Japanese Internment Commemoration & Walking Tours

Japanese Internment Commemoration & Walking Tours

The Cumberland Museum & Archives announces two upcoming walking tours:

On Friday, April 10th Meaghan Cursons will lead her popular Village Walking Tour: a lively and engaging tour filled with facts, rumours, tragedies and tales from Cumberland’s colourful history. From the great fires and the great strikes, to lavish garden parties, wartime injustices and small pox isolation houses, the Village Walking Tour offers a glimpse into Cumberland’s unique history and folklore.

The Village Walking Tour begins at 2:30pm at the Cumberland Museum & Archives.

On Thursday, April 16th we remember the anniversary of the internment of Cumberland’s Japanese community with a special historic walking tour of the No. 1 Japanese Townsite guided by Dawn Copeman.

 On April 16th, 1942, in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbour, the entire Japanese population had their land, businesses and possessions confiscated and were moved to internment camps inland, changing the fabric of Cumberland with ripple effects felt even today.

No.1 Japanese Township was part of a vibrant family community that thrived and showcased Japanese culture with yearly Tea Ceremonies at Comox Lake, businesses in downtown Cumberland and a three-story Japanese language school that operated until the 1940s.

 The Japanese Townsite tour will be preceded by the Comox Valley premiere of the short film “Kiri’s Piano” by Yellowknife Filmmaker France Benoit.

Kiri’s Piano is based on folksinger James Keelaghan’s song of the same title, which tells the story of a Japanese-Canadian family that are relocated from their coastal fishing community told from the point of view of a white neighbour who is tasked with confiscating their belongings.

The film will be shown at the Cumberland Museum at 4:15pm. The walking tour will begin at 5pm at Jumbo’s Cabin on Comox Lake Rd.

Walking tours are $10/$15. Contact the Museum to sign up in advance.

FMI: 250-336-2445

outreach@cumberlandmuseum.ca

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