‘Gila River Connections: A Celebration of Shared History’ Set for Feb. 19-22

BCA Sangha Members Are Among Those Participating in Landmark Community Gathering

Sangha members from the BCA will be among the participants in a landmark community gathering called “Gila River Connections: A Celebration of Shared History,” on Feb. 19-22, 2026, in Chandler, Arizona.

The event will bring together Japanese American World War II camp  survivors, their descendants, members of the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), students and allies to honor the intertwined histories of the two communities. 

Among BCA members involved with the event are: Berkeley Buddhist Temple (BBT) member Antonia Grace Glenn, an award-winning filmmaker whose documentary “Taking Out Place” will have its world premiere; BBT member Pam Matsuoka, the BCA’s Assistant Facilities Manager at the Jodo Shinshu Center; Glenn’s mother, BBT member Evelyn Nakano Glenn; and BCA Minister Emeritus Rev. Mas Kodani. Matsuoka, Evelyn Nakano Glenn and Rev. Kodani are among those who are interviewed in the documentary.

In addition, others include Rev. Dr. Duncan Ryuken Williams, professor of American Studies and Ethnicity and Religion at USC and director of the USC Shinso Ito Center. Rev. Dr. Williams is one of the leaders of the Ireicho (book of names) project. The Ireicho is the first comprehensive listing of over 125,000 persons of Japanese ancestry who were incarcerated in US Army, Department of Justice, Wartime Civil Control Administration, and War Relocation Authority camps.

The four-day gathering aims to foster healing and reflect on the shared experiences of displacement, resettlement, forced assimilation and ultimately resilience. 

“This event will simultaneously honor the history of Japanese American incarcerees and the sovereignty of GRIC lands and provide opportunities for community-building and shared healing,” the organizing committee said in a statement.

The event also promises to be a significant gathering of Japanese Americans at Gila River, building upon the JACL National Convention at Wild Horse Pass in 2006 and the visit of the Japanese  American National Museum (JANM) Ireicho national tour in 2025. 

Core Public Events: Huhugam Heritage Center 

The core public programming is free of charge and open to all. Events will be held at the Huhugam Heritage Center of the Gila River Indian Community. 

Thursday, Feb. 19: Film Screenings and Reception 

• Time: 6:30–9:30 p.m. 

• Highlights:

• Screening of the award-winning short film “The Blue Jay” by Marlene Shigekawa,  Executive Director of the Poston Community Alliance; the scripted film tells the  story of a friendship between a Japanese American incarcerated at Poston and a  member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. 

• World premiere of the feature documentary “Taking Our Place” by award-winning  filmmaker Antonia Grace Glenn; the film explores the intersections of Japanese American, African American and Native American communities during and after World War II. 

• A panel discussion featuring the filmmakers and community elders, followed by a community reception. 

Friday, Feb. 20: Lectures and Community Dialogue 

• Time: 1–4 p.m. 

• Highlights:

• Panel discussion featuring Japanese American and GRIC elders and community leaders. 

• Lecture on the history of baseball in the camps by Bill Staples, Jr., award-winning baseball historian and President of the JACL - Arizona Chapter. 

• Lecture on Gila River camp archeology by Koji Lau-Ozawa, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, UCLA. 

• Obon dancing to honor the ancestors with live music by Japanese American and GRIC performers. 

• A community reception.

The gathering is made possible through the collaboration of key partners and the generous support of dedicated funders. 

Core partners include: 

• Huhugam Heritage Center 

• Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) 

• Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) – Arizona Chapter 

• The Poston Community Alliance 

This event is supported through funding from: 

• The JACL National Legacy Grant Project 

• JA Community Foundation 

• The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation 

Gathering attendees are also invited to participate in additional community activities throughout the weekend: 

• The annual Iwo Jima flag raising event in Sacaton on Feb. 21, honoring Ira H.  Hayes of the GRIC. 

• The Arizona Matsuri, a Festival of Japan, on the weekend of February 21–22.

Learn more at: https://jaclaz.org/event/gila-river-connections/. 

Details regarding ticket reservations, suggested accommodations and more will follow soon.