Introduction to Japanese Canadian History OLD2

Japanese Canadian history is a rich resource for thinking about what makes a civil society. Japanese immigrants first arrived as British Columbia was joining Confederation, and made significant contributions to the development of industries essential for the growth of British Columbia, including fishing, logging and farming, while facing the challenges of living in a settler colonialist society. Despite building communities for over half century, they were still viewed with fear and suspicion during the second World War in a climate of systemic racism and economic opportunism, leading to the mass forced relocation, incarceration, and dispossession on an unprecedented scale. Subsequently, the Japanese Canadian community transformed itself and struggled to seek justice for the unlawful treatment, which has become a model for communities seeking justice for past wrongs.

Are you new to Japanese Canadian history?

Would you like to feel more confident about your knowledge of Japanese Canadian history before you teach your students?

A greater understanding of the history we teach leads to powerful lessons and more impactful classroom engagement for our students.

Take our course, Introduction to Japanese Canadian History, to build your understanding of Japanese Canadian history and your confidence in what you know. The course covers the history of Japanese Canadians, from the arrival of the first immigrants to the injustices of the 1940s, the fight for redress, and contemporary issues. Each module contains a short quiz, so challenge yourself and enjoy learning more about this Canadian story.