JACL - Marysville Chapter

Events

A few 2022 Dates

INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY INCLUSION – PROMOTING THE INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

UNPACKING DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION:  Workplace Diversity in Japan, Canada, and the US
US (EST) Time:  October 13, 2022, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Japan Time:  October 14, 2022, 9:00 am – 10:30 am

There are signs that Japan is moving toward greater equality, as evidenced by recent government legislation and policies that promote gender equity in the workplace, protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying in schools, mandate the provision of reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities in higher education, and ease immigration controls for foreign workers. But what do terms like diversity, equity, and inclusion really mean in a Japanese cultural context? How have the meanings of these terms evolved, and why? How does the understanding of these terms in Japan compare with the understanding of these terms in North America?

We have invited an all-women panel of Japanese, America, and Canadian leaders in business, non-profit, and academia to help us unpack these issues. The panel will discuss how these terms and concepts are being used in Japan (in these three sectors) to include, exclude, and prioritize groups of people, particularly women, LGBTQ+ communities, and persons with disabilities.

The webinar is free and open to the public.  Registration is required.

Register Here  

PROGRAM INFORMATION & REGISTRATION DETAILS:

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Re-Dedication of Arboga Assembly Center Memorial Park

Marysville Chapter Japanese American Citizens League, in collaboration with Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture, is hosting a re-dedication of the Arboga Assembly Center Memorial Site and Interpretive Center. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 22 at 10am and is free and open to the public. The Memorial Site is located at 1110 Broadway Street, Olivehurst just east of Feather River Boulevard in south Yuba County. The location is clearly shown on Google Maps. Grant funding from the California State Library and Teichert Foundation to Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture made development of the park possible.

JACL-Re-Dedication-Poster

Originally, this location was the site of a migrant farm workers’ camp in the 1930s. It was quickly converted in 1942 to temporarily house 2,500 local Japanese Americans following President Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066 while the U.S. Government built the permanent concentration camps. Over thirty years in the making, the site was designated a California State Historical Landmark in 2009 just prior to the original dedication ceremony held on February 27, 2010.

The program at the site will feature a keynote presentation by a special guest (to be announced). Other guests will include artist and Marysville City Councilman, Stuart Gilchrist, who designed the Park and will talk about his inspiration for the design having grown up in the adjacent neighborhood. Dan Turner, Yuba College welding instructor created the metal barracks-shaped sculptures at the center of the site with help from his students and will share his view on the meaning of his work and the significance of the location. David Read, Executive Director of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture will talk about the organization’s involvement with the project along with Sue Cejner-Moyers, President of the Yuba County Historic Resources Commission.

The Arboga Assembly Center Memorial Site and Interpretive Center serves as a reminder of the impact the incarceration experience has had on families, on communities, and the country. It is an opportunity to educate others on the fragility of civil liberties in times of crisis, and the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting the rights and freedoms of all. The program will feature a guided tour of the Memorial Site which was completed in late 2021.

For more information about Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture’s other 2022 programs during their 41st year, contact them at 530-742-ARTS or email david@yubasutterarts.org.

2021 in Review

The year 2021 has been a challenging one to say the least. Due to COVID restrictions we have tried to hold board meetings via Zoom. In-person meetings were in adherence to MBC requirements that all attendees be vaccinated, wear masks, and maintain social distance.

Due to COVID restrictions we were unable to hold the annual BINGO and JACL movies but were able to carry on with several noteworthy events:

In February we were unable to hold a Day of Remembrance at the Sutter County Museum. The Arts Council filled the void and we were able to hold a virtual event. Highlights were a talk by Walter Masuda and an Ikebana demonstration by Haruko Arent.

In April, Ron Yoshimura was the guest on the blog Artist Alchemy and spoke about his family history.

Walter Masuda donated his father’s 442nd memorabilia to the Sutter County Museum.

The site of the Arboga Assembly Center Memorial Park was cleared and prepared with the help of Yuba Sutter Arts, Say Love, members of Beale Air Force Base, Wheatland High School, Plumas Lake Rotary, and the Hmong American Council.

In June, at the Dragon Inn, we said farewell to Jessica Hougen, Sutter County Museum Director/Curator. While she is moving to Oregon, Jessica will ensure continuity of several JACL projects. Assistant Curator Sharyl Simmons has been transcribing the Terry Itano tapes, which when finished will be made available to Densho and other Japanese American sites.

In July, to coincide with the Peach Festival, we worked with Judy Mann who presented the kamishibai story of Momotaro at the Info Center on 4th Street in Marysville. The children loved the story and we hope to make it an annual event at Obon when conditions permit.

In September, building on the work done by the Arboga Committee, the Arboga Assembly Center Memorial Park was finally completed with the addition of a large steel frame donated by Roy Hatamiya. The site was designed by Marysville City Council member and artist Stuart Gilchrist and paid for with a California State Grant. The life-size barracks silhouettes were made by the Yuba College welding class.

We placed Arboga brochures at the Info Center in Marysville, and have received feedback that a number of people would be interested in docent-led tours . Tours would be prefaced by an oral presentation.

Mrs. Ortega’s class from Marcum-Illinois School visited the Arboga Assembly Center Memorial Park. The students were extremely knowledgeable about the forced relocation.

In October, as part of the State Grant, we received a kamishibai stage and five story sets. We are working with the Arts Council to have these children’s stories presented at local schools and libraries. Response has been very encouraging.

In an effort to increase our dwindling numbers, we have initiated a publicity campaign which will include a number of public speaking engagements.

Looking forward towards 2022, we plan to resume holding the Day of Remembrance exhibit at the Sutter County Museum. Museum Director Jessica Hougen has made arrangements with Chico State for the loan of the full-sized barracks mock-up.