President’s Message

Hi everyone!
On June 28, there was a special reception held at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple to which many members of the Japanese Canadian and downtown eastside community were invited. If you didn’t already know, there is a concerted effort being made by members of the Coalition for “Saving the Legacy Sakura Cherry Trees at Oppenheimer Park” to protect these trees from being destroyed due to the redevelopment of Oppenheimer Park. The City of Vancouver is intending to move or remove some of these trees in its plans for a much-needed redevelopment of Oppenheimer Park.
On April 16, 1977, many of our Issei pioneers participated in the memorial planting of the Legacy Sakura (Akebono, meaning dawn in Japanese) in Oppenheimer Park, a community landmark in the old Japantown area along Powell Street. 1977 was the Centennial year of the arrival of the first Japanese to Canada. It was also the year of the first Powell Street Festival and initiated the beginning of our Redress Movement. Many of our Issei Pioneers who participated in the memorial planting shared their knowledge and experiences with their friends and encouraged younger generations to pursue their hope for justice and the regaining of self-respect, dignity and having a strong identity as Canadians. Our Issei Pioneers were active members of the community who encouraged younger generations to continue to build strong relations with other Canadians.
The planting of the Legacy Sakura by our Issei pioneers should be considered as sacred as the soil which surrounds each root in Oppenheimer Park. Their significance doesn’t just begin in the Japanese Canadian community but exists for all communities, including members and residents of the Downtown Eastside area. I was thinking of some of the trees my father planted years ago in our backyard in particular the persimmon tree which he valued by taking great care in its growth. The value of the Legacy Sakura to me is in the same category as the value in my family of our persimmon tree which was planted by my father.
On July 20 at the Firehall Theatre, there will be a special celebration night for Harry Aoki. Harry Aoki, while also being the Vice-President of the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association, has also been an active member of the community through his work with integrating music and dialogue from multi-ethnic communities. He is a composer, recording-artist, conductor, impresario, orchestral arranger, traveler, musicologist, and band leader. In his eighty-some years Harry has been a logger, teacher, ski instructor, amongst many other vocations. Before the internment, Harry hailed from Cumberland, BC where his parents were initially sent by the Japanese government to set up Japanese Language schools in BC. During his lifetime Harry has managed to play with some of the most noted Jazz musicians around the world. So along with being a great musician, he is a special person in the hearts of many in the community. If you don’t get an opportunity to join us at the Firehall Theatre, please come to his First Friday Forum each month at Nikkei Place. Tickets for the Firehall Theatre will be available through their box office starting July 4th.
The Powell Street Festival on August 2 & 3, will be celebrating its 32nd year. The GVJCCA, through The Bulletin, will again provide the program guide to everyone attending the festival. The Powell Street Festival has, over the past three decades, provided a wonderful 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 of enjoyment and connection. 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. This fundraiser enables us to provide our programs and activities in the Japanese Canadian community which may be of interest and value o other communities as well.
See you at Powell Street Festival 2008!
Ron Nishimura, President GVJCCA