Forming the coming year’s GVJCCA Board of Directors for 2012/13 will be:
Ron Nishimura
Gary Matson
April Shimizu
Mieko Amano
Jack Matsushita
Paul Esslinger
Sayaka Suemine
Morgan Elander
Gabe Nutley
Takako Higuchi
Brian Tomlinson
Harry Aoki (Honorary Board Member)

This coming year we will be without the talents and services of two long-time Board members, Shag Ando and May Hamanishi. Shag will be missed for her many years of organizing the JCCA Golf Tournament, Keiro-kai, and helping with the Salmon BBQ at the Powell Street Festival. Shag has provided the JCCA with many years of help at these and other events and her invaluable support and years of experience will be greatly missed.

May has been on the JCCA Board since Copani XIII and her support and help with Keiro-kai, Salmon BBQ and other JCCA events throughout the years will also be greatly missed. Both Shag and May were both instrumental in making the 2009 National Association of Japanese Canadians Annual General Meeting a great success. We will miss you both!

On a positive note, this year’s Board welcomes some new, younger members who will bring fresh perspectives, insights, creativity, and possibly a new direction. As the GVJCCA struggles with its finances, there is a true need to improve membership strength and donations.

The Human Rights Committee still remains very active, especially in their work producing DVD’s and a book based on the Honouring Our People Conference held in 2009, the Hastings Park Commemoration Project, UBC Grads 1942, plus many more issues concerning the Japanese Canadian community.

The Nihongo Committee, although needing additional members, works actively with their Translation and Interpreting Workshops, plus Intermarriage Workshops.

The Bulletin/Geppo with John Endo Greenaway as primary Editor and writer continues to provide an invaluable resource of arts, culture, and history to Nikkei in Canada through the print edition and website. Future growth and maintenance will be dependent upon acquiring additional sources of funds.

The Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association will soon begin taking applications for the following summer student positions, dependent on funding from Human Resources Development of Canada: Administrative Assistant; and Historical Research Technical Archivist Specialist.  Please submit your resumes this month to gvjcca@shaw.ca or fax 604.777.5223.

Have a great month!
Ron Nishimura
President GVJCCA

What it comes down to is that the JCCA would enter an agreement with Tonari Gumi, who have been searching for a larger facility to provide more and improved programming in the Japanese Canadian community specifically for our growing seniors population. As the Japanese Canadian “Baby Boomer” population increases, there is a growing need to provide additional programs and space for these seniors and others in the Japanese Canadian community. Within all these plans, there will not be a lessening of the JCCA’s role with the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, Burnaby, BC. In fact, there will be a need to provide a bigger role. Further on this next month.

On March 17th, 2012, from 2 – 4 PM, the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting in the GVJCCA office at the Nikkei Centre. We will be accepting nominations for our Board of Directors for the upcoming terms. The GVJCCA will be seeking individuals who will be able to work within the Japanese Canadian community and its budgetary confines in maintaining its mandate and its purposes. If you are not aware of some of the purposes, they are outlined below:
•    developing and maintaining a communication network with multicultural societies in Canada and internationally
•    promoting the appreciation and study of the arts and culture of Japanese Canadians through the organization of community and cultural events
•    educating the Canadian public about the history and cultural heritage of Japanese Canadians and the preservation of these values
•    the education of the citizens of Canada in the various responsibilities expected in Canadian citizenship
•    protecting and promoting the rights and freedoms of all individuals without any discriminatory practices
•    and publishing a forum in the means of a journal (the Bulletin/Geppo) for issues significant to its members, persons with Japanese ancestry and others of interest.

At this AGM we will be looking at the future needs and plans for the GVJCCA and its roles within the Japanese Canadian community and its new arrangement with Tonari Gumi at 42 West 8th, Vancouver BC. Please join us in working to building a stronger tomorrow for our children and children’s children and our aging Nikkei Community.

Have a great month!
Ron Nishimura
President GVJCCA

On March 17th, 2012, the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadians Citizens’ Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting at Nikkei Place from 2 – 4 PM in the GVJCCA office at Nikkei Place. We are currently accepting nominations for our Board of Directors for the upcoming term. The GVJCCA is seeking individuals who will be able to work within the Japanese Canadian community and the JCCA’s budgetary confines in maintaining its mandate and its purposes. If you are not aware of some of the purposes, they are outlined below:
•    developing and maintaining a communication network with multicultural societies in Canada and internationally
•    promoting the appreciation and study of the arts and culture of Japanese Canadians through the organization of community and cultural events
•educating the Canadian public about the history and cultural heritage of Japanese Canadians and the preservation of these values
• the education of the citizens of Canada in the various responsibilities expected in Canadian citizenship
•    protecting and promoting the rights and freedoms of all individuals without any discriminatory practices
•    and publishing a forum in the means of a journal for issues significant to its members, persons with Japanese ancestry and others of interest.
At this AGM we will be looking at future needs and plans for the GVJCCA.  Please join us in working to building a stronger tomorrow for our children and children’s children and our aging Nikkei Community.

