S. June Yusa

Aside from the trip to Amache, this conference was "overall outstanding." There was not enough time for each workshop visited, not able to attend more workshops because of conflicts of having more scheduled at the same time slot. Thanks to everyone who arranged the conference. Good job!

S. June Yusa - "Whose America? Who's American?"
País: editor

Cindi Kishiyama-Harbottle and son, Alex (Arizona)

The belief of who we are today, comes from a rich history that needs to be preserved and passed down to future generations.

Cindi Kishiyama-Harbottle & Alex from Arizona at the "Whose America? Who's American?" National Conference
País: editor

Sets Asano (Los Angeles, California)

Wonderful--appreciate all your hard work. Very informative; impressed with the Yonsei. Great sessions and Amache site was terrific.

Sets Asano - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Don Yamate (California)

Here as media and was born in Topaz, Utah.

Don Yamate from California at the "Whose America? Who's American?" National Conference
País: editor

Jenni, Katie, and Millie King (Colorado)

We came to go to Amache and learn about Japanese American heritage.

Jenni, Katie, and Millie King - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Kenny Endo (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Taiko artist

A great chance to meet old and new friends. Learned so much from the Issei and Nisei participants who shared their stories. JANM did a wonderful job in organizing this conference.

Kenny Endo - " Whose America? Who's American?"
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Fusae Yoshida (California)

I brought 2 of my children because they are almost retired. I wanted them to learn about war times & what the families went through.

Brings back fond memories of the early days of the Museum.

Fusae Yoshida of California at the "Whose America? Who's American?" National Conference
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Ruth Hatchimonji

I came to the conference to listen to some of the great speakers and writers. Hope to see the Amache Camp tomorrow. Didn't go to camps so can't tell you about my camp experience.

Ruth Hatchimonji - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Toru Saito

I remember those who didn't make it back - I'm a retired mental health clinician. I have seen those who didn't make it back to 'normal' main stream life.

Toru Saito - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Bill and Emi Shishima (California)

To learn about the Japanese-American experience!

Bill and Emi Shishima - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Cindy and Tay Kondo (Denver, Colorado)

We came to help JANM out with the conference and had a great time!

Cindy and Tay Kondo - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Grant Ichikawa (Virginia)

I enjoyed the conference in Arkansas so much. I wanted to have that sort of experience again.

[He is referring to the National Museum's 2004 conference in Little Rock, Arkansas]

Grant Ichikawa from Virginia at the "Whose America? Who's American?" National Conference
País: editor

June Aoki (California)

Great conf. Had a long wonderful trip to Amache yesterday. Thanks!

June Aoki - "Whose American? Who's America?"
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Minoru Tonai (Woodland Hills, California)

It's been a great conference. I regret that I could not attend all of the sessions.

Minoru Tonai - "Whose American? Who's American?"
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Shirley Tsuchimoto

Brought my son and his family to the conference in order to experience some Japanese heritage of the past and present.

Shirley Tsuchimoto - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Renie Yoshida Grohl (Warren, Ohio) and Karen Ebel (New London, New Hampshire)

L- Renie Yoshida Grohl comments:

Great conference. Learned all about the Denver Japanese American community--Ralph Carr and the Shitara sisters. All things were new to me. Thank you.

R- Karen Ebel comments:

I came to discuss the German American and German Latin Experience during WWII.

German American Internee Coalition President

Renie Yoshida Grohl and Joyce Mizunaga - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Miki Stebbing

I came to this conference because along with my parents, I was interned at Amache, and have wanted to learn more about this experience.

Miki Stebbing - " Whose America? Who's American?"
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Aileen Okimoto (Arvada, Colorado) and Joyce Mizunaga (Aurora, Colorado)

L- Aileen Okimoto comments:

We enjoyed volunteering at the "Whose America? Who's American? Diversity, Civil Liberties, and Social Justice." My father was interned at Heart Mountain, Wyoming, and his older brother was in the US Army. My mother was born in Ft. Lupton, CO, and during the war, the family …

Aileen Okimoto and Joyce Mizunaga - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Katherine Domoto

I came mainly to visit the Amache site where my family was interned. It was a very fulfilling experience.

