2020 Mochitsuki Cancellation

For the past 42 years, friends and family of the Japanese Canadian community in Ottawa have gathered at the OJCA-OJCC Mochitsuki to celebrate the upcoming New Year with food, activities and performances from local talent. Unfortunately, we must officially announce the cancellation of this year’s Mochitsuki due to the current COVID-19 situation.

We look forward to celebrating together with you next year! In the meantime, keep an eye on our Facebook page for fun holiday-themed content.

We wish you all a fun and safe holiday!

Statement on Black Lives Matter

The OJCA supports the call for an end to the violence against Black people, as well as all racialized and Indigenous peoples.  As a member organization of the NAJC, we echo their statement:

“We protest the racism experienced by Black Canadians and Americans which has all too often included their deaths at the hands of law enforcement. We question how this could happen especially in their homes, and jogging and driving in their neighbourhoods. We need to understand and check our privilege. We need to learn more about the history of our country and the challenges faced by Black Canadians. We need to have the hard conversations to do better at home, at schools, at our workplaces, and in our communities.”

Please read the full statement below:

NAJC Statement on Black Lives Matter

(Photo by Life Matters from Pexels)

NAJC Zoom Chats

The following is an announcement from the NAJC.

We hope that you are all coping under the current COVID-19 pandemic. The National Association of Japanese Canadians has incorporated new, on-line programming in this environment and is happy to invite you to join in one of our on-line, virtual “Chat” sessions with some of our community members.

There are three chats scheduled, for which advance registration is required.

  • April 23 at 10pm and April 26 at 7pm: Chat with John Ota – Architectural writer/designer/historian John Ota will share some fascinating stories, beautiful photos, and highlights from his new book, The Kitchen.
  • April 24 at 7pm: Chat with Jeff Chiba Stearns – Jeff Chiba Stearns is an Emmy nominated and Webby award-winning director and producer who has just launched his newest children’s book, Nori and His Delicious Dreams, which touches on food and culture.

Please visit the NAJC web site for full details.

COVID-19 Community Support Update

The OJCA is wishing you health, safety and wellness during this trying time and hope you are not facing too many difficulties.

If however, you are in need of help and community support for: grocery delivery; mental health and isolation; or any other issue you can now reach out to the OJCA via our new COVID-19 Outreach email:

help@ojca.ca

We will do our best to field your questions and concerns and connect you with community resources and volunteers who can help you!

(Photo by Fernando Venzano on Unsplash)

Continue reading “COVID-19 Community Support Update”