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Obata was born on 13 April 1892. Her maiden name was Tami Ishiwata. At some point she began to use the name Mary Tami Obata. She was a rooming house proprietor. Her property was a two-story building with three stores on the ground floor and ten rooms on the second floor. Her family includes Yoshida Ishiwata (father; deceased at time of file), C. Sataro Obata (husband; deceased at time of file), and Roger Obata (son). Her home address is listed as 719 Third Avenue, Prince Rupert, BC. She was forcibly uprooted to 89 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, ON and to 346 Merton Street, Toronto, ON. Her building with three stores and ten rooms, including contents, was seized and sold to James Harris Shriaberg of 144 Water Street, Vancouver, BC. Another of her properties was sold to Mrs. Lily Jackson nee Lily Harris. Her other listed seized property includes an R.C.A. Radio Gramaphone and household belongings.
This file also contains letters of protest from Tami Obata and her son.
Some day, the people of Canada will learn of the terrible injustice that has been inflicted upon one minority group for no justifiable reason whatsoever. When that time comes, the people who were responsible for this shameful act will bow their heads in disgrace for boasting of their grand democracy."(Excerpt from a letter written by Tami Obata to the Office of the Custodian)
Obata was born on 13 April 1892. Her maiden name was Tami Ishiwata. At some point she began to use the name Mary Tami Obata. She was a rooming house proprietor. Her property was a two-story building with three stores on the ground floor and ten rooms on the second floor. Her family includes Yoshida Ishiwata (father; deceased at time of file), C. Sataro Obata (husband; deceased at time of file), and Roger Obata (son). Her home address is listed as 719 Third Avenue, Prince Rupert, BC. She was forcibly uprooted to 89 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, ON and to 346 Merton Street, Toronto, ON. Her building with three stores and ten rooms, including contents, was seized and sold to James Harris Shriaberg of 144 Water Street, Vancouver, BC. Another of her properties was sold to Mrs. Lily Jackson nee Lily Harris. Her other listed seized property includes an R.C.A. Radio Gramaphone and household belongings.