Events Archives - Toronto NAJC (National Association of Japanese Canadians) https://torontonajc.ca/category/events/ A proud legacy of Japanese Canadians working for justice, equity and human rights in Canada. Sun, 05 Oct 2025 12:03:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 48534284 Building Intergenerational Wellness: Reflections On Our Two Events https://torontonajc.ca/building-intergenerational-wellness-reflections-on-our-two-events/ Sun, 28 Sep 2025 18:08:48 +0000 https://torontonajc.ca/?p=7501 Earlier this year, the Toronto chapter of the NAJC hosted two intergenerational wellness retreats that brought community members together across generations. These events created space for healing, connection, and reflection—grounded […]

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Earlier this year, the Toronto chapter of the NAJC hosted two intergenerational wellness retreats that brought community members together across generations. These events created space for healing, connection, and reflection—grounded in the lived experiences of Japanese Canadians.

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Retreat #1: Intergenerational Strength as a Pillar of Health

Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025
Location: Centre for Social Innovation, Toronto

Highlights

  • Keynote: Pauline Kajiura (sansei, daughter of survivor Ben Kajiura) spoke about antiracism, social location, and the impacts of intergenerational trauma.
  • Panel Discussion: Ron Shimizu, Sharon Yamashita, and Kristofer Sakamoto-Marshall shared personal and community perspectives.
  • Breakout Circles: Participants discussed identity, racism, and family silence around incarceration and relocation.

Themes That Emerged

  • Intergenerational Trauma: Feelings of anger, grief, and shame being passed down.
  • Silence & Storytelling: Many noted that family histories were rarely discussed—sharing stories across generations was seen as critical for healing.
  • Community Connection: Belonging to the JC community helped participants develop a more stable sense of identity.
  • Solidarity: Linking Japanese Canadian histories with broader social justice movements was seen as essential.
  • The Future of JC Identity: Mixed-generation participants expressed both concern about “erosion” and excitement for a more diverse community.

Participant Feedback

Surveys showed participants valued:

  • The keynote and panel, described as engaging and thought-provoking.
  • Breakout sessions for encouraging personal sharing (though many wished they were longer).
  • Venue, food, and comfort, consistently rated “excellent” or “very good.”

“Connecting discussions about social justice to a JC context—being able to engage from a place grounded in my own community is a wonderful thing.”

“Hearing from other generations reinforced a feeling of connection within the JC community.”

Retreat #2: Deepening the Journey Through Film and Dialogue

Date: Sunday, April 3, 2025
Location: Momiji

Highlights

  • Film Screening: A Sorry State (2013) by Mitch Miyagawa, followed by a director Q&A.
  • Movement Break: Kunji Ikeda led mindfulness and movement activities.
  • Wellness Session: Mitch introduced the “ancesTREE” exercise to spark reflection.
  • Sharing Circles: Participants responded to two guiding questions:
    1. “What came up for you during the film?”
    2. “What are you celebrating/mourning?”
  • Dinner Reception: Catered by Ginko Japanese Restaurant and Uncle Tetsu’s, with space for informal conversation and connection.

Themes That Emerged

  • Intergenerational Trauma: Re-surfacing of grief, shame, and silence in families.
  • Loss: Cultural connections, language, family stories, and older generations.
  • Solidarity: Learning from apologies to other communities reinforced that Japanese Canadians are not alone.
  • Place & Memory: Reflections on visits to camps, ancestral homes, and Japan.
  • Hope: Younger generations’ continued interest in JC identity and culture brought encouragement.

Participant Feedback

Participants highlighted:

  • The importance of the apology beyond monetary redress.
  • Q&A and group sharing as powerful spaces to listen and be heard.
  • Food and mingling as culturally meaningful and joyful.

“The sharing was especially good for nisei to have the invitation to talk about experiences and opinions to an interested group. Therapeutic!”

“As a caregiver to three nisei, I decided to become more involved with community events—for the elders, myself, and yonsei adult children.”

“The event validated people’s complex feelings about history. It showed it’s okay to be angry about the past while also celebrating what we’ve built as a community.”

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]]> 7501 The Original Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre at 123 Wynford Drive https://torontonajc.ca/save-the-original-japanese-canadian-cultural-centre-at-123-wynford-drive/ Sat, 03 Aug 2024 00:16:59 +0000 https://torontonajc.ca/?p=6848 ONTARIO JAPANESE CANADIAN HERITAGE SITE FACES ERASURE Watch the video on our go-fund-me-page to learn more.  As Japanese Canadians in British Columbia diligently work to recognize and revitalize heritage sites with […]

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ONTARIO JAPANESE CANADIAN HERITAGE SITE FACES ERASURE

Watch the video on our go-fund-me-page to learn more. 

As Japanese Canadians in British Columbia diligently work to recognize and revitalize heritage sites with help from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society those exiled to Toronto are facing a different reality.  

The original JCCC is under threat and the historic accomplishment of our issei and nisei is at risk of erasure. The developer’s redevelopment plan includes two condominium towers, one of which is a 48-storey tower to be located on top of the heritage building. To accommodate these proposed towers and below grade parking, the developer plans to completely demolish the old JCCC and later re-assemble portions of the original building at an elevated grade. The Toronto NAJC set in motion Designated Heritage Property status for the property by the City of Toronto. The City of Toronto then refused the developers application.

The Toronto Chapter of the National Association of Japanese Canadians (Toronto NAJC) has opposed this development for more than a year and received significant pro bono legal support. However to continue effectively contesting the developer’s plan for 123 Wynford Dr. at the eight-day Ontario Land Tribunal hearing beginning on August 6, 2024, we need to raise funds for legal support. A “Save the original Japanese Canadian Community Centre” A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for donations.  

DONATE HERE

Less than 20 years after Japanese Canadians (JCs) were unjustly incarcerated and stripped of their possessions and property during the Second World War, this community built the original Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) at 123 Wynford Dr. in the Don Mills community of Toronto. In addition to fundraising, 75 community members courageously stepped forward and put second mortgages on their homes and businesses to help finance the building. That site was created as a living monument to celebrate our Japanese ancestry and holds deep cultural, historical and architectural significance.  
 
Designed by the late architect Raymond Moriyama, his goal was to create a meeting place for JCs to regain a sense of pride after they arrived in Ontario as exiles in their own country. The JCCC was so successful in promoting friendship through culture with all Canadians it expanded and moved to a much larger space at 6 Sakura Way, where it continues it’s 61 year history of promoting friendship through culture.  
 
The amount to be raised still represents much less than the actual cost of legal fees. Throughout this lengthy labour-intensive process, volunteer representatives from the Don Mills Residents Association and Toronto NAJC are committed to attending the hearings in their entirety. We are urging the developer to prepare a better design and make an effort to save the building. This growing Toronto neighbourhood is already overrun with condo development and is in desperate need of a community hub and green space where residents can gather.

Please support the Toronto NAJC in our efforts to save the original JCCC. This landmark building is a testament to the roots of multiculturalism and a memorial to our JC history. It holds significance not only for the JC community but for all Canadians.

In community, 

Lynn Deutscher Kobayashi, president, on behalf of:
The Toronto NAJC Board
Elders Council
Next Generation – Youth Council

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