THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE JACL June 30-July 20, 2017

» PAGE 6 A MULTIFACETED COMMUNITY The city of Lethbridge in Southern Alberta, , serves as a multicultural haven for all ethnicities.

» PAGE 2 JACL Names David H. Inoue as Its New Executive Director.

» PAGE 8

A view of the Nikkei Spotlight: Multitalented rear exterior of the Galt Actor-Playwright Rick Shiomi Museum in Lethbridge. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE GALT MUSEUM

WWW.PACIFICCITIZEN.ORG #3302 / VOL. 165, No. 1 ISSN: 0030-8579 2 June 30-July 20, 2017 NATIONAL

HOW TO REACH US Email: [email protected] necessary,” Inoue continued. “I look forward Online: www.pacificcitizen.org JACL TAPS DAVID H. INOUE FOR to that challenge.” Tel: (213) 620-1767 Echoing Inoue’s thoughts about JACL’s Mail: 123 Ellison S. Onizuka St., finances, Mayeda said among Inoue’s Suite 313 , CA 90012 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POST primary priorities in his new capacity will be “fundraising and fund development for the STAFF After an extensive search, the organization will proceed organization.” Executive Editor forward with Inoue at the helm beginning July 5. Mayeda continued, “That includes meeting Allison Haramoto with sponsors at the convention, having the Senior Editor, Digital & Social Media sponsors get to know him and his skill-sets George Johnston vacant since the and being the ambassador to the organization, Business Manager departure of Pris- representing all of our coordinated interests Susan Yokoyama cilla Ouchida, within JACL.” Production Artist who served in Since Ouchida’s departure, the duties of Marie Samonte the post from March the Executive Director have been fulfilled by Circulation 2012-June 2016. MDC Regional Director Bill Yoshino, who Eva Ting Inoue, 45, has previ- served as Interim Executive Director until his The Pacific Citizen newspaper (ISSN: 0030-8579) is published ous experience in the retirement in March, after which PSW Re- semi-monthly (except once in nonprofit sector that- in gional Director Stephanie Nitahara (who is December and January) by the cludes a 10-year stint at now currently the Interim Executive Director) Japanese American Citizens League, Pacific Citizen, 123 Christ House as administrative served in that capacity. Ellison S. Onizuka St., Suite 313 director, the National Association In an email, Mayeda thanked Nitahara and Los Angeles, CA 90012 of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Yoshino for their service in helping JACL Periodical postage paid at L.A., CA as director of grassroots and government re- continue to gain a “greater visibility to all of POSTMASTER: Send address lations and at the Centers for Medicare and our community partners.” changes to National JACL, 1765 Medicaid Services as a social science research Mayeda also thanked the JACL’s Person- Sutter St., , CA analyst. nel Committee for laboring through “dozens 94115 Inoue will be introduced to the JACL as of conference calls that went into the late JACL President: Gary Mayeda Interim Assistant Executive Executive Director at the 48th annual JACL hours of all time zones” when discussing the Director: Stephanie Nitahara National Convention, which is set to take candidates for the position. P.C. EDITORIAL BOARD place in Washington, D.C., from July 6-9. Inoue has been a JACL member for more Gil Asakawa, chairperson; Jody Mitori, MDC; Joy Goto, CCDC; Jim Inoue told the Pacific Citizen that JACL is than 16 years. In 2004, he was part of the Duff, NCWNPDC; Chip Larouche, “an organization I care deeply about” and that JACL/OCA Leadership Conference. He PNWDC; Kayla Watanabe, IDC; he was cognizant of “the fact that JACL is the later served as an advisory neighborhood John Saito Jr., PSWDC; Juli Yoshinaga, Youth rep. oldest Asian American civil rights organiza- commissioner, an elected position, for the David H. Inoue SUBSCRIBE tion” and that there is the need to “stand up District of Columbia. Get a one-year subscription of for civil rights, for social justice. I think that’s Inoue was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., to the Pacific Citizen newspaper at: By P.C. Staff part of the purpose of the role that JACL does Tatsutoshi Inoue and Linda Moy, and he grew www.pacificcitizen.org or call (213) 620-1767 serve.” up near Chicago and Cincinnati. ADVERTISE LOS ANGELES — JACL National Regarding JACL’s ever-present financial Inoue graduated from Cornell University, To advertise in the Pacific Citizen, call (213) 620-1767 or e-mail: President Gary Mayeda announced on June stresses, Inoue said, “It’s well-known that having received the JACL’s Mr. and Mrs. [email protected] 26 that David H. Inoue has been named JACL is not in the best financial position right Takashi Moriuchi Scholarship. He completed LEGAL the organization’s new Executive Director, now and does need to work on fundraising and his master’s degree from Ohio State Univer- No part of this publication may be effective July 5. strengthening the organization. sity. He is married to Kaori Kawakubo Inoue. reproduced without the express permission of the Pacific Citizen. The position of JACL Executive Director, “I think that bringing my 10 years of admin- Together, they are raising two children, Editorials, letters, news and the which is based in Washington, D.C., has been istrative experience to that will certainly be Mika and Akira. n opinions expressed by columnists other than the national JACL president or national director do not necessarily reflect JACL policy. Events and products advertised in the P.C. do not carry the implicit endorsement of the JACL or this publication. We reserve the right to edit articles. © 2017 Periodicals paid at Los Angeles, Calif. and mailing office.

JACL MEMBERS Change of Address

If you’ve moved, please send new information to: National JACL 1765 Sutter St. San Francisco, CA 94115 (415) 921-5225 ext. 26 Allow 6 weeks for address changes.

To avoid interruptions in delivery, please notify your postmaster to include periodicals in your change of address (USPS Form 3575) COMMENTARY/NATIONAL June 30-July 20, 2017 3 A MOTHER’S TAKE CREATING SAFE FAITH COMMUNITIES

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MARSHA AIZUMI I met so many wonderful people who came up to me to share words of support and gratitude following my presentation. I also met many who said they enjoyed By Marsha Aizumi my column in the Pacific Citizen. I have always hoped that my reflections would touch the hearts of those who read ore than 10 years ago, Aiden was asked to leave “A Mother’s Take,” and in Seattle, I felt that my words did a local Lutheran church we were attending. In the make a difference. kindest voice, a visiting minister told my child that Finally, in June, Gardena Buddhist Temple presented Mhe could return when he found himself . . . in other words, “Ichi-Mi,” which means “being one in flavor.” The organiz- when he was not gay. Those words pierced my son’s heart. ers had hoped to draw 30 people. To their surprise, 50 people Aiden loved God, but on that day, he believed that God no came. The most startling moment was when we moved into longer loved him. He left the church and has not returned. a meeting room to listen to a LGBTQ panel. However, we I left the church as well, never feeling completely safe. I were astounded to face an empty panel table. was afraid for Aiden, and I was not brave enough to stay We were told that a number of LGBTQ Buddhist individu- and try to change the way this church viewed the LGBTQ als were asked to speak from Gardena Buddhist Temple and community. Creating Safe Faith Communities Gathering @ other temples — but all declined. There was an audible re- Today, I am stronger and more determined to transform the Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles action from many in the room. They couldn’t believe that way the faith community sees LGBTQ individuals and their LGBTQ people were so afraid to speak. What could have families. I believe the greatest hurt to this group has come been a very awkward moment turned into a robust discussion from the faith community, and I feel the world will never be shared their deep pain. And tears came in response from the of why LGBTQ individuals fear sharing their story in public safe for Aiden if churches, temples and mosques condemn clergy and faith leaders when they realized the hurt that had and how we as individual allies can show greater support. those in the LGBTQ community and call them abominations. been brought to those attending churches and temples. Although I believe the faith community as a whole So, in May, we were able to bring more than Before our eyes, we saw people being transformed by the needs to be more accepting and loving toward the LGBTQ 40 people from churches and temples to learn about tears and people being healed by the love that seemed to fill community, I am also heartened to see churches and temples LGBTQ individuals and dialogue on what could be done to the room. It was one of the most moving three hours I have doing work to be more inclusive. provide greater pastoral care. We called it “Creating Safe ever spent, and I believe hearts were changed that night. West Los Angeles Methodist Church recently voted to Faith Communities.” Two weeks later, I flew to Seattle to attend Seattle JACL’s be a reconciling congregation that welcomes and affirms Clergy developed the program, which included input from “FAMILY 2.0: An API LGBTQ Gathering” and speak at LGBTQ families. Faith United Methodist, Sage Granada Christian and Buddhist perspectives. The most impactful Blaine Memorial Methodist Church. Park Methodist and Evergreen Baptist Church of L.A. also part of the program to me was hearing from Buddhist and Recently, a member of Blaine had come out in front of the have active support groups for LGBTQ families. Christian LGBTQ individuals and their families . . . stories congregation as transgender, and so the church thought it of rejection, invisibility and suffering. would be helpful to raise awareness by having me share our >> See COMMUNITIES on page 4 Tears flowed openly from the panelists, who emotionally family’s journey.