Have a great month and Year of the Dragon!

Ron Nishimura
President GVJCCA

Upcoming very quickly is the GVJCCA Keiro-kai, being held on Saturday January 21 from 12 – 3 PM at the Nikkei Centre, located at 6688 Southoaks Crescent in Burnaby, BC. For all of those over 70 years of age wishing to attend, please register through Tonari Gumi (604.687.2172). At this annual event, the GVJCCA provides a special luncheon and entertainment program, honouring our Nikkei seniors. Many of our seniors have graciously provided invaluable support within our Japanese Canadian community for many years especially during the Internment and Redress. Those wishing to volunteer, please contact Shag Ando at 604.922.9226 or email gvjcca@shaw.ca.

For the community at large, this year’s Nikkei Community New Year’s party will be held at Nikkei Centre on Saturday, January 14. Entertainment at the Shinnenkai will be provided by the Okinawan drumming ensemble Yuaikai Ryukyu Taiko. Tickets are still available through the Nikkei Centre and participating local Nikkei organizations.

The GVJCCA will be holding its annual AGM on Saturday March 17 in the GVJCCA office from 2-4pm at Nikkei Centre. This year’s Agenda will consist of many important issues including the 511 Broadway location plus the need to add additional Directors who are willing and interested in helping the community in all areas of community development, social justice, human rights, Japanese immigration and Nikkei community relations. Please attend if you  interested in getting involved in your community. If you would like more information please contact the GVJCCA office at 604.777.5222 or email us at gvjcca@shaw.ca.

Have a great month and year!
Ron Nishimura
President GVJCCA

If you did not get a chance to read the Bulletin/Geppo last month, on November 16 the University of British Columbia Senate Tributes Committee finally voted to honour the students and Canadians who were unable to finish their schooling at UBC due to the forced relocation of japanese Canadians from the coast in early 1942. Special degrees will be given to the over 76 students of that period or, in the case of those who have passed on, their families. As well, special initiatives will be provided to educate future students about this dark period in Canadian history, and archives will be set up in the University Library for future reference. All this was achieved through the tireless efforts of Mary Kitagawa, the GVJCCA Human Rights Committee of which she is a member, plus various members of the community who had lobbied for this recognition for several years.

The Hastings Park Commemoration Project Committee through the GVJCCA are still accepting names from community members and descendents who were detained at Hastings Park in 1942 before being relocated to other parts of BC and Canada. The wall of names of detained families will be part of the education/interpretive centre. We are requesting full names if possible, where they were relocated and in what building they were detained in while at Hastings Park. Please address to: “Hastings Park Wall of Names” GVJCCA, #200 – 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC V5E4M7 or email gvjcca@shaw.ca . Please pass this message on to other members of your family in order to compile the data.

On Saturday January 21, 2012,  the GVJCCA will be holding its annual Keiro-kai at Nikkei Place, located at 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby. This year’s program will run from noon to approximately 3pm. Each year the GVJCCA holds a community event to acknowledge our Nikkei Seniors 70 years and older. It is our seniors within our community who have enduring many hardships, including Internment and relocation to various parts of Canada. They have provided inspiration and much needed support to our younger generations and on this special day the GVJCCA likes to offer an afternoon of snacks and fun. To register, please contact Tonari Gumi by phone, 604.687.2172. If you would like to volunteer or offer a donation, please contact, Shag Ando.

This year’s Nikkei Community New Year’s Party (Shinnen-kai) will be held on Saturday, January 14, at Nikkei Place from 6pm. Tickets will be available through the GVJCCA or any one of the sponsoring community groups and the NNM&HC.

The Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting in March, 2012, at Nikkei Place from 2-4 PM, the exact date TBA. We will graciously accept new nominations for our Board of Directors by contacting the GVJCCA office at 604.777.5222 or email gvjcca@shaw.ca.

