“It is my hope that this story will lead to further investigation and others sharing stories of injustices in Canadian history, as we continue to work toward a better Canada for all.” – Grace Eiko Thomson
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JETAABC Yomi-Kai is excited to invite Author Grace Eiko Thomson to our next meeting to discuss her newly published memoir, Chiru Sakura — Falling Cherry Blossoms: A Mother & Daughter’s Journey through Racism, Internment and Oppression.
Born in Vancouver to a Canadian father and Japanese mother, Grace Eiko Thomson was only eight years old when she was forced out of their Vancouver home and interned with her parents and siblings in the BC Interior. Post-war restrictions prevented her family from returning to the West Coast. They relocated to rural Manitoba and then to Winnipeg after the restrictions were lifted. Grace’s education and career as an art gallery curator reflect an ongoing focus on addressing cross-cultural and women’s issues. She played a pivotal role in launching the Japanese Canadian National Museum in 2000 and is currently engaged in various Downtown Eastside activities and issues.
“Thomson’s memoir is a timely story that began with a journal kept by her late mother, Sawae Nishikihama, written in Japanese. At eighty-four years of age, Sawae began writing her memories for her children, to ensure they would know their family’s story. While translating her mother’s journal, Thomson began to add her own experiences alongside her mother’s, exploring how generational trauma can endure, and how differently she and her mother interpreted those years of struggle”. — Caitlin Press
Join us as we learn more about the Japanese Canadian history through Grace Eiko Thomson’s powerful story of resilience in the face of racism, sexism, and internment.
Date: Saturday May 29, 2021
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm PDT
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Book Purchase: JETAABC will be subsidizing a portion of the book /shipping costs, so the event pricing for the book is $20* (Regular $24.95). Please indicate your interest to purchase a book when you register for the event. We will follow up with additional information and make sure you get a copy! Due to shipping times, please expect your book in June. If you are still unsure about purchasing a book, come join us at the event and you will have till end of that day to place an order. *Prices may vary outside of Canada.
Event Registration: Click here to sign up. Registration closes Thursday May 27 at 11:59 pm PST.
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Did you know May is Asian Heritage Month? Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the amazing country we share today. Click here to learn more.