NewsBytes Topaz Museum Set to Open July 7-8 After nearly two decades in the making, Headlining the cast will be George Takei, will be inducted into the NHL’s Hall of the Topaz Museum chronicles the immi- who will be reprising the role he originated Fame, it was announced on June 26. gration of Japanese people into the United on Broadway and its world-premiere en- Kariya, who was born in , Brit- States and their settlement in Utah. The per- gagement at the Old Globe Theatre in San ish Columbia, to parents Tetsuhiko and manent exhibits were completed earlier this Diego, Calif. Sharon Kariya, was known as a dominant, year. “It is such an honor to be able to bring skilled offensive player, having finished The living conditions of the internees ‘Allegiance’ to my hometown of Los Ange- with 989 points in 1,451 games. is shown in re-created barracks inside the les and specifically to Little Tokyo,” Takei DELTA, UTAH — The Topaz Museum gallery, and one-half of a recreational hall said in a statement. He went on to explain Overwhelmed by Air Bag Recalls, is set to officially open July 7-8, complete from Topaz also is on display. In addition, why this role is so personal to him. Takata Files for Bankruptcy with grand-opening events including an the museum has 120 pieces of art created “During World War II, President Roo- evening reception dinner and program at TOKYO — Japanese air bag maker Takata in Topaz in its collection and 25 of them sevelt signed Executive Order 9066 to the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City, as Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection in To- — oils, charcoals, watercolors and block imprison persons of Japanese ancestry in well as performances of “E.O. 9066” by kyo and the U.S. on June 26, saying it was the prints — are on display at present. American concentration camps simply the San Francisco troupe Lunatique Fantas- only way to ensure it could carry on The museum is now open to visitors. because we looked like the people who tique on opening day. supplying replacements for faulty air bag Summer hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday- bombed Pearl Harbor,” he said. “I spent my The troupe is coming out of retirement for inflators linked to the deaths of at least Saturday. childhood in two of these camps, and the the show, which employs puppetry, a Japa- 16 people. experience of courage, resilience and sur- nese tea set, a table cloth, sand, brown pa- Most of Takata’s assets will be bought George Takei to Reprise His vival against injustice is what inspired the per and an old suitcase, to depict the human by rival Key Safety Systems, a Chinese- Headlining Role in ‘Allegiance’ in story of ‘Allegiance.’” impact of the signing of Executive Order owned company based in suburban Detroit, The Los Angeles production will be co- 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Los Angeles for about $1.6 billion. produced by EWP and the JACCC. The show was written in 2003. LOS ANGELES — Takata’s inflators can explode with too The heart-wrenching story follows one East West Players and Paul Kariya to Be Inducted Into the much force when they fill up an air bag, spewing out shrapnel. Apart from the Japanese American family’s forced evacua- the Japanese American Hockey Hall of Fame tion from their home in Berkeley, Calif., to Cultural and Commu- fatalities, they’re responsible for at least the Topaz camp in Utah. nity Center announced Paul Kariya, 42, who 180 injuries and are grappling with the “E.O. 9066” will be performed three June 27 that the criti- played 15 seasons in largest automotive recall in U.S. history. times during the day at the high school, and cally acclaimed musi- the National Hockey So far, 100 million inflators have been re- visitors will be able to take bus tours of the cal “Allegiance” will be making its L.A. League, most nota- called worldwide, including 69 million in Topaz camp site, as well as tour the muse- debut at the JACCC’s Aratani Theatre from bly with the Mighty the U.S., affecting 42 million vehicles. um at 55 W. Main St. Feb. 21-April 1, 2018. Ducks of Anaheim, — P.C. Staff and Associated Press 4 June 30-July 20, 2017 NATIONAL/COMMUNITY BUDGET INCLUDES KATIE WONG RECEIVES $3 MILLION IN CCLPEP FUNDS CONGRESSIONAL GOLD PHOTO: COURTESY OF KAITLIN WONG By George Toshio Johnston, signature will ensure the pro- P.C. Senior Editor, Digital & gram would be funded over the MEDAL Social Media next three years. “Seventy-five years after the aitlin (Katie) Wong LOS ANGELES — California issuance of Executive Order of Carlmont High Gov. Jerry Brown signed the 9066, we now have President School in Belmont, state’s $125 billion budget for Trump issuing executive orders KCalif., was one of 373 stu- fiscal year 2017-18 on June 27, targeting Muslims and refugees dents from across the nation and included within it was $3 as national security threats, just to receive the Congressional million in funding over the next as Japanese Americans were Gold Medal in Washington, three fiscal years for the Califor- targeted during World War II,” D.C., on June 21. nia Civil Liberties Public Educa- Muratsuchi said. Given by the U.S. Con- tion Program. “Now, more than ever, every gress, the award was es- Brown’s signature effective- American needs to learn the les- tablished in 1979 to recog- ly means that Assembly Bill sons of the Japanese American nize initiative, service and 491, which sought to fund the incarceration. We must educate achievement in young peo- CCLPEP for the same time pe- all Americans to defend our ple. To this day, it is the high- riod and monetary figure and Constitution and fight to ensure est honor the U.S. govern- had been awaiting approval by that no one is ever targeted again ment can bestow upon youth. the state Senate, was rendered because of their national origin To earn her medal, Wong Assemblymember unnecessary. or faith.” completed nearly 1,500 Al Muratsuchi Katie Wong with Congress- Assemblymember Al Muratsu- Muratsuchi added that he is hours in the areas of Volun- woman Jackie Speier (left) of chi, a Democrat who represents now working on “CCLPEP 2.0,” tary Public Service, Expedi- California’s 14th District. the 66th Assembly District, in Feb- ning in 2018.” the purpose of which would be to tion, Personal Development ruary introduced AB 491, which While it’s possible the $3 million relate the experiences faced by and Physical Fitness. For may have served to signal the gov- sum could be spread out in varying West Coast Japanese Americans each category, she set goals her Personal Development goal. ernor’s office to allocate funds for amounts per year, the most-likely during WWII to “current threats to and worked for nearly four years to Recently, she was chosen to be a fi- the permanent state program. scenario is that $1 million will civil rights and civil liberties.” achieve them. nalist in the Facing History Togeth- Administered by the California be made available per year in the “We need to apply the lessons Specifically, for the Voluntary er Student Essay Contest, where State Library, the CCLPEP funds coming three-year period. of the Japanese American experi- Public Service category, Wong cre- she earned the Upstander Award “. . . educational activities and de- The CCLPEP was established in ence to other communities, so that ated her high school’s Principal’s scholarship and finished in the Top velopment of educational materials 1998 by Rep. Mike Honda and re- the lessons are relevant to face Service Award, which is a sus- 10 out of more than 5,000 entrants. to ensure that the events surround- newed in 2000 by Assemblymem- the challenges of today and the tainable program that encourages For the contest, she wrote pas- ing the exclusion, forced removal ber George Nakano. It became a future,” he said. students to experience an interest sionately about her grandmother’s and internment of civilians and per- permanent state program in 2003 In May, the California State Li- in volunteering. Additionally, she experience of being born and raised manent resident aliens of Japanese thanks to efforts by Assembly- brary awarded more than $922,000 helped at a Japanese cultural sum- in a Japanese internment camp and ancestry will be remembered, and member Wilma Chan and others to 29 organizations through the mer camp, Medaka no Gakko, for how that injustice taught Wong so that the causes and circumstance by removing the termination date CCLPEP. From FY 1998-99 the past six years, and also received about standing up for human rights. of this and similar events may be and making CCLPEP subject to through FY 2010-11, the CCLPEP a scholarship last summer to attend This year’s Congressional Gold illuminated and understood.” annual budget authorizations. awarded nearly $9 million in edu- a Global Leadership Academy in Medal recipients represented the According to Muratsuchi, “The The CCLPEP initially ran be- cational grants. Canada, where she worked with largest class in its 38-year history. state librarian will receive $3 mil- tween FY 1998-99 through FY other students from around the Wong represented the 14th Con- lion in one-time funds in this year’s 2010-11; it was funded again in FY A list of past grants can be world. gressional District, Redwood City, budget. The funds will be distribut- 2016-17. found at http://tinyurl.com/y9 Wong chose to take writing Calif. She will currently be a senior ed in the form of education grants Muratsuchi said he was “ex- asffwz. The URL for the CCLPEP courses to improve her abilities for in high school in the fall. n over the next three years, begin- tremely pleased” Gov. Brown’s is http://tinyurl.com/yd5zm9q.