Katherine Domoto - " Whose America? Who's American?"
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Erin Valenciano and Jan Ogawa (Littleton, Colorado)

L- Jan Ogawa comments:

The conference was terrific - only wish my parents were alive to see that their experience in Amache will not be forgotten. Thanks to the museum and sponsoring organizations for a job well done and for all the HARD work!

R- Erin Valenciano comments:

I had …

Erin Valenciano and Jan Ogawa - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Teri Ozaki (Colorado)

I am a sansei. My parents were interned at Poston. I am excited to be able to attend this conference! Thank you!

Teri Ozaki - "Whose America? Who's American? "
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Kids

left to right:

Ethan Wong, 9 (San Gabriel, California)

Troy Maki, 9 (Los Angeles, California)

Sara Wong, 11 (San Gabriel, California)

Lane Maki, 9 (Los Angeles, California)

Ethan Wong comments:

I saw the Rockies game. I came because I've never been to Denver. I learned how to make a bracelet …

Kids - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Richard Potashin

Here with the National Park Service. Had a great experience on the bus trip discovering the Wada and Homma family histories.

Richard Potashin - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Lillian C. Kimura (New Jersey)

member of the New York JACL

Came to learn + meet friends.

Lillian C. Kimura - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Elizabeth and Masako Ebisuzaki (Pinole, California)

R- Masako Ebisuzaki comments:

Great conference and renewed old friendship. Former Jerome and GIla camp attendee--from Hawaii. Father Kinzaemon Odachi, Tenrikyo Shinto minister. Died in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Never got to return to Hilo, Hawaii. Ashes were returned to Hilo and buried in Hilo, Hawaii.

Retired R.N.

L- Elizabeth …

Masako Ebisuzaki - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Takeshi and Yoshie Wajima

To support the Japanese American National Museum.

Takeshi and Yoshie Wajima - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Jennifer Chikuma and Scott Chikuma (Arvada, Colorado)

Jennifer Chikuma comments:

This conference is important because it teaches people about Japanese culture.

Scott Chikuma comments:

Being involved in the community has always been a big deal to me. The Japanese community has always been very close together. So to keep the community together should be a priority of …

Jennifer Chikuma and Scott Chikuma - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Hisao Homma, Kumiko Hasegawa and Kunio Homma

Kunio Homma's comments:

Came to Amache, first for history and closure. It's been 63 years since I've been back. When my sister, brother, and I saw the foundation, it brought back a flood of memories.

Kumiko Hasegawa's (Washington) comments:

My two younger brothers, Hisao and Kunio Homma, came to visit …

Homma siblings - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Jane Beckwith (Utah)

Each JANM conference fosters scholarship and introduces us to each other through a common thread of history.

Topaz Museum

Jane Beckwith - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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John Okada and Sharon Staples

We're here to represent my family who was at Tule Lake. I've always wanted to hear Senator Inouye, too.

John Okada and Sharon Staples - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Irene Misako Hadeishi (Gardena, California)

At age 72, I am still finding out what our common experience meant/means. The youngest among us show us the way.

Irene Misako Hadeishi - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Kristin Okimoto (San Jose, California)

This conference is so inspiring and enlightening. I've learned so much history about the pioneer Issei and Nisei.

Kristin Okimoto - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Harold "Hal" Keimi and Barbara Reiko Mikami-Keimi (Monterey Park, California)

Barbara was interned at Amache, CO, block 8G.

We were taken to my barrack by Dr. Bonnie Clark who located the exact spot I lived at age 5.

