The Calgary Buddhist Temple, the Calgary Japanese Community Association, the Japanese Canadian Association of Manitoba, and the Edmonton Japanese Community Association have joined together to host an online “Meet the Authors” presentation with the authors of On Being Yukiko, Jeff Chiba Stearns and Lillian Michiko Blakey.
A collaborative graphic novel created by Sansei artist Lillian Michiko Blakey and Yonsei animation filmmaker Jeff Chiba Stearns, this intergenerational story is the first time a graphic novel has ever been created to address both themes of Japanese Canadian history and identity.
Open to the public, we welcome everyone to attend either FREE 1.5 hour presentation! For ease of joining, the link to attend both presentations will be posted on the Calgary Buddhist Temple website and on Facebook!
PRESENTATION 1: February 25, 2021, 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST (Aimed more towards the adults but families are also welcome.)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85342336007?pwd=YVVYMm5NcWNlVmFXSFI1Q1ZqWklHdz09
Meeting ID: 853 4233 6007 Passcode: 638475
PRESENTATION 2: February 27, 2021, 9am PST / 10am MST / 11am CST / 12pm EST (Second presentation to be family-focused and will encourage more youth participation but feel free to attend whichever presentation is more convenient for you!)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83792016595?pwd=MmJ6UEltVy9YK3hQa09pWURWY2xtUT09
Meeting ID: 837 9201 6595 Passcode: 181808
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbZS958RLF
On Being Yukiko is structured as a conversation between 12-year-old Emma or Yukiko and her ba-chan (grandmother), who tells Emma the story of how her great-great grandmother Maki, a Japanese picture bride, arrived in Canada at the turn of the 20th century. Maki’s story of extreme perseverance and sacrifice inspires Emma, who identifies as a quarter Japanese, to discover a deeper connection to her Japanese Canadian identity…and on being Yukiko.
The book gently addresses important themes like intergenerational relationships, intermarriage, systemic racism and the need to fight for social justice, using the graphic novel format.
We hope you are able to take advantage to hear these authors speak and engage with the community.