We are hoping to learn your stories, and about any information, documents, photographs, or artefacts you have as we work to recover a fuller understanding of the significant and unique Japanese Canadian New Westminster community that existed before the Second World War.

Our project

Preliminary research shows the New Westminster Japanese Canadian community grew steadily from the late 19th century onward until the people were forcibly uprooted in 1942, the community erased, and their history nearly lost. But, beyond listings in local directories, we have little information about this thriving Japanese Canadian community.

With the support of the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society (JCLS), the City of New Westminster Museum and Archives seeks to source, collect, and analyze information about New Westminster’s historic Japanese Canadian community. Our aim is to learn more about the formation and development of this community, and to ensure that this history and the legacy of Japanese Canadians in New Westminster is remembered and understood for years to come.

Particularly focusing on the development of this community prior to the Second World War, through this project, we hope to identify Japanese Canadian residents of the city and Japanese Canadian social or political organisations, as well as key figures within them. We also endeavour to better understand the lived experiences of Japanese Canadian community members, so we can document and present their stories as we work towards restoring this history.

This research will eventually contribute to incorporating educational and commemorative information at significant sites in the community, as well as to possibly creating exhibits and websites that aim to reclaim, honour, and preserve the history of Japanese Canadians in the New Westminster area. Our hope is that the research will also contribute to educating future generations about the community’s contributions, resilience, and legacy.

If you have information – perhaps personal accounts, family stories, stories about community life, documents, photographs, or artefacts – from before or after the internment that might help us shine a light on this underrepresented and nearly forgotten history in New Westminster, please contact Lara Okihiro (contact below). Lara is happy to discuss ways of sharing, which can include opportunities for interviews, to support this important project.

Contact

Lara Okihiro by July 31, 2025
Email: newwestjcresearch@laraokihiro.ca
Phone: 1.647.948.9735
Please include a brief description of what information you have (personal accounts, documents, photos, artefacts) that you might want to share, and an email address and/or phone number at which you can be reached.

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Join us on Sunday, November 3 to play, hang-out, check out our expanded marketplace and cheer on our 5-on-5 players.  Last years event was a truly multi-generational mix of young folks, kids, parents, grandparents, and friends. There is something for everyone, and something for all ages.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN and includes a participant t-shirt.

 

SCHEDULE (may be subject to slight changes)
12:30-1:00     Registration | marketplace
1:00-1:45       Open gym |  marketplace
1:45-2:45       Skill building activities | marketplace
3:15                5-on-5 game
Half time show with the Kochi Yosakoi Ambassador KIZUNA International Team

Participant Admission Includes: 

• T Shirt
• Marketplace access
• Open Gym participation
• ⁠Skill Building activity participation 
• ⁠Watching the 5 on 5 game

Participant Admission Fees

• Regular $25
• Youth (6 to 20) $18
• Senior (65 plus) $18

Spectator/Marketplace Admission includes:

• Marketplace Access
• ⁠Watching the Open Gym, Skill Buidling activities and 5 on 5 game
• Spectator/Marketplace Admission

Player admission includes:

• Reduced price for jersey
• Marketplace access
• Open Gym
• ⁠Skill Building Activities
• Playing in the 5 on 5 game

Player Admission Fee $25

Open gym time is scheduled so friends and family can have some fun on the NBA sized court. This year, we’ve booked the smaller court to provide more room for younger participants. Basketball skill-building and fun activities for youth, the young-at-heart and all ages will follow.

To register as a player contact Kristofer at: nextgen@torontonajc.ca

 

Jerseys will be available prior to November 3 for participants in the 5-on-5 game. Additional jerseys will be available for sale on event day but sizes may be limited. You must attend in person to purchase a jersey. These were extremely popular last year.

For any and all information contact torontonajc@gmail.com

We hope to see you soon!

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT:

When we held the inaugural Roger Obata Tribute Basketball Game last November 2023 we were nervous about how this unique event would be received. We were thrilled by its success in attracting a broad range of ages, families and interests. There was no doubt that a 2024 event would take place. Led by Kristofer Sakamoto-Marshall and the Next Generation team this fun, friendship-friendly and family friendly day combines athletics, art, history, food, and another step in our relationship and outreach to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. 

