Paul Kariya
Paul Kariya is a Sansei who grew up in Ucluelet, British Columbia on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the son of a Kika- Nisei from Wakayama Japan. Now on the glide path toward retirement from a work life in the public, private, not for profit and academic sectors, Paul is employed by First Nations of the Great Bear Rainforest of Central BC. Having been involved with Federal Redress in 1988, Kariya was a negotiator on behalf of the National Association of Japanese Canadians in the 2022 “legacy” settlement with the BC government. When not showing his grandchildren around Ucluelet, Paul is engaged in research on Ucluelet and the salmon fishery. Kariya’s formal education is a PhD and MA from Clark University, and an undergraduate degree from UBC.
Updated February 2029
Stories from This Author
Is Your Family From Ucluelet on The West Coast of Vancouver Island?
Feb. 8, 2024 • Paul Kariya , Ian G. Baird
Ucluelet occupies a special place in Japanese Canadian history. Beginning in 1916-20, as Japanese Canadian fishermen were pushed out of the Fraser River salmon gillnet fishery, a large number came to the West Coast of Vancouver Island to look for new salmon trolling opportunities. The fishery was less competitive and racially charged compared to the Fraser River on the mainland. Trolling was first employed by the Nuu-chah-nulth people, using hooks and lines made of bone, yew, animal sinew, and kelp. …
