On December 10, 2023, “International Day for Human Rights”, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights held an event to celebrate the book launch of Gaman/Perseverance – Japanese Canadians’ Journey to Justice by Art Miki.  This event was graciously hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Canada (Ambassador H. E. Kanji Yamanouchi) and the Consul General of Japan in Calgary (Mr. Takahiko Watabe) in collaboration with the CMRH and the Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba.  In attendance was the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, the Honourable Anita R. Neville and the Minister of Economic Development, Investment and Trade and Natural Resources, Mr. Jamie Moss.

Art Miki Book Launch

Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba and the Manitoba Buddhist Temple will host a dinner to pay respect to the survivors of the actions of the BC and Federal Governments before, during, and after World War II. Gaman (我慢) is a Buddhist term that means “enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.”

Japanese Canadians endured openly racist actions by successive BC governments in the decades leading up to World War II. The Federal government’s actions in 1942 to forcibly uproot, intern, dispossess and disperse almost 22,000 Japanese Canadians from the west coast were undertaken primarily because of lobbying by BC politicians. In addition, Japanese Canadians in Manitoba and elsewhere were unable to return to BC until April 1, 1949—four years after the end of the War—solely because of lobbying by the BC government. An evening to honour our survivors for enduring such actions with patience and dignity has been made possible through a BC Redress grant from the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health and Wellness Fund.

The event was held on Saturday June 4, 2022 at Canad Inns Polo Park, 1405 St. Matthews Avenue from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The date will mark the 80^th anniversary of the arrival in Winnipeg of the third trainload of Japanese Canadians from BC, all of whom were destined to live and work over the next several years in sugar beet fields in rural Manitoba.

Picture Gallary – click HERE

Downloadable images – click HERE

May 1, 2022 is the 20th year anniversary for Asian Heritage Month in Manitoba.  JCAM hosted the kick off luncheon at the centre.  We heard from officials from all levels of government and key leaders from the organization.  Lunch was prepared by Chef Ono and entertainment was by the Aurora dancers and a group from the India School of Dance, Music and Theatre.

On Friday March 11th, 2022, JCAM president (Kelly Kaita) and JCAM secretary (Yuhito Adachi) had the privilege of presenting a Senbazuru to Mayor Brian Bowman and Lisa Blake (Manager of Protocol) – City of Winnipeg.  The 1000 crane mobile was presented to the Mayor as part of the “Every Child Matters”  and the “Truth and Reconcilliation” movements.  However, with all that is happening in the world it also symbolizes “World Peace.”  The crane has come to represent peace, love, hope, and healing.

City of Winnipeg – Mayor Brian Bowman, JCAM Secretary – Mr. Yuhito Adachi, JCAM President – Dr. Kelly Kaita

A note from the Consul General of Japan in Calgary Mr. T Uchida.
“To celebrate the Emperor’s Birthday (National Day) in the 4th year of Reiwa, the Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary will deliver a message from Consul General UCHIDA. Additionally, we have prepared a message from the Honorary Consul Generals of each region under the jurisdiction of our Consulate, as well as a photo slideshow of our office in 2021. We would be grateful if you could take a look and celebrate with us.”

Shoto 4-6 (Grade4-6) class had a joint class with the students from the Montreal Japanese Centre. The students gave their own presentations of each other’s cities.  The students practiced hard and made a successful presentation. It was a pity that the students couldn’t see their faces well because they were wearing masks. After the presentation, they played with quizzes. They all enjoyed it.

We had a similar setting through Zoom last year. Online tools gave us opportunities to be connected with some schools in other cities.

On Sunday November 28th, 2021, the Consul General of Japan in Calgary (Mr. Tatsukuni Uchida) and President of JCAM (Dr. Kelly Kaita) co-hosted the “Conferment Ceremony: The Order of the Rising Sun: Gold and Silver Rays” presented to Ms. Kumiko Lucy Yamashita.