Just a reminder that with the holiday season is coming up, it is sometimes difficult to remember about renewing your annual membership to the GVJCCA. If you could submit your renewal or new membership as soon as possible it would be appreciated. By keeping your membership up to date, you help us fund our future projects/workshops and help us in the production of the Bulletin/Geppo.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Ron Nishimura
President, Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association

A reminder that Friday, November 11th is Remembrance Day and many organizations and supporters will be participating in the Remembrance Day Service at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial Cenotaph in Stanley Park. The Service will be at 10:40 AM and I hope that everyone will attend this moving ceremony. It’s a chance to show our respect and appreciation to the Japanese Canadians who fought for Canada during the various Wars. Although our Japanese Canadian community endured many hardships before and during WWII, there were many who enlisted to fight for our democratic rights, freedoms, and world peace. A reception will follow the service at the Vancouver Rowing Club (in Stanley Park) with photographs and artificats, and donations will be gratefully accepted.

It is time to thank our many volunteers, donors, and advertisers who support us throughout the year especially during Powell Street Festival Salmon BBQ, Keiro-kai, Shinnen-kai, GVJCCA Golf Tournament, and many workshops. On Friday, November 18, from 6pm to 8pm at Nikkei Place, the GVJCCA will be thanking these important people during our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night. The GVJCCA holds many events during the course of the year and we are so reliant upon everyone in making each one a success. We hope you are able to attend and enjoy the company of your peers. Let us know if you are able to attend by calling the GVJCCA office at 604.777.5222 or by email at gvjcca@shaw.ca.
Just a reminder: the holiday season is coming up, and it is sometimes difficult to remember to renew your annual membership to the JCCA. If you could submit your renewal early, it would be appreciated as processing takes time during this period. Thank you for your consideration. Your membership fees help us to keep publishing The Bulletin, now in its 53rd year of continuous publication!
Ron Nishimura

President, GVJCCA

The GVJCCA and the Hastings Park Commemoration Committee is still encouraging community members to come forth and voice some of their thoughts on the Hastings Park Redevelopment Project. The Hastings Park Redevelopment Project Management team would still like input from the Japanese Canadian community on providing some historical, commemorative and cultural content in the Park. The Project Management team recognizes the historical connection for many Japanese Canadians who were temporarily placed at Hastings Park before removed from the coast and being relocated elsewhere in BC and Canada during WWII. There is a questionnaire which is available for anyone interested and available at the GVJCCA office and the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby, BC.

This month on October 15-16, the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) will be holding its annual AGM in Edmonton. This will be an important AGM as the membership will be discussing many items that the NAJC National Executive Board has been working on during the course of its fiscal year. Some of the items anticipated include: pursuit of government funding towards the upgrade of the New Denver Museum; digitizing of some of the many stories of our elders who lived through the Internment years; upgrading of the NAJC website; planned programming surrounding the 70th Anniversary of Internment; and future financial sustainability of the NAJC.
On Friday November 18th at Nikkei Place from 6pm – 8pm, the GVJCCA will be holding its Volunteer Appreciation Night to thank its many volunteers, donors, and advertisers. Since the GVJCCA is so reliant on volunteers for our activities such as during Keiro-kai, Shinnen-kai, Powell Street Festival Salmon BBQ, Golf Tournament, and our many workshops, we present this special night of appreciation. We hope that you can attend and enjoy seeing your many friends from past events throughout the year. Hope to see you there!

Sadly, I would like to inform everyone that the GVJCCA building at 511 Broadway (Tonari Gumi operates out of the building, providing their valuable programming for the community) was seriously broken into and there was considerable damage done throughout the premises. Unfortunately the damages were so great that the insurance may not cover everything but we hope to have things back in full operation again. Sorry about the temporary inconvenience.

Ron Nishimura
President, GVJCCA

Before I get into my message for the month I would like to say that the passing of Jack Layton brought me great sadness. I try to be non-partisan when it comes to political parties, but I think that as Canadians we were all touched by Jack Layton’s presence in the political arena.  His compromising nature appealed to both his political foes and the general public. Layton showed strong support for visible minorities and the underprivileged. His personal battles with his health gave us all inspiration and strength. I personally will miss his candor and dedication to personal values. The GVJCCA offers condolences to the Layton family. Jack was a wonderful person, father and Canadian.

I would like to bring attention to a recent article in regards to University of British Columbia students of Canadian descent that were not permitted to complete their education due to the declaration of war on Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. There were over 75 such students who were among the 22,000 Japanese Canadians who were removed from the coastal regions of BC to work camps and internment camps in the interior of BC and other parts of Canada. Most Japanese Canadians were not able to complete their education even after the prohibition was lifted in 1949, allowing Japanese Canadians to return to the West Coast. It should be noted that American Universities along the west coast of America granted honourary degrees to all University students expelled during the internment period of WWII. This should be the same for all Canadian University students who were removed from their studies. A special commemoration should be provided for all staff and faculty during this dark part of Canadian history. Your thoughts on this issue would be greatly appreciated as well.
Otherwise it’s been a wonderful summer with plenty of sun and warmth, although our growing season has been really messed up this year—it seems like all our fruits and vegetables are a couple of weeks behind schedule.

