Introduction to Japanese Canadian History - OLD

Why learn and teach Japanese-Canadian history?

Educating students about Japanese-Canadian history helps tell a more frank and truthful tale within Canada’s nation building narrative. Racialised and historically excluded, we are reminded that Japanese Canadians are Canadians. Understanding their story helps us understand our story more broadly. Canadians take pride in values like fairness, equality, justice, and the belief that all are welcome in our mosaic. Teaching, and learning, about Japanese Canadian history illuminates how systemic injustices impact communities and individuals in personal and meaningful ways. 

Excluded and sanctioned because of race, denied justice and equality under the law, the story of Japanese Canadians reveals different truths about Canada. However, their story also highlights the resilience, perseverance, and significant contributions of Japanese Canadians. Just as the community began to establish roots and integrate into mainstream Canadian society, the Canadian government forcibly removed them from their homes and livelihoods, separated families and communities, and seized and sold off their belongings. Learning the history of Japanese Canadians promotes awareness, empathy, and understanding of historical injustices that have been perpetrated on a number of marginalised and racialised groups in Canadian history.