The Order of the Rising Sun (旭日章, Kyokujitsu-shō) is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, created on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State.  The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun. The design of the Rising Sun symbolizes energy as powerful as the rising sun in parallel with the “rising sun” concept of Japan (“Land of the Rising Sun”).

The order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment.

During the event we heard Consul General of Japan in Calgary, Mr. Uchida who then presented the prestigious award to Ms. Kumiko Lucy Yamashita.  This was followed by speeches from brother, Mr. Thomas Yamashita and close friend, Ms. Theresa Oye.  This was followed by a speech by Ms. Yamashita and finally a toast (Kampai) to “Lucy”.  This was followed by a reception catered by Chef Sadao Ono.

CTV was there to interview Lucy and the Consul General – Click HERE to view the interview

The whole ceremony can be viewed on our YouTube channel HERE.

The hosts wish to thank the following

Mr. Yuhito Adachi (Secretary, Board of Directors) – Primary Organizer

Mrs. Debbie Tsuyuki – Ikebana arrangement

Mr. Ron and Lily Kaita – Table Centres

Chef Sadao Ono – Caterer

All our volunteer Kimono  (Kitsuke) dressers

All the volunteers who helped complete the celebration.

SEVA International Charitable Foundation (for their generous support)

1000 Cranes for Truth and Reconciliation

The Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba and the Manitoba Buddhist Temple presented a Senbazuru to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the “Every Child Matters” movement.

See the CMHR link HERE.

The five colours, Gogyo, 五行:

In Japanese traditional culture, the five colours (either combination of green, red, orange/yellow, white, purple, or blue, red, orange/yellow, white, and black) represent the harmony of nature. Green is the tree, red is fire, orange/yellow is earth, white is metal, and purple is water. Therefore it is called 木火土金水, “moku ka do kin sui” (each of these characters represents an element). This principle is also observed in ancient Chinese Taoism, and it is assumed that this belief is the origin.

There are 215 unique cranes colours which represent the first 215 children discovered in Kamloops BC.

The Gogyo principle can be found in several traditional Japanese occasions such as the tea ceremony, children’s festival, various imperial family ceremonies, samurai family festivals and Shintoism and Japanese Buddhism festivals.

Why are these colours important for children?

In Samurai culture, children’s wellness and success were crucial to wishing their family to be long-lasting. Samurais started flying their family clan flags during the children festival time, and the five colours streamer was also flown for wishing nature to protect those children.

Cranes’ colours are coordinated according to this Gogyo principle to represent the Japanese way of wishing the children’s wellness, in this case, for the repose of the victims’ souls through harmony.

The arrow shape.

The arrow shape was also derived from the children’s festival decoration “Yaguruma,” an arrow circle

Left to Right: Yuhito Adachi (secretary JCAM), Kelly Kaita (President, JCAM) and Elder Robert Greene

All photos are courtesy of CMHR, Jamie Morneau

Our own Raymond Normandeau was interviewed by Colleen Zacharias from the Winnipeg Free Press. Please have a read of this wonderful article about our own Japanese Garden and see the wonderful pictures that we have been given permission to share with you.
Click this link to read the entire article.

On August 31st, 2021, JCAM President (Kelly Kaita) and Lisa Kaita, had the honour of meeting with and participating in a traditional drum ceremony at the First Nations Health Authority in Vancouver, BC. For First Nations Peoples, the drum represents the universal heartbeat of Mother Earth, the Universal goddess and mother to us all. The first sound that was heard in the world was the heartbeat of Mother Earth. First Nations Peoples manifest this heartbeat through playing a special rhythm on the drum. During this ceremony we presented to them a Senbazuru (1000 paper cranes) as a symbol of our memberships support of the “Every Child Matters” movement and the Truth and Reconciliations efforts.  In the tradition of gift giving JCAM received a beautiful cedar Eagle feather.  First Nations culture holds the Eagle among the most scared of creatures.  They represent attributes they aspire to in their communities including; wisdom, courage, dignity and excellence.  When an Eagle Feather is presented it is with great honour as it is felt the recipient embodies these qualities.

