The Sedai: Japanese Canadian Legacy Project was founded in 2004 by a dedicated team of extraordinary volunteers from diverse backgrounds and experience. The Project operated as a committee under the auspices of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC). The core founding members of the original Sedai Project Committee are described below.

Sedai's Founding Team

Ann Ashley, Elizabeth Yuriko Fujita, Neil Henderson, George Hewson, Natalie Higashi, Andrew Kirby, Tracy Matsuo, Lorene Nagata, Russell Onizuka, Connie Sugiyama, Dan Toguri, Bob Tanaka, Lisa Kiyomi Uyeda, Peter Wakayama, Tak Yano, Su Yen Chong

Honorary Advisors

Janice Fukakusa, Bill Hatanaka, Tom Ikeda, Joy Kogawa, Bruce Kuwabara, Karen Kuwahara, Judge Maryka Omatsu, Raymond Moriyama, Linda Ohama, Scott Oki, Kerri Sakamoto, Dr. Henry J. Shimizu, Dr. Gerri Sinclair, David Tsubouchi, Dr. Akemi Kikamura Yano

The Sedai Oral History Collection today

Over time, the Sedai Project and the Archives Project formed the basis of the Heritage Department.  In 2024, we were awarded a significant grant through the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society to update and extend the Sedai Oral History Collection.  Along with a team of dedicated staff, the current advisors include:

Karen Webb (VP Heritage), Janice Nobuto (JCCC Board), Jeff Brodie, Sandy Chan, Dr. Maggie Hutcheson, Dr. Lisa Davidson