UNews - Centre for Oral History & Tradition

Nikkei Memory Capture Project and Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden collaboration earns international honour

trevor.kenney — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:11:54 +0000

An important historical installation and the collaborative team that brought it to the public have been recognized with an international history award.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researcher Dr. Carly Adams, along with ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Plymouth (UK) associate professor Dr. Darren Aoki (BA ’90) and Michelle Day Miles of Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden have been recognized by the National Council on Public History (NCPH) with the Outstanding Public History Project Award – Small Institution.

A partial view of the timeline in the Bunka Centre.

The award recognizes a collaborative effort detailing the journeys of Japanese Canadians in southern Alberta, allowing visitors to Nikka Yuko’s Bunka Centre the opportunity to view a Time Map feature wall, listen to an audio journey, and then step inside a unique Memory Capture Project Memory Booth to listen to stories from Japanese Canadians.

In October 2024, a new interactive installation was added in the Dr. Robert Hironaka room at the Bunka Centre, the Mel Murakami Exhibit. Exploring the anti-Japanese racism and discrimination that were so formative in the pasts of individuals and communities, the Mel Murakami exhibit presents a story of hardship, overcoming and inspiration.

Aoki says the award is gratifying and respects the process that went into the making of the project.

“Initially, there was this sense of stunned disbelief: to have acknowledged in this way all those hours and days over years of effort that have gone into discovering and amplifying the histories of our Japanese Canadian community, and in the process, being part of an amazing team with Michelle to make it happen — this is so exciting and very special indeed,” he says. “More importantly, it is the generosity of all those individuals who shared their stories with us, many of whom are now sadly no longer with us, this award is really a recognition of their histories which so profoundly shape our community: we’re just the translators of this experience, and it is humbling and wonderful being able to celebrate their contributions in this way.”

Following is the award citation.

Outstanding Public History Project Award – Small Institution

Co-Creating Southern Alberta Japanese Canadian Histories: The Bunka Centre and Nikkei Memory Capture Project Heritage Collaboration Carly Adams, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge; Darren Aoki, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Plymouth (United Kingdom); and Michelle Day Miles, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

Through oral histories and deep engagement with community, this unique and meaningful collaboration between the Bunka Centre at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and the Nikkei Memory Capture Project returned the rich stories of southern Alberta’s Japanese Canadians to the community and made them publicly accessible in an evocative and transformative storytelling approach. This project with its marriage of place, memory and story is an exemplary model of what is possible when organizations engage with communities and individuals to tell stories that enrich our understanding of the historical, social and cultural contributions of its people. The collaboration reflects the community that nurtures the garden and southern Alberta.

“This collaboration serves as a tangible testament to the enduring legacy of Japanese Canadians in southern Alberta, providing a space where visitors can engage with and contribute to the rich tapestry of local history,” says Eric Granson, marketing and events manager at Nikka Yuko. “By housing the Nikkei Memory Capture Booth within the Bunka Centre, the garden not only preserves the stories of the Japanese community but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation among visitors. This initiative enriches the cultural landscape of Lethbridge and reinforces the garden’s role as a central hub for cultural exchange and education.

Award winners will be celebrated at the 2025 NCPH Annual Meeting awards breakfast and keynote, Mar. 29 in Montreal.

“The installation has been seen by thousands of visitors and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Adams, director of the Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT). “The main objective of the project was to ‘return the stories’ to the community by making these histories publicly accessible. Feedback on the exhibits and the stories shared have led to many new research directions and we hope to continue collaborating with the garden to develop future exhibits about different aspects of Japanese Canadian histories in southern Alberta.”

About the NCPH

The National Council on Public History, headquartered on the campus of Indiana ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Indianapolis, is a membership association dedicated to making the past useful in the present and to encouraging collaboration between historians and their publics. Its work begins in the belief that historical understanding is of essential value in society. NCPH members include museum professionals, historical consultants, historians employed in government, archivists, historical administrators, corporate and business historians, cultural resource managers, curators, film and media producers, oral historians, policy advisers, professors and students with public history interests, teachers, and many others. Increasingly, the council has been working to advance public history on an international scale.

Trailblazing ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge neuroscientists shaped global brain health and education

caroline.zentner — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 22:28:29 +0000

Brainstorm, a documentary that chronicles how ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge professors Drs. Bryan Kolb and Ian Whishaw revolutionized the understanding of the brain, will premiere at the Yates Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. After selling out the Yates theatre, organizers decided to show the film concurrently at the Sterndale Bennett Theatre. For more information and to sign up for seats to view the event from the Sterndale theatre, visit Brainstorm. Those not attending the premiere will be able to watch the film on TELUS TV in early 2025.

Brainstorm was directed by Dr. Jenna Bailey, adjunct assistant professor with the Department of History and Religion, co-produced by Bailey and Dr. Edgar Bermudez Contreras, an adjunct professor at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), and edited by Bryn Hewko, assistant professor of new media.

“I made this film to showcase the groundbreaking work of two bold neuroscientists whose discoveries have transformed our understanding of the brain and advanced treatments for brain disorders and diseases,” says Bailey. “Their innovative research, fearless exploration of the unknown, and dedication to mentoring generations of scientists are captivating stories that highlight the power of science in making a real impact.”

