Densho Digital Archive
Densho Visual History Collection
Title: Henry Shimizu Interview
Narrator: Henry Shimizu
Interviewer: Tom Ikeda
Location: Seattle, Washington
Date: July 25 & 26, 2006
Densho ID: denshovh-shenry-01-0066

<Begin Segment 66>

TI: I want to also kind of mention, in your life, you've lived a very rich life. And lots of different experiences, but you've given back a lot to the community, not only through your career, but to the community through the foundation and your paintings. And you've been acknowledged for that by the Canadian government. And I wanted you to, to just spend a minute or so explaining one of the, this honor that you got, this medal.

HS: Oh, in 2003, I received the Order of Canada, which is the highest, highest what you call recognition for a civilian. And this was, is given out by the governor-general of Canada, who represents the queen in Canada. The queen, despite the fact that the queen is from England, we all, every, there's a governor-general who represents her in the government of Canada. And her position is to, is to be sort of like the representative of the queen here in Canada, and she does sort of the same ideas. In England they have what they call knighthood that they give to their prominent citizens. Like, for instance, the Beatles got knighthood.

TI: So this would be kind of equivalent to being knighted.

HS: That same, same, except it's in Canada.

TI: So I can call you "Sir Henry." [Laughs]

HS: It's not a sir. They don't, there is none of the, there's none of the laying on of the sword or anything like that. As a result, but as a result, you get this medal and the recognition, and you become a part of this group known as a member of the Order of Canada. And I can put this, my initials, CM, which means I am a member of the Canadian Order of Canada, after my name. When I officially write my, if I sign my name officially, I could put CM at the end. It's like putting MDCM. My MD, my doctorate, and FRCS, which would also go there, which is becoming a member of the Fellow, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada, it's called the Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. And you put that FRCS, Canadian surgeons on there as well, and the final thing that you put on is the Order of Canada, which is a CM. So this is what you're, you're given the, you're officially recognized to do this, and so I can do, put a CM on my...

TI: [Addressing videographer]: So did you get a good shot of that? [Addressing HS]: Okay, so why don't you put that down, and then just talk briefly about this medal.

HS: This medal I received from the, from the premier of Alberta, and I received this in 2005 as recognition of my accomplishments with the, and achievements with the, not only with Alberta, but also with Canada. It is the centennial medal, and these medals were given out to people of note in, since Alberta became a province in 1905. So in 2005, it's, it's the hundredth anniversary, these medals were given out to people of note at that time. And this was, and they, because of my, I think because of other things I did, as well as the fact that I was, had the Order of Canada by that time, that I was given this medal as well.

TI: Okay. You know, Henry, we have about one or two minutes left. Any other last thoughts or comments?

HS: Well, I'm, I must say, I appreciate coming here and having you, having Densho feel that there is some importance in people outside the United States, but in North America, you might say. And the recognition that there are other stories similar to the American experience, but the Canadian experience -- and in other ways, quite a bit different because of our location. However, it is, it is nice to be able to come, to come here and do this. I feel that it is, it is a Nisei, whether in Canada or United States or in Mexico, it's that, it's that idea of anybody that has an interest or is part of a Japanese experience outside of Japan, are sort of, as a group, like brothers, or it's one family.

TI: Well, good. That's a wonderful way to end this, and I've learned a lot about Japanese Canadians. So thank you so much.

HS: Thank you very much.

<End Segment 66> - Copyright © 2006 Densho. All Rights Reserved.