RING THE BELL FOR REDRESS & RECONCILIATION
September 20, 2021
Check out the livestream link here: https://www.facebook.com/events/556062112349716/
If you are unable to connect, check https://www.facebook.com/torontonajc
Livestream on September 22, 2022, at 12:30 PM from the Japanese Canadian Centennial Temple Bell at Ontario Place. The 1200-pound bell was gifted by Japanese Canadians in Ontario, to the people of Ontario in 1977 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to Canada.
Watch as our VERY special guests RING THE BELL FOR REDRESS & RECONCILIATION.
Japanese Canadians remember this day, September 22nd as the anniversary of the historic Apology and Redress agreement by the Canadian Government in 1988 for the injustices endured by Japanese Canadians from 1942-1949. In 1988 David Suzuki said, “As victims of a great injustice, I also believe that Japanese Canadians assume an extra burden. We the victims know from experience the effects of racism and bigotry and so ours must be the first voices raised wherever we see prejudice rear up”.
On the Anniversary of Redress, we ask what our community can do to commit to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Japanese Canadian Elders will present a Senbazuru (1000 origami crane mobile) to the Woodland Cultural Centre, site of the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ontario.
The Senbazuru was created by Japanese Canadian Elders as a symbolic show support of for Residential School survivors, their families, and communities.
The 1000 crane mobile or Senbazuru began with the story of Sadako Sasaki a victim of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. She suffered no visible injury at the age of 2 when the explosion occurred. But she died 10 years later of acute malignant lymph gland leukemia otherwise referred to as “atomic bomb disease”. She learned of the ancient Japanese legend of the cranes that promises anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes a wish granted by the gods. She then set a goal of folding 1,000 cranes.
We reflect on this story of a child and the gross inhumanity experienced by children in Residential Schools, their families and communities.