COMMUNITIES >> continued from page 3 Japanese Treasures I can to provide resources for you, or perhaps we may be able to create a panel event. Upscale Resale Boutique As a result of a Facebook post I made about no Buddhist LGBTQ individuals wanting to be on a panel, I have received numerous messages from Please come to our boutique sale, people who would be willing to speak. featuring gently used Japanese items, We must send more positive messages to our such as dishes, toys, clothing, art, LGBTQ community. Our places of worship can be a safe haven for those who are rejected at work or by books, dolls, etc. Blaine Memorial Methodist their families. Our places of worship can be a space leaders and allies where the LGBTQ individual can openly be his or her Saturday, July 29: 1pm - 4pm true self. Japanese American Christian Chapel And, of course, Gardena Buddhist Temple is not Let us help to create inclusive faith communities only creating movement within its own sangha, but so that more individuals will feel safe, respected and 300 Mission Drive, Camarillo it is also encouraging other temples to do so as well. loved. I want that for Aiden, and I want that for all Pasadena Buddhist Temple is having an event on Sept. those in the LGBTQ community. For more information, call 805-469-5487 or 23 from 2-5 p.m. Please come if you are able. And so this is what I ask: If your place of Marsha Aizumi is an advocate in the LGBT email: [email protected] worship wants to learn more about the LGBTQ com- community and the author of the book “Two We welcome YOUR donations of Japanese munity and how to support them, please contact me Spirits, One Heart: A Mother, Her Transgender Son items for our fundraiser! ([email protected]). I will do the best that and Their Journey to Love and Acceptance.”

NATIONAL June 30-July 20, 2017 5

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066

Please join us for OUR STORY: RESILIENCE, REMEMBRANCE, RESOLVE

JACL N ATIONAL CONVENTION WASHINGTON DC 2017 The 2017 Convention will be a special and memorable event.

Highlights include: The 48th Japanese American Citizens League A PRIVATE RECEPTION of the Smithsonian exhibit National Convention “Righting a Wron g,” h ighlighting

the experience of Japanese Americans during World War II, July 6-9, 2017 and including original pages from Executive Order 9066. O mni Shoreh am Hotel 2500 Cal vert Street AN INTIMATE EVENT hosted by the Embassy of , Washington, DC featuring the Governor Ralph Carr Award ceremony honoring leaders who personify his legacy Don’t miss the opportunity to take part in these of working towards racial justice extraordinary events—and more. and promotion of civil rights.

WORKSHOPS AND SESSIONS focusing on key issues affecting the Japanese American community and the nation. %& !$"! &% &% &% !&$#%  "$%#&$$"  %   %#!#"$%# THE ELEGANT SAYONARA BANQUET The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights to celebrate old and organization in the United States. The JACL is a national organization whose mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. new friendships. The JACL also works to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.

% & $"$%# &%#!#"$%#&$#%  "$%#&%##!"&$"&& " 6 June 30-July 20, 2017 IN-DEPTH

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE GALT MUSEUM

A visual arts display at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge of Japanese working on a sugar beet farm in Alberta, Canada

labor shortages. Finally reunited with his family in Magrath, Alberta, Katsuyori and his family, who had previously enjoyed supplying the elegant Empress Hotel in Victoria with straw- berries grown on their Salt Spring Island property, were rele- gated to live in a chicken coop swarming with flies and forced to get their water from a slough used to supply farm animals. Other similarly displaced Nikkei were sent to live in vacant granaries. When the B.C. Security Commission received a letter of complaint from the Murakami family’s eldest daughter, the A view of the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden building in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada commission allowed the Murakamis to move back to the Slo- can area in B.C. (under armed guard) to share an unheated tent with three other families in the deep snows of winter. In January 1943, they were displaced again, this time to Rosebery. It was there the Murakamis learned that the A MULTIFACETED COMMUNITY Canadian office of the Custodian of Enemy Property had auc- Uprooted from their homes during World War II, tioned off their holdings to a white veteran — without their consent. that settled in the city of Lethbridge — located in Southern Alberta, After the war ended in 1945, the imprisoned Japanese Ca- nadians were given an ultimatum. Rather than being allowed Canada — now find themselves living in a vibrant cultural center that is to return to their homes as they had been promised by the federal government in 1942, they were now confronted with welcoming to all. a cruel choice: exile “East of the Rockies” or deportation to war-torn Japan, a land many Japanese Canadians had never By Diana Morita Cole, their food and shelter, for workman’s compensation contribu- seen and where they were not welcome. Contributor tions and for the subsistence of their families imprisoned in Determined to regain ownership of their property on Salt the Kootenay. Spring Island, the Murakamis refused to be sent away to ethbridge is a city of many faces. Located in Southern Takeo Ujo Nakano, the celebrated tanka poet, recalled re- Japan. They were displaced from Rosebery to the New Alberta, it is the fourth most populous city in the prov- ceiving only $4.75 for seven weeks’ work. “What a miser- Denver incarceration site, and then from New Denver, fled ince, where 32 ethnic groups intersect in a vibrant able sum!” he wrote in his journal, “Within the Barbed Wire once again to Alberta. Ldance of unity and cooperation. The city of nearly 100,000 Fence: A Japanese Man’s Account of His internment in Can- The ruthless discharge of the War Measures Act and a also boasts the third-largest community of Nikkei in Canada, ada.” series of Orders-in-Council by British colonizers drove after and Vancouver. In July 1942, Katsuyori Murakami was provisionally re- enterprising, often brilliant and prosperous ethnic Japanese Today, Lethbridge is the cultural center for Japanese leased from the road prison camp as long as he agreed to work into poverty, homelessness and economic servitude. Canadians living in Southern Alberta, but that wasn’t always on the sugar beet farms in Alberta, where there were acute Such genocidal schemes succeeded in creating an under- the case. Back in 1942, the town council declared Lethbridge PHOTO: COURTESY OF NIKKA YUKO JAPANESE GARDEN off-limits to Japanese Canadians who were expelled from and sent to work on the sugar beet farms in the small agrarian communities of Southern Alberta. By “voluntarily” leaving the protected area of B.C., a few Nikkei men were able to keep their families intact and escape the fate of most, who were separated from their families and held captive in isolated road gangs, where they were forced to do what amounted to slave labor. In her book “Ganbaru,” Rose Murakami wrote that her parents had just finished paying for their home on Salt Spring Island when Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, on the night of March 17, 1942, arrested her father, Katsuyori Murakami, and hauled him off to work in one of these road camps. She and her family, who were being detained in Greenwood, B.C., didn’t know of his whereabouts until Mrs. Murakami received a censored letter from her husband, tell- ing her of his captivity in the Yellowhead road camp. The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, established during Canada’s Centennial in 1967, was built to The men sent to work in the labor camps were forced to eat recognize contributions made by citizens of Japanese ancestry to the multicultural community of and sleep in smelly, unheated and unventilated railroad box- Lethbridge, Alberta, and as a symbol of international friendship. cars and tents. Their paychecks were garnished for the cost of IN-DEPTH June 30-July 20, 2017 7