This year’s Powell Street Festival at Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver was a wonderful success. We were blessed with great weather except for the short glitch Sunday morning. The Salmon BBQ turned out very good—although we could have used a bit more—but our true success was our Spam Musubi, which we introduced last year. I think everyone is starting to enjoy Spam again . . . or am I wrong? Thanks again for all your support and to all our volunteers at the BBQ and the GVJCCA Human Rights community booth, where we had a special dedication to the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement, who are closing their doors on Powell Street after many decades of support to the Japanese community and Downtown Eastside residents.

The GVJCCA would like to thank Reverend Aoki from the Vancouver Buddhist Temple on providing an Obon Service at Nikkei Place on August 17th. Each year the Service has more attendees for all those who were unable to attend other Obon services locally. We are all very happy with the turnout. Thanks and appreciation to all who donated and volunteered their services for this important day in our community.
On October 15-16, the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC), will be holding its annual AGM in Edmonton, AB. The NAJC helps fund eligible individuals and group applicants for Sports, Education, and Arts Development (SEAD) and Cultural Development (CD) Programs. Please have all requests in to your NAJC member organizations as soon as possible as the deadline is the end of September. To find out whether you are eligible for any of these funding please either contact your respective member offices or view the application forms at the NAJC website: www.najc.ca .

Well, it’s back to school time, so we will see you next month.

Ron Nishimura
President, GVJCCA

The GVJCCA will again be participating in the Powell Street Festival, providing our popular salmon dinner plus our Musubi Spam Sushi, a new item last year that proved to be very popular. The salmon BBQ is one of our primary sources of funding and we thank everyone who purchases a delicious meal for helping support our activities.

The GVJCCA has long supported the Powell Street Festival, and every year we have a booth where we provide information on our work in the Japanese Canadian community, primarily through its valued Human Rights Committee. This year the GVJCCA Human Rights Committee will be not only be providing updated information in regards to the Hastings Park redevelopment, but will be seeking input from the community on the commemorative and interpretative centre being planned for the Livestock Building.  For our new readers, Hastings Park was the main holding area for Japanese Canadians in 1942 following the bombing of Pearl Harbour, where they were held while waiting dispersal to camps in the interior of BC, and farms across Canada. This year’s Human Rights booth will also feature a collage of photos of the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement, who served the Vancouver Downtown Eastside for the past 85 years. The Franciscan Sisters served the Japanese community on Powell Street for many years before the Internment and played an instrumental role in the evacuation of 1,700 Japanese Canadians to Greenwood, BC. They took on the education the children while they were interned and played a formative role in many of their lives. After WWII, the Franciscan Sisters returned to continue their humanitarian work in Downtown Eastside. They will be moving to their Edmonton convent shortly after the Festival and this photo montage is one way we have of remembering the good work they have done over the years.

On Wednesday August 17th, the GVJCCA and NNM&HC will be sponsoring an Obon Service and  Bon Odori at Nikkei Place with Obon Service at 2pm and Bon Odori at 3pm, with Reverend Aoki from the Vancouver Buddhist Temple presiding the service. We hope that you can be there if you were not able to attend other services during the past few weeks.

Enjoy this year’s Powell Street edition of The Bulletin and enjoy yourselves at the Festival!

Ron Nishimura,
President, GVJCCA
Please note that July and August donors will be acknowledged in the September issue of The Bulletin.

The 50th Annual GVJCCA Golf Tournament was held on Sunday June 13 at Meadow Gardens. The GVJCCA thanks all for participating and we hope that you all had a good time. Please join us again next year. Thanks to Shag Ando and her faithful committee for once again organizing such a wonderful event.

The 35th Annual Powell Street Festival will take place on the BC Day weekend, July 30 and 31, at Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver’s east side, the historic home of BC’s Japanese Canadian community. Once again, The Bulletin/Geppo will serve as the program guide, providing Festival information to everyone attending this wonderful event. As BC’s longest-running ethnic festival, The Powell Street Festival has, over the past three decades created an amazing blend of Japanese Canadian arts, culture, and heritage. This is one exciting event that brings together the many Japanese Canadian groups and organizations for a weekend—a time to reconnect and enjoy a sense of community. As we have every year, the GVJCCA will provide the Salmon BBQ but in a moderated form with hopefully a new menu addition as well. Funds raised from the Salmon BBQ at the Powell Street Festival enable us to run our programs and activities in the Japanese Canadian community. See you at Powell Street Festival 2011!

Thanks,
Ron Nishimura
President, GVJCCA