Week 4

September 19-25, 2021

schedule

sunday - september 19

sonzai: Japantown in santa barbara

In the first half of the 20th century Nihonmachi, or “Japantown,” sat in the heart of Santa Barbara’s downtown on the former site of the historic El Presidio de Santa Barbara. Today only fragments and memories of this once vibrant neighborhood remain. Oral histories, archaeologists, and researchers show us how this community was disrupted and dispersed by the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. The film “Sonzai: Japantown Santa Barbara” traces these strands of history to tell the story of Santa Barbara’s Nihonmachi. Join moderator and archaeologist Stacey Camp as she discusses the film with director Barre Fong and producer Koji Lau-Ozawa.

J-town Here to Stay: Displacement & Community Resilience in Japantown

Japantowns, or nihonmachi, are important cultural and community hubs for generations of Japanese Americans and others who live, work, and find connection in J-town. These neighborhoods have survived WWII removal, evictions, and redevelopment.  Nihonmachi are shaped by a history of both exclusion and resilience.  Nihohmachi birth movements for cross-racial solidarity, redress, and housing justice. The future of Nihonmachi communities is threatened by both gentrification and a violent anti-Asian response to the pandemic.

Join organizers and artists in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle to learn about the historical roots of contemporary struggles against displacement in Japantown.  We will see how communities are coming together to say, “J-town is here to stay.” 

Moderated by Densho Communications Coordinator Nina Wallace. Presented by Densho and Tadaima.

Artists in Conversation: Sharon Yamato & Erin Shigaki

Writer and filmmaker Sharon Yamato talks about art and activism with compassionate yonsei and community warrior,  Erin Shigaki.  The discussion centers on Erin’s  role in fighting for social change against the systemic injustice in her hometown of Seattle, Washington.  Erin’s work has been censored by city officials and defaced by college administrators.  In spite of this Erin continues her art, working with themes of artistic freedom, cultural reclamation, community healing, and redress for all.

Resistance at Amache and the Road to Recognition

Over the last 20 years films such as “Conscience and the Constitution” and “Rabbit in the Moon,” and books like Free to Die for Their Country: The Story of the Japanese American Draft Resisters in World War II” have raised awareness of organized resistance to the draft imposed upon young men imprisoned at the Heart Mountain concentration camp.  But what about resistance at other camps?

“Resistance at Amache and the Road to Recognition was a panel discussion held at the Tadaima 2021 virtual community pilgrimage.  This panel examined the resistance at the Granada concentration camp (also known as “Amache”) in Colorado.  The local and national Japanese American Citizens Leagues ostracized the resisters during the war.  Later, stories and research about the Amache resistance led to the JACL’s recognition of the resisters.  Although initially the JACL omitted the resisters’ stories from the chronicles of Japanese American history, the resisters today are hailed as civil rights heroes.  

The resisters refused to be drafted from behind barbed wire while they and their families were imprisoned without due process.  The Heat Mountain Fair Play Committee was the most well known draft resistance organization for some time.  Now we know that at the same time, three dozen men at the Amache concentration camp made individual decisions to resist the draft.  The Amache resisters were sentenced to a federal labor camp in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona.  Fellow draft resister and civil rights icon Gordon Hirabayashi was also incarcerated in this labor camp.  The Amache resisters reunited at the Tucson prison site in 1999 at the dedication of the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site.  The Site serves as a lasting reminder of the need to protect civil liberties, especially in times of crisis.

This panel included two men whose own activism was influenced by their fathers’ resistance at the Amache camp:

• Dan Kubo is the son of Amache resister Yosh Kubo. Dan has been active in Asian American studies and helped to establish the Yu-Ai Kai Japanese American Community Senior Services.

• Kenji G. Taguma is the son of Amache resister Noboru Taguma. Kenji helped organize exhibits on the resisters.  Kenji also started two dozen programs centered around Asian American studies and social justice on the California State University Sacramento campus.  He also publishes an Asian American newspaper, and is the editor of the Nichi Bei Times and its successor Nichi Bei Weekly.

• They will be joined by Andy Noguchi, the co-president of the Florin JACL in Sacramento.  Andy led the formal recognition of the local resisters at the Florin JACL’s Time of Remembrance in 1994.  Andy went on to lead the movement for the National JACL’s Resisters Reconciliation Resolution at the 2000 Monterey Convention. This Resolution culminated with the National JACL Resisters Reconciliation Ceremony in 2002.

• Special guest Susumu Yenokida is the last surviving Nisei draft resister from the Granada (Amache) concentration camp.

