Irene and Glenn Smith, interviewed by Howard B. Smith, 13 August 1977

Irene and Glenn Smith, interviewed by Howard B. Smith, 13 August 1977

Abstract
Howard Smith conducted this interview with Irene and Glenn Smith, and it focuses on Irene’s role at Hastings Park during the internment era and Glenn’s direct participation in the dispossession of Japanese Canadians. Irene discusses the facilities at Hastings Park such as the isolation stalls people were placed in to stop the spread of any diseases, but she also mentions her disbelief that people are being cared for in areas where animals were and are still housed. Irene describes the level of bureaucracy involved in the administration at Hastings Park, and she quotes directly from the pass she received to enter and leave the grounds. Irene notes that Japanese Canadian nurses were also hired to help at Hastings Park and care for the sick. Regarding dispossession, Irene acknowledges that Japanese Canadians lost all their property, which was sold without consent. Glenn focuses on the dispossession and reveals the selling process of the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property. He explains how we purchased vehicles and how people he knew purchased property. He claims the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property sold property for wholesale value or within ten percent of that price.
This oral history is from the British Columbia Archives and focuses on the experience of issei (first generation Japanese-Canadians).
No transcription available.

Metadata

Title

Irene and Glenn Smith, interviewed by Howard B. Smith, 13 August 1977

Abstract

Howard Smith conducted this interview with Irene and Glenn Smith, and it focuses on Irene’s role at Hastings Park during the internment era and Glenn’s direct participation in the dispossession of Japanese Canadians. Irene discusses the facilities at Hastings Park such as the isolation stalls people were placed in to stop the spread of any diseases, but she also mentions her disbelief that people are being cared for in areas where animals were and are still housed. Irene describes the level of bureaucracy involved in the administration at Hastings Park, and she quotes directly from the pass she received to enter and leave the grounds. Irene notes that Japanese Canadian nurses were also hired to help at Hastings Park and care for the sick. Regarding dispossession, Irene acknowledges that Japanese Canadians lost all their property, which was sold without consent. Glenn focuses on the dispossession and reveals the selling process of the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property. He explains how we purchased vehicles and how people he knew purchased property. He claims the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property sold property for wholesale value or within ten percent of that price.
This oral history is from the British Columbia Archives and focuses on the experience of issei (first generation Japanese-Canadians).

Credits

Interviewer: Howard B. Smith
Interviewee: Irene Smith
Interviewee: Glenn Smith
Transcriber: Jennifer Landrey
Audio Checker: Nathaniel Hayes
Publication Information: See Terms of Use for publication and licensing information.
Setting: British Columbia
Keywords: tuberculosis; PNE; medical; racism; nurse; security; bystander; policy; contact; auction; sale; public opinion; 1940s

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.