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF DIANA COLE

Participants from the Bhutanese Community Society at the first annual Asian Heritage Festival

Nikkei Cultural Society of Lethbridge and Area Minyo Dancers class of migrant workers, many of whom were citizens, for Protests by the local white com- exploitation by their white masters. The Nikkei, fleeced of munities against the first wave of their rights and property, were sent to toil in small agricultural Japanese Canadians from B.C. had communities outside Lethbridge, in places like Raymond, influenced local town council poli- Magrath, Taber, Coaldale and Picture Butte, and forced to en- ticians to appease their angry white dure spiteful restrictions that were kept in place until 1949, constituents by barring the refugees four long years after the end of World War II. from buying land, from member- A decade later, a group of Mormons, led by Charles Ora ship in unions, traveling to and The Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta in Lethbridge Card, migrated to what was then known as the North-West within Lethbridge, taking up per- Territory and established a settlement in Cardston, 49 miles manent residence and withholding southwest of what is now Lethbridge. There they built the their right to free education for their Okinawans had come to Alberta in the early 1900s. first church of the Latter-day Saints in Canada. children. Choosing the rigors of living in the harsher climate and “They were being persecuted in America,” explained The small number of Japanese Canadians that had been liv- strong winds of the prairies over the moderate temperatures Pastor George Takashima, vp of the Nikkei Cultural ing in Alberta decades before the outbreak of hostilities be- of the Lower Mainland of B.C., the Okinawans, according to Society of Lethbridge & Area and retired minister of the tween Japan and the Allies did not escape persecution either. Takashima, decided to settle in Alberta to get away from the United Church of Canada. Mary Kiyooka wrote in her journal, “Mothertalk,” ethnic Japanese, who they knew were living on the coast. The Latter-day Saints are credited with developing the first published by her son, Roy Kiyooka, that the early Nikkei set- “They became coal miners, and today, many Okinawa- major irrigation canal system, which allowed them to kick- tlers in Alberta were often abruptly fired from their jobs in ns are professionals, civic leaders and have married out- start the sugar beet industry in Southern Alberta. 1942 because, as insignificant as their numbers were, they, side their group, sometimes with the Japanese Canadians,” “Raymond and Stirling are Mormon communities,” said too, were viewed as a threat. Takashima said. Takashima. “The Mormons were good to the Japanese T. J. Nakamura, an elderly Nisei who lived through such The vast majority of Nikkei living in the Lethbridge area Canadians. A number of Nikkei converted because the tyrannies, today enjoys sitting on a bench overlooking the today are practicing Buddhists. The first Buddhist temple Mormons took them in and gave them jobs.” Old Man River coulee just outside the seniors’ residence in in Alberta was established in 1929 through the purchase of The kindness of the Mormons notwithstanding, in May Lethbridge where he lives. a former school in Raymond that had also been used as a 1946, 4,000 Japanese Canadians were herded aboard U.S. Nakamura recalls as a child being forced to work alongside Mormon meetinghouse. military transport ships sailing to Japan. Many of the deport- his parents on a sugar beet farm after they were thrown out of Temples in Picture Butte, Coaldale, Taber, Rosemary and ees, while subjects of the British Crown, were stripped of British Columbia, the province where he was born. (eventually) Lethbridge were also established to accom- their citizenship and legal resident status — and thus forced “I decided I never wanted to do this kind of work again as modate the religious practices of the Japanese Canadians to forfeit the right to return to the country where they gave long as I lived,” said Nakamura. “So, I earned my certifica- who migrated to Southern Alberta after being ordered to birth to their children and raised their families. tion as a mechanic.” As a teenager, Nakamura recalled be- leave B.C. Meanwhile other “freed” internees, like the Murakamis, ing barred from eating at local restaurants in Rocky Mountain The Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta, located in who were determined to remain in Canada, fled to Alberta House. “We were forced to cook for ourselves, even though Lethbridge, was established in 2006 to consolidate the and other parts of Canada to work in the sugar beet industry we could pay to eat in a restaurant,” he remembered. Buddhist temples of the region. as sharecroppers. Like T. J., many Japanese Canadian children in South- Celebrations of the now harmonious Nikkei community in Escape to Alberta didn’t mean respite from racism — even ern Alberta had to perform hard physical labor in the fields. Lethbridge are often held at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, lo- after the war had ended. The Nikkei hoping to resettle in Al- As well as providing sugar for Canadian kitchens, these cated on Henderson Lake. This stunning garden was created berta faced entrenched policies of discrimination that had innocents had no idea they were also supplying sucrose vital in 1967 by the landscape architect Tadashi Kubo of Osaka been instituted in 1942. for the production of munitions. Prefecture University. Kubo’s design of the garden integrates the vastness of the prairie landscape with the symbols widely recognized in the Japanese garden art form. The name “Nikka Yuko” sig- nifies the synthesis of Canadian culture with the Japanese aesthetic sensibility: Ni representing Japan, while Ka signifies Canada. The word Yuko imparts the meaning of friendship to the garden name. This past May, during Canada’s federally designated Asian Heritage Month, the first annual Asian Heritage Festival was organized by Takashima at the Southern Alberta Ethnic Mul- ticultural Centre in Lethbridge. “The Multicultural Centre is the only one of its kind in Can- ada where every ethnic group participates,” Takashima said. Transplanted Canadians, who settled in Southern Alberta — by choice or force — gathered at this remarkable venue to celebrate the unique culture of Lethbridge, the city they now Pastor George Takashima (left) and Izumi Sensei T. J. Nakamura in Lethbridge call home. n 8 June 30-July 20, 2017 IN-DEPTH NIKKEISpotlight PHOTO: CHARISSA UEMURA

Mu Performing Arts is the upper Midwest’s first AAPI theater company.

PHOTO: LIA CHANG

A performance of “Mask Dance,” written and directed by Rick Shiomi A MASTER OF THE ARTS Now approaching the fifth decade of his career, Japanese Canadian actor-playright-theater director Rick Shiomi continues to mentor and develop the arts, including co-facilitating a workshop on Asian American representation in the media at the upcoming JACL National Convention.

