(2008, 47 minutes)

Tom Kuwabara  Born March 29, 1922
Shig Kuwabara  Born February 6, 1924

These two brothers were born in Skeena River, BC to a fisherman father. Their mother died when they were very young and the boys were sent to live with relatives in Japan for eight years. When given the choice, they decided to come back to Canada. When their father came to Japan to collect them he also decided to interview potential wives and remarry to help raise his family.

The new family returned to Skeena River where their father continued to fish with two boats. The family then moved to Steveston where father and sons lived in a company home while their mother lived in a rooming house.

One day after arriving in their new home, Pearl Harbor was attacked. During relocation, both Shig and Tom were old enough to be separated from their family. They expressed feelings of disagreement with their situation and were sent to a prisoner of war camp where they were monitored with machine guns in barbed wire fences. At this camp they were considered to be equivalent to Japanese soldiers and were made to wear red circles on their backs so they could always be seen, especially during an escape. The camp did provide some opportunities such as Judo, Haiku clubs and lifelong friendships. Tom also kept a diary that he started while in Hastings Park which was later published into a book.

After the war ended they were offered jobs in Northern Manitoba. The brothers parted ways to pursue their careers and begin families.

Ohanashi: The Story of Our Elders presents the deeply personal and poignant stories of ten Japanese Canadian elders. Through their firsthand accounts, the series explores their lives before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the hardships of internment during World War II, and their resilience in the face of post-war challenges. 
Each episode of Ohanashi: The Story of Our Elders is a testament to the resilience, courage and enduring spirit of Japanese Canadians who lived through one of the darkest chapters in Canadian history. Through their voices, the series ensures their legacy lives on for future generations.

Director: Susanne Tabata
Producer: Susanne Tabata

Alfie Kamitakahara (43 minutes)
Irene Tsuyuki (45 minutes)
Kazue Oye (30 minutes)
Marie Katsuno (35 minutes)
May Komiyama (34 minutes)
Midge Ayukawa (33 minutes)
Shirley Omatsu (44 minutes)
Susumu Tabata (44 minutes)
Tak Miyazaki (35 minutes)
Tom & Shig Kuwabara (47 minutes)

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