Okagesama de: I am What I Am Because of You
In June 2023, a reunion for Steveston’s Japanese Canadian Internment survivors, their families and guests, drew over 250 guests to a special luncheon held at the Steveston Community Centre. The event’s organizing committee spent months searching high school yearbooks, martial arts club lists, and the memories of those who returned to the community in an effort to track down any of the over 2,000 Japanese Canadians who were forcibly uprooted from Steveston during the Second World War.
Many of the survivors were well into their nineties, and time was of essence to invite those who were still with us, to honour them for their perseverance, inspiration and legacy.
This temporary display features a 25-minute video of interviews with Japanese Canadian Internment survivors and community members from Steveston, which was filmed and conjunction with the reunion luncheon.
For those who would like to learn about the multiple sites in Steveston Village which commemorate the past and present contributions of the Japanese Canadian community, refer to the “Japanese Canadian Heritage in Steveston” map, also on display in the temporary exhibit space.