Harold "Hal" Keimi and Barbara Reiko Mikami-Keimi - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Roger Tanioka and Susan Tanioka

Came to learn more about the camp experiences and influences on society today. Also how the Japanese American experience influences how other minorities understand and relate to current issues.

Roger Tanioka and Susan Tanioka - "Whose America? Who's American"
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Lily Havey (Salt Lake City, Utah)

What an overwhelming experience this was!

Lily Harvey - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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George and Kashiwa Hatamiya (Marysville, California)

We enjoyed the conference immensely. It was very informative, emotional, and uplifting! Was very impressed with Mr. Hopper and his students and what they are doing with the preservation of Amache. They hosted our great visit to the camp.

George and Kashiwa Hatamiya - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Ted Yonemoto (New Mexico)

Came to the conference to find out what was going on to preserve the Japanese heritage.

Ted Yonemoto - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Kenzo and Mika Kawanabe (Colorado)

As 4th and 5th generation Coloradoans and Japanese Americans, we came to learn more about our community and history.

Kenzo and Mika Kawanabe - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Richard M. Murakami (California)

Need more conferences/programs so we can learn more about "our" experience.

JANM volunteer

Richard M. Murakami - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Mike Kazuji Miyagishima

The reason for coming to the conference to meet with old friends that I haven't seen in years.

Mike Kazuji Miyagishima - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Yen Nguyen (Layton, Vermont), Keilee Hess (Syracuse, Utah), and Shannah Thorne (Syracuse, Utah)

Yen Nguyen comments (left):

Through this experience, I have met many inspirational people. I am so grateful for my teacher, Mrs. Baker, for allowing us to do the project on Topaz that has brought me here to this conference.

Keilee Hess comments (middle):

I'm here at this conference for the …

Yen Nguyen, Keilee Hess, and Shannah Thorne - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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June and Tsukasa Matsueda

Tsukasa came to the conference as a speaker. I came as a tag-a-long and was thoroughly impressed with the scope and depth of the event. I am impressed with the commitment being made to carry on the work in educating our country about the Japanese American experience.

June and Tsukasa Matsueda - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Fred and Ellen Shimasaki (Hayward, California)

Came for the reunion with the Topaz High School class of 1945.

Also to connect with our Japanese American heritage and to learn more about it.

Fred and Ellen Shimasaki - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Troy Kaji (Berkeley, California)

Enjoying a family reunion with my wife, 5 daughters, parents, and extended family.

Troy Kaji - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Iku Kiriyama (Torrance, California)

This was my first national JANM conference. The variety of panels met a wide interest range. I particularly enjoyed "Perceived Threats" and "From Camp to Community: Japanese American Healthcare."

Iku Kiriyama - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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James Tanaka (California)

I am attending the "Enduring Communities" as a panel member about life outside the relocation centers. I lived in Portland & was sent to the Portland Stockyard Assembly Center & Minidoka Relocation Center. My family left the Center in the spring of 1943 on a seasonal group leave to thin …

James Tanaka from California at the "Whose America? Who's American?" National Conference
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Mitsue Takahashi (California)

Continue to fight for equality and justice.

Mitsue Takahashi - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Bertha Shimazu (Torrance, California)

Conference was very well organized. I thoroughly enjoyed being here and seeing how hard the leaders are working at pursuing social justice, etc. Good job!

Bertha Shimazu - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Yasuo Koike (New York)

I decided to attend the conference because I would like to get to know more people in the Japanese community.

Yasuo Koike from New York at the "Whose America? Who's American?" National Conference
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Christian Heimburger (Westminster, Colorado)

I've celebrated the 4th of July for 31 years, but to be with these humble, heroic veterans is one of the most memorable. Truly service is patriotism. Their story must be told to remind us that patriotism is more than waving a flag; it is sacrifice.

