The subjects of the interviews are Tak and Pollie Nishino (nee Onishi). The first portion of the interview focuses on Pollie's family history and when they emigrated from Japan to Canada. Then, she talks about her childhood and family home in Victoria, BC and travelling around when she was a child.
She started her education in Victoria, BC and then completed it by correspondence in Hastings Park, Sandon, BC and then finally in Toronto, ON. Of note is a story of the family burning symbols of the Emperor and the RCMP telling them to put out the fire. Pollie talks about her life in Sandon, BC: her house had a Japanese bath and their outhouse hung over the creek in the town, dancing and playing sports in Sandon, receiving skiis from the Sears catalogue, and hiking in the mountains. She talks about her sister working in the hospital as a nurse's aid.
Pollie talks about the train ride from Sandon to Toronto and the food they ate, getting permission from the army officers to use the washroom, and staying in the same clothes. She talks about arriving in Union Station and her life in Toronto. Pollie worked for a toy company and the Ontario News Company. She met her husband, Tak Nishino through bowling. As Pollie's father was very involved in the Buddhist church, she describes the role of religion at her wedding and her everyday life. She also talks about celebrations such as New Years and celebrating Girls' Day and Boys' Day.
Tak talks about his family's history and his childhood growing up in Powell Street in Vancouver where his father ran a rooming house. He would watch the Asahi games in the neighbourhood. Tak was active in various sports including weightlifting, soccer, baseball and golf. He also attended Japanese Language School in Vancouver.
After the war, Tak left Angler for Hamilton for employment in the sanatorium. After that, he moved to Toronto to live with his parents. He started a dry cleaning business with Pollie's father after they were married. Pollie and Tak talk about not being part of the Redress movement and having to prove that they were Canadian to receive compensation. Pollie and Tak talk how Jewish people especially in Toronto hired Japanese Canadians. They talk about volunteering at the JCCC in Toronto.
Clip from Japanese Canadian Experience Conference (Tak): https://vimeo.com/340717444
Clip from Japanese Canadian Experience Conference (Pollie): https://vimeo.com/339325434