On October 28, the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations held a ground blessing and cedar brushing ceremony on the future site of the Japanese Canadian Monument Park in Victoria, BC — marking the official beginning of construction this fall. Led by Elder Mary Ann Thomas and speaker Carmen Dick, the traditional ceremony blessed the land where a wall of names and a garden will honour the 22,000 people of Japanese descent, most born in Canada, who were forcibly displaced from their homes on the west coast of BC during the 1940s.
Members of the Victoria Japanese Canadian community, including survivors and descendants, were also present, as well as government officials, members of the design and construction teams, and representatives from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society were present. Set for completion in 2026, the monument park — designed by KPMB Architects and PFS Studio — will include a 100 metre long curving monument wall set within a Japanese-inspired garden offering space for reflection, commemoration and community events. We hold deep gratitude to the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations for their blessings and to all who continue to ensure these stories are never forgotten.