Cultural Organizations — Nikkei Tapestry

People of Japanese descent are proud of their heritage and continue to share their knowledge within their own community and with other Canadians through various organizations. They also provide support for new immigrants coming from Japan to Canada.

Karate demonstration at the Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre, Lethbridge, 2005. Kynan Gordon (Gosei) is doing the board breaking. Taka Kinjo is the second to the right adult in the back. He has reached the highest ranks of Karate and holds a 10th … — Karate demonstration at the Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre, Lethbridge, 2005. Kynan Gordon (Gosei) is doing the board breaking. Taka Kinjo is the second to the right adult in the back. He has reached the highest ranks of Karate and holds a 10th Degree black belt in the Gohaukai style of Karate. He is head of Canadian Gohakukai Karate-do Association. Taka Kinjo was awarded the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award in 2012. He has been inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, received the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Outstanding Albertan Award, and received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from the University of Lethbridge.
Photo courtesy of David Tanaka.

Southern Alberta New Japanese Immigrant Association

The Southern Alberta New Japanese Immigrant Association was formed in 1977 to assist and welcome new immigrants into the community, to assist them in their respective fields of work and to encourage them to become independent as soon as possible after their arrival in Canada.

The Association established four Japanese language schools in the districts of Taber, Vauxhall, Bow Island and Grassy Lake. The Association also hosts a number of recreational activities, including golf and ping-pong tournaments, a New Year’s party and ski trips.

Yoshitaka "Taka" Kinjo arrived in Canada in 1971, and has been pillar of the Southern Alberta New Japanese Immigrants Association. He started a Karate Dojo (Karate school) in 1973, and soon became known for tailoring practice to help those with physical and other impairments.

Nikkei Cultural Society of Lethbridge and Area

“As the father of 3 young children I felt very strongly that this new organization was important to preserve and promote Japanese Canadian culture in this area. So that when they were old enough to ask the question “What does it mean to be a Japanese Canadian?” there would be something to show them and pass on to them. So to help ensure that the Nikkei Cultural Society got off the ground, I volunteered to be the first president”
Trent Takeyasu

The Nikkei Cultural Society of Lethbridge and Area (NCS) was officially formed December 5, 1999 after the Lethbridge and District Japanese Canadians Association was disbanded. The NCS is a member organization of the National Association of Japanese Canadians.

One of the ongoing activities of (NCS) is to record, preserve and celebrate the history of Japanese Canadians in southern Alberta. The society has published three history books and is exploring the creation of other narratives using digital media. The society works with other Japanese-Canadian cultural organizations in the area to ensure that resources are shared when possible. The NCS is also a member of the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association and participates in a wide range of activities that celebrate ethnic and cultural diversity.

Official site of the Nikkei Cultural Society of Lethbridge and Area.

Official site of the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC)

Momiji Dancers

The Momiji Dancers Society was formed in Lethbridge, Alberta in 1978 a year after the Japanese Canadian Centennial Celebration. Their original mandate was to preserve and promote the Japanese culture through activities and dance performances for the people of southern Alberta.

Initially 31 students formed the Momiji Dancers with a traditional dance teacher or Sensei. They came from the communities of Vauxhall, Stirling, Taber, Raymond and Lethbridge.

Since its founding, the Momiji Dancers surpassed their original goals. Locally they have performed at Alberta Summer and Winter Games, at Heritage Day and Canada Day annually, senior citizen lodges, public schools, the University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College, many Japanese‐Canadian events, and at various conferences. They also performed by invitation in Nisei Week festivities in Los Angeles California, at the Tatsumi Ryu School of Dancing in Vancouver, Folklorama in Winnipeg, Klondike Days in Edmonton, and the Gala Charity Ball in Yellowknife, North West Territories.

2008 marked the 30th anniversary of the Momiji Dancers Society, and on May 3 that year, 18 local performers marked the anniversary with a dance demonstration and dinner. The society was officially dissolved in the fall of 2010 due to a decline in performance opportunities and a diminishing number of dancers.