The 42-minute film delves into the history behind the establishment of the CCBN and its growth through the efforts of Drs. Bryan Kolb, Ian Wishaw, Robert Sutherland and Robbin Gibb. The research results produced by CCBN scientists have provided insight into Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes and early brain development, to name a few. As a result, prevention strategies for brain disorders and programs to improve brain health have been developed. Community programs have sprouted from their findings and have been key to launching such programs as Building Brains Together and the Early Years program through the Martin Family Initiative.

Brainstorm was produced with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE. Additional funding was generously provided by the Alberta Medical Association, Government of Alberta, Alberta Media Fund, CCBN, Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT) and the Historical Society of Alberta.

Watch the trailer.

About TELUS STORYHIVE

Since 2013, TELUS STORYHIVE has been able to support a community of thousands of local content creators across British Columbia and Alberta, providing over $66.9 million in funding and creating a safe space for storytellers to hone their skills and bring the projects they care about to life. Visit TELUS STORYHIVE for more information.

Nikkei Memory Capture Project a key feature of new Bunka Centre

trevor.kenney — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 16:38:17 +0000

The stories of Japanese Canadians and the challenges they faced as they settled in southern Alberta is the focus of a new collaborative effort between ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researcher Dr. Carly Adams and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Plymouth (UK) associate professor Dr. Darren Aoiki’s Nikkei Memory Capture Project and Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.

Part of the Time Map feature in the Bunka Centre.

Unveiled at the new Bunka Centre on Thursday, Apr. 14, the project allows visitors to hear these important stories through an interactive sound booth installation and a Time Map feature wall that details the journeys of Japanese Canadians in southern Alberta.

“It is very exciting to be unveiling the Time Map collaboration, and Nikkei Memory Capture Project’s Memory Booth,” says Adams, who is also the co-director of the Centre for Oral History & Tradition at ULethbridge. “These two installations highlight what I most appreciate about this collaborative work – connections with community organizations and members, publicly accessible histories, and adding nuance and complexity to little known histories. It has been a pleasure and privilege being involved in these installations and involving undergraduate and graduate students in this vital work.”

A look at the Memory Booth where people can listen to oral histories and record their own.

“The unveiling of the Time Map and Memory Booth is such an exciting development for us,” says Aoki. “It’s so exciting to be able to share the wonderfully distinctive histories of Japanese Canadians in southern Alberta that the Nikkei Memory Capture Project has been privileged to explore.”

Adams and Aoki (via zoom) gave a presentation to attendees of the unveiling and addressed the partnerships that were utilized in creating the memorable project.

“This is a celebration of so many innovative collaborations, exciting partnerships, and close friendships: with the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, the Centre for Oral History and Tradition; between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Plymouth and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and most importantly, with the many individuals who have so generously shared their memories, stories, and wisdom with us,” adds Aoki.

The installations are now open to the public at the Bunka Centre. Guests who attend are also able to record their own memories to be shared with future generations.

U of L oral history workshops expand to Milk River

caroline.zentner — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 21:13:21 +0000

The Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT) at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is taking its oral history workshops farther afield thanks to the efforts of alumnus Dale Leffingwell (BASc ’71).

As president of the Milk River Historical Society, Leffingwell partnered with the U of L to bring an oral history workshop to the community on Saturday, Oct. 5. The workshop will focus on the basics of doing an oral history project, including interviewing and transcription.

“I attended an oral history session at the U of L a couple of years ago and I was fascinated because it seemed like a way to fill in the pieces of history in our area,” says Leffingwell. “Much of our history is just not written down. Oral history fills in the gaps and gives us a truer picture of what happened.”

Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, Leffingwell approached Dr. Carol Williams, director of COHT and U of L professor, and plans for the workshop proceeded. Speakers lined up for the event include Williams; Dr. Carly Adams, a U of L professor and principal researcher with the Nikkei Memory Capture Project; Aimee Benoit, Galt Museum curator; Kimberley Lyall, motivational speaker and consultant; and Diane McKenzie, a U of L graduate student. Madison Allen, a history graduate student, is serving as workshop assistant.

“Dale is one of the most energetic and enthusiastic community historians I’ve ever met,” says Williams. “We are pleased to be running this workshop to train Milk River residents, both young and old, and U of L students who are involved with COHT about oral history methods.”

“What I’m excited about is that the U of L has engaged so many students,” says Leffingwell. “It’s so important to get young people engaged in our history. There are so many stories that can be saved through oral history interviews.”

The Milk River Historical Society has been a going concern since it was formed in 2016 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Milk River with a mini-museum. The society succeeded in getting a small but permanent location. This summer, they secured a 334 square-metre (3,600 square-foot) building for their museum collection.

Society members are also working on preserving an 1889 Northwest Mounted Police barracks that once sat on the Milk River Ridge observing the Fort Benton-Whoop-Up Trail.

“It was built with square nails,” says Leffingwell. “When completed, it will be a tribute to first responders, including the 1st Special Service Force, which became known as the Devils Brigade.”

The Devils Brigade was a joint Canadian-American Second World War commando unit. Members were extensively trained in stealth tactics and became the model for units like the Green Berets, Delta Force, Navy SEALs and JTF2. Highway 4 between Lethbridge and Helena, Montana, was renamed the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway in 1999 to mark the route Canadian volunteers took to join American volunteers for training in Fort Harrison, Montana.

UNews - Centre for Oral History & Tradition

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