By Rob Buscher, Shiomi’s Canadian identity was further cemented by the Contributor time he spent teaching English in Japan as a young adult. “I never learned Japanese well enough to speak, so I was ast year, actor-activist George Takei made headlines always an outsider . . .” he recalled. “I remember sitting with when he starred in “Allegiance,” the first musical some friends, and one took me aside to say he felt uncom- Playright Rick Shiomi in New York in 2011 production written and directed by Asian Americans fortable speaking on a first-name basis with one of the others Lto hit Broadway. However, this was just the latest achieve- because he was younger and not familiar enough to do so. PHOTO: JASON LINDER ment in the storied history of AAPIs in the theater business. It was this constant awareness of social protocols that I was Like most entertainment fields in the U.S., theater has tradi- tripping over. Because I was a foreigner, they just shrugged tionally included few people of color. Based on the Eurocen- it off, but to be in that system meant understanding and tric notion that white actors could portray ethnic characters operating by those protocols. Though I love the deep cultural better than actors of said ethnicity themselves, popular musi- connection I feel in Japan — the art, temples, food, forests cal theater and stage plays often featured white performers — I am still a stranger in a strange land.” dressed in blackface or yellowface well into the 20th century. It would be later in 1976 through his work on the first While blackface has been somewhat universally Powell Street Festival celebrating Japanese Canadian acknowledged as unacceptable in today’s theater world, heritage in Vancouver when Shiomi finally resolved these yellowface persists in examples as recent as the 2017 pro- aspects of his identity. duction of “Turandot” by the Atlanta Opera. AAPIs are per- “By editing a short film titled ‘The First 100 Years,’ haps the least-represented ethnicity on the American stage. designed to teach children about Japanese Canadian history Since the 1960s, there has been an Asian American arts at the festival, I finally understood who I was and where movement running parallel to the mainstream with few no- I came from,” said Shiomi. PATP members (from left) Rick Shiomi, table intersections. Japanese Canadian theater artist Rick While this was an early foray into the arts, Shiomi’s real Walter Bilderback of the Wilma Theater, Shiomi is one person who has been at the center of much of work started once he began a residence with San Francis- Deborah Block of Theatre Exile and Cat Ramirez this movement. co’s Asian American Theater Company in the early 1980s. and Seth Rozin of InterAct Theatre Company An esteemed leader in the Asian American theater com- It was here that he derived influence from and worked with munity, Shiomi has been active for nearly four decades as a other AAPI theater luminaries such as Philip Kan Gotanda, PHOTO: COURTESY OF RICK SHIOMI playwright, theater director and founding company leader of Marc Hayashi, and Lane Nishikawa. Mu Performing Arts in Minneapolis, Minn. To a certain extent, Shiomi always believed he was Born in a small suburb of Toronto to Nisei parents who destined to work in the arts. had just recently returned from the Canadian incarcera- “It’s in my DNA,” he said. “My grandfather ran a theater tion during World War II, Shiomi experienced many of the group in Vancouver around 1900 that did traditional-style same issues growing up as did other Asian Americans of his kabuki theater. I actually don’t know the name of the com- generation. pany, but they performed around the West Coast of Canada “I totally identify with the Japanese American experience,” and Seattle. My grandfather even went to L.A. on occasion Shiomi said. “The overlap is huge, and the main difference to see the touring shows from Japan. So, I realized in some is really between Americans [of any ethnicity] being much odd way that I was retracing my grandfather’s steps by going more open and assertive, while Canadians are more careful down the West Coast to do theater. Then, of course, I was not and reactive.” satisfied doing anything else.” A PAPA group photo IN-DEPTH June 30-July 20, 2017 9

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF RICK SHIOMI

Rick Shiomi’s grandfather’s theater troupe performed around the West Coast and Canada.

A 2006 photo of Mu Daiko’s “Taiko Dreams: The 10th Anniversary” concert

regional theaters have started to pay more attention to velop an informal group of AAPI theater artists into AAPI playwrights and material. It’s just a beginning, a formal organization with long-term goals. In a but I think it’s happening.” separate initiative called Philadelphia Asian Theater Now approaching the fifth decade of his career, Project (PATP), Shiomi has created a coalition of 12 Shiomi continues working to further cultivate the companies that are working together to promote the AAPI theater community nationwide through his development of Asian American theater in the greater mentorship of younger theater artists and on-going Philadelphia area. projects in St. Paul, Minn., and Philadelphia, Pa. With grant support from the Doris Duke Foundation, As co-artistic director of a new company called Full Shiomi will continue building this initiative through- A 2013 Guthrie Theater presentation of Mu Performing Circle Theater, Shiomi is looking to expand diversity out his 2018 residency with InterAct. Arts’ production of “Yellow Fever” overall in the Twin Cities theater community, produc- For individuals looking to pursue a career in the arts, ing works that bring together people of many different Shiomi cautioned, “Professionally speaking, the arts backgrounds. His other project is to develop the Asian are not for everyone. It’s a hardscrabble lifestyle for In 1982, Shiomi’s debut play, “Yellow Fever,” would go on to win the American theater scene in Philadelphia. 99 percent of those who seriously venture into it. But coveted Bay Area Theater Circle Critics Award and a Bernie Award from Shiomi had just begun an artist residency at Philadel- for most, the arts can be a personally important and so- the San Francisco Chronicle. Shortly after, he moved to , phia-based InterAct Theatre Company in 2014 when cially significant activity . . . . They can help us under- where an off-Broadway production of “Yellow Fever” was mounted by a major incident in the local theater scene occurred. stand our lives, our values, our choices. Getting into the Pan Asian Repertory Theater, which was lauded as a New York Times’ Another Philadelphia-based company called Lantern the arts is a calling that comes from deep within one- Critic’s Choice. Theater mounted a production of “Julius Caesar” set self. Sometimes, you don’t even know why, but when This award-winning comic mystery follows hard-boiled detective in feudal Japan that misappropriated many aspects of you feel the urge or drive to get involved, you discov- Sam Shikaze through the shady streets of 1970s Vancouver on a case Japanese culture. er you have some kind of talent or the opportunity to to solve the disappearance of the mysterious Cherry Blossom Queen. Actor Makoto Hirano wrote an open letter on the participate appears and that changes your life forever. Shikaze becomes entangled in a web of political deception and racism offensive issues in the production, which prompted So, the arts are an important facet of any community that rouses memories of the Japanese Canadian internment camps and considerable criticism among Asian American theater and should be supported by all.” leads to an unexpected romance. Shiomi’s first play remains his most artists and garnered national attention. popular, having been produced as recently as 2013. Under Shiomi’s guidance, several forums and meet- Join Rick Shiomi at the JACL National Conven- Throughout the 1980s, Shiomi continued working as a bicoastal ings were held to give voice to the community’s anger tion in Washington, D.C., on July 8 from 1:30-3 playwright while also honing his craft as a taiko artist studying under and frustration. This situation galvanized the AAPI p.m., where he will be co-facilitating a workshop Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. theater community in a way that had never been possi- on Asian American representation in media and the By the early 1990s, Shiomi had produced several plays with all four ble in Philadelphia, and out of the incident emerged a arts. Looking at the past, present and future of AAPI significant AAPI theater troupes working at that time — San Francisco’s new organization called Philadelphia Asian Perform- portrayals on the screen and stage, this workshop Asian American Theater Workshop, New York’s Pan Asian Repertory ing Artists (PAPA). will include a short-film screening, panel discussion Theater, Los Angeles’ East West Players and Seattle’s Northwest Asian As a consultant to PAPA, Shiomi is helping to de- and participatory theater reading led by Shiomi. American Theatre. What came next for Shiomi must have seemed counterintuitive to most at that time, as he relocated to Minnesota to pursue his future wife, Martha Johnson, in 1992. No one, least of all Shiomi, could have pre- dicted that moving to Middle America would be the best thing to happen to his career since “Yellow Fever,” but he soon discovered a vibrant com- munity of AAPIs living in the Twin Cities. Together with University of Minnesota graduate student Dong-Il Lee, Polaris Tours 2017 Schedule Shiomi founded the upper Midwest’s first AAPI theater company, which Jul. 02 ~ Jul. 11 Japan By Train: “Hiroshima, Kurashiki, Okayama, Kyoto, Tokyo” they named Mu Performing Arts after the Korean pronunciation of a Chinese character meaning “shaman/artist/warrior who connects the Jul. 10 ~ Jul. 21 Newfoundland & Labrador: “Corner Brook, Rocky Harbour, St. John’s” heavens and the earth through the tree of life.” Sep. 03 ~ Sep. 14 Let’s Go Hokkaido: “Sapporo, Sounkyo, Shiretoko, Tomamu, Toyako” After Lee left the Twin Cities, Shiomi found himself stepping into the artistic director position, a role that he would serve in for the next Sep. 17 ~ Sep. 24 Iceland Adventure: “Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Hofn, Lake Jokulsarlon, Vik,” 20 years. “Asian American theater didn’t really exist in Minnesota at the time,” Sep. 25 ~ Oct. 09 Western Explorer: “Scottsdale, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite” Shiomi said. “I think the challenge was simply starting something where Oct. 03 ~ Oct. 16 Eastern US & Canada Discovery: “Boston, Quebec City, Toronto, NYC” there was no precedent for it — recruiting and developing AAPI theater artists and persuading funders, other companies and the theater-going Oct. 15 ~ Oct. 24 Autumn Japan: “Tokyo, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima” community that we had something unique to say.” It took about 10 years before the larger AAPI theater community on the Oct. 29 ~ Nov. 08 Islands of Okinawa & Shikoku: “Naha, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Kochi” coasts started to recognize Mu’s work as significant. Today, Mu Perform- ing Arts is widely acknowledged as one of the nation’s leading AAPI theater companies. When asked whether he had seen much progress from the time that he began working with Mu until now, Shiomi replied, “Theater actually moves slower than society. I think the main difference is that the major 10 June 30-July 20, 2017 CALENDAR

