Mary Akiko Kawasaki (nee Mori)'s was born in Fairview in Vancouver, BC in 1927. Mary talks about her family immigration history - her father emigrated to Canada in 1897 at the age of 14. He worked in a sawmill before purchasing his own store where he set up a small cafe. Mary talks about her childhood and the role of Buddhism in her family life. Mary talks the discrimination faced by her family when WWII started. After Pearl Harbour, they had to sell the store. Her brother was removed to Angler, ON while the rest of the family were removed to Sandon, BC. Mary talks about education in Sandon where Catholic nuns from Quebec taught. She also talks about the activities children participated in, making jam from berries, and foraging for mushrooms with her mother. After the end of WWII, her family relocated to Hamilton, ON. Mary talks about the discrimination they faced there. Mary also talks about the helpfulness of the Jewish community. She talks about her husband's family experience prior to WWII and their internment in Slocan, BC. Mary talks about her volunteering activities at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC). She talks about Caravan, Bazaar and Issei Day at the JCCC.
Short clip from this interview: https://vimeo.com/440364563
Clip from Japanese Canadian Experience Conference: https://vimeo.com/336912669