Located on the traditional land of the Modoc people.
1943 Aquila
1945 Excelsior
Tule Lake Pilgrimage
Q: What is the Tule Lake Pilgrimage?
A: The role of the Tule Lake Committee (TLC) is to: (i) to educate the general public of the government's forced and unconstitutional imprisonment of over 120,000 men, women and children of Japanese ancestry into ten concentration camps; (ii) to recognize the unique role of the Tule Lake camp, which was converted into a segregation center to incarcerate those from all of the camps who resisted their imprisonment and were deemed disloyal; and (iii) to preserve the history and experiences of the inmates of the Tule Lake Segregation Center and their struggles to cope with an unjust imprisonment and harsh conditions of the Segregation Center and their rejection by their own government.
Activities over the 4-day pilgrimage include a memorial service and tours of the Tule Lake concentration camp site. Multiple discussions and workshops provide occasions to learn, share experiences and help heal the multigenerational wounds of the incarceration. The final night’s closing cultural program is open to the public, held at the Ross Ragland Theater in downtown Klamath Falls.
Q: When does the Tule Lake Pilgrimage take place?
A: The Tule Lake Pilgrimage is usually held every other year. It is a 4-day pilgrimage trip held during either the end of June or the end of July.
Q: Do participants need to register or make reservations? Is there a fee?
A: Yes, registration and a fee are required to attend.
Q: Where is the Tule Lake Pilgrimage held?
A: The pilgrimage will be held in Klamath Falls, Oregon (near the California border).
Q: Is bus transportation to the Pilgrimage available?
A: Yes. Pilgrimage participants travel together in deluxe, chartered buses that depart from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose, Union City, Sacramento, the Sacramento Airport, Seattle and Portland.
Q: Are food and drinks available at the Tule Lake Pilgrimage?
A: Yes. Registration includes all meals and snacks.
Q: What is the weather like in Klamath Falls during the Pilgrimage?
A: Be prepared for all types of weather! Bring a hat, sunscreen and lip balm and USE THEM, even if it's cloudy, as ultraviolet light penetrates clouds and is rather intense at higher elevations. Also, DRINK PLENTY OF WATER while you’re there. STAY HYDRATED EVEN IF THE WEATHER IS MILD. The air is much drier at higher elevations.
Q: Is there a religious service during the Pilgrimage?
A: Yes.
Q: Can we collect items found on the site as souvenirs or for other purposes?
A: NO. Collecting anything from the site is forbidden even if it looks like it was just trash. Many such items are actually historic. As the saying goes, “Take only photographs. Leave only footprints.”
Q: Can I drive myself?
A: Attendees are required to take charter buses. That said, if you need to use your own transportation you may contact the Tule Lake Committee to request other arrangements.
videos
Brothers Ben and Zach attended the 2018 Tule Lake Pilgrimage with their grandmother, May Ohmura Watanabe. During the Pilgrimage Ben and Zach discovered their connection to their family history. Ben and Zach are inspired by this healing and bonding time to continue to pass the family history down to future generations.