Miyazaki House Visit

Miyazaki2

In the photo with the tour group along with Niichola Ogiwara and Beth Carter are Miyazaki House directors, from left to right, front row: Ursela Stephane and Mariko Kage in front of Kevin Goforth. Also in the front row, right to left, are directors Jessica Johnson and Eva Farquhar.
Note: some of the tour members who took a walk over to Main street are missing.

On Friday, June 21st, on behalf of the district of Lillooet, I was asked to welcome the Japanese Canadian Internment tour group who visited East Lillooet’s old internment site, and then joined us at the Miyazaki Heritage House. As the newly formed Miyazaki House Society, this was our first fundraising project to prepare the house, and to host the lunch for the group of 31 people. After two days of heavy rain, the weather turned beautiful as we shared a memorable gathering. The ceiling of the main dining room area was just freshly painted by our board members the weekend before to prepare for this event.

Lillooet lies on Traditional St’at’imc Territory (known as Interior Salish) inhabited by the St’at’imc tribes for over 10,000 years. June 21st also falls on National Aboriginal Day and as a mother of four children who are of St’at’imc ancestory, I feel a deep gratitude and respect for Dr. Miyazaki. As a town doctor, he served and cared for not only the Japanese internees, but also the First Nations population in the region for nearly four decades.

The Miyazaki House Society would like to extend a sincere gratitude to the support and generosity of the participants of this year’s internment tour as donations and fundraising activities totaled to $450. These funds will greatly contribute towards our restoration project.

With appreciation,

Mariko Kage, Co-founder

Miyazaki House Society
www.miyazakihouse.com


The newly-formed Miyazaki House Society is actively seeking donations and grants to restore the house to its formal glory and fielding suggestions. Some of the revitalization ideas include a Writers in Residence program during the off season months, art gallery, wedding and other special event destination, and a film location.

We are welcoming people across the country to join the society. To contact the society, to access further information, and to find out how you can send donations to support the historic Miyazaki House, please refer to our new website: www.miyazakihouse.com, or write to:

Miyazaki House Society
P.O.Box 587

Lillooet, BC,  V0K 1V0