A NATIONAL GUIDE TO NOTABLE COMMUNITY EVENTS Info: Visit sake.ltsc.org. feature traditional music and Fresno, CA dancing, as well as Japanese July 8; begins at 2 p.m. Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple food booths and refreshment, Fresno Buddhist Obon Festival taiko and martial arts perfor- Dharma Center Los Angeles, CA mances and craft exhibits and 2690 E. Alluvial Ave. demonstrations. For those who July 29-30; 1-9 p.m. This year’s Obon festival will like to come early to save a spot CALENDAR 505 E. Third St. feature Asian food, beverages on the grassy area next to the and desserts, in addition to Salinas Buddhist Temple Come join one of Los Angeles’ street, please wait until Friday Bingo, carnival games, taiko National Obon Festival biggest cultural celebrations in midnight to do this for the safety Salinas, CA this two-day event that will feature drumming, Bon Odori dancing, a 2017 JACL National Convention of the volunteers working in the July 30; Noon-8 p.m. Japanese food, culture, exhibits, memorial ceremony and raffle. Washington, D.C. area late that night. 14 California St. traditional Bon Odori dancing at Info: Visit www.seattle All are welcome to attend. July 6-9 Honor a loved one with a Food, cultural exhibits, crafts, 6:30 (both nights), games, dance betsuin.org. Omni Shoreham Hotel performances and martial arts personalized lantern. martial arts demonstrations and Info: Call (559) 442-4054 or 2500 Calvert St. N.W. much more will be featured at demonstrations. Info: Visit www.hhbt-la.org. Obon Fest visit www.fresnobuddhist Come join JACL as it hosts its this year’s Obon Festival. A raffle Portland, OR 48th annual National Conven- drawing will also be held, in addi- temple.org. tion, “Our Story: Resilience, Buddhist Temple of San Diego Aug. 5; 3-9 p.m. tion to games and the traditional Oregon Buddhist Temple Remembrance, Resolve.” The Bon Odori dance, which will begin Obon Festival convention’s opening reception at 6 p.m. Public parking will be San Diego, CA 3720 S.E. 34th Ave. will feature an exclusive viewing available at the Salinas Adult Aug. 5; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Obonfest is a traditional EDC of the Smithsonian’s “Righting a School, with shuttle service Japanese Friendship Garden summertime festival Seabrook JACL 70th Anniversary Wrong” exhibit, commemorating commemorating one’s ancestors. beginning at 11 a.m. 2215 Pan American Road East Banquet the 75th anniversary of Executive Info: Visit btsalinas.org. This year’s event continues that Vineland, N.J. This year’s Bon Odori dancing will time-honored tradition and will Order 9066.” July 16; 12:30 p.m. Info: Visit https://jacl. begin at 6:30 p.m. This is an event also feature Bon Odori dancing, Sake Day 2017 for the entire family and all are Ramada Inn org/2017convention/. food and performances by San Francisco, CA welcome to join in this experience Portland Taiko and the Sahomi 2216 W. Landis Ave. Sept. 30; 4-8 p.m. celebrating Japanese culture. Tachibana Dance Group. Join the Seabrook JACL JCCCNC Info: Visit www.niwa.org. All are welcome. chapter at its annual awards NCWNP 1840 Sutter St. Info: Visit www.oregon banquet, where the chapter Price: Ticket are $65 (early bird Manzanar Reunion buddhisttemple.com. will commemorate its 70th Nihonmachi Little Friends until July 15, after which tickets Las Vegas, NV anniversary and celebrate city’s Open House will be $75) Aug. 14-15 rich history, where more than San Francisco, CA The Japanese Cultural and Com- California Hotel and Casino 2,500 Japanese Americans July 8; 1-3 p.m. munity Center of Northern Cali- 12 E. Ogden Ave. MDC relocated to start new lives 1830 Sutter St. fornia is proud to be the recipient following the end of World War This year’s Manzanar Reunion ‘Day at the Movies’ II. The Hon. Norman Mineta (Adjacent to the Issei Women’s of the proceeds of “Sake Day will feature dinner mixer, ice- Saint Paul, MN Building) 2017,” which is presented by True will receive the inaugural John breaker games, slot tournament July 15; 3 p.m. Fuyuume Citizenship Award Nihonmachi Little Friends is Sake. The event is a celebration and special afternoon program Historic Fort Snelling and John Seabrook, author and hosting this open house at its of “Nihonshu no Hi” every Oct. 1, presented by NPS Rangers from Visitors Center writer for New Yorker magazine, brand-new preschool addition, and Sake Day was the first event the Manzanar National Historic 200 Tower Ave. will also be a featured guest located adjacent to its historic outside of Japan to make sake Site. All are welcome to join in the speaker. Issei Women’s Building in San “king for a day.” There is no better reunion, which will also feature Price: Free Francisco’s Japantown. This sake tasting event honoring this displays of past reunions and Please join the Twin Cities chapter Info: To register and support latest edition increases the pro- glorious day to explore and gain other memories. Registration is of the JACL for an afternoon at this event, visit http://www. gram’s capacity to 91 children a new understanding of sake. recommended by July 8, as the the movies. Four short family- seabrookeducation.org/. and features a rooftop playground Proceeds will benefit the center’s committee is only taking 200 friendly films will be shown and garden. The center serves ongoing programs. registrants due to the success of (10-15 mins. each), including FDR Library’s Images of more than 200 children annually Info: Visit www.sakeday.com or last year’s reunion. “The Orange Story.” The film’s Internment Exhibition from the ages of 2-12. call (415) 355-9555. Info: Email Dorothy Oda at oda. executive producer, Jason Hyde Park, NY Info: Email nlfchildcare@ [email protected] or call Matsumoto, will be available Thru Dec. 31 gmail.com. ‘A Salute to Mike’ a Champion for (805) 529-1067. to introduce the film as well as participate in a short Q & A FDR Presidential Library & All People session following the screening. Museum Buddhist Church of San Francisco San Jose, CA Natsumatsuri Family Festival Info: Visit www.tcjacl.org. 4079 Albany Post Road Ginza Bazaar Oct. 21, 6-9 p.m. Los Angeles, CA Price: Regular hours and San Franciso, CA Holiday Inn — San Jose Aug. 19; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. admission apply. July 22-23; Sat. (1-6 p.m.), Sun. 1350 N. First St. Japanese American National This special exhibit provides (11 a.m.-6 p.m.) Price: Individual $140, San Jose Museum IDC a visual record of the forced 1881 Pine St. JACL Member $125 100 N. Central Ave. Architecture of Japanese removal of Japanese Americans Come join this year’s Obon The JACL San Jose chapter, Price: Free Internment: Oregon Exhibit during World War II and displays celebration at the Buddhist founded on the premise of civil Join the museum for its annual , OR more than 200 photographs by Church of San Francisco. Bon liberties for all, invites guests to summer celebration featuring Thru July 27 WRA photographers Dorothea Odori dancing will be held on Lange, Clem Albers, Francis join its members in celebrating Japanese and Japanese Ameri- Harano Gallery Sunday at 1 p.m. Mike Honda’s leadership in Stewart and Hikaru Iwasaki can performances, crafts and Four Rivers Cultural Center Info: Call (415) 776-3158 or championing these goals over activities. There also will be free from the National Archives. email [email protected]. his many decades of public souvenir photos, free samples of 676 S.W. Fifth Ave. The exhibition also features service. Reservation forms will Okinawan deep-fried pastries, Price: Free photographs taken by Ansel Berkeley Higashi Honganji be available in September. basic taiko drumming lessons This traveling exhibit explores Adams at Manzanar and a selection of photos from the WSU Summer Festival Info: Visit www.sanjosejacl.org. and free admission all day to see how Oregonians participated “New Frontiers: The Many Worlds in the decision to incarcerate George and Frank C. Hirahara Berkeley, CA Japanese Americans and photo collection of July 22-23; Sat. (4-8 p.m.), of George Takei” and “Common Ground: The Heart of Commu- Japanese immigrants during Heart Mountain. Sun. (Noon-5 p.m.) PSW nity.” JANM members receive World War II. This inaugural Info: Visit https://fdrlibrary. 1524 Oregon St. 11th Annual Sake & Food reserved seating and express exhibit shows the opinions org/exhibitions or call leading up to the incarceration, n This summer festival will feature Tasting Event lines. (800) FDR-VISIT. food, cultural events and much 1941-42, with letters, resolutions, Los Angeles, CA Info: Visit janm.org/ more for the entire family to enjoy. natsumatsuri2017 for updates. blueprints, photos and archival Info: Visit www.bombu.org. July 21; 7-10 p.m. documents from across Oregon. L.A. City Parking Lot 7 Malheur County was the site ADVERTISE HERE Alameda Buddhist Temple 160 N. Central Ave. of the first Japanese American Events in the calendar Obon Festival Price: $100 general admission PNW farm labor camp. A number of section are listed based on Alameda, CA Come and support this Little documents from Ontario can also space availability. Place a Seattle Betsuin Bon Odori Festival be seen in the exhibit. July 22; 4-9 p.m. Tokyo Service Center event, as it ‘Spotlight’ ad with will feature food from more than Seattle, WA Info: Call (541) 889-8191. 2325 Pacific Ave. July 15-16; 4-10 p.m. (Sat.)/3-8 photos of your event for 15 top Los Angeles restaurants maximum exposure. This year’s Obon festival will as well as more than 50 varieties p.m. (Sun.) feature Bon Odori dancing at of sake from different regions in Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple FOR MORE INFO: 7:30 p.m. Japan. It’s sure to be a culinary 1427 S. Main St. CCDC [email protected] Info: Visit www.btoa.org. experience to remember! This official Seafair event will 72nd Annual Fresno Obon Festival (213) 620-1767 OBITUARIES June 30-July 20, 2017 11