Greg Shea (Executive Director, Community Capital), Lisa Kaita (JCAM), Kelly Kaita (President JCAM), Kim Brooks (Regional VP, Vancouver Coastal), Syexwailya (Ann Whonnock – Knowledge Keeper)

Artist –  Shain Jackson is Coast Salish from the community of Sechelt. He is a lawyer who has represented the interests of Indigenous communities and organizations throughout British Columbia in relation to a broad array of issues. After years devoted to the legal profession Shain has taken a break to follow his passion as an artist.

We have received this message from the Mayor of Setagaya, Mr. Nobuto Hosaka.  Please enjoy the event and have a review of letter.

JCAM was honored to receive a personal letter of acknowledgement for the City of Winnipeg Mayor, Mr. Brian Bowman.  Thank you to all the members from around the globe for making what was supposed to be a small gesture of support for the “Every Child Matters” movement and to stand in solidarity for the “Truth and Reconciliation” efforts, into a much larger show of our support.

#everychildmatters, #truthandreconciliation

Thank You with all my heart,
Kelly Kaita

On July 16th, 2021, JCAM President (Kelly Kaita), Past President (Ken Teramura), Secretary (Yuhito Adachi), and missing (Lisa Kaita), had the honour of meeting with and participating in a traditional drum circle ceremony at the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg. For First Nations Peoples, the drum represents the universal heartbeat of Mother Earth, the Universal goddess and mother to us all. The first sound that was heard in the world was the heartbeat of Mother Earth. First Nations Peoples manifest this heartbeat through playing a special rhythm on the drum. During this ceremony we presented to them a Senbazuru (1000 paper cranes) as a symbol of our memberships support of the “Every Child Matters” movement and the Truth and Reconciliations efforts.  In the tradition of gift giving JCAM received a beautiful picture entitled “215” by artist Betty Albert aka Wabemeguil.

Kelly Kaita (JCAM President) and Della Herrera  (Director, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg)

“215” by Betty Albert (Wabimeguil) – inspired by the 215 children found at the former Residential School in Kamloops.  The 215 stars are for these children.

On July 9th, 2021, JCAM President (Kelly Kaita), Past President (Ken Teramura), Secretary (Yuhito Adachi), and missing (Lisa Kaita), had the honour of meeting with and participating in a traditional Pipe Ceremony at the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre.  During this ceremony we presented to them a Senbazuru (1000 paper cranes) as a symbol of our memberships support of the “Every Child Matters” movement and the Truth and Reconciliations efforts.  In the tradition of gift giving JCAM received three books  representing the 94 Calls to action (residential schools) and Reclaiming Power and Place.  A beautiful gift that is available for anyone to read as they will be put into our JCAM library.

Established in 1984, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata is a Grandmother in the Winnipeg family of community service-providers with more than 30 years of experience working with Indigenous families. We are community people helping other community people reclaim our inherent roles and responsibilities as Indigenous caregivers and the most important teachers of our children.

The name Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata translates from Ojibway into the phrase, “we all work together to help one another.”

Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre is a strength and value-based family resource organization delivering community-based programs and services within the philosophy embodied in our name. Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre believes in accountability, transparency and effective use of resources. For us, this means working together with our families, our partners, funders and governments to create community based solutions that build local capacity for self-care.

Left to Right
Sandra DeLaronde (Pipe Ceremony Lead), Corrine Chief (Wellness Helper), Diane Redsky (Executive Director), Yuhito Adachi, Ken Teramura, Kelly Kaita, Sarah Delaronde (Pipe Ceremony)

Kelly Kaita and Diane Redsky

Japanese to English translation – roughly “Praying for consoling of the souls.”