The discussion uncovered the lasting impact of the Amache resisters, and the lessons for today.

monday - september 20

Japanese American Newspapers: Before, During, and After WWII & Civil Rights Activist Sei Fujii

Courtesy of JCCCNC | 1 hr, 4 min

This online author talk and speaker's panel was part of 2021’s community-wide Tadaima virtual pilgrimage lineup of daily virtual programs on the Japanese American WWII incarceration.  The authors and panel included Brian Niiya, Ellen Endo, Bill Watanabe and Jeffrey Gee Chin, author of the book A Rebel's Outcry: Biography of Issei Civil Rights Leader Sei Fujii (1882-1954), published by the Little Tokyo Historical Society.

Japanese American periodicals have played a critical role in informing and representing the community before, during, and after WWII. When the Nikkei community was silenced by racially-biased laws and incarceration, periodicals provided the opportunity to have their voices heard. This program explores the nuances of this representation and the role of the press in the past and its impact today. 

Our featured discussion centers on the life and legacy of Sei Fujii, Issei civil rights activist and founder of the bilingual Kashu Mainichi (The Japan California Daily News). Panelists include Brian Niiya, Ellen Endo, Bill Watanabe, and Jeffrey Gee Chin, moderated by Denise Dador. An audience Q&A session followed the panel.

Farewell to Manzanar Reunion

Courtesy of Nichi Bei Foundation | 28 min

The Nichi Bei Foundation is proud to present this exclusive extended version of the special "Farewell to Manzanar" cast reunion, 45 years after the film uncovered the wartime incarceration for the American masses. The 2021 Films of Remembrance, presented by the Nichi Bei Foundation, celebrated the 45th anniversary of the landmark film "Farewell to Manzanar" with a special screening and cast reunion. The 1976 film by John Korty taught the general U.S. population about the wartime incarceration of the Japanese American community during World War II — at a time when many Japanese American families themselves even refrained from talking about this dark chapter of American history. "Farewell to Manzanar" is based upon the groundbreaking book by James D. and Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, which continues to be required reading in American classrooms. For this special reunion, actor Frank Abe rounded up his fellow cast and crew for a chat about their recollections of the landmark film that premiered on NBC TV in 1976.

Tuesday - september 21

mystery after manzanar: a conversation between naomi hirahara & brian Niiya

Courtesy of Densho

Watch author Naomi Hirahara in conversation with Densho’s Brian Niiya to discuss her new mystery novel, Clark and Division. Set in 1944 Chicago, Clark and Division follows the story of a young woman searching for the truth about her revered older sister’s death, and brings to focus the struggles of one Japanese American family released from mass incarceration at Manzanar during World War II. Hirahara and Niiya, who share a decades-long friendship, talk about the novel as well as Hirahara’s earlier book, Life After Manzanar, their common interest in the immediate post-camp period, and more.

Writing Workshop with Alden Hayashi: Session 3 putting words to paper
zoom small group discussion
(PAST - no video)

Participants were encouraged to discuss a story idea that they had — perhaps a powerful memory of their family that they wanted to develop into a story, or an incident of racism that they suffered, or a general issue in the JA community that has bothered them, etc. One exercise we thought helpful was bringing a favorite family photo and describing the emotions attached to that photo. Another idea was to describe the first time they learned about the World War II camps. Participants were encouraged to explore the subtle ways that their lives were affected by what their parents and grandparents endured during WWII.

Multiracial Nikkei: Diversity in our Community
zoom small group discussion
(pAST)

See video thumbnails below for interview recordings.

During Tadaima 2021 this discussion highlighted diversity within our Multiracial Nikkei community. We used the discussion space to reflect on exploring multiple identities, privilege, responsibility, and representation that goes beyond the Asian-white binary.

Participants talked candidly about the responsibility we have toward one another, formed connections within our community, and envisioned hopeful futures! The discussion was accompanied by interviews (below) with individuals who share their unique experiences and perspectives as Multiracial Nikkei.

Never-ending…the Friendships of Hampden Court

1 hr, 15 min

The book Never Ending … the Friendships of Hampden Court is composed of the unique stories of six families after WWII. This is the history of couples beginning new lives with young children and establishing their roots while facing discrimination. These six sets of parents, who began this odyssey together, did not realize how far this journey would take their children, grandchildren, and future generations. This is more than a sentimental book of memories. Never Ending… is a history book, memoir, genealogy study, and photo album.

Click here to read the forward.

wednesday - september 22

Unangax̂ World War II History

Many of us know US citizens of Japanese descent were illegally incarcerated during World War II. But very few of us intimately know the story of Native Americans who were forced into internment camps in Alaska. In these two sessions you will hear speakers from Alaska, California, and New Mexico who know this incredible yet tragic story. They will tell us about the bombing of Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, the invasion of Attu Village, and the forced relocation of the Unangax̂/Aleut people from the Pribilof and Aleutian Islands.