Suyeishi, Mary Kazuye ‘Kaz,’ 90, Torrance, CA, June 12; she is survived by her daughter, Christiane (Neff) Takeuchi; sister, Shozo Tanaka; she is also survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives; gc: 2.

Suzui, Alden Takeo, 52, Honolulu, Asaoka, Grace, 90, San Sunnyvale, CA, June 3; he is Heloshi; she is survived by her son, Kathleen and Claudine (Joel); HI, May 5; he is survived by his Francisco, CA, April 5; she is survived by his wife, Darlene; Neal (Linda). stepchildren, Glenn (Karen), mother, Florence; brother, Evan survived by her sister, Narue and children, Cari (Chris), Rae Ann and Judith and Ruth (Ken); sister, Jean Suzui. several cousins. Brian (Margaret); gc: 8; ggc: 2. Mano, Toshio, 89, Seattle, WA, Shigematsu; gc: 6; step-gc: 4. June 13; during WWII, his family Takasugi, Hisaye Nancy, 100, Asato, Lillian Sayomi Kawasaki, Kameoka, Carl Toshiyuki, and he were incarcerated at the Nakamura, Yoshimi K., 98, Glendale, CA, June 8; she was 66, Maple Valley, WA, June 1. 73, Kailua, HI, May 31; he was Pinedale Assembly Center in CA Piedmont, CA, May 3; during predeceased by her husband, predeceased by his wife, Aileen; and WRA Centers in Tule Lake, WWII, she was incarcerated Takeshi; she is survived by her Fukushima, Annastacia Agnes, he is survived by his children, Reid CA, and Minidoka, ID; he was at WRA Centers in Tule Lake, son, Harvey Jun Takasugi; sister- 53, Elk Grove, CA, June 6; she (Joanna) Kameoka; daughter, predeceased by his daughter, CA, and Topaz, UT; she was in-law, Misao Yokotake; she is is survived by her husband, Wendy (Matthew) Noblett; siblings, Janice Mano Lehman; he is predeceased by her husband, also survived by several nieces, Alan; children, Ryan, Austin and Albert (Elaine), Justin, Andrew survived by his wife, Tomi; children, George; she is survived by her nephews and other relatives. Madison; mother-in-law, Sumiko (Patsy), Francis (Ofelia) Kato and Karen (Jim) Mano Little, Jim children, Ken (Liz), Mari (John) and Watanabe; 8 siblings; she is also Nancy (Robert) Nishimura; gc: 5. (Elena) Mano, Kathy (Mike) Mano Lee (Cathy); sisters, Emi Murata Tanaka, Kiyoshi, 86, San survived by many other relatives. Leonard and Rick (Lillie) Mano; and Miyuki Roberts; she is also Francisco, CA, May 29; he is Kuramoto, Daisy Toyoko brother, George (Irene) Mano; survived by numerous nieces and survived by his sister, Kiyo Tanaka; Furuta, Rosemary Toshiko, (Norikane), 97, Seattle, WA, sisters-in-law, Lucy Sato and Sumi nephews; gc: 4. sister-in-law, Vi Tanaka; a nephew 99, Long Beach, CA, May 29; June 2; during WWII, her family Yoshioka; he is also survived by and nieces. she is survived by her children, and she were incarcerated at nieces and nephews; gc: 8. Nakano, Tamaye, 96, Sunnyvale, Shigeko Williams, Chikara (Judy) Puyallup Assembly Center in WA; CA, May 2; during WWII, she was Tsutsumi, Wendy, 65, San Jose, and Tyrone Furuta; she is also Tule Lake WRA Center in CA; and Mayeda, Amy Tamada (Atsuko), incarcerated at a WRA Center; she CA, May 26; she was predeceased survived by nieces, nephews, Minidoka WRA Center in ID; she 93, Kenmore, WA, June 3; she was was predeceased by her husband, by her father, Kingo Tajii, and her other relatives, grandchildren and was predeceased by her husband, predeceased by her husband, Tony George, and her daughter, Carol brothers, Lonny Tajii and Brian great-grandchildren. Tetsuo; she is survived by her (Tsugio); she is survived by her Kono; she is survived by her (Shelley) Tajii; she is survived by children, Wayne, Judy Chow and children, Janis (Roger) Clemmons, children, Russell (Judy) and her mother, Lilly Tajii; husband, Hirokawa, Sawaye, 98, Lester (Jean); sister, Louise Sako; JoAnn Murray, Jayne (Bruce) Denise Young (Dan); gc: 7; ggc: 3. Glenn; daughters, Tracy (Wade) Lakewood, CO, June 3; she was sisters-in-law, Miyoko Nakatsu Blackburn and Jeffrey Charles Nakamura and Kelly; siblings, predeceased by her husband, and Emiko Hashimoto; she is also (Terry) Mayeda; gc: 6; ggc: 2. Ogata, Amy (Yemiko) Sedohara, Diane (Richard) Mayeda and Kerry Moriichi; she is survived by her survived by nieces and nephews; 94, Barrington, IL, May 31; during (Susan) Tajii; she is also survived children, William, Bob (Karen) and gc: 3. Mayeda, Takaji, 87, Morgan Hill, WWII, her family and she were by nieces and nephews; gc: 2. Arlene Suekama (Roger); gc: 2; CA, June 11; he was predeceased incarcerated at the Manzanar and numerous ggc and gggc. Kusumoto, Margaret ‘Peggy,’ by his wife Sueko, and his siblings, WRA Center in CA; she was Utsunomiya, Kazuo, 87, Mountain 86, Kalispell, MT, March 15; she Masaaki and Joann (Kikuye); he is predeceased by her husband, View, CA, May 7. Ikeya, Gary Tetsuo, 78, was predeceased by her husband, survived by his children, Julia and Minoru Roy; she is survived by Spencer; sisters, Fumiye, Nobuye her sons, Craig (Linda) and Tom Uyeno, Emily Natsumi, 18, Elk and Terrie. (Annie); siblings, Sachi Hirota Grove, CA, May 29; she is survived TRIBUTE (George) and Takezo Sedohara; by her parents, Eric and Sara Momoda, Gerald Shigeru, 100, gc: 3. Uyeno; siblings, Joseph Lavin and Bellevue, WA, June 4; during Allison Oldfield; grandparents, ROSIE SHIZUKO NAKANO WWII, his family and he were Sadakane, Nozomu, 91, Garden Tom and Diana Oldfield, Fred incarcerated at the Minidoka WRA Grove, CA, May 21; he is survived Dominguez and Richard and Claudia Uyeno; she is also May 6, 1924-June 11, 2017. Funeral service for Rosie Shizuko Center in ID; he served in the by his wife, Joyce Keiko (Fujino); 442nd RCT; he was predeceased children, Cathleen Monji and Kevin survived by aunts, uncles and Nakano, 93-year-old Los Angeles-born resident of Chevy Chase, cousins. MD, who passed away on June 11, 2017, in Irvine, CA, was held on by his wife, June; he is survived by (Sheri); he is also survived by his children, Carol and Jerry. numerous nieces and nephews; June 17 at Union Church of Los Angeles, 401 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, gc: 2. Yonemoto, Mary, 86, Daly City, CA 90013. Momoda, Kimiko, 91, Mercer CA, June 18; she is survived by her She is survived by her daughters, Amy (Paul) Bihl, Mary (Lee) Island, WA, May 27; she was Shimada, Shirley Kazuko, 78, husband, James; daughter, Marcia Rising and Ida (Denny) Nakano-Minami; son, Roy Nakano Jr.; grand- predeceased by her husband, Sacramento, CA, June 3; she was Yonemoto; siblings, Tosh Shoji children, Summer Chandler, Rebecca and Nathan Nakano and Takashi; she is suirvived by her predeceased by her husband, and Lily Hamaguchi; she is also Weston and Wyatt Minami. www.fukuimortuary.com (213) 626-0441 children, Linda Ishimitsu, Diane Tom; she is survived by her sister- survived by in-laws, nieces and Madison (Stephen) and Martin in-law, Eileen (Ray); she is also nephews; gc: 2. Momoda; gc: 6. survived by nephews and cousins. TRIBUTE Yoshida, Yoshiko, 91, Seattle, Morimitsu, Kathryn Ann ‘Trink,’ Sutow, Cecelia Hisayo WA, May 9; she was predeceased 69, Portland, OR, May 31; she is (Fukunaga), 94, Long Beach, CA, by her husband, Tom, and son, TOYO CARY survived by her siblings, Carol and May 21; during WWII, she was Mitsugu; she is survived by her Phil; and her partner, Robert. incarcerated at the Rohwer WRA daughters, Mariko Berlin (Gary) and June Pankiewicz (Gary); gc: 6. Toyo (Okuda) Cary, 93, of Mountlake Center in AR, during which time Terrace, WA, passed away peacefully Naganuma, George J., 87, San she married Lawrence H. Sutow Yoshimoto, Roy Tsugio, 90, on May 29, 2017. Toyo was born on Dec. Francisco, CA, May 21; during in WY; she remained at Rohwer WWII, he was incarcerated at the as he served in the MIS; she was Sunnyvale, CA, June 8; he is 23, 1923, in Seattle, WA, to Heiji and Rei survived by his wife, Dorothy; (Okazawa) Okuda. She graduated from WRA Center in Gila River, AZ; predeceased by her husband; he is survived by his wife, Mary; she is survived by her daughters, children, Wayne (Phyllis) and Franklin High School, was interned at children, Gary (Debbie), Richard Christine Sutow and Joyce Diana Watanabe (Jerry); gc: 2; Amache in CO, retired after more than 20 n (Maureen), Kenneth (Suzanne), Kamida; gc: 2. ggc: 2. years with the Veterans Administration and had lived in Mountlake Terrace since 1959. She was an avid Seahawks and Husky football fan. She loved to travel, and during her retirement, she visited places like Costa Rica, Japan, the Grand PLACE A TRIBUTE Canyon and Italy. When she wasn’t traveling, she was tending to ‘In Memoriam’ is a free her gardens, shopping (she loved a good bargain and Costco!) and listing that appears on a cooking wonderful homemade meals for her extended family. limited, space-available basis. Toyo was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Kenji Tributes honor your loved Okuda, and sister, Nao (Okuda) Belser. She is survived by her ones with text and photos and children, Nancy Cary, Tucson, AZ; Dale Cary, Everett, WA; Jeff Cary, appear in a timely manner at Mountlake Terrace, WA; 2 grandchildren, Anita Waterman and Rachel Williams, 1 niece, 2 nephews, 5 great-nieces & nephew and 4 great- the rate of $20/column inch. great nieces. Graveside services will be held at Lakeview Cemetery Contact: in Seattle, WA, at 11 a.m. on Mon., July 31, 2017. [email protected] or call (213) 620-1767 12 June 30-July 20, 2017 COMMUNITY TWIN CITIES JACL CO-SPONSORS ‘GAMBATTE! LEGACY