Improving the health and wellness of Japanese Canadian internment survivors across Canada

On May 5^th, 2021 the Province of British Columbia announced that it is providing the Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society with $2 million as part of its commitment to honour the traumatic internment of almost 22,000 Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War.

The Nikkei Seniors has designated the $2 million for the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health & Wellness Fund.  The fund is primarily targeted at seniors who were directly impacted – uprooted and displaced – by the BC Government during this period. Seniors whose families left BC during the war but were born out of province from 1942- April 1^st, 1949 are part of this demographic. The fund will be distributed in Canada.

The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to enhance programs, activities, and services that will directly benefit the health and wellness of these living survivors.  The Fund will offer three categories of grants: Organizations, Small Groups, and Underserved.

JCAM and the Horizon Club have been working with the project team at Nikkei Seniors.  As an organization JCAM is eligible to apply for 2 grants for up to $10,000 per application.  Please provide any suggestions for new or enhanced programs, activities and services.   (The project must directly benefit the health and/or wellness of survivors but it may have benefits to others as well.)

Outreach

The project team is currently working on identifying individual survivors who would fall in the underserved* category.  These individuals are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $750.  If you know of anyone in this circumstance anywhere in Canada please let us know.

 For more information:

• Attached eNews
• Website: http://jcwellness.org/

Contact:
Marlene Mori
President, JCAM Horizon Club

jcamwellnessfund@gmail.com

• For information or questions
• Suggestions for new or enhanced programs, activities and services that will directly benefit JCAM living survivors
• Identify small groups of Manitoba JC survivors
• Identify underserved* individual survivors

 *Underserved:  A survivor provided with inadequate service. This could refer to a survivor living under any one of the following conditions:

• is frail
• is facing financial hardship
• is lacking connections or is no longer able to be involved with organizations or small groups
• is living in a geographical area that is remote
• is living in a geographical area that has very few survivors

NEWS FROM THE JC SURVIVORS HEALTH & WELLNESS FUND

OUTREACH

Our team has been contacting many survivors, small groups, and community organizations, across the country to get a sense of the needs of our seniors’ populations.  We have learned that there are a number of active survivors involved in wellness activities run by sub-groups of community organizations.  We have also learned there are a large number of frail survivors trying to live safely who are supported by family and friends for the activities of daily living. Some of these seniors have no supports. This group is largely underserved and there is a need for more community supports and health care services for these frail seniors.

CRITERIA

Nikkei Seniors is pleased to announce the release of the Grant Information, with criteria, for the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health & Wellness Fund (JCSHWF).

There are three categories of eligibility: Organizations, Small Groups, and Underserved Individuals. Organizations may apply for up to two grants. Small groups and the underserved may apply for one grant only.

The maximum awards are up to $10,000 per application for organizations, $3000 for small groups, and $750 for underserved individuals.

Check out jcwellness.org for updated information.

INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR THE JC SURVIVORS HEALTH & WELLNESS FUND

Four (4) General Zoom sessions are scheduled to explain and repeat the Grant Information and answer questions. More meetings will be added as necessary.

The scheduled JCSHWF – General Grant Information Sessions are on Zoom. You must register in advance for the meetings and the registration links are listed below.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

GRANT INFO MEETING

Monday, July 5 10:00 AM PST

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qd-qppjsrH9X81RP_3GKMrhxwGrwHzhtu

GRANT INFO MEETING

Monday, July 5 5:30 PM PST

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwscOuoqzkiE9ChbKqLKUlzPZrYNakY-14V

GRANT INFO MEETING

Sunday, July 11 3:00 PM PST

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-mqrj4tHty4ho3sMVA5-WbfFOr9FaVQ

GRANT INFO MEETING

Saturday, July 17 10 AM PST

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMldOqhpj0jEty4_nglIMM3lzmVGJ9T7GQV

Outreach will continue throughout this period.  Please share this information with your loved ones.

For additional Grant Information, visit our website at jcwellness.org