Early Settlement: Late 19th Century – Early 20th Century
March 28, 2014 | 7:00pm
Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall
(487 Alexander St. Vancouver, BC)
Free, but registrations recommended (event@vc.mofa.go.jp)
Flyer (PDF)
For more information: vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp

A series of 6 forums tracing the parallel histories of the Japanese consulate in Vancouver and the Japanese community featuring keynote speakers, reports from Japan’s Diplomatic Archives, and some personal recollections from those who lived the history.

In this first forum, from his research done of documents from the foreign office Archives, Consul General Okada will talk about the opening of the consulate in Vancouver in 1889 as Japan’s first government office in Canada. Based on their book Gateway to Promise–Canada’s First Japanese Community and other research, keynote speakers Ann-Lee and Gordon Switzer will speak about the earliest contacts between Japanese and Canadians in B.C. and the establishment of the first Japanese communities in the province.
Following the speakers, there will be a panel discussion and a Q&A session open for audience participation. This is a free event open to the public.

Other upcoming forums in this series:

• May 23, 2014 | 7pm: Family Settlement: Early 20th Century – Pre-war at Steveston Community Centre
• June 27, 2014 | 7pm: WWII Period at Steveston Buddhist Church
• August 2, 2014 | TBD: Post-war Rebuilding Period at location TBD
• October 24, 2014 | 7pm: Redress Movement – 199s at Nikkei Place
• November 28, 2014 | 7pm: 1990 – Present: Recent Years at Nikkei Place