VANCOUVER JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL HISTORY CLUB

@vjls_jh.historyclub

Preserving the past, educating the present, shaping the future

Foundation

My path to founding the VJLS-JH History Club began in an unexpected place: a Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) classroom. At age seven, I was mesmerized by the meticulous brush strokes combined with subtle artistic expression. What started as a love for art evolved into something much deeper. Before long, I began learning my fourth language at the Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall (VJLS-JH), and I found myself diving into a history that few people knew existed.

As an avid history enthusiast, I read endlessly about different periods in Japanese and Canadian history. In particular, I became consumed by the story of the 1942-1949 internment of Japanese Canadians. The more I learned, the more I realized that this wasn’t just history—it was a living story, one that desperately needed to be told.

The Vancouver Japanese Language School, built in 1928 by the efforts of the Japanese community, recently became a Canadian National Historic Site. It holds a unique distinction: it was the only Japanese Canadian property to retain ownership during and after the WWII internment. To this day, the 117-year-old Japanese community exists within the troubled Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighborhood, largely hidden from public view.

After graduating from VJLS-JH in 2021, I made it my mission to share the story of twenty-one thousand people—eight thousand of whom lived in the Powell Street area—who were stripped of all their possessions and placed into internment camps in the name of “national security.” Many never returned.

In 2022, I founded the VJLS History Club to organize volunteers and bring this hidden chapter of Canadian history to light. What began as a personal passion has grown into a community initiative dedicated to ensuring these stories are never forgotten.

Walking Tours

Every Thursday and Saturday morning at 10:00 AM, the VJLS History Club leads the Historic Powell Street Walking Tours. Starting at 487 Alexander Street, we guide small groups through a historic neighborhood that was once home to a vibrant Japanese Canadian community.

The tours run from late spring through early fall—we take a small break during winter due to weather conditions and decreased public interest, typically resuming in May. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

During the tours, we walk through the heart of downtown eastside Vancouver, stopping at significant locations that tell the story of the pre-war Japanese Canadian community. We share stories of the businesses that once thrived here, the families who built their lives in this neighborhood, and the devastating impact of the internment orders.

The fascinating intertwining of Japanese and Canadian traditions is still present in this area, and the stories waiting to be discovered are captivating beyond expression. I wish to tell the world about the cultural and societal diversity that still exists here, along with the history we must retain. Each tour is designed not just to educate, but to create an emotional connection to this community’s resilience and strength.

School Activities

One of our most significant achievements has been adapting the walking tour program for schools. Recognizing that young people are the key to ensuring this history is never forgotten, we developed an educational program specifically designed for elementary and high school students across Greater Vancouver.

The school program includes modified walking tours tailored to different age groups, incorporating interactive elements and age-appropriate discussions about discrimination, resilience, and the importance of standing up against injustice. We designed and analyzed surveys to assess the program’s effectiveness, using feedback from students and teachers to improve and refine our content.

Over 200 participants have taken part in our tours and school programs. We’ve created educational materials, including historical photographs, maps showing the evolution of the neighborhood, and discussion guides for teachers. The first school trips funded by our grant were hosted in June 2024, marking a major milestone in our mission to bring this history into classrooms across the region.

Grants

Securing funding to expand our program has been one of my proudest accomplishments as club president. In 2023, I led the effort to apply for the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society Community Grant. The application process was extensive, requiring detailed financial planning, project proposals, and a clear vision for how we would use the funds to serve the community.

I worked closely with the VJLS-JH Board of Directors and our treasurer to prepare the necessary financial documents, including the society’s financial statements, approved budgets, and detailed project budgets. The application process taught me invaluable lessons about grant writing, financial management, and the importance of having a well-organized accounting team.

In 2024, our efforts paid off: the VJLS History Club was awarded $20,000 from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society. This funding has been transformative, allowing us to:

  • Adapt and offer our program to Greater Vancouver schools as an extracurricular activity
  • Develop professional educational materials and resources
  • Train additional volunteer tour guides
  • Expand our outreach efforts to reach more students and community members
  • Cover operational costs and ensure the sustainability of our programs

Running the VJLS History Club has taught me that history isn’t just about the past—it’s about the present and the future. Every tour we lead, every student we educate, every story we share is an act of resistance against forgetting.