Hisako Shin Shinkoda was born on August 10, 1918. She talks about her parents and a short story she wrote about them. She talks about her father, who was very active in the community and helpful to other immigrants in Britannia Beach, ON. He ran a logging camp during the summer. She talks about her childhood and schooling days in the country. She talks about being discriminated against, her family's strawberry farm, and the respect the community had for her father. Hisako talks about what her brothers work on the farm and that they transported berries to Mission City. She compared the experiences for Japanese Canadians in the country versus Vancouver during celebrations such as May Day. Hisako talks about her family life, chores including milking the cow, and going to the United Church (because there was no Buddhist church), and Christmas traditions. She remembers visiting her grandmother in Japan prior to WWII and living there until for while before returning to Canada. She talks about her hopes of going to university, her sister's opera and musical education in Vancouver when the war broke out.
During WWII, her family was removed to Tashme, BC while Hisako and her husband and child were removed to Kaslo, BC and then to Montreal. After marrying, she needed to find a job to support her children, but struggled because she was not trained to do any of the work that was posted. She talks about learning French in Montreal. Unable to cope with an abusive husband, Hisako went to live with her family in Tashme, BC. After the war, Hisako relocated to Toronto, ON and worked at the airport in Toronto as an interpreter. She also attended University of Toronto to learn Japanese. She talks about her work with the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) including Caravan, teaching odori, and talking to younger generation about their heritage. Hisako talks about her education at the University of Toronto at the age of 80.