OF AN ENDURING SPIRIT: JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII PHOTOS: RANDY KIRIHARA INCARCERATION, THEN & NOW’ EXHIBIT n commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, the Twin Cities JACL is co- sponsoring an exhibit with the Minnesota Historical ISociety titled, “Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit: Japanese American WWII Incarceration, Then & Now.” Historic photographs of Japanese Americans during World War II taken by War Relocation Authority photographers, “Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit: including Dorothea Lange and Tom Parker, are juxtaposed Japanese American WWII Incarceration, Then with contemporary portraits of the same individuals or their & Now” exhibition at Historic Fort Snelling on descendants taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning Sacramento opening night, May 23. Bee photographer Paul Kitagaki Jr. Kitagaki was the keynote speaker at the exhibit’s open- Paul Kitagaki Jr. (seated, third from left) with photography, and it is very moving and informative — ing at the Historic Fort Snelling Visitors Center on May 23. Twin Cities JACL Education Committee members a definite must-see for Japanese Americans and all others.” During the reception, Kitagaki shared the story of how he (seated, from left) Les Suzukamo, Janet Carlson Funding for the exhibit was provided by the National Park came about the idea for this project after learning that his (co-chair), Carolyn Nayematsu (co-chair), Sally Service, Tanforan Assembly Center Memorial Commit- grandfather, father and aunt were photographed by Lange Sudo and Karen Suzukamo and (standing, from left) tee, Contra Costa JACL, Asian Pacific Endowment of the in 1942 while waiting for a bus in Oakland, Calif., to take Gloria Kumagai, John Matsunaga, Steve Ozone, Saint Paul Foundation, Twin Cities JACL (including the them to an assembly center following President Franklin D. Yuichiro Onishi, Gordon Nakagawa, Lillian Grothe Leslie and Karen Suzukamo, Donald S. Maeda and Helen Roosevelt’s issuing of E.O. 9066. He later visited the and Cheryl Hirata-Dulas. Tsuchiya funds) and the Joseph and Marie Winter Family National Archives in Washington, D.C., and viewed the Fund for Historic Fort Snelling. original photographs, saved in shoebox-sized containers, To date, Kitagaki has identified and photographed more The exhibit is on display at the Historic Fort Snelling with only the location and date that the photographs were than 50 of the original subjects or their direct descendants, as Visitors Center in St. Paul, Minn., through Oct. 28. It is taken written on the back. well as documented their life stories. free and open to the public. As Kitagaki examined Lange’s photographs, he realized “This exhibition gives us a connection with real people that each had an untold story, and he began a quest in 2005 to rather than just an abstract historical event,” said Carolyn For more information, visit: http://www.historicfort search for the identities of the incarcerees photographed by Nayematsu, co-chair of the Twin Cities JACL Education snelling.org/events-programs/gambatte-legacy-enduring- WRA photographers to share how their lives were changed Committee. “The photographer spent over a decade creat- spirit-japanese-american-wwii-incarceration-then-now or by the incarceration order. ing this exhibit through extensive research, interviews and call (612) 726-1171.

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