Restoration of Historic Japanese Canadian Fishing Boat Underway in Delta
Decades after it was confiscated, a 1930s Japanese Canadian fishing boat is being restored in Delta
Image: Cbc
The Persian Fisher, a 1930s fishing boat representing the Japanese Canadian community's history, is nearing restoration in Delta, British Columbia. Despite significant progress, the Delta Fishing Heritage Society lacks a permanent display location for the vessel, which symbolizes the impact of Japanese internment during World War II.
- 01The Persian Fisher was originally owned by Nobua Teshima, a Japanese Canadian fisherman, and was confiscated by the Canadian government in the 1940s.
- 02The Delta Fishing Heritage Society has invested approximately $15,000 into the restoration, aided by a provincial heritage grant of $17,500.
- 03Japanese Canadians were once a dominant force in British Columbia's fishing industry, holding the majority of fishing licenses before being targeted by racist policies.
- 04The society aims to display the restored boat publicly, ideally along the Ladner waterfront, but faces challenges in securing a location.
- 05Community members, including Bev Yaworski, advocate for the boat's visibility to educate the public about the injustices faced by Japanese Canadians during World War II.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The restoration of the Persian Fisher, a historic Japanese Canadian fishing boat from the 1930s, is nearing completion in Delta, British Columbia. The Delta Fishing Heritage Society has dedicated over a decade to this project, investing about $15,000 and receiving a provincial heritage grant of $17,500. Originally owned by Nobua Teshima, the boat was confiscated during World War II as part of the internment of Japanese Canadians, who were significant contributors to the fishing industry in B.C. before the war. Society president John Stevens emphasizes the need for public display of the vessel to highlight both its fishing heritage and the injustices faced by the Japanese Canadian community. However, the society currently lacks a permanent home for the boat, which remains stored under a tarp. Community members are urging local government support to secure a display location, ideally along the Ladner waterfront, to ensure that this piece of history is preserved and acknowledged.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The restoration and potential display of the Persian Fisher could enhance community awareness of local history and the injustices faced by Japanese Canadians during WWII.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think about restoring and displaying historical artifacts like the Persian Fisher?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.