Aiko and Mike Murakami, interviewed by Heather Read and Momoye Sugiman, 26 June 2015

Aiko and Mike Murakami, interviewed by Heather Read and Momoye Sugiman, 26 June 2015

Abstract
This interview is with Aiko Murakami and her son Mike Murakami at their home in Toronto on June 26, 2015, for the Landscapes of Injustice project. Aiko, a nisei who will be a century old in two years, recalls various episodes from her childhood and teenage years in Victoria, British Columbia; her internment years in Kaslo and New Denver, and her post-internment years in Toronto. Prompted by Mike and the sight of old photographs, she also shares fragments of memories about her experiences as a C.G.I.T. member, a Cabbagetown resident, a ghost town teacher and a domestic for wealthy white families. Mike contributes to his mother’s narrative by filling in the historical gaps and sharing his vast knowledge of significant buildings, people and artifacts related to his mother’s life.
This oral history is from an interview conducted by the Oral History cluster of the Landscapes of Injustice project.
No transcription available.

Metadata

Title

Aiko and Mike Murakami, interviewed by Heather Read and Momoye Sugiman, 26 June 2015

Abstract

This interview is with Aiko Murakami and her son Mike Murakami at their home in Toronto on June 26, 2015, for the Landscapes of Injustice project. Aiko, a nisei who will be a century old in two years, recalls various episodes from her childhood and teenage years in Victoria, British Columbia; her internment years in Kaslo and New Denver, and her post-internment years in Toronto. Prompted by Mike and the sight of old photographs, she also shares fragments of memories about her experiences as a C.G.I.T. member, a Cabbagetown resident, a ghost town teacher and a domestic for wealthy white families. Mike contributes to his mother’s narrative by filling in the historical gaps and sharing his vast knowledge of significant buildings, people and artifacts related to his mother’s life.
This oral history is from an interview conducted by the Oral History cluster of the Landscapes of Injustice project.

Credits

Interviewer: Heather Read
Interviewer: Momoye Sugiman
Interviewee: Aiko Murakami
Interviewee: Mike Murakami
Publication Information: See Terms of Use for publication and licensing information.
Setting: Toronto, ON
Keywords: Victoria ; Kaslo ; Cabbagetown; education; Chinese community; nisei women’s group; 1920s – present

Terminology

Readers of these historical materials will encounter derogatory references to Japanese Canadians and euphemisms used to obscure the intent and impacts of the internment and dispossession. While these are important realities of the history, the Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective urges users to carefully consider their own terminological choices in writing and speaking about this topic today as we confront past injustice. See our statement on terminology, and related sources here.