June 3, 1942: Okalena Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory

On June 3, 1942 Japanese forces bombed Dutch Harbor / Unalaska Village. At 4:07 AM, two Japanese carrier ships, the Ryūjō and the Jun'yō, along with 34 planes attacked the village. The next day, 26 more Japanese planes attacked both the village and the nearby military base. In this session, Okalena Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory, an Aluet resident of Unalaska, relates what her parents and relatives endured as the Japanese raided their tiny village.  Okalena is the administrator of the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Restitution Trust.

June 15, 1942: Martin Stepetin

On June 15, 1942 the Unangan people of Saint Paul and Saint George were forcibly relocated to Funter Bay. They were given only a short time to pack a single suitcase per person and get on board the ship.  Martin Stepetin’s grandparents were among those relocated to Funter Bay.  Martin grew up on Saint Paul Island and now lives in Juneau.  He works to protect and honor the 45+ Unangax buried at the Funter Bay Cemetery.

Lauren Peters

Lauren Peters is a member of the Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove.  She is also a doctoral candidate at the University of California Davis, focusing her studies on human rights of the dead under NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act).  In this session Lauren speaks about boarding schools which Alaska Native children were forced to attend in the 1800s and 1900s.  The goal of these schools was for Native children to abandon their heritage and assimilate into American society.  In this session, Lauren speaks about the repatriation of her great aunt Sophia Tetoff.  At the tender age of 12, Sophia was removed from Alaska to attend the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania.  Five years later, Sophia died.  After years of work, Lauren was able to bring Sophia home to Saint Paul.

Moderator: Dr. Michael Livingston

Dr. Michael iqyax̂ Livingston is a member of the Aleut Corporation and a village tribal member of the Qagan Tayagungin Tribe of Sand Point.  Dr. Livingston works as a cultural Heritage Specialist with Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association. 

Unangax̂ pilgrimages and Oral Histories

In this second session, cultural anthropologists, historians, and Unangax̂/Aleut people talk about pilgrimages to lost villages, their oral history, and the repatriation of displaced ancestors.

Dr. Rachel Mason

Dr. Rachel Mason, cultural anthropologist with the National Park Service, speaks about the pilgrimage to the lost villages.  These villages were never repopulated after World War II and include Makushin and Attu.

June 7, 1942: Helena Pagano

The morning of Sunday, June 7, 1942 the 301st Independent Independent Infantry Battalion of the Japanese Northern Army attacked the village of Attu.  Most of the Attuans were quietly attending church.  Helena Pagano will speak about what happened to the Attuans.  Helena Pagono is a direct descendant of Mike Hodikoff, the last Chief of Attu.  She is Sasignax̂, and is the President and Founder of Atux̂ Forever: Restoring Attuans' Freedom.

Dr. Holly Guise

Dr. Holly Guise speaks about her doctoral dissertation research.  Her research focuses on the oral history of people who survived World War II, including Patty Gregory's father in Unalaska. Dr. Holly Miowak Guise is Iñupiaq and works as assistant professor of history at the University of New Mexico Department of history. Her research interests include Alaska History, World War II Pacific History, oral history, race, ethnicity, and human rights.

Moderator: Dr. Michael Livingston

Dr. Michael iqyax̂ Livingston is a member of the Aleut Corporation and a village tribal member of the Qagan Tayagungin Tribe of Sand Point.  Dr. Livingston works as a cultural Heritage Specialist with Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association.  

Shared histories

Indigenous leaders and activists Dorothy Firecloud, Alisha Deegan, Albert LeBeau, and moderator Melanie Fillmore explore the connections between the Japanese American and Indigenous North American communities. These distinguished leaders discuss the ties that bind the histories of the Nikkei community and their own communities. They will explore the pattern of incarceration, removal, and genocide throughout US history. These leaders will share their unique experiences as Indigenous NPS employees and their triumphs and tribulations. They will tell us about navigating the NPS while continuing to honor their ancestors and fight for the liberation of their people. These leaders work to answer the question we all ask: How do we work within these systems while remaining true to ourselves, our ancestors, and our people?

THURSDAY - september 23

Allyship, Stewardship, and Community Empowerment in Historic Preservation

The field of historic preservation involves issues of representation, participation, and designation. Within historically minoritized communities, allyship is crucial for stewardship and community engagement. In this panel discussion, speakers were invited to share their experiences in navigating issues of allyship and historic preservation within minoritized communities, including in and across Japanese American communities. Tune in to this panel discussion to learn about various approaches in allyship and stewardship of historic sites and cultural resources.

