During the November 12-13, 2022 weekend, 13 college students from six different Nikkei Student Unions participated in our annual Katari: Keeping Japanese American Stories Alive youth educational program.
A joint program of the Manzanar Committee and the National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site, Katari, which means “to tell stories” in Japanese, is a two-day, intensive, experiential, place-based learning experience about the unjust incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans during World War II, held at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
This year’s program, which is in its sixth year, returned to Manzanar after two years of being held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and from all indications, it was a great success, and that was, in no small part, due to the active, inspired participation by our students. Thank you, Katari students, for making this year’s program a tremendous success. We hope you learned a lot and that you’ll pass what you learned on to others!
Below are photographs from the weekend.
2022-23 Katari Program
105 photos. ©2022 Manzanar Committee. All rights reserved. Click on any photo to view a larger image.
The snow-capped Eastern Sierras greeted Katari students upon arrival at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s ranger Rose Masters (right).
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s ranger Rose Masters.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s former Amache incarceree Min Tonai (seated, left) and former Manzanar incarceree Pat Sakamoto (seated, center).
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s ranger Rose Masters.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An icebreaker exercise started off the 2022-23 Katari program at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s former Amache incarceree Min Tonai (seated, right).
A discussion about the ”Practice of History” in the Interpretive Center at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita (right).
A discussion about the ”Practice of History” in the Interpretive Center at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
A discussion about the ”Practice of History” in the Interpretive Center at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
A discussion about the ”Practice of History” in the Interpretive Center at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita (right).
A discussion about the ”Practice of History” in the Interpretive Center at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita (center) leads a discussion about the indigenous Owens Valley (Payahüünadü) Paiute and Shoshone.
Big Pine Paiute Tribe member Alan Bacock (not pictured) speaks to Katari students just outside the interpretive center at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita (right) leads a discussion about the indigenous Owens Valley (Payahüünadü) Paiute and Shoshone.
Big Pine Paiute Tribe member Alan Bacock (not pictured) speaks to Katari students just outside the interpretive center at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Big Pine Paiute Tribe member Alan Bacock (not pictured) speaks to Katari students just outside the interpretive center at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Big Pine Paiute Tribe member Alan Bacock speaks to Katari students just outside the interpretive center at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Big Pine Paiute Tribe member Alan Bacock speaks to Katari students just outside the interpretive center at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita (right) leads a discussion about the indigenous Owens Valley (Payahüünadü) Paiute and Shoshone.
An exercise about racist laws at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An exercise about racist laws at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An exercise about racist laws at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An exercise about racist laws at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An exercise about racist laws at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An exercise about racist laws at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
An exercise about racist laws at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Ranger Rose Masters (not pictured) during a presentation about living conditions in camp in the Block 14 demonstration barracks at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Ranger Rose Masters (left) during a presentation about living conditions in camp in the Block 14 demonstration barracks at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Ranger Rose Masters (background left) during a presentation about living conditions in camp in the Block 14 demonstration barracks at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Former Amache incarceree Min Tonai (not pictured) talks about living conditions in camp in the Block 14 demonstration barracks at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Former Amache incarceree Min Tonai talks about living conditions in camp in the Block 14 demonstration barracks at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s Manzanar Committee member Jason Fujii (right).
Former Amache incarceree Min Tonai talks about living conditions in camp in the Block 14 demonstration barracks at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s Manzanar Committee member Jason Fujii (right).
Ranger Rose Masters talks about the impact of the latrines in the Block 14 replica women’s latrine at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
It’s almost lunch time in the Block 14 replica mess hall at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey (foreground right) talks about the Manzanar Revolt in the Block 14 replica mess hall at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey (not pictured) talks about the Manzanar Revolt in the Block 14 replica mess hall at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey (not pictured) talks about the Manzanar Revolt in the Block 14 replica mess hall at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s former Amache incarceree Min Tonai (foreground left, seated).
Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey talks about the Manzanar Revolt in the Block 14 replica mess hall at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey talks about the Manzanar Revolt in the Block 14 replica mess hall at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey talks about the Manzanar Revolt in the Block 14 replica mess hall at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Ranger Rose Masters (not pictured) gives a presentation about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Ranger Rose Masters (not pictured) gives a presentation about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Ranger Rose Masters (not pictured) gives a presentation about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Ranger Rose Masters gives a presentation about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Ranger Rose Masters (not pictured) gives a presentation about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Ranger Rose Masters (left) gives a presentation about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Ranger Rose Masters (not pictured) gives a presentation about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Katari students listen to a presentation by ranger Rose Masters (not pictured) about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Ranger Rose Masters (kneeling) gives a presentation about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Katari students listen to a presentation by ranger Rose Masters (kneeling) about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Katari students listen to a presentation by ranger Rose Masters (not pictured) about the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks.
Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto tells her mother’s heartbreaking story of how her family was torn apart by the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks,
Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto tells her mother’s heartbreaking story of how her family was torn apart by the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks,
Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto (foreground right) tells her mother’s heartbreaking story of how her family was torn apart by the infamous ”Loyalty Questionnaire” in Manzanar’s Block 14 demonstration barracks,
Katari group photo at the cemetery monument, Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Manzanar’s Block 22 garden by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Manzanar’s Block 22 garden by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Manzanar’s Block 22 garden by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s Interpretation Team Leader Alisa Lynch Broch (foreground right).
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s Interpretation Team Leader Alisa Lynch Broch (left).
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site. That’s Interpretation Team Leader Alisa Lynch Broch (right).
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Katari students listen to a presentation at the site of Manzanar’s Children’s Village by National Park Service staff at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
2022-23 Katari Program
24 photos ©2022 by Rose Masters. All rights reserved. Click on any photo to view a larger image.
Group dinner on Saturday night.
Ranger Sarah Bone leads a discussion about forms of resistance at the Manzanar reservoir.
Ranger Sarah Bone leads a discussion about forms of resistance at the Manzanar reservoir.
Ranger Sarah Bone leads a discussion about forms of resistance at the Manzanar reservoir.
A discussion about forms of resistance at the Manzanar reservoir.
The Manzanar cemetery
Ranger Sarah Bone talks about genealogical resources
Ranger Sarah Bone talks about genealogical resources
Ranger Sarah Bone talks about genealogical resources
Cultural Resources team leader Jeff Burton talks about the Block 22 garden
Cultural Resources team leader Jeff Burton talks about the Block 22 garden
Cultural Resources team leader Jeff Burton talks about the Block 22 garden
Cultural Resources team leader Jeff Burton talks about the Block 22 garden
Cultural Resources team leader Jeff Burton talks about the Block 22 garden
Cultural Resources team leader Jeff Burton talks about the Block 22 garden
Manzanar’s Children’s Village
Oral history of former Manzanar incarceree Hank Umemoto plays in the Interpretive Center while students look on.
Oral history of former Manzanar incarceree Yoshiye Okimoto Hayashi plays in the Interpretive Center while students look on.
Oral history of former Tule Lake incarceree A. Mori Cosentino plays in the Interpretive Center while students look on.
Oral history of former Manzanar incarceree/activist Jim Matsuoka plays in the Interpretive Center while students look on.
The 2022-23 Katari program was funded, in part, by the George and Sakaye Aratani CARE Award from the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
Katari Program Needs Your Support
Katari, which means, to “tell stories” in Japanese, is a self-sustaining educational project that is working to bridge the generation gap that has made it much more difficult for young Japanese Americans to teach others about the unjust incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans in American concentration camps, and other confinement sites, during World War II. Teaching others about this subject is absolutely critical given the current political climate.
We need your support to raise the funds necessary to defray the costs of lodging, meals, and transportation from the Los Angeles area to the Manzanar National Historic Site in California’s Eastern Sierra/Payahüünadü (Owens Valley). You can donate to our Katari program by sending a check to the Manzanar Committee, 1566 Curran Street, Los Angeles, California, 90026-2036. Please be sure to write “Katari” in the memo line on your check. Thank you!
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