President’s Message

Well, another year is almost done and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association, the GVJCCA Human Rights Committee, the Nihongo Committee, the Bulletin/Geppo staff and our families, I would like to extend a special HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON to each and every one of our members, your families and the Nikkei Community at large.

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