Collecting and Preserving a Community’s History
youtube livestream (past)

Courtesy of Japanese American National Museum

Do you have objects at home that you think belong in a community archive? Have you ever wondered about how items end up inside museums or displayed at historic sites? Learn how these institutions collect and maintain their historic collections, the challenges this type of work entails, and how people can help prepare their collections if they are interested in having them considered for intake. Hear from Rosalyn Tonai (National Japanese American Historical Society, Inc), Dr. Kristen Hayashi (JANM), Kristie Haertel (National Parks Service), and Brandon Daake (Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation) in a conversation moderated by Sojin Kim (Smithsonian Folklife Institute). 

This program is co-sponsored by the Japanese American National Museum, the Japanese American Confinement Sites Consortium, and the Smithsonian Folklife Institute and presented as part of the 2021 Tadaima Virtual Pilgrimage. 

Friday - september 24

Japanese American Farm Labor Camps During WWII

The WRA carefully constructed plans for farm development within the WRA camps and in areas adjacent to the camps. Japanese American farmers displaced from their farms in California, Oregon, and Washington were recruited to supplement and maintain the camps’ food supplies by growing crops and raising farm animals. Because labor shortages during the war took its toll on American agriculture, the WRA issued temporary leave permits for Japanese Americans to provide much-needed labor to harvest crops for nearby communities. To support this effort, Japanese Americans were also incarcerated in Japanese American Labor Camps, which were small camps scattered throughout the country. Ironically, many labor camp workers toiled in the sugar beet fields. Sugar beets were converted to industrial alcohol and used in the manufacturing of munitions and synthetic rubber. This panel provided an introduction to this little-known story of Japanese American farm labor.

A Place to Escape: Japanese Americans in Keetley During WWII

This panel features three descendants of Issei parents who took their families out of the military's designated "evacuation" zones after EO 9066.  These families relocated to a small mining community called Keetley, near Park City, Utah. 

Mary Wada Roath is the daughter of Fred Wada, who spearheaded the major move out of California and helped identify families who could contribute to the new colony. 

Howard Yamamoto was a child in Keetley and recalls the struggles that his parents endured to make it to Utah. 

Emiko Katsumoto was born in Salt Lake City after her family, the Endo clan, left the Keetley farm. Due to the difficulties of farming at such high elevation and the small financial returns on their work, the Endo Clan left the Ketley farm after only two months.

Saturday - September 25

Bridging Resistance-Virtual Open Mic

Come and listen to featured artists as they bridge experience and resistance through poetry, song and dance. 

This space was provided for Nikkei, Diasporic, and Indigenous perspectives to reflect on our post WW2 intersections as well as our unique realities through the lenses of imperialism, war, militarism, displacement, and incarceration.  DJ S2 Pon and award winning Spoken Word artist Katana hosted a virtual open mic to allow the audience to artistically express the stories of resistance and oppression which are often held deep within our bodies.  This space provided an emotional release after a month of Tadaima programming, which educated our audience on the harsh realities of WWII incarceration and anti-Asian/anti-Indigenous sentiments.  

Hosts: Katana & DJ S2 Pono

Featured artists: -Scott Ohtoro-Punahele-Air Jazz-DC Kaze Jones-shō yamagushiku-Willow Chang-Rukka the Magnificent/Bn5stax-Troy Osaki-Navid Najafi-Kamuela Kahoano-Kekoa Lopes-Torres-Date Street Records-Sachi-Paniolo Prince and his Queen Maile-Kauwila-Nikkei Resisters-Lauren Ito-Helena

Written In Neon Light: Little Tokyo Before & After Internment

Courtesy of Museum of Neon Art | 46 min

Little Tokyo blossomed into a prosperous community during 1920s-1940's, which corresponded with the golden age of neon signage. Neon was the height of technology in signage when it was brought to the United States in the 1920's and neon signs in Little Tokyo symbolized the pride and care that residents put into their businesses. This presentation shares about the handcrafted and specialized art-form of neon, as well as the power of these signs to ignite community stories. The Museum of Neon Art (MONA) in Glendale, California houses several important historic signs from the Japanese American community. After learning about these historic businesses and the people behind them we held a short workshop to design signs that speak to our communities.

Lights for Peace

Courtesy of National Park Service | 4 min

On August 9, 2021, Manhattan Project National Historical Park observed the 76th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan in the waning days of World War II in 1945 with a Lights for Peace program in Richland, Washington. Lights for Peace featured the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers singing “Hiraita, Hiraita” by composer Ken Hakoda and “This We Know” by composer Ron Jeffers. In addition, a path lit with the flickering lights of 200 candle luminarias along the Columbia River provided for a quite contemplative experience for those in attendance. This overview video of the event aims to provide viewers with an opportunity to quietly reflect on the somber events of World War II and the resulting physical and emotional traumas that continue today.