Powell Street BBQ Success

Hi everyone!
Last month we participated in the Powell Street Festival at Oppenheimer Park and would like to thank everyone who attended for another great festival. The GVJCCA thanks the many volunteers and appreciates all donations for the salmon barbeque, vegetables for the Human Rights Committee booth, and books for the Nihongo Committee. Thanks also go to volunteers at the GVJCCA human rights and community booth. This year was a special challenge as we were uncertain as to whether we would be able to have a salmon bbq due to the scarcity of salmon.  There was also uncertainty concerning the location of the Powell Street Festival itself as initial expectations were to have the Festival at Woodland Park due to the planned renovations for Oppenheimer Park. Last minute changes enabled the Powell Street Festival to be held again at Oppenheimer Park. Next year will be another set of challenges for all in the Japanese Canadian community with Powell Street Festival being moved officially to Woodland Park.

The GVJCCA helped sponsor the third annual Obon Service and Odori at Nikkei Place on August 6th. Reverend Aoki from the Vancouver Buddhist Church and Bishop Fujikawa provided the service for the many people who attended. The service was for all who were unable to attend other Obon services, so we were very happy with the turnout.

Coming up soon on September 19 – 21, the NAJC and the GVJCCA will be hosting the 20th Anniversary of Japanese Canadian Redress Celebration and Conference which will be held at Nikkei Place and the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall. This will be a wonderful opportunity tor many of you who remember the years before, during and after our Redress achievement in 1988 to attend workshops or to rekindle memories and relationships from that time in your lives. Please come and register either online at www.redressanniversary.najc.ca/redress or fill out forms which are available at most Nikkei organization offices.

On October 4th, at noon there will be an official opening of Murakami Gardens on Salt Spring Island. This land was graciously donated by the Murakami family in order to build 27 low-cost housing units for individuals and families at risk of homelessness, and other social challenges. The Murakami’s are the only Japanese Canadians who returned to Salt Spring Island after being incarcerated during World War II. Rose and Richard Murakami view this generous gift as a way of giving back to the people of Salt Spring Island community.

During October 24 – 26, the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC), will be holding its annual AGM in Winnipeg.  This will be an important AGM as the membership will be electing its new Board of Directors.  Also, as the NAJC funds eligible individual and group applicants for Sports, Education, and Arts Development (SEAD) and Cultural Development (CD) Programs, please have all your requests in to 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 notify your respective member offices or contact the NAJC at:
National Association of Japanese Canadians
404B Webb Place
Winnipeg, MB R3B 3J4
Phone: (204)943-2910
Fax: (204)947-3145
Email: National@najc.ca
Application forms are available at the NAJC new website of: www.najc.ca.

On November 1, the GVJCCA will be holding a fundraising dance at Nikkei Place. This will be an opportunity to bring friends and dress up. Costumes will not be mandatory but since it will be Halloween weekend, why not join in the fun and disguise yourself. Tickets will be available soon through the GVJCCA office at 604.777.5222 or email gvjcca@shaw.ca .

The GVJCCA Volunteer Party will be a little late this year on November 22, at Nikkei Place from 6 – 8 pm. This is a special event for the GVJCCA to thank all its volunteers donors, and advertisers for the year. We hope you can attend and enjoy seeing your many friends again before succumbing to the anxieties of the Christmas season.

Anyway, have a great back to school month and see you at the Redress Celebration and Conference. Also I would like to extend a special thanks to Akiko Adachi who has graciously translating my articles for the past few years.

Thank you

Ron Nishimura
President Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian
Citizens’ Association