In Memory of Yoshimitsu Suyematsu
Yosh Suyematsu of Ontario, OR passed away peacefully on March 14, 2023. Please join the Suyematsu family in remembrance and honor of his 95 years of life.
Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Awarded to BIJAEMA
The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association (BIJAEMA) is one step closer to making the final phase of the Exclusion Memorial a reality. BIJAEMA was recently awarded a $613K National Park Service Japanese American Confinement Sites (JACS) grant to fund the construction of the new Visitor Center. Design of
In Memory of Peg Chapman
To BIJAC friends, We are deeply saddened to announce the May 21 passing of Peg Chapman, founding office manager of Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School from 1999-2015. Peg played an enormous part in establishing the warm & welcoming school climate at Sakai. She was proud of our connection to the Bainbridge
Tune in to the New “beyond generations” Podcast
Podcast "beyond generations" focuses on the Japanese American Incarceration during WWII. This four-episode podcast mini-series is produced and hosted by Monica, an international student from Japan living in Seattle. Her goal is to educate people about the incarceration and motivate them to take action so that it will never happen again.
Representative Kilmer Seeks Progress Report on NPS Appropriations
The future of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial rests, in part, with the fortunes of its partnership with the National Park Service and its funding through the U.S. Department of the Interior. In addition to benefiting from the NPS’ technical expertise in the development of educational and interpretive
Forced to live in horse stalls. How one of America’s worst injustices played out at Santa Anita.
The Los Angeles Times recently featured this front page article recounting the experience of the Japanese Americans who were first relocated to the horse stables of Santa Anita Park on April 29th, 1942, prior to being moved to their final incarceration site at Heart Mountain, WY. From Santa Anita in
Watch “A Matter of Loyalty” at BIMA
For those of you who were not able to attend in person, you may now view “A Matter of Loyalty” here. 2022 Washington State Book Award winner in poetry, Sharon Hashimoto, is joined by Bainbridge Islanders Lilly Kodama and Clarence Moriwaki to examine ideas of citizenship, civic engagement, and the
In Memory of: Sharon Nobue Harris
A Tribute to Sharon Harris Sharon Nobue Harris passed away December 30, 2022. She leaves behind her husband Dave, son Cory (Karen), daughter Shannon (Tal Goettling), granddaughter Hailey, sister Joyce Hamamura (Susan Davis), aunt May Terayama, many cousins, friends and her lap-warming kitty, Missy. She was born on September 30,
BIJAEMA Hails Passage of Japanese American Confinement Education Act
December 24, 2022 Bainbridge Island, WA – The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association commends Congress for passing a 2023 spending bill that includes the Norman Y. Mineta Japanese American Confinement Education Act and the Japanese American World War II History Network Act. Named after the late Norman Mineta
‘We Are Minidoka’ matching challenge from the Masto Foundation!
Dear Bainbridge Island, We need your help. The Masto Foundation has generously offered to donate an additional $10,000 in addition to their already pledged $50,000 over 3 years – if we raise an additional $10,000 from all of you by December 31st. Photos left to right: Sparks and her mother