Commendation Ceremony for Arthur Kazumi Miki
On March 2nd, a ceremony was held at the Japanese Canadian Association of Manitoba Inc. (JCAM Inc.) for Mr. Arthur Kazumi Miki, the recipient of the fall 2016 Foreign Commendation The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Among the approximately 60 guests were the Honourable Rochelle Squires, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage, the Honourable Ralph Eichler, Minister of Agriculture, various representatives of the Government of Manitoba, family and friends of Mr. Miki, representatives of JCAM Inc., and members of the Japanese education community in Manitoba.
As the president of the National Association of Japanese Canadians in the 1980s, Mr. Miki worked tirelessly with the Government of Canada to obtain compensation for the inhumane treatment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. This resulted in the signing of the historic Redress Agreement in 1988. The commendation ceremony was held in praise of Mr. Miki’s efforts in paving the way for that significant event.
In his remarks, Consul-General Tanabe thanked Mr. Miki for his major contribution to the Japanese Canadian community in Canada. Mr. Miki reflected on the difficulties his parents experienced during and after World War II, his own experience growing up as a third generation Japanese Canadian, and the relationship between Canada and Japan. He expressed his profound gratitude for the commendation and thanked his family, friends and members of JCAM Inc. for their cooperation and support, and the recognition of his life’s work by the Government of Japan, of which he is very proud. In addition, Mr. Miki mentioned that he hopes that Japanese Canadians will continue to pass on the knowledge of Japanese culture to younger generations.
Special guest, Minister Rochelle Squires also offered words of celebration, emphasizing the importance of Japanese culture in Manitoba and thanked Mr. Miki for his role in helping the Japanese Canadian community as well as the larger provincial community through his work as a High School principal.
