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Hastings Park Walking Tour
May 31, 2025 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Learn the history of Japanese Canadian Incarceration at Hastings Park through a two hour tour, followed by a healing circle led by Naomi Horii to create space to process through community.
Kikiai Collaborative invites members of the Japanese Canadian community to join us for this tour of Hastings Park. Led by Kimiko Yoshino of the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, this walking tour will explore site of deep significance in the history of Japanese Canadian incarceration. This tour offers an opportunity to learn about the injustices that occurred on this land and to reflect together on the lasting impact. The tour will end with a healing circle led by Naomi Horii, which offers the opportunity for participants to process, connect and support one another in community.
Please note that due to the sensitive subject matter, this will be emotionally heavy. We invite you to care for yourself in whatever ways you need – whether that means stepping away, taking breaks, or leaning into the healing circle that follows. Please also be respectful of others who may be processing the day in their own ways.
Event Details
- When: Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 10:15am-12:30pm
- 10:15-10:30am: Sign-in
- 10:30-10:40am: Tour introduction
- 11:40-11:45am: Tour through Hastings Park
- 11:45am-12:30pm: Healing circle and community discussion
- Where: Hastings Park, tour will begin at Parking Lot 7 at the corner of Renfrew St and McGill St
- Who: For those aged 16+ of Japanese descent of all generations, experiences, background and connections to the Japanese Canadian community (max. 10 people)
- Cost: By donation (recommended $5)
- Bring: Participants should expect there to be little opportunity to sit during the tour portion (roughly 1.5 hrs) and to be outside – bring clothing and footwear that will allow you to be comfortable for standing/walking for a long period and to protect from inclement weather. We also recommend bringing a sealable water bottle or similar.
For questions, please email kikiaicollaborative [at] gmail [dot] com.
Accessibility, Parking & Transportation
- Tour will take place in a park with paved pathways and only slight changes in elevation. If walking or standing for long periods is a barrier, please email kikiaicollaborative [at] gmail [dot] com and we can try to find accommodations.
- There is only location for public washroom access on the park grounds and are some distance from the majority of the tour areas. We encourage using facilities before the tour begins.
- Paid parking is available but may be limited at our meeting location.
- Nearest bus routes include the 014, 016, 028, 209, 210, 211 or 214.
If you require additional support (i.e. sign language interpreter, etc) or have other questions about accessibility, please email kikiaicollaborative [at] gmail [dot] com.
About the Facilitators
Our guide for the tour is Kimiko Yoshino, and the healing circle will be led by Naomi Horii.
Kimiko Yoshino
Kimiko was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. Her mother is Japanese, and father is African-American.
She immigrated to Canada in 2009 to go to school at UBC to study Anthropology, and settled here as a permanent resident. She continued her education to specialize in Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
She is currently the Education Coordinator at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre.
Naomi Horii
Naomi is a sansei, Japanese Canadian settler with mixed ancestry, who is privileged to have been raised up on the ancestral, unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) nations. Currently, Naomi is working alongside Japanese Canadian community and intergenerational trauma, wellness, joy and healing through research, writing, and community offerings.
Naomi is informed by an Indigenous worldview of connection as medicine. Other pieces that inform her work are: ecological attachment models, the wisdom of the body, mindfulness, and intersectional feminism.
She works alongside the challenges of grief, loss, relational/family struggles, and trauma; supporting individuals towards processing anger, rage, trust, life transitions, and integrating the many resources intimacy, love, rest, pleasure, joy, community-care and self-care can give.
This event is part of chibisoku (チビ足), a series of six micro-events hosted by Kikiai Collaborative in 2025 to foster intimate learning, connection and dialogue among “young-ish” Japanese Canadians. Learn more at kikiai.ca/chibisoku.