My Family Padlet by Sarah Saad

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:36:05 UTC

“My father owned a successful business in Vancouver, but during the war, he and other Japanese Canadians were forced to sell their businesses at a fraction of their value. We lost everything and were left with nothing. It was a devastating blow, and it took us years to recover financially."

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:36:39 UTC

"My family and I were living in British Columbia when the war began. We were told that we had to leave our home and go to an internment camp in the interior of the province. We were only allowed to bring a few personal belongings with us. It was a difficult and traumatic experience, and we were not given any reason for why this was happening to us."

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:42:13 UTC

"Despite the difficult circumstances and injustices that we faced during the Japanese Canadian internment, our family remained strong and resilient. We supported each other and found ways to persevere through the challenges we faced."

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:49:12 UTC

"During the Roaring Twenties, our family was able to thrive and succeed in the Canadian society. We were able to open a successful business, purchase a beautiful home, and contribute to our community through volunteer work and charitable donations."

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:51:08 UTC

"Despite facing discrimination and prejudice as Japanese Canadians during the Roaring Twenties, our family remained determined and worked hard to achieve our goals. We faced challenges such as being denied access to certain neighborhoods or businesses because of our race, but we never let that hold us back.

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:51:17 UTC

"The Roaring Twenties were a time of great opportunity for our family as Japanese Canadians. We were able to make a better life for ourselves and our children through hard work and determination. We were able to send our children to school and provide them with the education and opportunities that we never had.

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:53:27 UTC

"During World War I, our family faced many challenges as Japanese Canadians. We were subjected to discrimination and prejudice, and our loyalty to Canada was often called into question. We were not allowed to vote or own land, and we were not allowed to serve in the military. This was a difficult and unfair time for us, and it was difficult to feel fully accepted as Canadians."

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:53:39 UTC

"Despite the difficulties we faced, our family remained strong and united during World War I. We supported each other and did our best to contribute to the war effort in any way we could. Some of our family members worked in war-related industries, while others volunteered their time and resources to support the war effort. We were determined to do our part and show our loyalty to Canada."

sarahsaad — 2023-01-08 22:53:52 UTC

"The World War I period was a time of great uncertainty and hardship for our family, but we never lost hope and remained determined to overcome the challenges we faced as Japanese Canadians. We were grateful for the opportunities that Canada had given us, and we were determined to do our best to contribute to our new home. We are proud of all that we were able to accomplish during this difficult time, and we will always remember it as a time of resilience and determination."

List

sarahsaad — 2023-01-11 16:39:08 UTC

Binder, Mike. 2017. “Internment of Japanese Canadians.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/internment-of-japanese-canadians.

sarahsaad — 2023-01-21 07:25:38 UTC

Beloved brother,

As our family and community are currently experiencing unspeakable pain and injustice, I am writing to you with a heavy heart. As you may know, the government has taken steps to limit the rights and freedoms of Japanese Canadians, including our family, as a result of Canada's ongoing conflict with Germany.

We were forced to sell our company and house and were sent to detention camps in the far regions of the nation. We are denied fundamental rights and freedoms, and the living circumstances are terrible and brutal. For us, this is a really trying and uncertain period.

Knowing that you are worried about us, I want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to stay strong and lift one other up. Although the government's actions have greatly wounded and disappointed us, we remain hopeful that one day justice will be served and our freedoms and rights will be fully restored.

I miss you dearly, and I hope to see you soon. Please take care and know that you are always in my thoughts.

Sincerely, your sister

sarahsaad — 2023-01-21 07:28:44 UTC

My dearest father,

I hope you are doing well as I write this. I've moved to Toronto since leaving our house, where I'm writing to you from. Although the years after the end of World War I have been challenging, I am happy to be able to begin again.

I miss you terribly and think of you often. I vividly recall the times before the war, when Japanese Canadians could live and work without restriction. But as you are aware, after the war, everything was different. During the 1920s, our community experienced prejudice and discrimination, many of us struggled to find employment or buy a home, and our rights were severely restricted. Our family and the neighbourhood were going through a trying time.

However, I'm determined to look ahead and take advantage of the opportunities that are right now. I've been able to work here in Toronto and accumulate enough money to rent a tiny apartment. I'm steadily putting my past behind me and rebuilding my life. In the future, I hope that our family and neighbourhood will continue to experience less bigotry and discrimination.

I wish you were here with me because I miss you. I would appreciate hearing from you and the rest of the family. Please take care.

Sincerely, your loving daughter

sarahsaad — 2023-01-21 07:38:12 UTC

Gallagher, Margaret. 2016. “New plaque honours Japanese-Canadian WW I veterans.” CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/new-plaque-honours-japanese-canadian-ww-i-veterans-1.3709397.

sarahsaad — 2023-01-21 07:39:18 UTC

“Japanese Canadian Soldiers of the First World War and the Fight to Win the Vote.” 2016. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/parks-canada/news/2016/11/japanese-canadian-soldiers-first-world-fight-vote.html.

sarahsaad — 2023-01-21 07:44:35 UTC

Hello Uncle
I hope you are doing well and enjoying yourself at this time. Since you went for the front, I have been thinking about you frequently. Even though I am unable to comprehend what you are going through, I want you to know that you have our admiration for your sacrifice and dedication to our country.
I wanted to provide you a status report on the situation. As many of our fellow Japanese Canadians were imprisoned and were compelled to leave their homes and businesses, the war had a significant impact on our community. Please take care and know that you are always in my thoughts.
I am proud of you and support you all the way.
Sincerely,
Your niece

33isaiahrobitaille — 2026-04-06 15:32:52 UTC

drake

33isaiahrobitaille — 2026-04-06 17:37:22 UTC

33isaiahrobitaille — 2026-04-06 17:43:56 UTC

33isaiahrobitaille — 2026-04-06 17:44:19 UTC

33isaiahrobitaille — 2026-04-06 17:44:29 UTC