Pan Pacific Hotel, Vancouver
- Thank you, George for that warm introduction. Honoured to be here.
- Consul General Okai, Mr. Wakabayashi, distinguished guests.
- Would like to thank the Nikkei Place Foundation for inviting me to the annual Sakura Gala which raises funds for the Feels Like Home campaign
- Proceeds from tonight will help the Foundation create a more welcoming, engaging and lively community for all at Nikkei Place
- The word “community” is one that’s very important to me
- As you know, I recently came “home” to Vancouver, where I was born more years ago than I care to remember!
- coming back to Vancouver to serve as UBC’s 15th president and vice-chancellor was very special
- my family and I have have received very warm welcome everywhere we have gone since we arrived here – by UBC students, faculty, staff, alumni and by members of the community here in Vancouver
- that of course includes members of the Japanese community
- I’ve come to realize just how strong the bonds of that community are
- Japanese in Canada – and America – have had to develop strong community ties in the face of adversity
- To look after each other in times of trouble
- impressed by strength of those ties in Vancouver and by long history of Japanese community in Vancouver and BC
- Much to be proud of – your accomplishments have helped to make BC and Vancouver what they are today
- Those accomplishments have been in many areas – in the arts, in business, in science and technology, medicine and community affairs
- You have been active in the community – involved in church groups or sports teams, high voter turnout
- what you have accomplished – in the face of adversity and prejudice – is amazing
- Japanese in Canada have had to unite against discrimination since Manzo Nagano settled in New Westminster in 1877
- from the riots of 1907 to the internment camps of the Second World War and the confiscation of property to more subtle discrimination in later years
- only made the community stronger
- and you have come together to form organizations like the Nikkei Place Foundation, the Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society and the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
- these organizations have helped strengthen the Japanese community in the Lower Mainland
- for example, the 1998 opening of the New Sakura-so seniors housing complex, first component of Nikkei Place,
- two years later, opening of Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall and National Nikkei Heritage Centre the Japanese Immigrants Association
- I admire what you’ve done because my parents always instilled in me the importance of hard work, discipline, importance of family and community
- I try to cultivate community through my own life and work
- Support of family, friends and community very important to well-being and living a rich, fulfilling life
- This support helps us maintain balance, which is important – in academia, in every walk of life
- In my own life, I enjoy the support of family, friends, colleagues, music, faith, community
- These are important, and I am thankful for them
- but not everybody is as fortunate as I am to have these supports
- that’s why the work of Nikkei Place Foundation and its partners is so important – it helps provide support for members of our community who need it – the elderly without families, those in poor health or financial straits, and others
- and through that support, it makes us all stronger
- so thank you for coming out tonight to support the work of Nikkei Place Foundation
- Enjoy the rest of your evening.
- Happy to answer any questions