Lesson 3: DISPOSSESSION
Landscapes of Injustice tells a story of the loss of home. It is about fear, racism, and measures taken in the name of security that made no one safer. It is also about the resilience of Japanese Canadians confronting injustice.
Visit our TimelineThink About It! Activity
In this activity we will examine the connection between the War Measures Act and the enactment of many Orders-In-Council which impacted the lives of Japanese Canadians after Canada declared war against Japan in 1941. Groups will discuss two pieces of legislation and consider the reactions within the Japanese Canadian community.
SUGGESTED TIME: 45 MINUTES
Teaching Instructions
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Distribute
Handout 3.1 Think About It!
along with
Source 3.1 War Measures Act (1914)
and
Source 3.2 Order-in-Council PC 1665.
- Student pairs or groups discuss the questions, recording the answers on Source 3.1 War Measures Act (1914).
- Students share their responses in a class wide discussion. Answers will vary.
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Provide students with copies of
Handout 3.2 Writing for The New Canadian
and
Source 3.3 Notice to All Japanese Persons
- Tell the students about The New Canadian newspaper, a Japanese Canadian owned and operated publication. It was the only source that reported broadly on government actions from a Japanese Canadian point of view.
- Take some time to walk through the details in Source 3.3 Notice to All Japanese Persons.
- What were the restrictions it imposed?
- Who was impacted by the notice?
- Source 3.2 Order-in-Council PC 1665 asks students to take on the role of a Japanese Canadian family and write about their experiences of uprooting, and the siezure of their property.