes collections tours (by appt.) address and children or grandchildren under the age of 18 Kokoro Kara Circle ($5,000 and above) Friend ($100) (Kokoro Kara-from the heart) Family/Dual Membership Benefits plus: Heart Mountain Circle Membership Benefits plus: • 2 one-time-use guest passes • Any-time admission for 2 member-accompanied guests • Free use of multi-purpose room (by appt.)

❒ New Membership ❒ Membership Renewal Name: ❒ Mr. ❒ Mrs. ❒ Ms. Name: ❒ Mr. ❒ Mrs. ❒ Ms. Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: ❒ H ❒ W ❒ C Email: Giving ❒ Senior/Student ($30) ❒ Individual ($35) ❒ Family/Dual Membership ($60) Level: ❒ Friend ($100) ❒ Contributing ($250) ❒ Sustaining ($500) ❒ Heart Mountain Circle ($1,000-$4,999) ❒ Kokoro Kara Circle ($5,000+) Membership Contribution: $ I would like to make an additional tax deductible gift of: $ Total Contribution: $ ❒ I would like to receive information about planned giving opportunities. Method of Payment: ❒ Cash ❒ Check ❒ Mastercard ❒ Visa Name: (exactly as it appears on your credit card) CC#: Exp Date: Photo: HMWF Okumoto Collection Signature:

www.HeartMountain.org 14 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation PAID 1539 Road 19 BILLINGS, MT Powell, Wyoming 82435 PERMIT NO. 1 www.HeartMountain.org

Join us on Saturday, March 18 at 1:00pm “Decoding the Heart Mountain Mystery Stones” Long after the Heart Mountain camp closed, a local farmer made a surprising discovery. His bulldozer hit a barrel filled with hundreds of stones, each marked with a single Japanese character. The origin and purpose of the stones has since remained shrouded in mystery; but recent research has yielded a new possibility. Join us as we delve into the secrets of the Heart Mountain Mystery Stones for the final event in our Winter Program Series.

The first two events in the Winter Program Series, “Go for Broke!” and “Arthur & Estelle: A Heart Mountain Love Story,” took place at the Interpretive Center in January and February respectively. Check out pages 3–4 in this newsletter for a feature story about our first program! Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | Spring 2017