Relocation to Southern Alberta
Lethbridge Herald newspaper article of opposition to Japanese coming to prairies, January 23, 1942. Transcript below:
“Some Opposition To Japs Looms Taber District
(From Our Own Correspondent)
TABER, Jan. 23 — Rumors that Ottawa proposed to remove all Japanese in B.C. to the interior provinces, presumably prairie areas, has aroused considerable interest here, and stiff opposition, with plans for public protest, has already developed in some quarters, unless Japanese removed thus are placed in isolated camps and provided for by Ottawa so that they do not compete with labor, industry or business, carried on by white races.
Irrigation officials and some beet growers say there is a shortage of labor looming, and the removal of Japs here would solve this. Those opposed deny a shortage, and opinion is divided.”
Courtesy of the University of Lethbridge Archives.
“We do not want to see the Japanese gathered in Alberta.”
Alberta Premier Aberhart, March 1942
In March 1942, the Alberta government announced the federal government plan to bring 580 Japanese families into Alberta to counteract the shortage of war-time labour in the sugar beet fields. The Alberta provincial government opposed the Japanese being in Alberta and demanded that the Japanese be kept under constant federal supervision to prevent espionage or sabotage.
They also demanded that any costs involved, such as health and education, should be the responsibility of the Dominion, and that the Japanese be removed from the province at the end of the war.
Members of the Lethbridge Northern Beet Growers in the Picture Butte District gave unanimous approval for the use of Japanese workers in the sugar beet fields.
Shipping crate built of wood by Kohei Nishiyama when he learned there were few trees to use for firewood in southern Alberta, ca 1942-1946
Galt Museum & Archives, P20030040000.
Packing Up
In evacuating the coast of British Columbia, each adult was allowed 150 pounds (68 kilograms) worth of personal goods; children under 12 were allowed 75 pounds (34 kilograms). No more than 1000 pounds (454 kilograms) per family was allowed.
The personal goods included personal effects, kitchen utensils, blankets, clothing and mattresses. They were also advised to take pedal sewing machines and small cooking stoves. Payment had to be made for excess baggage.
Many families expected to return to their properties and so left behind their best items. Few got any of these items back after the war.
Additional information for this item is available on the Galt Museum & Archives website.
Doll, ca 1940s
Galt Museum & Archives, P19970041469.
So Much Left Behind
So many belongings were left behind in homes and businesses during the evacuation to internment camps, including homes, businesses, fishing boats, personal valuables, and even pets.
Joy Kogawa’s parents were somehow able to purchase this doll to replace those left behind in Slocan, British Columbia.
Additional information for this item is available on the Galt Museum & Archives website.