Jeunes Citoyens / Young Citizens

Dorie London, Ontario

Fair address: Thames Valley Regional Fair

Project: Internment of Japanese Canadians

I chose to research the topic of the Japanese Internment because my Great-Grandma Toshiko Yasui was sent to a camp in Greenwood BC during WWII. I interviewed my Great-Grandma about her experience and shared with her my research.

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

I was shocked to find out that many of the Japanese Canadians who were sent to the internment camps were actually born in Canada! Also, I was very interested to learn about my family's story and my Great-Grandma's experience.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

I learned that the Japanese Canadians were mistreated by our government and experienced racism. It is important to learn about the Japanese Internment so that something like this doesn't happen again in Canada.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

I am sad that my Great-Grandma and her family were treated so badly just because they were Japanese. I have never experienced any kind of racism and can be proud of my Japanese culture.

  • Travis

    Nice job Dorie I was so shocked about this
    13-06-2019 9:30:59 AM

  • M. Malloy

    Very well done! Thank you for sharing this important part of history.
    13-06-2019 7:27:04 AM

  • Charlamd Family

    We enjoyed watching you and your Grandmother share her story, What courage she must have had to begin a new life. Thank you for sharing.
    13-06-2019 7:18:18 AM

  • K. Casanova

    Well done Dorie! Thank you for sharing this important part of Canada's history with us in such a heartfelt way.
    13-06-2019 6:54:24 AM

  • S Mayberry

    Very well done, Dorie! Thank you for sharing your family's story. So cool that you found your great grandma's picture and got to show it to her.
    12-06-2019 7:09:56 PM

  • Lee

    The sad story at least had a happy ending - you can sense the love between you and your grandmother
    11-06-2019 9:38:07 PM

  • J Zimmer

    Amazing Dorie!!...thank you for sharing your grandma’s story with us...
    11-06-2019 8:12:05 PM

  • A M Cope

    Thanks for sharing your family with us, Dorie. Such an amazing and important reminder to us all to not repeat history.
    11-06-2019 2:19:02 PM

  • Jonathan Oswald

    Well done Dorie - you brought passion and a personal connection to an important and controversial part of Canadian History. Amazing!
    09-06-2019 6:55:40 PM

  • K Waud

    I really like how the story feels like a conversation between generations. Great job!
    06-06-2019 6:56:51 PM

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Project partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
  • Canadian Heritage / Patrimoine Canadien
  • Government of Canada
  • HBC: Hudson's Bay Company
  • ecentricarts inc.