Roy Sato talks about his family immigration history from Kuwamoto, Japan. Once in Canada, his parents worked as farmers. They moved to Royston on Vancouver Island, BC where his father worked in a lumber mill. Roy talks about incidents of discrimination on children in his school that couldn't speak English. During WWII, his father was sent to work camp while the family were removed to Hastings Park in Vancouver, BC. After that, the family were interned in Sandon, BC where they were reunited with the father before relocating to Slocan City, BC. He talks about the poor living condition in Sandon internment camp that lead to an outbreak of tuberculosis as well as shortage of food and adequate warm clothing. His mother would make shoyu, udon, ume. Roy's older sisters undergo teacher training in New Denver from Mrs. Shodo and Mrs. Shimizu. He also talks about his brother in law, Fujikazu Tanaka, who voiced his opposition to familial separation. For that, he was removed to Camp 33 detention camp in Petawawa, ON. Roy speaks on persecution of educated Japanese Canadians like Tom Shoyama and that the fear of persecution among nisei and encouraged silence among issei. Roy talks about theft that happened in the internment camp and the lack of action on the Royal Canadian Mounties Police (RCMP) part. Roy talks about his religious beliefs and the Christian missionaries who attempted to convert nisei children. He recalls Christmas celebrations.
Short clips from this interview: https://vimeo.com/356915096, https://vimeo.com/375008313
Clip from Japanese Canadian Experience Post War Conference: https://vimeo.com/340218894