The Ucluelet and Area Historical Society (UAHS) is inviting West Coasters to register for an interactive storytelling event, focused on the effects of the removal in 1942 of all Japanese Canadians, with a particular focus on Ucluelet.
The special gathering will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Ucluelet Community Centre. There is no fee to attend the event, and a complimentary lunch will be provided. Participants may also join by Zoom. To register, email: info@ucluelethistory.ca or telephone 250-726-5000 prior to Friday, Oct. 21 (so the caterer has lunch numbers).
“We are hoping for a day of storytelling and sharing from all communities, but if people want to just come and listen, that is great as well,” said Shirley Martin, a descendent of West Coast settlers from the 1800s.
“We just want people to feel relaxed and comfortable. We’re hoping for a good turnout,” she said, adding that participants are encouraged to bring photos, letters, journals and any other memorabilia to share.
Paul Kariya, a negotiator with the BC Government regarding the $100 Million Redress Fund announced in May, will be facilitating the event. Kariya grew up in Ucluelet and has returned to live part-time in the community, notes a media release from the UAHS.
The concept of the day is ‘remember, recount and reconcile’ and three perspectives from three unique Ucluelet community groups will guide the initial morning talk. Vi Mundy will speak on the First Nations community, Ellen Kimoto on the Japanese Canadians, and Shirley Martin on white settlers.
“There will then be facilitated sharing and discussion throughout the day, on topics including the Japanese Canadian community that built up between 1920 and 1942, the actual period of the Internment, and the difficulties and successes when Japanese Canadians returned to the coast and rejoined their community,” reads the UAHS media release.
Before the Internment in 1942, Japanese Canadians made up one half the population of the fishing village of Ucluelet, with First Nations and white settlers forming the other.
“The largest fish buying company was Japanese-owned, used by fishermen of all ethnicities. The interned people lost everything, and the remaining two groups were affected socially, psychologically and economically. Some stories will be hard to hear, but we know there are also stories of friendship and support across social boundaries,” the UAHS said.
Any interested in learning more is encouraged to visit: https://ucluelethistory.ca/events/.
RELATED: Japanese Canadian internment: Ucluelet’s Japanese community reacts to B.C.’s $100M pledge
nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca
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