Reverend Yoshio Ono (1904-1984)Height: 5’4”
Weight: 165 lbs Birth Place: Tokyo, Japan Nationality: Japanese Education: BA in Economics
Children: None Language(s): fluent in Japanese and English Resides in: Canada, no citizenship Occupation(s):
Duties:
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Significance: Reverend Yoshio Ono’s efforts to improve the conditions of the Hastings Park Clearing Station and the TASHME internment camp made a profound statement against the oppressive and racist Canadian government during World War II. Although Ono did not have a Canadian citizenship nor a family of his own, he nevertheless dedicated each day to defending the rights of Japanese-Canadians, and especially worked to protect the family unit. Ono himself was interned, but he continued to fight for democratic rights because he believed that all people, regardless of their status within Canada, deserved to be treated with respect and fairness. Throughout his letters, Ono communicated in a polite and humble tone with the very people oppressing him. This humility in the face of grave injustice characterizes a unique piece of Japanese culture, and was an especially powerful form of resistance. Ono was an inspiring, local leader, and his compassionate efforts deserve to be remembered. |
Works Cited:
Ono, Yoshio. 1942. File 1.1. Folder A2. Box II-6-2. Rev. Yoshio Ono Collection XXXI. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.
Ono, Yoshio. 1942. File 1.1. Folder A3. Box II-6-2. Rev. Yoshio Ono Collection XXXI. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.
Ono, Yoshio. 1942. File 1.1. Folder A4. Box II-6-2. Rev. Yoshio Ono Collection XXXI. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.
Ono, Yoshio. 1942. File 1.1. Folder A2. Box II-6-2. Rev. Yoshio Ono Collection XXXI. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.
Ono, Yoshio. 1942. File 1.1. Folder A3. Box II-6-2. Rev. Yoshio Ono Collection XXXI. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.
Ono, Yoshio. 1942. File 1.1. Folder A4. Box II-6-2. Rev. Yoshio Ono Collection XXXI. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.