Christian Heimburger - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Cathleen Kozen (Santa Clara, California)

It was an honor and such a pleasure to attend this special and important event. This has been an invaluable learning experience, and I am further inspired to continue my work that considers the complex implications and stakes of Japanese American redress as a model of historical justice, not only …

Cathleen Kozen - "Whose America? Who's America?"
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Paul Takemoto (Maryland)

It's hard to put into words how important this event is to me. I was at the last conference in Arkansas and it was one of the most meaningful weekends of my life. I'm here with my mom, daughter, aunts, cousins and uncle, and we all feel indebted to the …

Paul Takemoto from Maryland at the "Whose America? Who's American?" National Conference
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Chester Hashizume

Instructor for Discovering your Japanese American Roots

Chester Hashizume - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Hisako Narasaki (Hiroshima, Japan)

I'm researching about Japanese American religion. I thought Japanese Americans have very strong community connections. I could get a lot of different view points. However, I think I can fit here, but I can't fit here at the same time as a Japanese.

Hisako Narasaki - "Whose America? Who's American?"
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Molly Takemoto (Maryland)

I came to the conference because my grandmother and her sisters were all placed in internment camps when they were young. I saw how much their experiences impacted their lives and I wanted to learn about other people's experiences.

Molly Takemoto from Maryland at the "Whose America? Who's American?" National Conference
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Fred and Mitsue Salador (West Islip, NY)

Fred was born in Brooklyn. Mitsue was born in Hood River, OR and spent the summer of 1942 in Portland Assembly Center. We met in NYC. We have been interested in telling the story of our WWII era experiences.

Fred and Mitsue Salador - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

Glenn Kumekawa (Rhode Island)

Part of the Internment story is the "salvaging" of some 4,500 college-aged students from the camps and relocated them in the east coast and the midwest colleges. The Council of Academics and Religious Leaders in three short years successfully helped these students by the: The National Japanese American Student Relocation …

Glenn and Yoshiko Kumekawa - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

Milton and Christine Omoto (Highlands Ranch, CO)

Milton's comments:

We attended this JANM Conference in Denver to learn more about the Japanese American experience during WW2. As Sansei Japanese Americans, it is important to learn and to continue the legacy of what the Issei and Nisei experienced, to document the information and to continue the equation to …

Milton and Christine Omoto - "Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

Claire Mix

Claire Mix (sitting)
w/ assistants Michael Tan and Joan Chew

I'm producing a documentary on Gila River, so I'm hoping to meet many former internees and other Japanese Americans who are willing to share their experiences with me. And I want to fish for a kiss from George Takei.

www.clairemix.com
thesolo@sbcglobal.net

Claire Mix
País: bokinaka

Kellye Tamura (Englewood, Colorado)

I came to the conference to learn more about the JA community on a national level, as well as to learn more of the personal histories from the Nisei and Sansei. I enjoyed volunteering and I hope to be able to come to the next conference and have just as …

Kellye Tamura - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton (Little Rock, Arkansas)

As an African-American who participated in the Civil Rights Movement, this conference helps me to understand the broader civil rights struggle in America. I realize that one people's suffering and oppression have to become part of the larger American story. I am my brother and sister's keeper.

Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura (New Mexico)

"Hershey" Miyamura is a Medal of Honor recipient awarded for his actions during the Korean War.

Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

Joey Day (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

This conference is a way for me to learn more about Asian American history. Most schools don't like to teach extensively about it. So this is big for me.

Joey Day - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

Masako Murakami (Monterey Park)

Speakers were inspiring. You could have heard a pin drop.

Masako Murakami - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

James Hirabayashi (Mill Valley, California)

Great conference - the next generation needs to know what happened so they can make wise decisions in the future when they create their communities.

James Hirabayashi - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka

Dan Kubo (Cortez, California)

I felt drawn to this event on several levels. As an educator, I feel a need to become further educated and acquire material to more effectively teach the Japanese American experience. As a Nikkei I wanted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Redress along with others of our community.

As …

Dan Kubo - " Whose America? Who's American?"
País: bokinaka