PTJC Webinar Series 2023-2024

The Impact and Roles of Japanese Community Centres in Canada

Webinar: The Impact and Roles of Japanese Community Centres in Canada

Monday, 25 March, 18:00-20:00 MDT (in person and online)

Join four experts and community leaders--Dr. Aya Fujiwara, Mr. Roger Teshima, Dr. Henry Tsang, and Ms. Michelle Day Miles--for an exploration of issues of ethnicity, race, and community in relation to Japanese community associations, centres, and gardens in Canada.

Immigrant communities have left many significant political, economic, and cultural legacies in Canadian history. Since their arrival in Canada, Japanese immigrants established various religious and secular associations for self-expression and political strategy. Most notably, Japanese Canadians became the first group to achieve organized reconciliation with the federal government through the 1988 Redress Agreement. As the world is increasingly becoming globalized and interconnected culturally, technologically, and economically, what are the roles of ethnic communities in 21st-century Canada? As ethnic communities diversify due to generational changes and new arrivals, how can ethnic centres respond to dynamic needs? This seminar challenges the view that ethnic centres as focal points of immigrants' identity are outdated in this changing society and explores how community centres function in a meaningful way for Canada in promoting the awareness of antiracism, equity and diversity, focusing on the Calgary Japanese Community Association Legacy Project (new centre construction project) and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge.

Featured presentations:
Dr. Aya Fujiwara, Department of History, Classics, and Religion, University of Alberta. "Constructing Identity at the Crossroads: Historical Roles of Japanese Canadians' Community."

Roger Teshima, Chair, Calgary Japanese Community Association Legacy Project and formerly President, Calgary Japanese Community Association. "The CJCA Legacy Project: An Homage to Our Founders and Builders of Our Community."

Dr. Henry Tsang, Associate Professor, RAIC Centre for Architecture, Athabasca University. "Designing a Nikkei Community Centre: Where East Meets West and Past Meets Future."

Michelle Day Miles, Executive Director, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. "A Reflection of Diversity and Story Telling."

Presentations by the featured speakers to be followed by a roundtable discussion and audience questions moderated by Dr. Walter Davis, Interim Director, Prince Takamado Japan Centre.

This webinar is made possible by generous support from the Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary.