BC Heritage Sites Openings
BC Heritage Sites is a key program of Japanese Canadian Legacies, developed to invest in BC communities and assist the project teams in promoting public awareness of pre-war Japanese Canadian history through interpretive heritage projects at sites of ancestral communities and other places of historical significance including sites of wartime incarceration.
In commemorating and celebrating our historic places — most of which remain under-recognized and underserved — we rebuild connections to our heritage in British Columbia and provide education opportunities in many locations throughout the province.
There are 29 projects in BC in the Heritage Sites program. In May the first three projects will open to the public, followed by two openings in July.
You’re Invited – Save the Date!
The following list of upcoming openings details the spring and summer events. We will be updating the list regularly.
Saturday May 3 | 10:30am | CEED Centre
Maple Ridge, BC
Special Inauguration Ceremony: Seiko Udoku Multimedia Exhibit
Remembering the Lost Legacy of the Japanese Canadian Farming Community of Maple Ridge
Children’s Day Festival こどもの日
• Entertainment: NoriNori & Komori Taiko Ensemble
• Community Organizations: booths hosted by community agencies, tea, Japanese food tent
• Children’s Crafts: origami, koinobori streamers, Japanese calligraphy
LOCATION 11739 223 Street, Maple Ridge, BC
CONTACT 604.463.2229
Saturday May 10 | 12noon
Galiano Island, BC
Restoration of the Japanese Pit Kiln Opening Ceremonies
12noon | Lunch served at the Community Hall
1:00pm | Speakers at the Community Hall
2:30pm – 4:00pm | Pit Kiln Tour
LOCATION 141 Sturdies Bay Road, Galiano Island
CONTACT Please RSVP to galianoclub@gmail.com
Saturday May 24 | 1pm | North Pacific Cannery
Port Edward, BC
Grand Opening Event – Japanese Triplexes
North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site
1:00pm | Opening Welcomes
2:00pm | Cultural Performance by Lax Kw’alaams Dancers
2:30pm | Explore & Connect: view the restored Japanese Triplexes; storytelling by Japanese Canadian Elders; coffee, tea, and refreshments at the café
4:00pm | Discover The Cannery: tour historic buildings, including the Port Essington exhibit; watch live canning line demonstrations; visit the Native Net loft
LOCATION 1889 Skeena Drive, Port Edward, BC
CONTACT 250.628.3538
info@northpacificcannery.ca
www.northpacificcannery.ca
Saturday July 19 | 2pm
Window to the Past Exhibit
Sandon, BC
Opening Ceremony
‘Window to the Past’ is a permanent storefront exhibit on the history of Japanese Canadians who were interned in Sandon 1942 – 1944.
LOCATION Burns & Atherton buildings, next to the Sandon Historical Society Museum
Sunday July 20 | 8:30am
Greenwood Nikkei memorial Garden
Greenwood, BC
Grand Opening Event
8:30am Pancake Breakfast
Greenwood Fire Department – by donation
10:00am Southern Wave Okinawan Music and Dance Society
Rockin’ Ronnie Sound Tech
10:30am Speeches
11:00am Ribbon Cutting
Garden Viewing
LOCATION Nikkei Legacy Park, Greenwood, BC
Please bring an umbrella and folding chair
Openings – Fall 2025
Sunday September 14 | Tashme | Sunshine Valley, BC
Saturday September 27 | 11am | Mayne Island, BC