Named to honour Roger Obata, the founding president of the NJCCA-NAJC in year two we remember Hide Hyodo Shimizu, lifetime activist and former Toronto NAJC member. On event day we will read the tribute to Hide read by  Roger Obata at the celebration of life held for her in 1999. 

In the 1930s Obata organized a game between Japanese Canadians and an Indigenous team in Prince Rupert, B.C. He continued his love of the sport at U.B.C. where he completed his engineering degree. Thomas Shoyama first encountered Obata when he happened upon a game at U.B.C. where Obata’s opponents were a foot taller than him. Leading Shoyama to muse in hindsight, that it characterized determination which translate into his leadership as founding president of the NJCCA/NAJC. 

EVENTBRITE REGISTRATION

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Today, December 10, 2023, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is 75 years young (United Nations, 2023). Spiritual leaders, political theorists, and philosophers from Confucius (Sim, 2004) to John Locke have expounded on human rights, concepts of dignity, and respect for others through the ages. The consideration of how we treat our neighbors and how we wish to be treated is ever-present. 

These efforts aside, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a modern human rights milestone and a “defining feature of the twentieth century”. READ MORE . . .

The post Universal Declaration of Human Rights – 75th Anniversary appeared first on Toronto NAJC (National Association of Japanese Canadians).

Join us in using the power of play to build community.and check out our marketplace.  This final schedule reflects our hope to have something for everyone.   12:30-1:30      Registration | marketplace 1:00-1:45        Open gym |  marketplace 1:45-2:45        Skill building activities | marketplace 2:45-3:15        Last call for marketplace     3:15 – 4:30      5-on-5 game                          Half time dance performance, Kochi Yosakoi Ambassador KIZUNA International Team                         Video of their Pride Parade Performance 4:30                 Wrap-up  MARKETPLACE – Mochi & More Toronto NAJC will be selling mochi, beverages and we will have a good supply of Kayla Isomura’s Suitcase Project pins to sell. There *may be* extra t-shirts, jerseys for sale. Authors Lara Okihiro |  Obaasan’s Boots & Taya Mikado | This Grief Thing F**king Sucks Artists Steven Hasegawa, David Akio Grant, Will Shintani Artisans Kaori Tavareshttps://www.instagram.com/kaori_tavares/ Gharan’s Handmade Jewellery https://gharandesign.ca/ Maya Kikuchi’s https://kikuchisoap.com/ Organizations Toronto Japanese Language School Kochi Yosakoi Ambassador KIZUNA International Team More to come . . .  we have a couple of vendor spots left so please contact communications@torontonajc.ca if interested.  PARTICIPANT CATEGORY | $5 registration fee (includes complimentary t-shirt)  Open gym time is scheduled so friends and family can hang out for a bit on the NBA sized court. Basketball skill-building and fun activities for youth, the young-at-heart and all ages will follow.  REGISTRATION  Participant T-Shirts PLAYER CATEGORY | $25 registration fee (includes complimentary jersey)  A more competitive all gender 5-on-5 game. It’s suggested that participants for the 5-5 game have played organized basketball at the high school level or higher, or equivalent experience outside of an organized setting. To register as a player contact communications@torontonajc.ca or khsm84@gmail.com  There is limited availablity for the 5-on-5 game so don’t wait to contact us. Once your spot is confirmed you will receive a link to register and select your jersey size.  Player Jerseys SPECTATORS / ATTENDEES  No registration required.  Optional Donation REGISTRATION FEES are used to partially cover the cost of renting a NBA size court and community space.   PARTICIPANT T-SHIRTS AND PLAYER JERSEYS are complimentary with registration thanks to our sponsors: https://badal.io/ & www.hockeylion.ca The amazing event logos were created by @stevenhasegawa.art You must be present at the event to claim your complimentary t-shirt or jersey.  There is no charge for spectators or for entry to the community fair.  For any and all information contact torontonajc@gmail.com So excited, hope to see you on Sunday, November 5th at BallMatics Participant Registration

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