President’s Message

Hi everyone!
I hope the weather hasn’t kept everyone indoors since it has been wonderfully warm the past while. Along with excellent weather, things have been busy lately with many community events and issues.

On May 30th, members of the Nikkei community descended upon the Village of Cumberland on Vancouver Island. The Mayor and Council unveiled a plaque in recognition of the designation of the Cumberland Japanese Cemetery as a heritage landmark. The Village of Cumberland was home to over 500 Japanese immigrants who worked the coal mines prior to the internment in 1942. The coal mines were also a place of employment for other ethnic groups such as Chinese, Blacks, Italians, Slavians and British. The Cumberland Japanese Cemetery was partly the result of the mining disaster of 1903, which killed nine Japanese immigrants and many more Chinese and Caucasian miners.

As you may have heard or read, the GVJCCA is part of the Coalition to Save the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park, located in downtown in the old Japan town area. The Coalition is urging the City of Vancouver Council and Parks Board to not remove or move the historic legacy sakura (cherry blossom trees) in order to build a new field house. The memorial sakura trees were planted by our first generation Japanese Canadian pioneers in 1977 as part of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Canada’s first recorded Japanese immigrant. These legacy sakura commemorate the cultural bridge between Canada and Japan. We feel it is important to respect the cultural, historical and social significance of these legacy sakura. If you would like to lend your support please sign the petition forms that are at Tonari Gumi, Nikkei Place, Vancouver Buddhist Temple and other locations in the lower mainland or sign online at http://www.petitiononline.com/powell77/petition.html.

On Thursday June 24th at Tonari Gumi (511 East Broadway), from 7-9 pm there will be a lecture and discussion with Ted A Kaweki, Immigration Consultant and former Senior Immigration Officer regarding the soon-to-be-implemented revised Canadian Immigration Laws. The lecture will cover the effects on getting a work permit and becoming a Canadian citizen in Canada. This will cover possible strategies for Japanese citizens, who are visitors, workers or students in Canada. Employers who are in need of foreign workers will benefit from this lecture and discussion. Interpretation will be available. Please contact Tonari Gumi at 604.687.2172.

To you golfers, the GVJCCA Golf Tournament is set for Sunday June 22 at Meadow Gardens. We are calling all amateurs or aspiring professionals who want to have a good time golfing to please sign up and participate with your peers. Please contact Shag Ando via email at shagando@hotmail.com or leave a message at the GVJCCA office 604.777.5222.

Thank you for all who participated in the translation and interpreting workshop on May 24th. The session was a great success and hopefully we can do this again.

Have a great time enjoying our wonderful weather.

Ron Nishimura
President, GVJCCA