Lisa Uyeda is an archivist and a Nikkei yonsei (fourth generation Japanese Canadian) with deep family roots in Vancouver’s historic Powell Street area. She holds a Masters Degree in Archival Studies from the University of British Columbia and an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. Born and raised in Toronto, Lisa volunteered and worked at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre where she documented over 100 oral histories, coordinated three conferences, and contributed to the early development of the Moriyama Nikkei Heritage Centre. In 2014, Lisa was the recipient of the Early Career Development Internship Program and was mentored by the Information Manager at the Museum of Anthropology’s Audrey & Harry Hawthorn Library & Archives. Immediately following the internship, Lisa worked at BC Hydro Library and Archives, and is currently the Collections Manager at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre. In 2018, Lisa became a member of the Landscapes of Injustice Project Steering Committee and co-chair of the Archival Website cluster. Partnered with Stewart Arneil (Head of Research and Development at the Humanities Computing and Media Centre at the University of Victoria), the Archival Website cluster will amalgamate the resources gathered and created by the project so as to foster future scholarly research and provide access to the Nikkei community and general public. Well connected across the Nikkei community, Lisa serves on a number of volunteer committees that focus on Nikkei history, human rights, and young leadership. She is active with the National Association of Japanese Canadians and served as a Director on the National Executive Board and Chair of the Heritage Committee from 2014-2018. Lisa currently resides in Vancouver on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

I'm the daughter-in-law of George (Shizuo) Hosaki and Kay (Kazue Maikawa) Hosaki. My husband is Wayne Derek Hosaki. Married October 1, 1977. We have two daughters Sarah Ann Akiko and Kimiko Marie May and are proud grandparents to a little boy Keoki. I work with my husband at Birchmount Collision that was started in 1958 by George.

Yamabiko Taiko was founded in the spring of 2003 in Kelowna, BC, Canada, by Eri Uchida with the assistance of Ken Fix. The group was begun with very humble and simple desires: to enjoy and play Japanese Taiko-style drumming and be lost in its power and grace. With only a few members, practices began that summer using duct-taped tires and sawn-up broomstick handles. By the middle of autumn, a connection was made with the Kelowna Buddhist Temple to use their hall as a practice space. The relationship with the temple and Japanese community has since flourished. As Yamabiko gathered members and experience we were able to acquire our very first crude but effective drums. They were homemade with ordinary packing tape and, believe it or not, 18-inch cut-to-size sewer pipes (unused of course!) donated by the City of Kelowna. Since then, the group has purchased professionally-made performance drums, and has evolved into a regularly performing group. Practices are still held in the basement of Kelowna Buddhist Temple every Monday and Friday evening, and upcoming performances are listed at www.yamabikotaiko.ca. Eri Uchida, upon founding Yamabiko Taiko, was its first dedicated, gifted leader. She has since moved back to Japan where she has become a member of the famous taiko group “Kodo”. Yamabiko owes her much gratitude and credit, as much of our repertoire comprises songs the group originally learned from her. We wish her the best of luck with her taiko endeavours. Yamabiko also acknowledges those who have helped our group both during our formative years and up to the present. Particular acknowledgement of support goes to: Ken Fix, Doug Masuhara from the Steveston Taiko, Art Lee from Tokara Taiko, and The Kelowna Buddhist Temple. The name “Yamabiko” means “mountain echo”. Kelowna is situated in the Okanagan Valley, surrounded by mountains. The sound of taiko resonates not just literally throughout the mountains of the Valley, but also figuratively as the “echo” reaches around the world, and pays homage to Japan. The “echo” represents communication that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries, ultimately sharing the rhythm of our hearts.

Born & raised in Greenwood, B.C.

A graduate of U.B.C. and retired teacher since 2002. Coached various sports for 41 years, but in 2010, I wanted to devote more time to the Nikkei history. I wrote two books, "Hanatare Bozu" and " Family History of Greenwood-Midway.

Booming Tree "Canada's Taiko Duo" We perform to celebrate the power and strength of the human form. We bring the power of Japanese taiko and our intense performing style to create extraordinary experiences.

Midnight Taiko Kai was founded in 2006 by three members, bringing with them a combined 15 years experience from various Taiko groups in Japan and the United States. Today, the group has 11 members with 50 years of combined drumming experience and have performed in over 100 events throughout Calgary and Alberta. They are committed to challenging themselves to improve individually while performing together strongly as a team. Their goal is to share their passion for drumming and perpetuate the art by creating powerful rhythms, heart-stopping beats, and eye-catching performances - playing well into the night. Visit us on our website at www.midnight-taiko.com.