2018 Nikkei Angel Island Pilgrimage - Nichi Bei FoundationNEW

Nikkei Angel Island Pilgrimage, featuring history presentations, genealogy consultations, tours, music, arts and food.  Presented by the Nichi Bei Foundation, in partnership with Angel Island State Park, California Genealogical Society, and Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the event website.

Honoring our Immigrant Pioneers and Rediscovering our Family Histories.  

Date
Saturday, October 13, 2018

Time
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

2018 Program Highlights
- Speakers including Judy Sakaki, President, Sonoma State University; Grant Din, volunteer, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation; and Linda Harms Okazaki, past president, California Genealogical Society.

- Historical exhibits specific to the Japanese and Japanese American experience on Angel Island, including those sent there from Hawai‘i during World War II.

- Family History Consultations with volunteers from the California Genealogical Society.

- Ancestry.com is donating 100 DNA kits ($99 value), available to the first 100 who purchase Nichi Bei Ferry Packages and undertake family history consultations. Additionally, there will be ancestry.com subscriptions and DNA kits donated from My Heritage and Family Tree DNA that will be raffled to those who purchase Nichi Bei Ferry Packages and undertake family history consultations.

- The story of Roy Hirai, a Nisei who was detained on Angel Island as a teenager when the immigration authorities questioned the validity of his birth certificate. As an adult, he served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

- Performances by Masayuki Koga on shakuhachi

- Blessing by Japanese American Religious Federation, presented by Rev. Grace Kaori Suzuki, Pastor, Christ United Presbyterian Church.

- Bon Odori dance to honor our immigrant pioneers and ancestors, led by San Jose Obon choreographer Reiko Iwanaga, whose father-in-law Rev. Yoshio Iwanaga established the first Bon Odori in America 82 years ago.

- Japanese bento lunches (optional).

- Pre-order shuttle from Ayala Cove to Immigration Station (optional).
The schedule is designed to allow a free flow of activity during the day. Participants can visit the Immigration Station exhibits, see displays on the Japanese and Japanese American History at Angel Island, engage in genealogy research, learn about community history and what various organizations are doing, and enjoy time with family, friends and colleagues.

Presented by: the Nichi Bei Foundation in partnership with the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, & National Japanese American Historical Society, & California Genealogical Society with support from the California State Parks, San Francisco State University Asian American Studies, San Francisco JACL, J-Sei, Japanese Community Youth Council