An extraordinary episode in Canadian history.
The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre (NIMC) opened in 1994, founded by the New Denver Kyowakai Society to commemorate and honour the stories of Japanese Canadians who were stripped of their civil rights, labelled “enemy aliens,” and uprooted from their coastal homes during the Second World War. Over 22,000 people were forcibly removed, and the Orchard internment camp in New Denver became one of many sites where families endured years of hardship and displacement.
Located on the grounds of that former camp, the Centre preserves original buildings—shacks, a mess hall, and other structures—that bear witness to the lived experiences of internees. Period artifacts, personal belongings, and interpretive displays bring to life the stories of families who, despite loss and uncertainty, built new communities in the face of injustice. At the heart of the site is the Heiwa Teien Peace Garden, designed by renowned landscape architect Tomomichi (Roy) Sumi, whose elements of water, stone, and greenery symbolize peace, remembrance, and cultural continuity.
As the only interpretive centre of its kind in Canada, the NIMC is both a place of remembrance and education. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2007, underscoring its national importance in preserving this extraordinary chapter in Canadian history. The Centre continues to welcome visitors, students, and researchers, ensuring that the lessons of the past remain part of our collective future.
The elders who established the Centre did not see themselves as victims, nor did they initially view their efforts as political statements. In the early 1990s, their intent was less about protest and more about legacy: transforming hardship into hope. While responses to internment ranged from shock, anger, and fear to resignation and, over time, acceptance, the creation of the NIMC reflects a remarkable determination to turn a painful history into something positive and enduring. Through their efforts, future generations are reminded not only of the injustice but also of the resilience, strength, and dignity of Japanese Canadians.
