Joy Kogawa
- Vancouver
Joy
Kogawa is one of British Columbia's most celebrated and inspirational
authors, whose work has been instrumental in raising Canadian consciousness
about wartime injustices. Ms. Kogawa's award-winning first novel,
Obasan, is an illuminating portrayal of the internment of Japanese-Canadians
in Canada during World War II. Obasan is now considered one of the
most important novels ever published in Canada, and is required
curriculum for Canadian high schools and universities.
Ms. Kogawa has
been active in social justice movements across Canada, in the areas
of poverty and human rights. She is a powerful advocate for victims
of wrong, and her work continues to inspire citizens throughout
the nation. Through Ms. Kogawa's solid, steady efforts, the issues
of internment of Canadians of Japanese descent were brought to the
attention of the Federal Government, and led to the Japanese-Canadian
Redress Agreement in 1988.
Ms. Kogawa was
named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1986. She has received
honourary doctorates from seven Canadian universities, and is a
Fellow of Ryerson Polytechnical University. She received the Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Association of Asian American Studies,
and the NAJC National Award from the National Association of Japanese
Canadians.
The Literary
Review of Canada has listed Obasan as one of Canada's 100
most important books. In 2005, the Vancouver Public Library chose
Obasan for the One Book One Vancouver program.
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