From left: Cecilia Point, Kelvin Higo, Naomi Yamamoto, Kelly Greene, PS Rachna Singh, Susanne Tabata, Premier John Horgan, Mary Kitagawa, Aki Horii, Lorene Oikawa, Jim Kojima

On May 21, 2022, the BC Government made an historic announcement, marking an pivotal moment in our community, one that honours our elders past and present.

A $100million dollar commitment was announced, reflecting funding to multiple initiatives built from March 2020 – September 2021 on anti-racism; education; heritage; monument; community & culture; and especially seniors’ health and wellness, which potentially includes supporting a housing component in BC.  These initiatives are based on comprehensive proposals which respond to community consultations, input from our organizations, solid research, and listening to those who otherwise do not have a platform to have a voice.

Premier John Horgan made the announcement at the Steveston Martial Arts Centre in front of Japanese Canadian community witnesses, many who had participated in providing input to the legacy initiatives.  MC’d by Steveston seniors’ advocate Kelvin Higo & MLA Kelly Greene, the witnessing event was opened with a moving land acknowledgment given by Mary Point and Cecilia Point of Musqueam.  Speakers included Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives Rachna Singh; community elders Aki Horii and Mary Kitagawa; and NAJC remarks from Lorene Oikawa with followup BC Redress remarks from Susanne Tabata.  Former MLA Naomi Yamamoto who led the apology in 2012 provided context to her work with the community. Nine MLAs attended the witnessing event. Also witnessing were community members attending 11 viewing parties attended by MLAs, all zooming live into the Premier’s announcement. A strong showing of support came from the Tashme Historical Society in Hope; Nikkei Interment Memorial Centre in New Denver; Tonari Gumi in Vancouver; the GVJCCA,  Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, Sakura-so, and Nimi Nikkei Home in Burnaby; Steveston Seniors at the Community Centre in Steveston; the Central Vancouver Island Japanese Canadian Society in Nanaimo; and the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society in Victoria.

A lot of work is ahead of us. The BC Japanese Canadian community has been very strong in its support for all initiatives that honour our elders past and present, provide health support to our survivors, and deliver strong education support for both classroom and public heritage spaces.

We are humbled to share this important announcement with our community as we continue to work through agreements and other processes with the BC Government.

Acknowledgment of Internment and Japanese Canadian Legacies in BC

Although today, British Columbians are committed to a fair and just society, we recognize that has not always been the case and that as a result, many members of our Province have lived diminished lives.

Before, during and after World War II, the Provincial Government advocated for the removal of nearly 22,000 Japanese Canadians from the West Coast, as well as their internment in the province's Interior years after the War's end; pushed for the confiscation and forced sale of their property; and held weekly auctions of Japanese Canadians' belongings.

After the war ended in 1945, Japanese Canadians were prevented from returning to the Coast and instead were ordered to move east of the Rockies or deported to war-torn Japan. When the community was allowed to return to the coast, in 1949, it had nothing to return to.

Japanese Canadians suffered irreparable social, economic, and psychological harm at the hands of the British Columbia government. The government stripped them of their homes, businesses, farms, boats, pets, friendships, and belongings; entire livelihoods were taken, and entire communities vanished. But more than that, it took away an entire community's freedom, security, basic dignity, and sense of home and identity.

This is not a proud history. And so, today, on behalf of the Government of British Columbia, we acknowledge the past injustices that were committed and recognize with thanks, the contributions that Japanese Canadians have made to the building of this Province. Today, we are further building on that apology by making an historic investment honouring the Japanese Canadian community with lasting recognition of the traumatic internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War.

Read the Government of BC press release

The Government of British Columbia is contributing $100 million in funding to support the legacy initiatives recommended by the National Association of Japanese Canadians, in conjunction with Japanese Canadian communities in B.C. The initiatives are: Monument; Education; Senior Health and Wellness; Community and Culture; Heritage Restoration; and Anti-racism.

The Government of British Columbia acknowledges the hardships and trauma people suffered because of government inaction and action before, during and after the war. We know that healing the wounds of the past is a long process. Across government and together with our partners, we are focused on honouring the diversity and contributions of all communities to the B.C. that we live in today. It is more important than ever that we learn from the mistakes of the past and acknowledge historical injustices. And to not let any power or persuasion deter us for standing up for our fellow citizens and protecting the human rights we hold dear.

View May 21 photo gallery 

Please check back often, we will update this site as the BC Redress process unfolds over the coming months. Ultimately, BC Redress belongs to you, and we are grateful for your input, and for your support.

– Sincerely, Susanne Tabata, BC Redress Project Director & Spokesperson, National Association of Japanese Canadians

BC Redress News

Committees and Organizations

BC Redress Negotiations Committee: Susanne Tabata, Lorene Oikawa, Paul Kariya; with Art Miki & Maryka Omatsu as Honorary Co-Chairs 

NAJC National Executive Board: Lorene Oikawa (President & Chair, Endowment Funds Committee), Les Kojima (Treasurer, Chair, Audit & Review Committee, & Chair, Anglican Healing Fund Committee), Naomi Katsumi (Secretary), Maryka Omatsu (Director & Chair, Constitution and By-Laws), Stéphane Hamade (Director & Chair, Young Leaders), Susanne Tabata (Director, Chair, Arts Culture Education Committee & Project Director, BC Redress)

NAJC Administrative Staff: Kevin Okabe, NAJC Executive Director 

Leaders of NAJC organizations